Combiner collect certain quantity of items with time limit

[jingyong_p]

[ FlexSim 20.1.2 ]

Hello,

Here is what I want to achieve with combiner .

One source can feed items in to the system with random arriving rate. Ideally, the combiner will pack 50 items into a box. However, with uncertain arriving rate, i have following condition for the box:

The box will stay on combiner to collect items. Once the quantity reaches to 30, the box can only wait for another 5 minutes. Box capacity is 50 and max wait time is 50, which one comes first, then box will move to next operation.

is possible to model this scenario?

Thank you.

[support5CRPZ]

@Jingyong P

Yes. You can do it. Combiner default feature has not a time limit for gathering the needed target quantity. But you can control the target quantity using flexscript commands or process flow module when a certain quantity items gathered.

[jingyong_p]

@Seung Yong Seo thanks for replying my post. could you please share an example by using process flow?

[regan_blackett · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jingyong P,

Here's an example model that I think does what you are asking, using a List with a two step pull.

Using an event triggered source in process flow, I listen to the OnEntry event of the queue I've named Combiner. This is to let process flow know when a container is ready to be packed. The token created by this source will act as the puller from a List.

Using another event triggered source, I listen to the OnEntry event of the Queue called Contents Storage. The tokens created here will push their corresponding items onto the List.

The first pull has the container looking for exactly 30 items, these items are moved to the container as soon as they are pulled. Once the requirement to pull 30 has been completed, the container tries to pull an additional 20 items, but this step of the pull uses the max wait timer capability of the Pull from List activity to wait for five minutes. If the 20 additional items are pulled, the pallet is released to the conveyor. If the 20 additional items are not found in the time limit, the container still gets whatever additional items were pulled, but is then released to the conveyor.

I included a Zone and a dashboard to display the total number of pulled items per container.

twostagepull.fsm

[jingyong_p]

Great solution, thank you @Regan Blackett