Organize lists using partitions

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In FlexSim, partitions are a way of dividing Lists into smaller, more manageable segments based on an identifying factor, called a Partition ID.

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The Partition ID can be a number, a string, or a reference to an object in your 3D model, like a Processor or Queue.

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Using a partition helps you to organize values within your list

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and ensures that Pullers are pulling the correct values to move to the next step in your process.

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The ProcessFlow shown here includes some general information about partitions,

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as well as a simple process flow with Assign Labels, Push to List, and Pull from List activities to illustrate how partitions work.

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First, click Assign Labels on the left;

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this activity is set up to assign each token a Type label ranging from 1 to 4.

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Next, open the Push to List Quick Properties.

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Here, the Partition ID is set to token.Type, which means that when pushed to the list, the tokens will be partitioned by their type.

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In the List Quick Properties, click View Entries.

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The simulation is Reset, Run, and Paused.

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In the List, four Type 4 values, and one each of Types 3 and 1 are grouped, or partitioned, by Type.

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These partitions effectively organize the List.

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Open the Pull from List Quick Properties.

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Here, the Partition ID is set to token.Type as well, which means that the pullers are set to pull from a specific partition.

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The simulation is continued at an accelerated rate, so you can see that all four List partitions continue to be used throughout the simulation.

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Now you can use partitions to help group and organize items within your List and ensure that the correct items are being pulled from the List.