question

Lambert avatar image
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Lambert asked Andrew O commented

Two operators picking from two different conveyor exit transfers

Hi,

I am trying to have several operators pick totes from the same conveyor, through different exit points assigned to them, along the length of the conveyor.

I have tried with only two, but only the first operator is moving (the second is idle).

How can I do so that both operators pick totes from their assigned exit points? I don't mind if they skip the FIFO, as I would like them to pick the first available tote that they encounter near their own exit points (even if the conveyor is not full).

Thank you!


1662133916141.png

FlexSim 22.2.1
conveyor exit transfer
1662133916141.png (340.3 KiB)
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Jeanette F avatar image Jeanette F ♦♦ commented ·

Hello @Lambert could you upload your model to the link provided above?

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Andrew O avatar image Andrew O commented ·

Hi @Lambert,

We haven't heard back from you. Were you able to solve your problem? If so, please add and accept an answer to let others know the solution. Or please respond to the previous comment so that we can continue to help you.

If we don't hear back in the next 3 business days, we'll assume you were able to solve your problem and we'll close this case in our tracker. You can always comment back at any time to reopen your question, or you can contact your local FlexSim distributor for phone or email help.

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1 Answer

Jeanette F avatar image
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Jeanette F answered Jeanette F commented

Hello @Lambert,

With a conveyor the boxes will automatically go to the last exit transfer in the conveyor unless there is a decision point that sends them to another exit transfer. So the fix is to add a decision point before the exit transfer for the iidel operator and have add a trigger to send item to the exit transfer. 1662159233201.png



1662159233201.png (7.8 KiB)
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Lambert avatar image Lambert commented ·

Hi, thank you for your answer.

The problem is that I have 5 packing lines with 24 operators sitting on specific positions (pack stations) on each side of the 5 conveyors. This will make a total of 240 exit transfers to the 240 packing stations. By modeling decision points and logic triggers as you suggest, besides feeling incredible tedious, I think that it will not properly replicate the real world behavior.

Is there a simpler way to model? where conveyors just accumulate totes normally (starting by piling up at the end of the conveyor and then progressively queuing totes upstream), and where totes can be picked up by operators from exit transfers located right next to their standing positions, as long as there is one tote available within their reach (either a tote waiting queued, or a tote moving along the conveyor slowly). This is exactly what happens in the floor-shop.

Thank you very much for your help.

Lambert







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Jeanette F avatar image Jeanette F ♦♦ Lambert commented ·
Hello @Lambert, I am trying to work on a solution that scales easily. However, I keep getting hung on certain details. Do you have operators across from each other on the conveyor? Do they all place items in the same queue or is there more than one destination in a pick line?
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