topic Port by Case defined, how to complete my model? in FlexSim Forum

Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 11:18:04 GMT

[ FlexSim 22.1.3 ]

Hi,

My name is possibly annoying everybody now, but i'm struggling with the simplest of items. I've followed advice from some knowledgeable people on here to get where I am now.

The final hurdle is moving materials from a combiner with set quantities.

Basically for example:

Set up block (+ pallet) to a sink.

A - 170 (+ pallet) to a materal A queue.

B- 125 (+ pallet) to a material B queue.

C -130 (+ pallet) to a material C queue

I just can't get it right. Any suggestions, then I promise I will be on my way!

Model is: Production_sim_220822 V2

Thanks

Michael

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 11:27:59 GMT

You should use the default separator option for the sendtoport before each press.

Then there appears to be confusion around the port sending of the press which has two ports:

...but your send to port of the press is using Type of the item to send it to ports 1-3:

So your first, red item is going to port 2 which is the press unload object instead of the setup sink. Then the grey item with Type 2 is trying to exit through port 3 which doesn't exist. I'm not sure if you're intending to have a different item for setup, as your port choice and object naming implies or if you should really just be using the built-in functionality to add a setup time when the Type changes.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:02:48 GMT

Thanks, the first issue is sorted with using the default separator settings.

I guess the issue is don't understand the port to case scenario.

What defines the case? and what defines the port?

The set up part should go to the sink, that's correct. The remaining items should go to the ports labelled after the product. A, B, or C.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:55:40 GMT

So the setup part should leave through port 1 and all the others should enter port 2 - since that's where your combiner is putting the items onto the pallet.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:57:52 GMT

Hi,

I'm getting closer. Final hurdle

I now have materials processed and moved to a combiner output port.

Port by case takes them to the required area.

The problem is now, the three materials have different batch sizes. On the combiner components list I can only set one number.

Currently it's set to 1, which moves one pallet with one item. I need the following:

A - 120

B - 130

C 125

Is this possible?

Model: Production_sim_220822 V4

Thanks

Again

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:19:32 GMT

Add an entry trigger to the Unload with the combiner option to change the component list. This option assumes the Type label is on the pallet. If you want to detect the component Type changing then edit the code and replace line 15 :

if (port == 1) {

with this:

current.labels.assert(labelname);
if (port == 2 && current.labels[labelname].value!=item.labels[labelname].value) {

This assumes that you're sending the correct number of items for a batch into the press. Otherwise you would need to detect the change and eject the pallet in order to avoid mixing components on the same pallet.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:32:46 GMT

Absolutely fantastic.

Apologies for being so persistent with the questioning but I'm on a tight schedule.

Thanks for your help.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:26:00 GMT

I forgot to add the line that sets the Type on the combiner:

current.labels[labelname].value=item.label[labelname].value;

that should go on the next line.

Note that this code looks a lot simpler if you're not writing it for the pop-up template and you're 'hard-coding' the label name into the trigger:

current.Type=item.Type;

The same goes for the rest of the code where .labels[labelname].value is used.

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:48:29 GMT

Sorry i don't understand that part, the first bit of code goes below the previously pasted part into line 15?

I'm getting errors.

I've also tried to mimic this onto a second press but i'm getting the following errors. Think it's my lack of grasp on porting by case?

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

michael_c20 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:51:02 GMT

not sure you can access the model, but it's

Production_sim_220822 v6

Re: Port by Case defined, how to complete my model?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:41:43 GMT

Type evaluates to 7 on the entry of the Unload combiner and you don't have 7 columns in CombinerTable2.