topic Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label in FlexSim Forum

Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

sofia_garciarojas — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 22:24:13 GMT

[ FlexSim 23.0.2 ]

Hello FlexSim answers, below is what I'm trying to do, but can't seem to find a way.

- A combiner can pack two types of product. One has label A and one has label B. These labels are also reflected on a Global Macro.

- Product A is packed onto a pallet (container = yes). Product B does not need to be packed onto a pallet (container = no).

- I am trying to make it so that when my combiner reads the Global Macro indicating what product I am running, it can make the decision to either include or exclude the container when combining.

- I need to collect the number of pallets that are consumed by the combiner when the product being run is Product A, and show as 0 when it's Product B.

- At this time, during a simulation run I would only run one type of product. Thus, why i am using Global Macros. So I can reference them at Simulation Start.

I had a series of ideas, but I have not managed to make this work...

- Connect 2 sources and set them as Port 1 and Port 2... The second source would be an invisible item, to at least make it work?

- closeinput and openinput to the combiner based on the Global Macro. (Can't close a specific input port; it's all or nothing)

- closeoutput of each source based on the Global Macro. (The combiner will not pack when I do this)

- Have the container quantity change to 0/1 based on the Global Macro. (Can't change the quantity of container)

- Maybe have the Combine Mode change based on the Global Macro? (I don't even know where to begin to make this work).

Are there better ways of approaching this? The model I have attached has both container sources, but the solution does not need to have both. It's just what I've tried.

I appreciate any help possible!

Sofia

Combiner Help Model.fsm

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

moehlmann_fe — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:55:31 GMT

I'd use the Parameters table to set the mode rather than a Global Macro. If you want to use the Experimenter you don't have to make any extra changes. But if you prefer the macro then you can of course also use that.

Without building a Process Flow and combining the items in a Queue that way, I'd build this by having intermediate queues between the sources and the combiner and add more than one connection between the first and the combiner. That way it can provide both the 'container' as well as the other items for the case without pallets.

The rest is setting the Send to Port options accordingly, so that all items are send to the correct place depending on the mode. And adjusting the combiners component list in its reset trigger.

combiner-with'out-pallet-fm.fsm

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

sofia_garciarojas — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:25:26 GMT

Hey Felix, I am not able to open your file. My Flexsim version is 23.0. Could you please upload with an older version?

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

moehlmann_fe — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 04:38:21 GMT

combiner-without-pallet-fm.fsm

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

julie_weller — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:54:33 GMT

Hi @Sofia G21, 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.

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

sofia_garciarojas — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:08:53 GMT

Thanks Felix! Sorry it took me so long to respond; I've been trying to incorporate your code and logic into my model, but have not been fully successful. I was able to make the Pallet YES vs. Pallet NO work. But since some of the logic transferred from items, I am not able to make some of my old logic work.

Before I was able to pack the items on the pallet in a 'square' fashion, but I was doing it at the Robot. Your logic only works when I Update the Boxes position with the Combiner. However, I cannot replicate the logic from my Robot at the Combiner, so both Pallet YES and Pallet NO pack in a square fashion (See 'What My Model Looks Like')

Attached the model with the logic I am referring to. It has my current model, my attempt at your solution, and your solution, so it is easy to see the progression.

My robot from the left is capable of packing in a square fashion. I cannot make this work at the combiner. Do you have an idea on how I can transfer that to your new logic?

Thanks again for all of the help!

TEST.fsm

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

moehlmann_fe — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:58:10 GMT

The OnEntry trigger of the combiner overrides the stacking logic of the pallet by changing the location of the item after it entered. In my case I use the model parameter "CombineMode" to control whether the code is executed or not (see screenshot below).

Your attempt uses the "Pallet Yes" column of the SKU table for this, as far as I can tell. So you would need to change the condition to use that value instead of the parameter.

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

sofia_garciarojas — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:08:01 GMT

Felix, I was referring to the placement of boxes given that the container is now a box too. Before, at the robot, I was able to recall them using subnodes.length and setting a value for each subnode. But now that the code is on the Combiner, I am no longer able to use that. I still want them to be packed in a 4 box square pattern. Am I still able to do that?

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

moehlmann_fe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:22:15 GMT

You can still do that. You just have to wait until the item was moved from the combiner into the container item. Which the "await" statement in my code is for.

test_2.fsm

Re: Deciding source of combiner container based on a label

sofia_garciarojas — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:35:37 GMT

Ah! That's why my code was failing. Thanks Felix! I always appreciate your help and time!