Varying the process time according to the number of operators?

[2101990]

[ FlexSim 23.1.1 ]

I have a bunch of operators connected to a dispatcher which would send them the various separators that are empty, but my issue now is how can I program such that i can send out my operators such that there will no longer be any excess operators in the "rest bay" and ensure that each separator will still have one operator? And the process time will change according to how many operators there are? I am not sure how will the process time change since I do not have the figures for it. Is it possible to have flexsim to calculate it themselves?

Basically I have 9 operators and 3 separators, the separators work in random order, free for all basically.

[jason_lightfootVL7B4 · Accepted solution]

Check the answer to this question which is based on filling a table to define the work content on how long it would take with a different number of operators present from start to finish. From that understands the loss of productivity when people leave and join mid process.

[2101990]

Sorry, would you mind explaining what is happening in the updated program? Mainly the part on the process flow. From what i understand, the operators will go to their individual source when there is a flow item that needs to be sent, otherwise they will go over to the fixed resource? Do you mind telling me more about the fixed resource and the process flow?

[jason_lightfootVL7B4]

Sure, what's not clear for you?

[2101990]

Thank you, basically I am not sure what is happening in the fixed resource. And not sure how the process flow works.

[jason_lightfootVL7B4]

The concept is that the input table is used to figure out the work content, and based on the dynamically changing number of operators, decide when the process should finish.

When the number of operators changes the process finish event is rescheduled based on the work done and the new contribution rate based on the work content definition table.

The code may be a little tricky for those learning FlexSim - the other activities in the process flow should be familiar. Perhaps these containers make it a little easier to visualize.

ProcessFinish Event

Unfortunately we can't wait for an EVENT_PROCESSFINISH event type for the BasicFR - hence the use of messages.

Note: the lack of process finish makes it hard to add to a stats collector group that might be listening to a process finish event. This is a limitation that has been chosen not to be addressed.

[2101990]

From what I am seeing, it seems that this can only be done using fixed resources? And that the process time, technically is controlled by the table we inputted into the label. The process flow just allows the number of operators to change dynamically (together with processing time).

Is this possible to be done using separators instead of fixed resource? If I do not know how to incorporate the process flow with my current program, can I do something similar but without the process flow?

Correct me if I am wrong, I have little to no experience in flexsim.

[Jeanette_Fullmer]

Hello @night,

Here is one other solution that uses a tracked variable to track a dynamic processing time

[Jeanette_Fullmer]

Hello @night,

You can add into the process flow the logic for the Basic FR to work like a separator.

You will need to use process flow.

[jason_lightfootVL7B4]

Hi @night, was one of Jeanette F's or Jason Lightfoot's answers helpful? If so, please click the "Accept" button at the bottom of the one that best answers your question. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

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