Creating a source & objects for batching in process flow

[mia_l]

[ FlexSim 19.2.4 ]

I am trying to run a model where items are stored in a rack and start out in the rack as the source, then are pulled from the rack to batch in a queue to move on to the next process. My process flow currently has an Event Triggered Source > Create Object > Move Object from Rack to Queue > Batch Object in Queue and then the operator is supposed to pick up the batch from the queue and move onto the next process. Whenever I run this though, the operator nor the rack/queue move. How can I fix the beginning, and also use the rack as the end of the entire sequence (kind of like a sink)?

[tanner_p]

@Mia L, would you be willing to post the model so we can see why it's not working? If it contains proprietary information, you can make this a private post so only FlexSim U.S. will see it. Otherwise, I'm afraid I can't offer much advice besides doing the Process Flow tutorials in the User Manual. There's too many things that could cause this not to work, such as a missing label, an invalid task sequence, etc. Feel free to post the model if you can and I'd be happy to look at it.

[mia_l]

Here is the model!

ProcessFlowProblem.fsm

@tanner.p

[tanner_p · Accepted solution]

@Mia L, The Event-Triggered Source was listening to Rack1 On Entry, but there wasn't anything in the model to cause anything to enter Rack1. I changed the source to be an Schedule Source. That way, the token can cause the items to be created and enter the rack. Hopefully that makes sense.

It's also important to remember not to mix 3D and Process Flow. This happened in your Rack1 object where the rack was trying to use its center connected object to move the items into the queue, but the Process Flow was already moving the objects from the rack to the queue. It also happened where your queue and the Process Flow were trying to batch items at Queue1. Try to stick to 3D or Process Flow, but not both.

When you're processing batches, it's best to use Sub Flows so that you can process all the items simultaneously (I assume that's what you're going for...) because otherwise, you end up with one token that represents 30 items and only 1 item gets processed.

I arbitrarily made decisions to keep some 3D and some Process Flow, while carefully making sure they did not overlap on their responsibilities. Hope this updated model works better for you. Let me know if you have questions.

processflowproblem_1.fsm

[mia_l]

How can I structure the process flow to batch and then run through the whole process instead of continuously batching at processor1? @tanner.p

[tanner_p]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. The current model batches at Queue1 and processes the entire batch before starting another one. That's the purpose of the Zone in Process Flow. You can see it easier with a smaller batch size, say 3.

processflowproblem-1_1.fsm

[mia_l]

Oh okay thank you! When I initially ran the model I assumed the cylinders were batched in the queue. Is there a way to implement that into the process flow so that the operator is transporting to processors instead of batching the objects?

@tanner.p

[tanner_p]

Sure! I think if I understood you correctly, the model would just batch the items on the Table without the assistance of the operator. Is this correct?

Keep in mind that there are a lot of ways you could adjust this Process Flow to match this process. I recommend experimenting with things and trying things yourself based on what you've seen in tutorials and on answers. That way, you'll be building your own personal FlexSim knowledge base and tool kit.

processflowproblem_2.fsm