How do I add multiple operators to a station on a conveyor?

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Cameron Seams asked Mar 7, '17 Jacob Gillespie commented Mar 9, '17

How do I add multiple operators to a station on a conveyor?

I need to add 4 operators to a station on a conveyor. All four operators begin work at the same time, but end work at different times - there are four different cycle times at the one station.

I am able to map one operator, but need assistance adding >1 operator (preferably without process flow).

All help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Cameron

conveyor operator multiple operators processing time station

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Cameron Seams commented · Mar 07, 2017 at 07:44 PM

@Kari Payton

I have attached a sample model below. I am missing the connection between my global table (Cycle Times) and the processing time on the station - the operators are always idle. I am trying to pull a processing time (from global table) based on item type for each operator. Please let me know if you have a fix for this.

conveyor-multipleoperators.fsm

Thanks,

Cameron

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conveyor-multipleoperators.fsm (24.6 KiB)

Cameron Seams Cameron Seams commented · Mar 07, 2017 at 07:45 PM

@Kari Payton

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-07T20:56:11Z

Kari Payton answered Mar 7, '17 Jacob Gillespie edited Mar 9, '17

You can use a dispatcher and connect the dispatcher to the operators. Dispatcher User Manual Reference

Update:

@Cameron Seams I made a few adjustments to your model.

1. Under the process time, the reference was to the wrong table. It should be a reference to table name "Cycle Times".

2. I also added a label to the source items called itemType, then read that label on the item in the process time at the station. 5573-conveyor-multipleoperators-1.fsm

5573-conveyor-multipleoperators-1.fsm (71.0 KiB)

· 4

Cameron Seams commented · Mar 07, 2017 at 09:08 PM

Thank you @Kari Payton

One more question - is there a simple way to have the "row" entry in the global table lookup reference a row based on the operator name?

For instance, currently the "row" is set to 1, so it is using process times for Operator_1 for both operators. I would like to write a function to pull the row based on operator name so row 1 references Operator_1 and row 2 references Operator_2.

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Kari Payton Cameron Seams commented · Mar 08, 2017 at 04:51 PM

@Cameron Seams yes I noticed that in your model. However since you're using both operator 1 and 2 at the same time, how are you determining which operator's time you want to use?

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Cameron Seams commented · Mar 09, 2017 at 09:23 PM

@Kari Payton I am not able to determine this currently. I was wondering if there was a simple route to using different processing times for operators working at the same time, but it looks like it will require me to use custom code.

Thank you for your help above, it has helped lead me in the right direction.

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Kari Payton Cameron Seams commented · Mar 09, 2017 at 10:08 PM

@Cameron Seams You're welcome. I suggest trying it using process flow if you are familiar with it and if you run into trouble search answers or post another question.

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