topic Re: Operator not returning to Separator in FlexSim Forum

Operator not returning to Separator

rtsuge — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:24:42 GMT

I have a simple model where I'm separating a box from a tote, if this concept works, it'll be scaled up for a larger model. That all works fine, it's the operator who is causing the issue. On the first tote the operator walks to the separator, in this model it's a blue box, and proceeds to process the tote, moves the box to a take away conveyor and the tote to another take away conveyor. The issue occurs for all subsequent totes that needs to be processed.

The operator stands at the tote take away conveyor to process the tote instead of returning to the Separator to process the tote. How do I get the operator to return to the center of the Separator to process the tote? I've noticed this happening with processors I've worked with in the past as well.

Thank you!

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

hbg4857MXY4 — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:44:21 GMT

It seems to work when the conveyor position is slightly separated from the separator position.

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

FelixMoehlmann — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:15:40 GMT

The operator will do a Travel task with the separator as destination as part of the task sequence given to it by the separator. When not using any form of travel network (network nodes, AGV, A*) a task executer will travel toward the center of an object until it reaches the circle defined by the longest side of the object. At that it is considered to be at the object.

The operator in your model is already close enough to the separator to be considered 'at' the object after dropping of the tote. To get more control over where the operator moves to for the utilize task, you can use network nodes or AGV paths/control points to define a fixed point that is considered as "at the separator".

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

hbg4857MXY4 — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:21:38 GMT

How can I visually see the radius of an object?

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

FelixMoehlmann — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:20:04 GMT

In general you can't. I added that circle to the picture manually. The only similar feature that comes to mind is part of the A* system. You can show the "travel thresholds" of A* member objects. Instead of a general distance to the center there are distinct A* grid cells that need to be reached. The navigator plots a route to the closest red dot. As soon as any (red or blue) dot is reached, the travel task finishes.

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

hbg4857MXY4 — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:37:23 GMT

Thank you very much, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

rtsuge — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:23:28 GMT

Thanks! This makes sense. One small detail that I need to have fixed because the larger model will be presented to other stakeholders and I need the visuals to look mostly correct. The operator won't face the separator. Once it returns to the center node, it still faces the box conveyor.

Re: Operator not returning to Separator

Jacob_White — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:12:46 GMT

Hi @rtsuge,

In update 25.2 using the change visual activity in Process Flow, there is an option to rotate an operator or other object to face a location or object within the model. You could use this to ahve your operator face the box conveyor in your model.