How to Refill a Processor with one type of roll?

[paul_alejandro_r]

[ FlexSim 18.1.2 ]

I have a processor that uses two types of rolls with different lengths. One roll is consumed by the machine faster than the other one because it is shorter. I built a process flow that makes the operator refill the machine with a new roll each time it has been consumed all up. However, when the operator refills the machine, he changes the two rolls, that means, he changes also the roll that hasn´t finished itself yet. So, what I need to know is how do I make the operator refill only the roll that has finished itself up. I have attached the model.

roll-refill.fsm

Pd: I would also want that when the operator changes the roll, the machine stops for a certain amount of time. I was thinking about including a delay, however, I´m not sure where to put it.

Thanks in advance.

[tanner_p · Accepted solution]

There's an excellent tutorial that will guide you through how the stop/start is done as well as how to control the visuals of the rolls. It can be found here.

[paul_alejandro_r]

Thanks Tanner, I actually already used that tutorial to build my process flow, so I´m still struggling with what I mentioned above. Please, could you check my model and help me to find a solution? Thanks again.stickers.fsm

[paul_alejandro_r]

@Tanner Poulton

The process flow logic is working properly until the second 10229.49 that the simulation stops because the sticker machine is waitting for operators but I do´nt know why the 3 operators are utilize because I realesed the operator in the process flow. ejemplo-rollos.fsm

[tanner_p]

@Paúl Alejandro R

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I've been looking at your model in segments throughout the week. I think there's a problem with what's being pushed to a list. What I mean is that the values being pushed are different from what's intended, so the pull from list activities aren't pulling what's being pushed. Does that make sense? I'm going to spend some time on your updated ejemplo model today then I will get back to you soon.

[tanner_p]

@Paúl Alejandro R

Do you want the operators to grab a roll from the storage and take it over to the queue like in the user manual tutorial? I'm confused why so many cylinders are being created, but none are being used up.

[paul_alejandro_r]

@Tanner Poulton There are many rolls because that is the stock we have for each roll. And I need the roll to be used up by the item type entrering to the processor, and when whe we are out of one roll the operators need to go to the storage queue and replace the roll

[tanner_p]

The same thing is happening here that is happening in your other model. That is, whenever an item enters the processor and is pushed to the list named "PT", there are 4 tokens created that want to pull an item from the "PT" list. There should only be 1 token created per item, not 4.

I could try and find an alternative way to accomplish this for you if you'd like.

[paul_alejandro_r]

@Tanner Poulton

Yes, it would be great if you can help me with and alternative way to accomplish this duty. In fact, I have about 50 items that consume two different rolls, so the problem will be huge because in the previuos model I only incorporated 4 items. Can you explain to me more why every time an item enters to a list, it creates 4 tokens instead of one. I do not want to make the same mistake henceforth.

Thanks in advance.

[tanner_p]

I'll try and create something that will work for your purposes.

In the meantime, here's a visual to try and explain how too many tokens are being created. There are ways to avoid this, like listening for certain items or having one token loop through, but hopefully this image at least gives you an idea why it's happening.

[tanner_p]

Unfortunately, I found another inherent problem with copying the tutorial exactly. There cannot be more than one activity pulling an item from a list. This causes the lists to be emptied too fast. I'm afraid at this point you might need to rethink this model and try rebuilding it. Here's an image to show what's happening: