question

Enrique Elizaga avatar image
0 Likes"
Enrique Elizaga asked Enrique Elizaga commented

What is the best practice for crossing paths using advanced AGV process flow?

Hi all, I am working on an AGV model. I am using the advanced AGV process flow.

The one-way paths though, cross each other so there could be multiple work points stemming from one location. My question is what is the best way to assign work points in this configuration?

1627402855643.png

FlexSim 21.1.4
agvflexsim 21.1.4agv pathagv process flow
1627402855643.png (181.3 KiB)
· 1
5 |100000

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

Ryan Clark avatar image Ryan Clark commented ·

Hi @Enrique Elizaga, was my answer helpful? If so, please click the red "Accept" button at the bottom of the answer. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

If we haven't heard back from you within 3 business days we'll auto-accept an answer, but you can always unaccept and comment back to reopen your question.

0 Likes 0 ·

1 Answer

Ryan Clark avatar image
0 Likes"
Ryan Clark answered Enrique Elizaga commented

Hello @Enrique Elizaga, it shouldn't be a problem to have multiple work points stemming from the same location. This just allows the AGV logic to decide where to go among the choices given to it. So, I would just assign work points as you would without branching paths, then make the necessary connections between work points to have the work flow you want.

Does this answer your question?

· 5
5 |100000

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

Enrique Elizaga avatar image Enrique Elizaga commented ·
Hi! First, thank you for your time.


Please imagine a grid with let´s say
  • 5 horizontal paths
  • they cross with 5 vertical paths

How would you connect the work points for this setup?

0 Likes 0 ·
Ryan Clark avatar image Ryan Clark Enrique Elizaga commented ·

Here's an example model I put together showing what you asked. It isn't perfect, but I think it demonstrates the point I was trying to make. I didn't bother making work point connections for all possible connections, but I just made the work point connections to help the AGVs get back to the work point following the grid (relatively) efficiently. The AGVs do a pretty good job of figuring out the best path to their unload destination. They just need some help when they don't have specific tasks. Hope this helps!

AGV Crossing Paths fewer connections.fsm

0 Likes 0 ·
Enrique Elizaga avatar image Enrique Elizaga commented ·
Hi @Ryan Clark not really, I get two outcomes: 1: AGVs stop at work points that are not connected (i tried to minimze connections), 2: the AGVs do really UN-optimal traveling driving bonkers on the network when all work points are connected.
0 Likes 0 ·
Jeanette F avatar image Jeanette F ♦♦ Enrique Elizaga commented ·
Hello @Enrique Elizaga,

The work connections that are created between cp's using the NextWorkPoint option is the path that AGV will travel while they are looking for work. Once they find work they are not confined to this path. They will travel the most optimal path to pick up the item and to unload the item. Once the item is unloaded it will look at its current Control Point (CP) to be directed on where to go next to look for work.

So in all, you need to determine a pattern for the AGV's to travel to find work. Beyond that, the AGV's will travel the most optimal path on their own when loading and unloading flowitems.

You also may want to consider/experiment with the WorkForwarding option between Control Points (CP) if you want certain CPs to be the place where the AGV's receive their task to go pick up an item from another CP location


0 Likes 0 ·
Enrique Elizaga avatar image Enrique Elizaga Jeanette F ♦♦ commented ·

@Jeanette F this really helped me (from your reply): The work connections that are created between cp's using the NextWorkPoint option is the path that AGV will travel while they are looking for work

It clarifies a lot of things to me. :) Lets go!!

0 Likes 0 ·