Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

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Sofia G21 asked Jul 24, '23 Sofia G21 commented Aug 2, '23

Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

Hello FlexSim answers, below is what I'm trying to do, but can't seem to find a way.

- A combiner can pack two types of product. One has label A and one has label B. These labels are also reflected on a Global Macro.

- Product A is packed onto a pallet (container = yes). Product B does not need to be packed onto a pallet (container = no).

- I am trying to make it so that when my combiner reads the Global Macro indicating what product I am running, it can make the decision to either include or exclude the container when combining.

- I need to collect the number of pallets that are consumed by the combiner when the product being run is Product A, and show as 0 when it's Product B.

- At this time, during a simulation run I would only run one type of product. Thus, why i am using Global Macros. So I can reference them at Simulation Start.

I had a series of ideas, but I have not managed to make this work...

- Connect 2 sources and set them as Port 1 and Port 2... The second source would be an invisible item, to at least make it work?

- closeinput and openinput to the combiner based on the Global Macro. (Can't close a specific input port; it's all or nothing)

- closeoutput of each source based on the Global Macro. (The combiner will not pack when I do this)

- Have the container quantity change to 0/1 based on the Global Macro. (Can't change the quantity of container)

- Maybe have the Combine Mode change based on the Global Macro? (I don't even know where to begin to make this work).

Are there better ways of approaching this? The model I have attached has both container sources, but the solution does not need to have both. It's just what I've tried.

I appreciate any help possible!

Sofia

Combiner Help Model.fsm

Software Version:

FlexSim 23.0.2

combiners input port output port containers

· 1

Julie Weller commented · Jul 31, 2023 at 01:54 PM

Hi @Sofia G21, was Felix Möhlmann's answer helpful? If so, please click the "Accept" button at the bottom of their 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 comment back to reopen your question.

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Answer 1 · 2023-07-25T07:55:31Z

Felix Möhlmann answered Jul 25, '23 Sofia G21 commented Aug 2, '23

I'd use the Parameters table to set the mode rather than a Global Macro. If you want to use the Experimenter you don't have to make any extra changes. But if you prefer the macro then you can of course also use that.

Without building a Process Flow and combining the items in a Queue that way, I'd build this by having intermediate queues between the sources and the combiner and add more than one connection between the first and the combiner. That way it can provide both the 'container' as well as the other items for the case without pallets.

The rest is setting the Send to Port options accordingly, so that all items are send to the correct place depending on the mode. And adjusting the combiners component list in its reset trigger.

combiner-with'out-pallet-fm.fsm

combiner-without-pallet-fm.fsm (27.8 KiB)

· 7

Sofia G21 commented · Jul 26, 2023 at 12:25 AM

Hey Felix, I am not able to open your file. My Flexsim version is 23.0. Could you please upload with an older version?

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Felix Möhlmann Sofia G21 commented · Jul 26, 2023 at 04:38 AM

combiner-without-pallet-fm.fsm

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combiner-without-pallet-fm.fsm (27.6 KiB)

Sofia G21 Felix Möhlmann commented · Aug 01, 2023 at 05:08 PM

Thanks Felix! Sorry it took me so long to respond; I've been trying to incorporate your code and logic into my model, but have not been fully successful. I was able to make the Pallet YES vs. Pallet NO work. But since some of the logic transferred from items, I am not able to make some of my old logic work.

Before I was able to pack the items on the pallet in a 'square' fashion, but I was doing it at the Robot. Your logic only works when I Update the Boxes position with the Combiner. However, I cannot replicate the logic from my Robot at the Combiner, so both Pallet YES and Pallet NO pack in a square fashion (See 'What My Model Looks Like')

Attached the model with the logic I am referring to. It has my current model, my attempt at your solution, and your solution, so it is easy to see the progression.

My robot from the left is capable of packing in a square fashion. I cannot make this work at the combiner. Do you have an idea on how I can transfer that to your new logic?

Thanks again for all of the help!

TEST.fsm

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test.fsm (56.8 KiB)

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