Many interacting variables often are involved, such as an ever-changing or intermittent material- delivery rate, the capacity of intermediate storage and receiver bins, random stoppage or failure of equipment in the system, and the setup and cleanup time between product grades or blends. Variables frequently interact in such complex ways that conventional capacity analyses are impossible, especially if the interaction varies with time. Under such conditions the question of whether the system will deliver the required output can be answered only by simulation tech- niques.