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Use photo eyes to avoid jams when building a real-world scenario of an order fulfillment center.
Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.
Transcript
00:03
In FlexSim, a photo eye is an object used to build logic into your simulation
00:08
to avoid jams and ensure flow items are moving along a conveyor system as intended.
00:14
Photo eyes are often included in real-world scenarios, such as conveyor systems in a fulfillment center.
00:21
In the fulfillment center order consolidation simulation shown,
00:26
it is possible for flow items to back up on the conveyor system as they wait to enter the racks.
00:33
Use photo eyes to detect and help address potential jams.
00:38
In this example, a photo eye appears on each conveyor in front of the pack wall.
00:44
The green color of the line indicates the photo eye is clear.
00:49
Stop the model and select a photo eye.
00:53
In Properties, under Photo Eye, apply settings such as Block Time, Clear Time, and Offset Angle.
01:02
Block Time sets the amount of time required for the photo eye to be considered blocked and turn red.
01:10
It is important to set a block time that allows for the normal flow of items across the photo eye but will quickly detect any disruption in the flow.
01:20
Here, the Block Time is set to “1” second.
01:24
In the model, you can also select the photo eye to drag and place it at different points on the conveyor
01:31
to test where it is best suited to detect potential jams.
01:35
Additionally, you can adjust the position of the control point.
01:40
If the photo eye is blocked and turns red, it does not perform a mitigating action.
01:47
In this case, the control point is connected to the photo eye
01:51
and contains the logic that helps determine the path of the flow item based on the state of the photo eye.
01:58
Select the control point and right-click.
02:02
In Properties, under Triggers, click the Custom Code for On Arrival.
02:08
First, the code is set to check the item’s StationNum label to see if it matches the Station;
02:15
if so, it will route the item to that Station.
02:19
In the Control Point Properties, enable Show Connections.
02:24
A connection exists between the control point and photo eye.
02:30
The code shown here references the photo eye as the new destination for the item.
02:36
The code then checks the state of the photo eye to return the state value.
02:41
Right now, the state is clear.
02:44
However, if the photo eye turns red, indicating a jam, then the state changes to blocked.
02:50
If the state is not blocked, then the control point will direct the item to the photo eye,
02:55
so it can continue to the exit transfer and then to the rack.
02:59
If the state is blocked, then the control point directs the item to stay on the conveyor and loop back around
03:06
until the photo eye is in an unblocked state.
03:09
Setting up the photo eye and control points in this way helps to regulate the flow of items on your conveyor system.
03:16
Now you can include photo eyes when you build a simulation of order consolidation in a fulfillment center.
Video transcript
00:03
In FlexSim, a photo eye is an object used to build logic into your simulation
00:08
to avoid jams and ensure flow items are moving along a conveyor system as intended.
00:14
Photo eyes are often included in real-world scenarios, such as conveyor systems in a fulfillment center.
00:21
In the fulfillment center order consolidation simulation shown,
00:26
it is possible for flow items to back up on the conveyor system as they wait to enter the racks.
00:33
Use photo eyes to detect and help address potential jams.
00:38
In this example, a photo eye appears on each conveyor in front of the pack wall.
00:44
The green color of the line indicates the photo eye is clear.
00:49
Stop the model and select a photo eye.
00:53
In Properties, under Photo Eye, apply settings such as Block Time, Clear Time, and Offset Angle.
01:02
Block Time sets the amount of time required for the photo eye to be considered blocked and turn red.
01:10
It is important to set a block time that allows for the normal flow of items across the photo eye but will quickly detect any disruption in the flow.
01:20
Here, the Block Time is set to “1” second.
01:24
In the model, you can also select the photo eye to drag and place it at different points on the conveyor
01:31
to test where it is best suited to detect potential jams.
01:35
Additionally, you can adjust the position of the control point.
01:40
If the photo eye is blocked and turns red, it does not perform a mitigating action.
01:47
In this case, the control point is connected to the photo eye
01:51
and contains the logic that helps determine the path of the flow item based on the state of the photo eye.
01:58
Select the control point and right-click.
02:02
In Properties, under Triggers, click the Custom Code for On Arrival.
02:08
First, the code is set to check the item’s StationNum label to see if it matches the Station;
02:15
if so, it will route the item to that Station.
02:19
In the Control Point Properties, enable Show Connections.
02:24
A connection exists between the control point and photo eye.
02:30
The code shown here references the photo eye as the new destination for the item.
02:36
The code then checks the state of the photo eye to return the state value.
02:41
Right now, the state is clear.
02:44
However, if the photo eye turns red, indicating a jam, then the state changes to blocked.
02:50
If the state is not blocked, then the control point will direct the item to the photo eye,
02:55
so it can continue to the exit transfer and then to the rack.
02:59
If the state is blocked, then the control point directs the item to stay on the conveyor and loop back around
03:06
until the photo eye is in an unblocked state.
03:09
Setting up the photo eye and control points in this way helps to regulate the flow of items on your conveyor system.
03:16
Now you can include photo eyes when you build a simulation of order consolidation in a fulfillment center.
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