ipolog 4 Material Flow: Default Process Chain/ Standard supply chain

A default process chain defines a standardized logistical delivery concept from the dock to the production/assembly line. It defines the number of stages and the processes carried out at each stage and the transport processes, such as loading and unloading processes. In addition, the category of the means of transport - route train, forklift or AGV - is selected there and it is determined whether there is an empties transport.

In ipolog 4 Material Flow, you will find the SVKs in the “Default Process Chain” module:

Creating a default process chain

When you create a standard supply chain, the display is as follows:

On the transport containers [1]:

Two different transport containers - load carriers and loading units - are currently available.
The input type of the transport container of a stage is always defined by the output type of the transport container on the preceding stage.

On the stages [2]:

A layout level must be defined for each stage. 

You receive a suggestion for the material area if an area name from your project is entered in the “Material area 1”, “Material area 2”, etc. columns in the logistics quantity framework.

If no layout level is defined, the Hall level can also be selected. All areas are assigned to this level by default. The areas of subordinate levels to the hall can also be selected if Hall is selected as the layout structure.

On the transports [4]:

There are two different types of transport selection. Route stands for a transport with the route train, always consisting of tugger and trailer.
However, if the transport is carried out with a forklift or AGV, the term Direct must be defined in the ComboBox.
As soon as this selection has been made, the previously red area appears green.
In the case of direct means of transport, this must be selected. In the case of transport with a forklift, the selection of the worker for the means of transport is also mandatory.

The values defined in the standard supply chain for worker and direct means of transport are transferred directly from the default process chain to the supply chain. There, values for the direct means of transport and, if necessary, the worker can be manually adjusted again.

On the processes [5]:

For each stage, stage processes, loading and unloading processes can be defined. To create a new process, first select “+ Worker process”, “+ Loading process” or “+ Unloading process” [1].

Please note: Processes are highlighted in red as long as they are not fully defined.

• For stage processes, the respective worker [2] and the process [3] must be defined. A worker can be assigned to several processes at different stages. Several workers can also carry out different or identical processes at the same stage.
• For loading and unloading processes, only the process must be defined [4]; a worker cannot be specified. The time of these processes refer to individual containers!
• Additional processes can be added to each stage via “+ Process” [5].

The data for selecting the workers and the percentages for calculating the distribution times derive from resource management; the process names and times from process element management. The data is composed as follows:

On the Layout Level regarding Layout Structure:

The user receives a suggestion for the material area in the downstream supply chain editor if in the Logistics Quantity Framework in the columns "Material area 1", "Material area 2", ... an area name from the layout is specified. For stage n, the area is displayed that is stored in the Logistics Quantity Framework for the part number as "material area n".

Attention: If an LQF with material areas (material area 1-10) is imported or re-imported and there is a mismatch between the stages of material areas from the LQF and the assignment of the Layout Level in the default process chain, then following behavior is expected:

• The state of the created supply chains is undefined (red warning icon)
• The frame of the concerned material area comboboxes of the supply chain stages is colored in red
• No content (material area from LQF) inside the material area comboboxes is set/displayed for the concerned supply chain stages
• The user sees a warning icon + a warning text "Mismatch with Layout Structure"
• When the user hovers on the warning icon following text is displayed for the user:
  • Case 1: Auto-Assignment Area from LQF and assigned Layout Level in default process chain do not correspond in their stages value
  • Case 2: Manually Assigned Area and assigned Layout Level in default prcoess chain do not correspond in their stages value

Note:

When a default process chain is deleted, it must be saved in order to apply the changes. If only the SVK is deleted via the Delete button, the change can be undone via Discard.

Default process and disposal chains for grouping chains can be changed even if the grouping chain is in use.