topic Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation in FlexSim Forum

Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

indepooja26 — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:24:17 GMT

Hi,

The box will travel through Conveyor 1 to the processor for processing, then return via the same conveyor, and subsequently be transferred to Conveyor 2.

Please advise how the bi-directional operation of the conveyor will be managed.

Please find attached model

Re: Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

indepooja26 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:55:26 GMT

Hi Team,

Please can you help me with this question

Re: Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

FelixMoehlmann — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:38:00 GMT

The conveyor should be reversed after the item has left it. For example in a trigger of the processor. You can copy the pickoption code from the photo eye. You just need change how the conveyor is referenced. A centerport connections between processor and conveyor would make sense.

After the item enters the conveyor again it needs to be send to Conveyor2. You can use the "Send Item" trigger option on a photo eye or decision point for this. This should only happen on the return trip. So you could use a negative conveyor speed as condition for the trigger. A trigger on the photo eye/decision point on Conveyor2 that the item is send to can reverse Conveyor1 again. Again, a centerport connection seems suitable to refer to the correct conveyor.

Finally, you would need to make sure that no other items enter the reversible conveyor before the previous item has been processed and exited the intersection. If you want to leave Conveyor1 as one object I would suggest to close the output of the source in its exit trigger and open it again at the same time that the original speed of Conveyor1 is restored.

Or you split Conveyor1 into to conveyors, with the first only leading up to the intersection. Then use the area restriction trigger options on photo eyes or decision points to stop further items until the previous one has entered Conveyor2.

Re: Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

indepooja26 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:28:58 GMT

hi @FelixMoehlmann

I have implemented the model but am facing some errors.

Could you please guide me on this through sample model?

Re: Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

indepooja26 — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:38:21 GMT

Hi @FelixMoehlmann

Please can you help me with this question

Re: Bi-Directional Conveyor Operation

FelixMoehlmann — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:13:02 GMT

Here's a working example.