How do i ensure that if an operator completes all assigned items before break?

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Christine B2 asked Jun 16, '20 tannerp commented Jun 25, '20

How do i ensure that if an operator completes all assigned items before break?

The system that i am currently trying to simulate involves two operators that each have a workstation that they are assigned to, the flowitems arrive to the operators from the same spot (one flow in but two workstations to "process" the items). The issue I am facing is a very particular one that involves when an operator goes to break. Because there is only one flow into both operators, i need to ensure that the operator does not go to break if they have been assigned an item (it'll hold up the other operator that is not on break because it has been assigned to the other operator). Currently i am using the exit transfer of a conveyor to decide which operator is available (upon arrival of a flow item to the exit transfer), the odd occasion occurs when the item is assigned to an operator (they are available), but then on their way to picking up the item they go to break (the item will just sit there until they return from break, is there a way to reassess which operator is available to save myself from this fault..)

StackingTrials1-OperatorBreaks.fsm

Software Version:

FlexSim 18.0.10

flexsim 18.0.10 breaks

flexsimhelp.jpg (123.6 KiB)

flexsimhelp2.jpg (115.5 KiB)

stackingtrials1-operatorbreaks.fsm (3.6 MiB)

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tannerp commented · Jun 25, 2020 at 06:31 PM

Hi @Christine B2, was Benjamin W2's answer helpful? If so, please click the red "Accept" button on their answer!

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Answer 1 · 2020-06-16T17:09:01Z

Benjamin W2 answered Jun 16, '20 tannerp commented Jun 16, '20

It looks like you are using your MTBF-MTTR to control your operator breaks. This is usually used for break downs, so your operators are essentially "breaking down" when they go on break.

Try using a time-table instead. Then, on the "Down" function, you can set the priority to 0:

Then make sure the "loading" function from the conveyor is given a higher priority:

This should fix the problem.

1592327232840.png (59.4 KiB)

1592327325627.png (51.3 KiB)

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Christine B2 commented · Jun 16, 2020 at 06:32 PM

Hi Benjamin,

I tried doing so, but i still have instances where the tire is assigned to the operator on break and is therefore still holding the system up (the other operator is just standing there because the tire on the belt is assigned to the one on break), I attached a picture of the system messing up below.

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tannerp Christine B2 commented · Jun 16, 2020 at 07:42 PM

This will require additional logic in the Exit Transfer. For example, something in the round robin logic that checks to see if the operator assigned to that port is stopped or available.

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