How to assign process time for an operator?

[tanuj_r]

[ FlexSim 21.0.6 ]

An operator is going back and forth between two decision points in a conveyor. So I want to assign a process time to the operator once the item touches the Decision point. After the process time assigned is expired the operator should stop and move to a decision point. The process time is assigned from the time an item goes into the conveyor. Can this be done in process flow? Is it possible to do it in any other way? I have attached a simple model for reference. In the model I used timetable to control total time of operator. But I want the process time to begin when item reaches the first Decision point.

2operator.fsm

[eric_m3 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Tanuj R, are you wanting the item to stop at DP1 while the operator processes it, then have the item and the operator move to DP2? You could use a "station" instead of a "decision point" which has a processing time option with the option of using an operator for the processing time. A delay in process flow could also work after the first "travel" activity.

[tanuj_r]

Hi @Eric M, I want the operator to move along with the item. Somewhat simulating a quality check or inspection line. Operator starts moving along with the item when it reaches DP1. In this case is it possible to give operator a processing time?

Thank you for the reply!

[eric_m3]

In that case, I don't think there's a way to set the processing time other than setting the speed of the conveyor and operator. This post describes a way to do that which is similar to what you've done already. If you want the time specifically, you could use this kind of approach which calculates the speed given the distance and desired time. This would also mean you could make different types of objects have different speeds or "processing times."

[tanuj_r]

This helps a lot! Thank you @Eric M