question

Jake W avatar image
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Jake W asked Jake W commented

How can I change combiner to pack item quantities by type?

I am trying to have type 3 items (blue boxes) have a batch of 3 and still go through the combiner, oven, and all other downstream processes while making sure that the batch does not mix with the other two item types that have batches of 6 (red and green). I don't know how to change the combiner target quantity to make it by item type. I tried looking at the solution to this question but I didn't find the answer.

https://answers.flexsim.com/questions/59495/how-can-i-make-a-combiner-precess-depending-on-the.html

Here is the model: cut-process-j.fsm

FlexSim 19.0.4
FlexSim 19.2.4
batch sizecombiner itemtypequantities by case
cut-process-j.fsm (61.4 KiB)
5 |100000
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1 Answer

tannerp avatar image
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tannerp answered Jake W commented

Hi @Jake W,

The way your combiner is set up right now is that it will pull the desired quantity from each input port as defined in the Combiner1 Properties.

You want the total collection amount to change according to item type. The question you referenced will work only if you have a "Type" label on the first item that enters the Combiner. In your case, this is a pallet. If you randomly assign a Type label to the pallets between 1-3, you'll find that this method works.

combiner-cut-process.fsm


combiner-inputs.png (24.9 KiB)
combiner-cut-process.fsm (232.7 KiB)
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Jake W avatar image Jake W commented ·

@tanner.p Nevermind, it is now working correctly. Is there another value for the pallets label that I could use besides a random statistical distribution? I need the boxes to be sent to the combiner right after they have the correct combiner value in the queue.

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tannerp avatar image tannerp Jake W commented ·

Absolutely. The best way to accomplish that would be to use Process Flow. In the Process Flow, you'll use Event-Triggered Source activities that will create tokens that will create pallets with the correct Type in the model. It's important that the pallets have a Type label that is congruent with the Type of the boxes. It's also important to note that I'm using a queue instead of a source for the pallets so that they can remain in the order of their creation.

I've updated your model to include this. You can adjust the Batch number in the activities to reflect whatever the batch number is for each type.

combiner-cut-pf.fsm

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combiner-cut-pf.fsm (67.3 KiB)
pallet-creation.png (12.7 KiB)
Jake W avatar image Jake W tannerp commented ·

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you for your help @tanner.p.

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