topic Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow? in FlexSim Forum

AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:12:28 GMT

[ FlexSim 20.2.3 ]

Hi,

my goal is to integrate a timed AVG-Tugger that delivers the order from the shelf to assembly at specific times. For that, I have stored a list that defines when the order is completely stored in the warehouse (StoredOrderItems). However, the order can only be delivered when it is completely stored on the shelf. I have tried to integrate the AVG process flow template and am having difficulties. The AVG starts the transport as soon as an item is on the rack. How can I control the AVG so that it only starts picking when the order is complete? Furthermore, how is it possible to connect the AVG with two pallets so that more orders could be placed? Like a tugger?

Model attached Entwurf_11_ishape_2.fsm

Thanks a lot!!

Martin

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:16:12 GMT

Hi, I have updated my model and attach it in this comment. In the new model I have attached trailer to the avg and the items are transported on the trailer. Now I need to link my outbound process with the AVG, so that the AVG trailer transports only complete orders, each on a pallet. Would be really nice if someone could help me with this.

Entwurf_11_ishape_3.fsm

Thanks!!

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

Jeanette_Fullmer — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:46:05 GMT

Hello @Martin B6,

I am having a hard time knowing when your order is considered complete, so I don't know when to insert the new activity. I can still explain what you need to change and implement into your model.

Currently, you have the output on the racks set to push the item to the AGVWork list which will tell the AGV it has items to pick up. Instead, set the output of your racks to Do Not Release Item and insert a Push to List activity in your process flow when your order is complete.

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

Jeanette_Fullmer — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 02:54:20 GMT

Hello @Martin B6,

Jason Lighfoot gave some context and help for your model.

Here is a your model with the update from above.

entwurf-11-ishape-3_jl_2.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 10:34:58 GMT

Hello @Jeanette F,

thank you guys for your support. But unfortunately I can not open the model. Always get the error: HTTP Status 403 - Forbidden. Can you please upload the file again? Many thanks

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:00:24 GMT

entwurf-11-ishape-3_jl_2.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:48:00 GMT

Thank you very much, @jason.lightfoot! The model works almost as expected. Only I noticed that the items of an order are not transported on a trailer together (on a pallet) but mixed with other orders. The idea would be that the AVG transports all complete orders that are on the rack (if possible) with one run. If there are more than 3 complete orders on the shelf, the AVG has to run a second time, etc. It is important that all items per order are transported on one trailer. I know that later I still need to schedule the avg that it only transports at certain times when the assembly linie needs items. Would you have an idea how to solve this problem?

Many Thanks!

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 23:49:18 GMT

The first part - putting the parts on the trailer with the same order is done here.

entwurf-11-ishape-3_jl_3.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 00:39:00 GMT

@Martin B6 The trailer process flow is custom change to the standard AGV process flow template. It sounds like you didn't make that change - since you'd know how to alter it to do this - is that right?

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:40:30 GMT

Hello @jason.lightfoot !!

many thanks, the model works fine. I am sorry but i have one more question: Currently the AVG starts working when it gets the signal that all items per order are stored on the shelf, that is the assumption. Is it possible to set a schedule for the AVG? So that for example the AVG works at 9AM, 10AM, 11AM and 1PM, 2PM and finally 3PM? In other words, that the AVG is timed and transports all the finished orders 6 times a day? Do you have an idea how to implement something like this?

attached the current model: Entwurf_11_ishape_7.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:06:43 GMT

Try this (attached model) - I added a wait for event activity and the event is from a datetime based source. I still think it locks at some point when it runs out of trailers since we're not limiting the number of orders it can do in a run.

entwurf-11-ishape-7jl.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 10:13:15 GMT

Hello, thanks for your changes to the model. Yes you are definitely right the AVG stops when it has to transport too many orders. My idea would be to say that the AVG can only transport 4 orders per round and if there are still finished orders on the shelf the AVG should do an additional round. Can the OrderTimes which are in the global table (AggregatedOrders in the column Time) be integrated additionally? So the AVG knows how many orders are to be transported per day. Would you have an idea how to implement this? Thank you so much for your support!

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 10:07:15 GMT

Hi @jason.lightfoot,

I have updated my model and integrated the order time. For this I added a delay in the process flow (Wait Until Start Time), related to the OrderTime in the global table (AggregatedOrders). I don't know if this is the optimal solution for this? But if then more than 4 complete orders have to be transported the AVG stops. (for example in time 37). Do you have an idea how to limit the AVG to 4 orders? If there are still orders to be transported after the first round, the AVG should transport them in the second round (at 10am), etc.

attached the current model: Entwurf_11_ishape_9_StartTime.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 01:35:18 GMT

I've changed the check for capacity and the way it uses trailers. Now the model doesn't pull the trailer off the list, and it uses the field 'numitems' to determine if it has capacity - so if there's a trailer it can pull with numitems=0, then it has capacity. A second stage in the load pulls items of the same order from the localPartitioned job list.

This means it won't get blocked, but it will continue around if there are orders waiting in a second run.

entwurf-11-ishape-9-starttime_jl.fsm

Re: AVG-Tugger with process flow?

martin_b6 — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:45:54 GMT

Hi, the model works great!! Many many thanks for this! 🙂