Output definition

The output definition tab tab is used to define output material flow from this tracker process unit.

This parameter tab is based on the parameter matrix concept. Use the Add button to add a new row and the remove button to remove a selected row. The columns of the matrix are described below.

For every output flow, a tracking material output (TMO) port and a corresponding control (CTR) port will appear. The TMO ports can be connected to downstream tracker process units, or left unconnected to end the material trace at the current position. The CTR ports are used to control the flow through the tracking material output ports.

Material transfer

This column defines the type of material flow to use. The type of control port depends on the type of material flow selected.

  • Flush. This type of material flow allows all the material inside the tracker process unit to flow out through a single TMO port. A digital CTR port will be created. When the value of this CTR port is true, all the material inside the TPU will flow out of the corresponding TMO port.

  • Material count. This option enables flow of a specific count of materials out of the TPU. An analog CTR port will be created. This port controls the count transferred every time step.

  • Amount FIFO. This option enables flow of a specific amount of material out of the tracker process unit. The oldest material in the tracker process unit will be chosen for movement. An analog CTR port will be created. This port controls the amount transferred every time step.

  • Amount LIFO. This option enables flow of a specific amount of material out of the tracker process unit. The youngest material in the tracker process unit will be chosen for movement. An analog CTR port will be created. This port controls the amount transferred every time step.

  • Amount MIX. This option enables flow of a specific amount of material out of the tracker process unit. The selected material will be a mix of the material contained in the tracker process unit. The mixing behavior is controlled by the Mixing factor parameter in the Ordered Collection Properties tab. An analog CTR port will be created. This port controls the amount transferred every time step.

Command port name

This column displays the name of the control port (CTR). The column is read-only, as the name of the CTR port is derived from the name of the material output port (TMO).

Material port name

This is the name of the tracking material output port (TMO). If the typed name does not start with TMO, the component will prefix the typed port name with ‘TMO’.

Topology independent

If this parameter is checked, the TMO port becomes a virtual invisible port, where material can flow out of the TPU to any other TPU in the tracker application.

Global search

When this property is checked, a global material search is enabled. This means that if the searched material (TraMaID) is not found in this tracker process unit, a search in all the other tracker process units will be performed, and the actual material will be moved out of the tracker process unit hosting it virtually through the TMO port of this tracker process unit.