Hello,
In my model, I want that the combiner take exactly 4 items from the first input conveyor and 4 items from the second input conveyor. So we obtain in the output of the combiner 4 couples each one composed from 1 item from the first conveyor and 1 item from the second conveyor.
In other words, I want to represent a machine that produces 4 items in 1 cycle.
Thank you for your help.
I'm a bit confused by your description. You say that you want four items from each of two input conveyors. But in your attached model, there is only one conveyor attached as an input to the combiner. What you are asking seems simple enough, but your model does not match what you are describing.
Sorry about the confusion.
Indeed, I have only one conveyor as input and the other input is the output of the processor. So I need 4 items from the conveyor and 4 items from the processor. I don't know if it's the same logic to resolve my problem but if needed I can add a conveyor between the processor and the combiner.
Thank you,
Mohamed
@Mohamed Slama You can add a container as your first input port. A container can be a pallet for example. Once you do that go into the combiner properties under the combiner tab and specify the number of flowitems from each input port that you want.
Alternative from FlexSim Manual states:
"Tips on receiving more than one flowitem through input port 1: The Combiner is configured to always receive exactly one flowitem from input port 1. If you are in batch or join mode, you may want to receive more than one flowitem from the upstream object that is connected to input port 1. Here you can do one of two things. The simplest option is to connect the upstream object to both input ports 1 and 2 of the Combiner, then in the components list make the first row entry be one less than the number of flowitems you want to collect. The Combiner will receive one flowitem through input port 1 and then the remaining number you want from input port 2. If this doesn't work in your scenario, then the other option is to add a Source to your model, connect it to input port 1 of the Combiner, and give the Source a constant inter-arrival time of 0."
It looks like your model is doing what you are describing. There are 4 cylinders and 4 boxes being combined into what is essentially one object that leaves the Combiner and is put on the conveyor system.
A Combiner always expects just one flowitem from input port 1 before starting the combination of flowitems. You have provided this by connection the Processor to the Combiner's first input port. When the first cylinder coming from the Processor enters the Combiner, it is acting as the container flowitem. This provides some interesting visuals since a cylinder does not have the same logic that a pallet or tote have (they make combined objects look a bit nicer by default).
So the question is what do you want to have on the Conveyor after everything has been combined?
If you need all 8 objects to act like one unit while travelling on the Conveyor, Kari's suggestion of adding a container like a pallet or tote is a good one. You can also leave your model like it is and try to adjust the visuals manually with some triggers on the Combiner. The tricker thing with the second suggestion is what to do on the Separator. Right now, since the first cylinder of a batch is acting like the container, that one cylinder is leaving the Separator through output port 1, which leads to the Sink. The other 3 cylinders and all 4 boxes are leaving through the second output port and are put back into circulation on the conveyor system.
If you need a pair (a cylinder and a box) to behave as one object, but independently from other pairs, then you can combine just one of each object with the Combiner. You could still have the cylinders come through the Combiner's first input port and the boxes come through the second input port. Or you could have a separate container flowitem come through the first input port with 1 cylinder and 1 box coming through the second and third input ports.
And then, if you need them to still be batched as four pairs (while still acting independently of each other), you can add a Queue between the Combiner and Conveyor that batches 4 pairs before they are all released onto the Conveyor together. Again, this will provide for some interesting visuals, but that can be corrected with a trigger on the Combiner - something else we can help with if you need, preferably in a different question on this site.
Attached is your model with the one main change I made. That is, as @Kari Payton describes, adding a container object to hold the other objects coming from the conveyor and the processor. This is a fairly simple fix but is this what you were looking for?
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