Process Flow Combiner with one input port

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Sebastien asked Feb 8, '19 Sebastien commented Feb 8, '19

Process Flow Combiner with one input port

Hello !

I am trying to build a process flow to model a combiner that only uses one input port. It should just wait that a specific amount of flowitems enter it to destroy all of the items but one (join). This amount is defined in the machine's label.

The problem I have is that I do not know how to collect several flowitems in the process flow without multiplying the amount of Wait for Event. Is there a way to do so, like a "Wait for X item" kind of activity ?

If it helps, please find my trial model attachedcombiner-process-flow.fsm

Best regards,

Software Version:

FlexSim 19.0.0

process flow combiner

combiner-process-flow.fsm (25.8 KiB)

Answer 1 · 2019-02-08T09:14:32Z

Sebastian Hemmann answered Feb 8, '19 Sebastien commented Feb 8, '19

Hi @Sebastian The Activity you are looking for is the "Batch" Activity.

For the Task you are looking for I would use the "Batch" that releases as many tokens as it has to collect.

As soon as all tokens leave the "Batch" I would use a Zone / Resource to allow only one token to move the item on (On Max Wait timer = 0 time -> go another way).

With this you only have to go sure, that the first token needs a time to be moved.

17253-combiner-process-flow-1.fsm

sc-solution.png (54.1 KiB)

17253-combiner-process-flow-1.fsm (31.0 KiB)

· 3

Sebastien commented · Feb 08, 2019 at 01:42 PM

Hi @sebastian.hemmann !

thank you for submitting your model.

I tried using a batch already but it never receives flow item. I created a basicFR, wrote the Process Flow (Event trigger source + Batch + Delay + Release item), added the basicFr in the model and assigned the Process Flow with the instance of the basicFR in the model.

Then when I connect the BasicFR to the output of a processor and launch the simulation, no flow items enters the basicFR and the batch in the Process Flow inside my basicFR does not collect anything.

Could you explain me what I am doing wrong ?

By the way is there a way to link a Process Flow to all the instances of a BasicFR in a model before they are dropped in the model ?

0 ·

Joerg Vogel Sebastien commented · Feb 08, 2019 at 01:51 PM

receiveitem and releaseitem are essential for a basic FR. You have to call these commands.

0 ·

Sebastien Joerg Vogel commented · Feb 08, 2019 at 02:39 PM

Thank you ! I saw a similar post but could not understand how it could help me. Now I got it thanks to both of you @sebastian.hemmann and @Jörg Vogel ! Have a nice weekend !

0 ·

Answer 2 · 2019-02-08T14:38:04Z

Joerg Vogel answered Feb 8, '19

A Process Flow FR Processor can join items and then start processing. The Process Flow Fixed Resource template is enhanced.

procees-flow-processor-join.fsm

process-flow-fr-processor-join.jpg (279.0 KiB)

procees-flow-processor-join.fsm (34.3 KiB)

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