Can Flownex run calculations in batch mode, such as performing simulations in the background through Excel and returning results to Excel? Is it also possible to create or modify a Flownex project by editing a text file and then automatically execute the simulation? Additionally, when using text-file-based batch execution, how does Flownex determine which values in the input file correspond to specific components in the network?
Yes, Flownex supports batch mode operation through its API Module. This capability allows users to automate simulations, exchange data with external applications such as Microsoft Excel, and perform calculations in the background without manually interacting with the Flownex user interface.
For Excel integration, users can refer to Tutorial 13, which demonstrates how Flownex and Excel can communicate to send input data to a model and retrieve calculated results. Flownex also provides batch mode examples and documentation in the General User Manual, specifically in the section titled “Example Using Batch Mode.”
When using text files as inputs and outputs, Flownex uses the Text File Link Configuration feature. Within this configuration, users specify the Identifier of each component and the parameter that should be linked to a value in the text file. During execution, Flownex reads the input file and matches values to components based on these configured identifiers.
For example, if a pipe length is being modified through a text file, the pipe component's unique identifier is specified in the Text File Link Configuration. Flownex then knows exactly which pipe component should receive the updated length value when the batch process runs. This approach allows complex networks to be controlled automatically, provided that the appropriate component identifiers and parameter mappings have been configured beforehand.
Example networks and tutorials are available to demonstrate both Excel integration and text-file-driven batch mode workflows.