Pause working on a token, process another/next token and then return to process the original token

Pause working on a token, process another/next token and then return to process the original token

troot
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Pause working on a token, process another/next token and then return to process the original token

troot
Explorer
Explorer

I have a process flow where the operator takes a tote from an exit transfer and places it on a station.  The operator then leaves that tote at the station and returns to the exit transfer.  If the next tote (token) at the exit transfer does not need that station (label "wwc" ==0), the operator places the tote on an entry transfer and the tote leaves the area.  If the next tote needs that station (label "wwc"==1) then the operator leaves that tote at the exit transfer and returns to the tote on the station, completes the work there and brings the tote back to the entry transfer to be take away.

 

Can anyone provide leads on how I can accomplish this kind of token "pause" and "resume" situation.

 

Attached is a model and process flow that do NOT work but may better explain what I'm trying to do.

 

Thanks in advance for any leads on where to learn next.

 

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FelixMoehlmann
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When building a Process Flow I often first think about from what "perspective" I want to build it. To decide this I try to answer the question: Who/What is making decisions? It could be a machine that is deciding what to process next or items that decide what machine to use to get processed.

In this case it makes sense to build the logic from the perspective of the operator, since it's generally easier to construct logic where a single token moves through a decision tree compared to many tokens competing for a set of resources.

To make this work, the 'operator token' needs a way to know if there are items waiting at the exit transfer, which can be done by pushing them to a list. (Lists are a powerful tool in general, especially when working with Process Flow. If you haven't done so yet, I would recommend you read up on them and work through the available tutorials.)

The logic is then structured into two loops, one where the queue is empty yet and one where it already has an item, with the token switching between these loops depending on the wwc label.

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