Reversible Conveyor Flow Blocked in Flexsim 2018 Example

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charles-l asked Mar 11, '24 Felix Möhlmann answered Mar 12, '24

Reversible Conveyor Flow Blocked in Flexsim 2018 Example

I am trying to implement an accumulation buffer using reversible conveyors. Flexsim posted an example video of this feature in 2018, see attached model and video. If you run this model long enough (the screenshot is from 2500 seconds) the flow of the conveyors will become blocked.

12931-reverseconveyordemo.fsm

Boxes are trying to exit the reversible conveyor, and boxes that entered are blocking their path. I am looking for a way to make the model leave the pathway open so that the two conveyors can alternate without blocking each other. When the reversible conveyor is full, the entering boxes should stop prior to the intersection so that all boxes in the reversible conveyor can exit. Then, the flow from the source should resume.

I tried using another set of decision points to stop the flow of the conveyor but had issues resuming it again once the reversible conveyor is empty. Is there a better way to do this with Process Flow, i am aware the example model is probably outdated.

Software Version:

FlexSim 24.1.0

reversible conveyors

1710187108115.png (94.3 KiB)

12931-reverseconveyordemo.fsm (43.5 KiB)

Answer 1 · 2024-03-12T16:06:22Z

Felix Möhlmann answered Mar 12, '24

Here's something I quickly cobbled together. It's certainly not perfect (it never releases items from the buffer before its full) but it might serve as a starting point or inspiration nonetheless I hope.

If you have any questions about the model feel free to comment.

12931-reverseconveyordemo-fm.fsm

12931-reverseconveyordemo-fm.fsm (52.9 KiB)

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