Merge Controller Issue

Question

question

Afthab L asked Aug 13, '21 Afthab L commented Aug 23, '21

Merge Controller Issue

Hi,

I'm trying to find out the best release strategy for the slug conveyor below. I can't really change the design at this point but I figured the best way to release it is D-C-B-A and round robin if available. However, at seconds, the slug at D reaches point C but the C slug does not merge nor does any other slug with that D slug. I can't seem to figure out the reason. Furthermore, is there a way for the software to automatically figure out the best release strategy?

Empty Line Test_2.fsm

Any help would be appreciated.

Software Version:

FlexSim 21.2.0

flexsim 21.2.0 merge controller

1628857974123.png (263.3 KiB)

empty-line-test-2.fsm (148.2 KiB)

· 1

Jeanette F ♦♦ commented · Aug 18, 2021 at 05:40 PM

Hi @afthab.l, was Felix Möhlmann's answer helpful? If so, please click the red "Accept" button at the bottom of their answer. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

If we haven't heard back from you within 3 business days we'll auto-accept an answer, but you can always unaccept and comment back to reopen your question.

0 ·

Answer 1 · 2021-08-16T08:41:04Z

Felix Möhlmann answered Aug 16, '21 Afthab L commented Aug 23, '21

I think you filled the Lane Clear Table the wrong way around. The merge controller works by holding a slug until the previously released one has cleared one of the marked points of the currently held slug. The way yo filled in the table, the slug at C is waiting for the "D-slug" to clear either D4 (after A) or D3 (after B), when it should also be released if the "D-slug" has cleared D2.

I am not aware of a feature to automatically determine the best release strategy. The "Auto-Fill" button will have FlexSim attempt to fill in the Lane Clear Table by itself, but the results are quite often unusable sadly.

The truly optimal way might only be achievable through using custom logic in process flow, as the merge controller doesn't support (near) simultaneous releases or predictive behaviour.

1629102888179.png (4.4 KiB)

· 1

Afthab L commented · Aug 23, 2021 at 02:07 AM

I see, Thank you for the correction!

0 ·

question