Hello,
I have a scenario where I have 5 processors which are only setup by 1 operator. This operator needs to follow a specific sequence (1-2-3-4-5). I have tried using the dispatcher and sorting by task priority, but the operator keeps going to the processor that finished first.
How would I go about this?
Thanks in advance.
The task priority idea was a good one, but that will only work when there is more than 1 task simultaneously assigned. I found one solution, but I don't know if it's the best one. I used a subflow to control the operator's setup function with 1 operator resource available. Then, in Process Flow, I opened and closed the inputs of the other Processors so that they had to be attended to in the designated order. Hopefully this at least gives you something to start with.
I hadn't thought of the subflow, thanks. However, I tried connecting the processors in series, and added it seems that processor1 only admits a new item until the setup in processor5 ends.
Is there a way to keep the processors admitting items even though the operator is not there to set up the processor as such?
I have attached my rendition of the model and if you run it, you can see that at times the operator follows the required sequence, but only for a short period of time and then he goes all crazy.
Could you explain a bit more about the process?
How many processors can function at the same time?
How many items can be in the system at the same time?
Does the operator need to be at the processor only for setup at the beginning or every time?
Because your processors are connected in series, this will make triggering the closing/opening of ports much easier in the 3D. I'll give it a shot and once you've described the process in detail, we'll make sure it works as you'd like it to.
My approach consists of using a global tasksequence list. I push the tasksequences in a dispatcher to the list when the dispatcher receives a tasksequence. The list contains a field telling me the number of the order in which the tasksequences should be dispatched. I get this value from the index of an array of the processor treenodes. The processor reference is in the utilize tasksequence the 4th task 2nd involved parameter.
A process flow starts by the event when a resource gets available (operator).
I copy a label value to the token to identify the next number of the order. I evaluate a counter by a modulus operator to get the number sequence 1,2,3,4,5,1,2,..
Then I pull from the list the matching number of the sequence.
A custom code activity move the tasksequence to the operator and dispatch the tasksequence. An assign activity extract from the fourth task the 2nd involved parameter to identify the processor, which the operator assists for setup. I need this data to wait for the event to finish setup and free the operator from his utilize task. Before this action I update the counter label at the operator.
This approach is based on the following abstract model, which sorts tokens. The process waits until the right token is available on the list.
order-tokens-incomplete-list.fsm
PS.: This answer contains a complete model now
Wow. I'm gonna be honest with you, this is way above my really basic understanding of FlexSim. I didn't think the scenario was going to be that complex to simulate in the first place!
I am too hoping someone has a better understanding of the approach you mention. Thanks!
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