sending a message every n-th item

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Pijus Leonavicius asked Sep 23, '16 Pijus Leonavicius answered Sep 23, '16

sending a message every n-th item

Hello,

I am trying to do a simple model, where a in item is split (into 9) and each instance is processed and then routed to a combiner. My problem is- I can not have another item arrive on the separator while anything is still standing on the following processor, such a case happens when the combiner is processing a certain number of the split and processed items (26 in my case).

So, I get 26 items in my combiner, it is stuck joining them for 30s, and another instance is stuck on the processor, I want the separator to have its input closed during this situation.

Basically I want to know how to be able to send a message to the separator to open its input after the 9th item has left the processor, I know it is possible to script it but I am very new at this.

Software Version:

FlexSim 16.2.0

combiner separator script trigger messages

Answer 1 · 2016-09-23T10:41:38Z

Pijus Leonavicius answered Sep 23, '16

Thank you for the quick answer!

Although I figured out how to do this a few minutes ago without any script writing, I basically just set up the processor to send a message to the separator to close input on each item received and also open the input after each item sent out, this is not ideal i suppose, but i did not see any obvious errors yet.

Answer 2 · 2016-09-23T10:02:46Z

Joerg Vogel answered Sep 23, '16 Joerg Vogel edited Sep 23, '16

try the modulus operator "%". The result is the remain of an integer division. 1%9 = 1; 2%9 = 2; 3 % 9 = 3; 4 % 9 = 4; 5 % 9 = 5; 6 % 9 = 6; 7 % 9 = 7; 8 % 9 = 8; 9 % 9 = 0; 10 % 9 = 1; 11 %9 = 2; ...

The inverse of null is 1. if a modulus division of 9 returns a "0" invert this value and use it as a true condition:

if (!((getoutput(current)+1) % 9))) sendmessage(...);

You have to add +1 at the current object output of an object's OnExit Trigger, because the actual releasing item isn't counted.

modulusoperator.gif (35.7 KiB)

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