How to use the program

The program can be used with different configurations, which are stored in the database. To choose a certain configuration, pass the project id as parameter to the program. So the program is usually startet from the command line. More options are given using help:

ftsim --help

If nothing is specified the database name will be ft.db, and the project will be the one with the highest project id.

More info about Location names and the transport of the LE’s is given with verbose 4.

So starting the program might look like this:

ftsim.py --id 104 -v 4

If the option auto is given, the program will start in automatic mode and end as soon as all tasks have been processed. Furthermore the Workstation does ‘automatic picking’, so no user interaction is required.

Transports

All moves of the Transport units (=LE) depend on the target, which is stored in the LE. The target contains the name of an area, if it is empty the LE remains in the current area.

The target for a LE might be set in the configuration, or it might be set later in the Workstation Dialog. As soon as a LE reaches a Storage Area or a Workstation, the target is cleared.

Manual transports

Most areas have a name of just one letter. If this letter is typed all LE’s in that Area are moved one step forward to the next Location. Sometimes the letter needs to be typed twice, because each LE moves only one step per cycle.

The name of a picking area starts with the letter ‘k’ followed by a digit. Here the digit is typed instead of the letter. Some Picking areas consist of one Location, but they might have more Locations as well.

Don’t forget for manual transports the focus needs to be in the main window.

Automatic transports

Automatic transports can be started or stopped with a button in the main dialog. Every area is checked and all LE’s are moved one step forward. This cycle needs to be stopped explicitly, otherwise it is repeated forever.

If a LE arrives at a workstation a special Dialog pops up representing that workstation. To forward the LE, a new target must be chosen before the transport button is clicked.

Automatic transports with orders

Starting in automatic mode means as well checking for free Taskorders. If there is one, the taskorder is assigned to a Workstation, if there is one available. Each task belonging to that taskorder contains just the name of a Transport Unit. If that LE is located in a storage area, the task will be started, which means, the LE receives the target from the corresponding taskorder.

When the LE arrives at the Workstation a new target can be chosen. If the program was started from the commandline with automode, or if ‘auto Picking’ was chosen from the menu, the Workstation Dialog is handled automatically.

After picking of all tasks the taskorder is closed and the Workstation is ready for another Taskorder.

If FTSim is startet all Taskorders and Tasks of that project are reset.