Transporting Order

Dear All,

I have question about using material handlers (transporter, operator, task executer). Suppose that we have a transporter that has to transport materials (with several item types) into corresponding nodes. So, itemtype 1 to node 1; itemtype 2 to node 2; etc.

My problem is, when the transporter take itemtype 1 then itemtype 2, visually we can see that those two items will be stacked with itemtype 1 in the lower and itemtype 2 in the upper of the stack. When the transporter first visits node 1, it won't be able to unload itemtype 1 as it is located in the bottom of the stack. It will release itemtype 2 when visits node 2 then back to node 1 and release itemtype 1.

My question is, it is possible if I want the transporter to unload/release whatever itemtype corresponding to the node without considering location on the stack?

I will be very thankful if any of you can enlighten me on this matter..

As long as you specify which item to FRUNLOAD, the order in a stack is immaterial. I believe the attached example of a postal delivery of unsorted mail illustrates how it can be done.

Thank you so much for your reply.

FRUNLOAD? Is it related to the task sequence?
I can't open your file. Said that the format is not compatible. What version did you use? I am using Flexsim 5.1.2 with educational license.

Sorry for lot questions, I'm new on this.

Hi Aryka,
I use 6.0.2.
I do not believe your problem can be solved without the use of a task sequence. If you have trouble with the snippet of code below, do spend some time with the user manual, it is quite helpful.

 
/**VF: Perform transport*/
treenode item = parnode(1);
treenode current = ownerobject(c);
int port = parval(2);
treenode op = centerobject(current,1);
if (content(current) >= 5)
{
 treenodearray target = makearray(5);
 target[1] = node("/MailBox1", model());
 target[2] = node("/MailBox2", model());
 target[3] = node("/MailBox3", model());
 target[4] = node("/MailBox4", model());
 target[5] = node("/MailBox5", model());
 treenode ts = createemptytasksequence(op, 0, 0);
 treenodearray products = makearray(5);
 inserttask(ts, TASKTYPE_TRAVEL, current);
 for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
 {
  // Pick items in their original order
  products[i] = rank(current, i);
  inserttask(ts, TASKTYPE_FRLOAD, products[i], current);
 }
 // Iterate through queues sequentially
 for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
 {
  // Find the item intended for this queue
  for (int j = 1; j <= 5; j++)
  {
   if (getlabelnum(products[j], "Destination") == i)
   {
    // Put them in the desired order (specified in the source table)
    inserttask(ts, TASKTYPE_FRUNLOAD, products[j], target[i]);
    break;
   }
  }
 } 
 dispatchtasksequence(ts);
}
return 0;

No code required for getting the operator to unload as you want. The Unload trigger of the task executor class (operator, transporter, etc.) has a pick option called "Unload all items intended for this station before unloading to other stations". http://www.flexsim.com/community/for...read.php?t=525

Note that the delivery sequence will still be governed generally by the arrival sequence into the sending object (pickup location), although the actual sequence depends on other factors.

If you want to change the delivery sequence of the batch, you might want to load the attached library which will add a pick option to the request transport field called: Deliver Batch In Sequence By Value

Also a good option for simply keeping a batch together, of course you still need to send each item of the batch to the same port.