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Dave C2 avatar image
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Dave C2 asked Dave C2 commented

How to connect global tables to source for arrival times and create labels ?

Hi guys,

I am trying to simulate a chocolate bag manufacturing process. There are 15 lines, in which there are 5 Single lines and remaining twin lines. Basically, if the weight of the bags are under weight , overweight or if they have double sticky bags they are rejected. The status column in the global table shows the status of the bag. (1-OW, 2 -Proper, 3 – Underweight, 7 or ‘=’ is Double). There is also the machine numbers and the time. I am trying to link the arrival to the global table time column and also for that time, those should enter the specific machines mentioned in the global table with the status as the item types.

I have attached my model below. I am an novice and am currently exploring FlexSim one step at a time, any guidance on this problem will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

FlexSim 19.2.3
global tablelabels
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Joerg Vogel avatar image Joerg Vogel commented ·

I haven’t looked into your model. You describe your data structure. I would build a model that works perfectly without any errors. My items are the bags. Labels at the products tells me about their state. I can set a label to hold the weight and another label to store the feature sticky or regular. I assign the label values by look up a table by statical distribution function dempirical(..).
I change my model logic to react on the label values.
Please don’t just build the layout of a factory and then inject the logic. Building a model consists of a non linear progress. You create smaller models to test special logics and features. Then you assemble those models into a larger. Maybe you start building your more than once, because you find a proper approach later. Perhaps you dispose a running model to build a new one to get better statistical data from another better approach. Model building is a development of product, it starts with an idea, goes to designing prototypes, testing pre production results, constantly improving process and finally adjusting the package.

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Dave C2 avatar image Dave C2 Joerg Vogel commented ·

Thank you for your response, yes i understand that building a model is an iterative process. I just wanted to clarify how to proceed with linking the global table to the source so that the flow items are generated as per the table. I did find a few answers in the community where people used coding to link the tables to the source. However, I am not that well versed with coding.Therefore I was seeking for other solutions that didn't require coding.

Like I mentioned earlier, I am still a novice who is still learning about flexsim. Building a model free of errors is one of my objectives and I am working towards it. You insights and advice are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Joerg Vogel avatar image Joerg Vogel Dave C2 commented ·

If you really want to link easily some special remarks to your data:

  • Decisions are made typically on numbers. An attribute built of characters should be translated into numbers. Something like a range of characters is really bad to use without coding {“1”,”2”,”3”,”=“}.
  • If you have a repeating structure of output ports, then it is preferable to use the direct port number instead of a detour over a Type attribute.
  • If you know the numbers of the Type attribute, then import them directly from your database or translate them there. Do not translate them in FlexSim. You have to write source code.
  • If you have only machines as an attribute, don’t split item creation on none matching numbers of sources. Better you let create items in a single source, then you can import the creation time column to your source directly.
  • You can change the order of output ports in the properties of objects. Use it. Then you set an order matching with the number of the machines attribute.
  • If you want to use attribute data later in your model, then you assign the column directly to labels at items in the source.

If you update your imported table with my suggestions and your model, then I can help you to get the data into your model. Or you must write source code.

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Joerg Vogel avatar image
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Joerg Vogel answered

I have translated your DateTime data into a delay interval between creation events. I create the items with labels for the weight, the Status, the Type from the Status and an output port number of MachineNo. The process time is to large in the processors to transfer the items in time. testing-model-jv-2.fsm


testing-model-jv-2.fsm (1.9 MiB)
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