topic Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch in FlexSim Forum

Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

browna15 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:30:08 GMT

[ FlexSim 17.1.6 ]

In my simulation, once a batch of 4 passes through the queue for just processed units, a new flow item of different type is to be released into the same queue and exit once the four units leave. What I have tried is using a global variable that increments by 1 for each unit that passes through the final processing queue and when the global variable is divisible by 4, trigger a source to release one unit of the new flow type. Let me know if this is in the correct realm of approaching the problem as I was still unsuccessful, mainly when it came to controlling the source releasing. I have attached a fresh version of my set up. For context, the processor alternates between the red and green units every 4 units.

Thank for the input!

BatchingNewItem.fsm

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

carter-walch — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:13:28 GMT

Hi @browna15 ,

batchingnewitem.fsm

Yes you can do this with a global variable to track the current type being processed to create a new item of the next type. If I understand correctly, you want 4 items of type 1 (red) to be processed, then when all 4 have finished and pass through Queue3, you want to create a new item of the new type (i.e. Type 2 (green)) at the respective source. I'm not sure if you can trigger a source to do this but we can create the same logic in process flow.

This keeps track of items exiting Queue3. After 4 have been processed, we update the CurrentType global variable and make a new item of the new type at the correct entry transfer. Hope this helps!

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

browna15 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:37:01 GMT

Hi Carter, thanks for the response! I think I missed an important detail to the behavior of the system but its similar to the current set up. Is it possible to have the original 4 pass through the queue then once the last unit of that group of 4 leaves, it creates a new flow item that follows the last unit of the group of 4 as opposed to batching 4 units into one flow item?

Thanks for the consideration.

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

carter-walch — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:55:08 GMT

Yes of course! I believe the model is set up to accomplish what you are describing. I may not have explained that the batch activity in the process flow is simply counting 4 items to pass through the queue. It is not batching them together into one flow item. But rather, it represents a counter such that every 4 items, we create a new flow item.

Is it still correct that you want the new item to be created at the source?

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

browna15 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:00:09 GMT

My bad, no the new item should not be created at the source. The source I was referring to, in theory, was a source attached to the queue at the end of the processor, however it looks like that is not needed. The new flow item should should leave the queue after every 4 units that pass through the queue. What would these edits look like in the simulation?

Thank you

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

carter-walch — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:23:10 GMT

No worries! That makes sense, the only thing you would need to change is where the object is created. Just change the create object activity to create the new flow item in Queue3. I also added a breathe delay so that the new item follows behind the fourth item. Is this more accurate?

For this gif I slowed down the model when the fourth item finishes so you can see the new item being created:

batchingnewitem.fsm

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

browna15 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:35:38 GMT

This works perfect. Thank you so much!

Re: Adding Additional flow item for every completion of a batch

carter-walch — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:40:15 GMT

Sure thing! Happy to help