I am using a Robot to move a flow item from a Queue to a Processor. By default, the Robot does not proceed to pick another item until the Processor has completed it's process and moved the item. How do I make the Robot start picking the next item in the queue while the Processor is processing the previous item?
Hi, @Raj Sivaraj
Not quite sure if you are familiar with ProcessFlow Module. If you use PF, it will be easy.
Firstly, you should create a FR list for making out if the processor can receive an item or not.
Don't forget push the Processor back to list when item exit from it.
Then I suggest to use TASKTYPE_PLACEOFFSET task to conduct the robot load the item and move it to the destination(processor) while holding the item until the processor available(pull from the list).
I attach a sample and hope it helps~
Thank you @jing.chen. I'm quiet new to PF but I think I get the logic. Can you however tell me how to accomplish the same with triggers and making the TaskExecuter use the Place_Offset type task using its settings?
@jing.chen - I was able to modify your PF sequence and use it as needed, thanks! I do have a follow up question:
In one of my use-cases, I'm using a Combiner with 3 robot inputs; I can't push the Combiner to the list before it is done processing, so the second (and third) material handler cannot drop into it because it isn't ready to receive.
How do I go about freeing the Combiner before an "OnExit" trigger would?
Hi, @Raj Sivaraj
Your new demand use combiner may be a little more complex than a normal processor.
I add another list for storing item from different input, and when the combiner(I still use processor cause the PF logic will replace with the standard combiner logic) is available, I firstly stop the processor and then begin follow-up processes of "pull from list".
In V2016, the PF is not so convenient. In v2017 or further, I will use a FixexResource Flow releace with all subFlows of different queue in General Flow.
P.S. label "input" which I created in OnEnrty of queue is a key parameter for distinguish different upstream items in "pull from list"(itemlist).
May it helps~
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