topic Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish in FlexSim Forum

Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

howy3508 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:51:10 GMT

[ FlexSim 24.0.2 ]

I want the operator to not wait until the processor finishes and continue to load different part number from the QueueIn to the next QueueX based on the GlobalTable lookup.

If I do the followings, it errors out.

Uncheck the "Dispatch and Wait" in the Create TS
Uncheck the "Wait Until Complete"
1. Travel to Item
2. Load Item from QueueX
3. Travel to QueueX
4. Unload Item at QueueX

globaltabledemo

[GlobalList] 20240411 V0.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

moehlmann_fe — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:12:10 GMT

Since you only have a single token right now that runs through the routing table row by row, the entries in the table necessarily have to happen in that exact sequence. To allow for the order of operations to vary, create one token per row and syncronize them through the list.

I modified your model so only QueueIn2 and the processors push to the list (when the item needs to be moved via Process Flow). I also changed the way the process time is read by assigning the row number of the current task to a label on the item.

globaltabledemohr-globallist-20240411-v0-fm.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

howy3508 — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 17:00:53 GMT

@Felix Möhlmann

Your way of having Pull from List to synchronize with the list is good!

I am having an issue when I change the source quantities. The Product5 quantity changes from 1 to 2 in the Source2.

The operator is taking first box(Product 5) to Queue5 and then second box(Product 5) to QueueOut2. It supposed to take Product5 to Queue5 and then to QueueOut2.

globaltabledemohr-globallist-20240411-v0-fm V0.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

moehlmann_fe — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:58:37 GMT

The Process Flow was build on the assumption that each row in the routing table would only be used once. There is no logic in place that dictates that a "Product5" item needs to always use the first row first.

A better approach then might be to create one token per item that enters the input queue. This token then gets the first row for that product type from the table and manages the entire process until the item enters the output queue. To that end, I added an additional column that denotes which row follows the current one.

globaltabledemohr-globallist-20240411-v0-fm-v0_1.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

howy3508 — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:15:27 GMT

Hi Felix, @Felix Möhlmann

I ran into another issue if I add more destination to Product5 on Row 2 in the GlobalTable2_Routing.

Now the item just go back and fore the processor and the queue itself now.

globaltabledemohr-globallist-20240415-v0-fm-v0_1.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

moehlmann_fe — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:48:19 GMT

Well, that is what you have currently entered in the table. The next row after the 4th is set to be the 4th, same for the 6th and 8th.

If you want less work when changing the table you could instead always increment the row by one and stop the loop when the "ItemName" column doesn't match the item's name anymore. (As long as the entries are always in the correct order.)

globaltabledemohr-globallist-20240415-v0-fm-v0-2.fsm

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

howy3508 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:52:10 GMT

This is a simple and efficient way to handle this issue. Thank you for your support!

Re: Operator to continue to load before the processor finish

Jeanette_Fullmer — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:24:25 GMT

Hi @Howard, was Felix Möhlmann's answer helpful? If so, please click the "Accept" button at the bottom of their answer. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

If we haven't heard back from you within 3 business days we'll auto-accept an answer, but you can always comment back to reopen your question.