Combiner - Different Type from the same port

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Łukasz E asked Oct 16, '20 Jeff Nordgren edited Oct 23, '20

Combiner - Different Type from the same port

Hi,

I have a combiner and when a pallet enter the combiner I want to pack 1 component from the input port 2 which is the same item.Type as the pallet (pallet Type =1 so pack product Type =1) If there won't be any product with the same Type, the model should wait until product with acquired Type appears on the queue and push it to the combiner (or maybe the combier should pull it?).

I know that I can do it with many queues, before the combiner, each one for the each Type.

But I have 100 Types and it is possible to have 1000+ more.

So it is annoying to multiply the queues.

Is it possible to do it on one queue?

Software Version:

FlexSim 19.1.2

combiner flexsim 19.1.2 item type combine the same type

combine-the-same-type.fsm (19.1 KiB)

Answer 1 · 2020-10-16T18:04:50Z

Parker S answered Oct 16, '20 Jeff Nordgren edited Oct 23, '20

Hi @Łukasz E

I've attached a model that demonstrates the combiner matching pallet types with item types.

support_combine-the-same-type.fsm

I've created a label on the combiner called "PalletType" that updates every time a pallet enters, and the combiner uses a pull strategy that only pulls items that match the current PalletType.

I've decreased the number of types to 10 for the sake of demonstration.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I hope this helps!

support-combine-the-same-type.fsm (20.6 KiB)

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Łukasz E commented · Oct 19, 2020 at 06:52 AM

Thank you!

This solution is great! Is it possible to do it in FlexSim 19 as simple as you did in FlexSim 20?

And I wonder is it possible to extend this Combiner work to work like that:

Enter eg pallet Type 1 -> in GlobalTable1 I added what pallet 1 contains:
- 2x itemType1 and 4x itemType2 and 1x itemType3

I've added also update of component list but how to make this work?

support-combine-the-same-type-global-table.fsm

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support-combine-the-same-type-global-table.fsm (21.5 KiB)

Parker S ♦ Łukasz E commented · Oct 19, 2020 at 04:47 PM

@Łukasz E

To achieve this, you would want to use an On Entry trigger on the combiner called "Update Combiner Component List". This does, however, pull the quantities of a specific item.Type from multiple ports, meaning you would no longer be able to use a single queue.

I've attached a v.19 model updated with the component list.

support-combine-the-same-type-global-table v2.fsm

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support-combine-the-same-type-global-table-v2.fsm (21.7 KiB)

Łukasz E commented · Oct 20, 2020 at 06:54 AM

Yes, I know I have to use the trigger update combiner component list, but it has to be a easier way to do it. Because I know that I can use many queues - one for each item Type. But it is annoying, because I will have 100 or maybe 1000 item Types. And one small change with one item Type will destroy the model.

So I have to have 1 queue for all item Types.

And I think:

I have to have the trigger update the component list on combiner. To search for the acquired column in GlobalTable.

Then I think I have to have the pull strategy to pull it from one queue. Mamy I have to use global variables for each item Type?

so for example:
pallet Type 10 enter the combiner -> search in global table for components, and there is info:
2x: item Type 5
7x: item Type 48
1x: item Type 159
So pull these items from items queue, if there is no item of this type wait until it appears on the queue.

I will be really gratefull for your help

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Joerg Vogel Łukasz E commented · Oct 20, 2020 at 07:48 AM

you can update the Update Component List Table before a next process in the Combiner starts. You can connect the queue which provides the packed items many times with the combiner. You need only the amount of connections as you have different number of ingredients. For example you have a maximum number of 7 ingredients then you need only 7 connections from the queue.

Alternatively you need only one connection but you must manage the batch in the queue matching with your recipe. Then you have to update the table only matching with the number of items to be packed. An Example model is at another question. Version 19.0

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Łukasz E Joerg Vogel commented · Oct 20, 2020 at 08:40 AM

Thank you, @Jörg Vogel,

This first solution works fine!

But making 1000 connections can be harmful, could you extend the alternative option? How to manage the batch to match the recipe? And what to do next in a combiner?

I attach the model with the first solution, if someone will want to use it :) and I think it is working fine :)

combiner-one-queue-many-ports.fsm

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