How to model more ingredients than places to store them

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James Engelhart asked Sep 22, '20 Parker S edited Oct 7, '20

How to model more ingredients than places to store them

I'm trying to model a situation where I have fewer bins than ingredients. To clarify/simplify: We have 7 ingredients that we use across a number of recipes, but we only have 6 bins. So, Ingreds: A-G. If a shipment comes in, and I already have some in a bin, it needs to go to the same bin. If it is an ingredient that is Not currently in a bin, it needs to go to an Empty bin. If none are available, it has to wait to be received. Ingredients behind it can be received if they have a place to go.
I tried to use a list but I can't seem to make a list limit the number of entries.
Any help in what direction to go would be appreciated.
I'm a newb at using Process Flow, so give me all the baby steps too please.

Software Version:

FlexSim 20.2.0

process flow flexsim 20.2.0 ingredient usage

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Joerg Vogel commented · Sep 27, 2020 at 09:42 AM

My model contains hidden the solution of your request, because I limit the available bins. If a bin and its mass entry field in the list gets empty, you can assign a different Type to this item and another partition is created in the list.
The Queue2 OnEntry trigger function checks currently against an updated array in the Queue1, if a Type is available to be processed. If there isn’t a Type available, then the method indexOf returns -1 value. Currently I use this behavior to get a false condition value in an “if“ structure. You can use this approach to divert the item to another storage object in the Send to Port function of this queue.

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Answer 1 · 2020-10-07T22:12:13Z

Parker S answered Oct 7, '20

Hi @James Engelhart

I've attached a model that demonstrates what you are trying to achieve. The main functionality of the model uses Process Flow and a list that stores information about the bins. The model can also be easily adapted or recreated to fit your application.

I would suggest looking through all of the Process Flow activities and the Global List called "BinList" and noting all the parameters; this would give you an idea of the steps I took to create the model.

Don't hesitate to reach out with any additional questions!

INGREDIENTS_advanced_1.1.fsm

ingredients-advanced-11.fsm (39.3 KiB)

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Attachments: Up to 12 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 23.8 MiB each and 47.7 MiB total.

Answer 2 · 2020-09-27T09:11:26Z

Joerg Vogel answered Sep 27, '20

I suggest you try a different approach first. The fluid objects store and process in time ticker intervals. Tanks can store non discrete values.Their content can be updated. You convert items into fluids and process fluids. If a tank gets empty, you can change the ingredient that this tank can hold.

But if you still want to get a discrete flow item model, I suggest as an alternative the use of a List with a "pull select" approach. The attached model consists of two processes.

Manage bins and resupply ingredients to a partitioned list
Transfer amounts of ingredients to the bins in a combiner

An additional processor consumes the ingredients of the list.

This model does not provide the change to a different set of ingredients if some bins get empty.

List_partial_value_pull.fsm

list-partial-value-pull.fsm (28.4 KiB)

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Attachments: Up to 12 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 23.8 MiB each and 47.7 MiB total.

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