Combiner Excel Import

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Dominik K asked Jun 17, '20 Dominik K published Jul 29, '20

Combiner Excel Import

Hi!

I have a simulation with a combiner, where Actuator-Units are made off different MGC and VCM.
One Actuator-Unit consists of 1 MGC and 2 VCM and the MGC / VCM come in different sizes (MGC-S / MGC-M / MGC-L and VCM-N / VCM-L).
How can I tell a combiner, with the help of excel, to execute my desired sequence as following:

AU-M-N -> 1x MGC-M and 2x VCM-N
AU-S-N -> 1x MGC-S and 2x VCM-N
AU-M-N -> 1x MGC-M and 2x VCM-N

Am I on the right path with an excel? Would this also do the job for my desired sequence?

Best,
Dominik

Software Version:

FlexSim 18.2.3

combiner excel import combiner component list combiner for different combinations

1592402050027.png (123.0 KiB)

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tannerp commented · Jun 17, 2020 at 07:35 PM

You're on the right track for sure. I don't think that you'll need the "Current Quantity" values from the table, though. Each row should just have one value that represents the Target Quantity for that input port.

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Matt Long commented · Jun 18, 2020 at 02:33 AM

Are you trying to set up three combinations, one after the other, with one combiner? If this is the case, you'll need to use the Update Combiner Component List pick option from the On Entry trigger of the combiner. All of your data would be imported into a global table. I can explain more if this is your desire.

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Dominik K Matt Long commented · Jul 19, 2020 at 10:53 AM

Hey Matt, Thanks for the answer. This combiner has to do 5 combinations (5 different complete AU's). So yes, I think this would be helpful!

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Answer 1 · 2020-07-20T19:02:54Z

tannerp answered Jul 20, '20 Dominik K published Jul 29, '20

@dominik.k,

You can use the Update Combiner Component List option to update the list according to the type of the first item to enter. I created an example to explain this.

The item Type label is used to decide which column of the Global Table to use to update the list. You must have a column in the Global Table for each of the item types and input ports on the combiner. In my example, if the pallet type is 1, it updates the list to request four items of type 1. If the pallet type is 2, it requests one item of type 2. And if the pallet type is 3, it requests two items of type 3.

I hope this is helpful. You can modify this idea to meet your needs.

Update combiner list example.fsm

combiner-list-trigger.png (7.7 KiB)

update-combiner-list-example.fsm (18.9 KiB)

· 9

Dominik K commented · Jul 21, 2020 at 08:22 AM

Hey, thanks for the answer!

Makes all sense and I see the logic behind the given Model.
The pallets seem to be created randomly. I would have to implement a given order by the customer (in relation to the original question; First the customer wants an "AU-M-N" and then an "AU-S-N").
Therefore, at the very beginning of picking the right materials in order to fullfil the customers' desire for a very first "AU-M-N" it must be clear for my operators, which objects to choose.

My model has 30 individual processes which would have to be completed until I have my finished "AU-M-N". So all these 30 processes have to "know" what parts to work with first. How could I possibly implement this? Is it a very big thing to do and does it make things exponentially complicated?

Do you see my question here? It's hard to explain with plain words...

Thanks again!

Edit:

I have 5 different AU's that can be built from different MGC's and VCM's. So how can I tell the combiner to output distinguishable item types for every AU?
Basically, that the combiner knows what MGC's and VCM's equal what AU-Model?

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tannerp Dominik K commented · Jul 21, 2020 at 05:08 PM

@dominik.k,

I hope I understood your question correctly. I have updated your model to receive different inputs depending on the Type of the pallet. Each pallet "Type" can be associated with one of the orders. For example, Type 1 represents AU-M-N and Type 2 represents AU-S-N. At 200 seconds, the cycle repeats and goes back to the first arrival Type.

The Source2 (for pallets) uses an Arrival Schedule to determine what the next order should be. I set it up so that the first order is AU-M-N and the second order is AU-S-N. This pattern repeats.

The Global Table is set up so that the Combiner pulls one of each of the items, such as AU, M, S, and N. I hope this all makes sense.

Take a look at this updated example and see if it will work for your needs.

update-combiner-list-example_2.fsm

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au-m-n-au-s-n.png (13.2 KiB)

update-combiner-list-example-2.fsm (19.1 KiB)

Dominik K tannerp commented · Jul 22, 2020 at 10:35 AM

Thanks again. Amazing!

Is it also possible to link it like this?

I want the pallets also to tell the Operator on the Queue, what MGCs and VCMs have to be taken out of the Queue and go through the process as shown. Is this somehow possible to link together?
Furthermore; Can I let the combiner output it as such, that I can make it into one pack? Like, that the AU-M-N becomes a blue box and the AU-S-N becomes a black box? Instead of just putting it out as a pallet with these 3 objects together...

Thanks again, you really helped me a lot!:)

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