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Exit Transfers are connections going from a conveyor to a non-conveyor Fixed Resource. They are represented by a white box on a conveyor in the simulation model. Exit Transfer Types are settings that you can import to any Exit Transfer. Be aware that Exit Transfers are different from Transfers (which connect conveyors to other conveyors) and Entry Transfers (which are connections from a non-conveyor object to a conveyor).

This section will explain the settings that you can customize when you create or edit Exit Transfer Types using the Conveyor System tool. Before reading this section, you should be familiar with the purpose and basic functionality of the Conveyor System tool. See the following sections for more information:

• Introduction to the Conveyor System Tool
• Accessing Type Properties
• Managing Conveyor System Types

Exit Transfers have the ability to send for a transport, or in other words a Task Executer, to pick up items and deliver them to another object. Task Executers can pick up items from a particular point on the conveyor or a range of possible points along the conveyor, as shown in the two following images.

Exit Transfer with a single possible pickup point

Exit Transfer with a wide range of possible pickup points

The Task Executor will begin traveling toward the Exit Transfer as soon as the center of an item arrives at the edge of the Exit Transfer on the conveyor. If the Exit Transfer has a wide range of possible pickup points, the Task Executer can pick it up anywhere along the Exit Transfer, as shown in the following animated image. You also have the option of allowing the Task Executer to use Continuous pickup Point Prediction, which means that the Task Executer recheck the position of the item at intervals and alter its course to a different pickup point based on how the item is predicted to move along the conveyor.

Transports can pick up items anywhere along a wide Exit Transfer

These sections will be discussed in the following sections, which explain how to use Exit Transfers in a simulation model generally.

Moving or Expanding the Range of Possible pickup Points

To expand the range of possible pickup points that a Task Executer can use to pick up items along a conveyor:

1. Create an input/output port connection (an 'A' connect) from a conveyor to a Fixed Resource, such as a sink. (See Connecting Objects.)
2. An Exit Transfer will appear at the end of the conveyor. It will look like a white box with a port connected to the Fixed Resource.
3. Click on the Exit Transfer and drag it to the desired position on the conveyor. NOTE: You can move the Exit Transfer to any position on the conveyor, including along its sides.
4. Two red sizing arrows appear on both sides of the Exit Transfer when you click on it. Click either red sizing arrow and drag it away from the Exit Transfer until it reaches the desired size (range).

Using a Transport to Pick Up Items from a Conveyor

To use a transport, or in other words a Task Executer, to pick up items and deliver them to another object:

1. Create a center port connection (an 'S' connect) from the Exit Transfer to a Task Executer, such as an Operator. (See Connecting Objects.)
2. Double-click the Exit Transfer to open the Exit Transfer Properties dialog box, as shown in the following image.

1. Check the Use Transport check box. By default, the Exit Transfer will request a transport from the Task Executer because they share a center port connection. You can adjust these settings if desired.
2. A Task Executer can modify its course while it is traveling to the item pickup point if there is a wide range of possible pickup points. The Task Executer can estimate and change where it can pick up an item based on the item's movement along the conveyor. To use this feature, check the Continuous pickup Point Prediction check box.
3. You can adjust how frequently the Task Executer updates its predictions by changing the value in the Prediction Adjustment Interval text box. The value you enter corresponds to the units of measurement for time that you used when you first created your simulation model.
4. Click OK to save the settings. When you reset and run your model, the Task Executer will pick up the item from the conveyor and deliver it to a Fixed Resource.

Settings Reference

• Send To Port / Use Transport Defines Fixed Resource send-to logic. See Fixed Resource Concepts for more information.

pickup Point Prediction

When an exit transfer has an expanded range along the conveyor and Use Transport is checked, Task Executers loading from the conveyor will use a pickup point prediction heuristic to determine where on the conveyor to "meet" the item to load it. This heuristic makes a best guess based on the current speed and position of the item, the distance from the Task Executer to the conveyor, and the max speed of the Task Executer. This may not be perfect, especially if there are other factors affecting the item's location, such as accumulation, or if acceleration/deceleration of the Task Executer make up a large portion of its travel.

• Continuous pickup Point Prediction If checked, Task Executers who are picking up an item from the exit transfer will re-evaluate the estimated pick up point for the item at defined intervals.
• Prediction Adjustment Interval If Continuous pickup Point Prediction is checked, this defines the time interval between pickup point prediction updates.
• Stop Item at Transfer End If checked, the item will be stopped if it reaches the end of the exit transfer's range before exiting. Then it will wait until it exits. If this is not checked, the item will be "unreleased" at the end of the exit transfer (it will no longer exit through the exit transfer) and move on.
• Ignore Picks if Predicting Late pickup This is only valid if Use Transport is checked, Stop Item at Transfer End is not checked, and the exit transfer has an expanded range along the conveyor. If checked, Task Executers who predict the pickup point to be after the item has passed the end of the exit transfer will abort their transport task sequence.