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Stan Davis avatar image
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Created Flow Item Elevation Issue

I am trying to understand why a custom flow item is elevated when it is created in the model. I attached a simple model to demonstrate what I am observing.


When the default 'Box' flow item is created at the Queue using the 'Create Object' activity, it is placed at the correct elevation in the model.


box.gif


However, when the 'BigBox' flow item is created, it is placed elevated above the model plane with a positive z-value despite having a 0 z-axis position value in its FlowItem bin properties.

bigbox.gif


I've tried using a negative z-axis position value in the flow item bin properties, but that had no effect. Additionally, using a 'Change Visual' activity to re-position the flow item relative to the Queue had no effect either. What is controlling the elevation?? Thanks.


Large FlowItem Z Axis Issue - 09AUG21.fsm

FlexSim 21.1.5
flowitemsflexsim 21.1.5
bigbox.gif (15.5 KiB)
box.gif (9.7 KiB)
large-flowitem-z-axis-issue-09aug21.fsm (29.6 KiB)
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1 Answer

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Joerg Vogel answered Stan Davis commented

your queue is too small for your item! Make the queue in size bigger!

Alternatively you can set a different Item Placement under Queue Properties like "Horizontal Line"

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Joerg Vogel avatar image Joerg Vogel commented ·

Defaul Queue dimension is 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.2. A box dimension is 0.61 x 0.61 x 0.3. Three boxes in a row are slightly smaller than 2 length units.

EDIT: if you need a more detailed answer. If an item does not fit into a level, the item goes into a next level with an offset of its height. The default stacking algorithm works fine for items of same dimensions fitting into a queue. .

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Stan Davis avatar image Stan Davis commented ·
Thanks. I wasn't expecting that behaviour. In this context, I was thinking moving/creating a flow item in an object was more logical than physical. Understand now. Thanks again.
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Stan Davis avatar image Stan Davis commented ·

For a quick follow-up question: Using the same model, I greatly increased the size of the Queue and then took the default cylinder flow item and rotated it 90 degs on the Y-axis. Why doesn't FlexSim place rotated cylinders at floor level?? Thanks.


cylinder.gif


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cylinder.gif (9.5 KiB)
Joerg Vogel avatar image Joerg Vogel Stan Davis commented ·

Please mark or highlight the item. The item shape is surrounded by a dire frame in red or yellow. FlexSim places the frame into the model space not the shape physical boundaries. If the shape is already floating in the object frame, then the shape is following this property.
An object in FlexSim is defined by the object frame and a shape. Both can you manipulate independently in size. But the object frame resizes the shape in direct relation.

This shape / object relation is also true for the queue.
If the shape of the queue is floating in a distance to the topmost surface of the object frame, then there will be a gap between the shapes.

Shape Factors in
https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.1/Using3DObjects/CreatingCustomObjectsAnimations/CreatingCustomObjects/

Object dimension, location, orientation in
https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.1/Using3DObjects/WorkingWith3DObjects/MovingResizingRotating/

mark objects: select or highlight
https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.1/Using3DObjects/WorkingWith3DObjects/SelectingObjects/

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Stan Davis avatar image Stan Davis Joerg Vogel commented ·
Understood. I appreciate the follow-up. Thanks.
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