Different item type is in queue wait until empty

[NANconsultants]

[ FlexSim 23.0.1 ]

Hi,

I'm in need of some assistance on how to program my processor to only handle one item type at a time. Meaning that if the processor is currently processing 10 of item type 1, then it needs to finish those 10 before it can start processing 10 of item type 2. The processor is not a batch processor but instead sequential.

I have added setup time if item type changes.

The items is created at a certain time, 250 of item type 1, then 250 of item type 2, then 250 of item type 3

[jason_lightfootVL7B4 · Accepted solution]

Pull the same item type and for each successful pull increment a counter. When the counter reaches the batch size, change the item type for the next pull.

[joerg_vogel_HsH]

On Exit trigger leaving item is still counted as a content.

[andrew_o2]

Hi @NicolaiNielsen, was Jason Lightfoot'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 unaccept and comment back to reopen your question.

[NANconsultants]

I am currently testing the solution, I'm new to Flexsim, so it is taking abit of time :)

[NANconsultants]

Hi Jason,

first of all thank you for the response 🙂 I have tried now since your response to implement your proposal. I can now conclude that I have not been able to implement it.

Is it possible that you could expand and guide me how to implement. I can attach the model, I'm not very experience in mapping the flow in the process flow mode, but using the modules instead.

[joerg_vogel_HsH]

@NicolaiNielsen , Jason‘s answer is totally a suggestion of 3D modeling. Object property > Input pane > activate PULL > Pull Requirement by item type or label value > the value is himself a label value driven by a label value (a) in your processor

On Exit trigger increment a counter label at your processor by -1. If a batch is finished, then you change the Type of (a) to pull a different kind. And you reset counter label.

[joerg_vogel_HsH]

proof of concept:batch_by_pull_observed.fsm

[NANconsultants]

Hi Joerg Vogel,

I have tried to implement your solution to the best of my ability, but my implementation still allows for the "Processor1" to handle two different labels at the same time.

The solution I'm seeking is to queue up "Label2" at "FU6" the next label until "Processor1" have finished all of the "Label1". When "Processor1" is emptied it is then allowed to open and let "Label2" to be processed.

I'm not sure where I'm making the error.

Manufacturing Process V2.fsm

[jason_lightfootVL7B4]

Jörg that's not the solution I was describing.

[jason_lightfootVL7B4]

Here's a possible solution - it doesn't do any counting or switching of batches - it just assumes its being sent items in batches and will flush the machine in between. The pull checks that it's the same Type or for the machine to be empty.

The Processor1 exit trigger creates an event to open the input in order to re-evaluate the pull after the last item exits.

createevent(current,0,EVENT_USEROPENINPUT);

manufacturing-process-v2_jl.fsm

[joerg_vogel_HsH]

That is correct @Jason Lightfoot. But I didn't write this. All I did, I shown a 3D example to pull batches of items of same type from a queue object.