2.1 Material Flow Planning - create and extend standard supply chains

Tip:
Standard process chains form the basis of logistical process planning in ipolog. You can find a detailed explanation of how they work and how to use them in the Helpdesk article on standard process chains. 

First select "Default Process Chain" in the module bar.

In the past, the process chains for production supply in your plant were not too complex, which is why you currently only find two different standard supply chains (SSC) in the model. 

• KLT-routes_via_rack_storage
  Describes the route of the KLTs from the truck to the assembly line. The KLTs are unloaded from the truck on pallets in the unloading zone (Entladezone) via forklift (Stage 4). Then they are stored in rack storage (Stage 3). In the rack storage individual KLTs are collected on a circulating route in order to store them on the loaded route vehicles in the route stations (Stage 2). These are then driven via supply route to the assembly line (Stage 1). 

• Forklift_via_Buffer
  Describes the route of the GLTs into production. In the unloading zone (now: Stage 3), trucks are unloaded by forklift and the GLTs are stored directly in the buffer (Stage 2). From there, they are brought directly to the assembly line (Stage 1) via production supply forklifts, if required. 

Task:

Your task is to create the standard supply chains (SSC), which also include the supermarket and pre-assembly stages. 

The two areas have different processes within their storage level. In the supermarket, picking and repacking are carried out, while in pre-assembly modules are assembled. 

The processes differ, so we need different SSCs to take this into account. 

Duplicate SSC 

First you will duplicate an existing SSC and adapt it to the requirements. For the supermarket example proceed as follows:

1. duplicate the previous "rack storage SSC" with the name KLT-routes_via_rack_storage

2. rename into a fitting name, e.g. SuMa_via_rackstorage

3. adjust stage 1 from "assembly line" to "Supermarket"

At this point a common feature of the supermarket and pre-assembly stages comes into play. Despite different activities at the stage, as well as partly different routes to these stages, the subsequent transport is the same. 

From the two stages of supermarket and pre-assembly, the material flow should ultimately continue to assembly via a route; this can even be a connected route later on. 

Creating default grouping chains and adjusting SSC

Here you can benefit from the fact that ipolog offers the possibility to create so-called grouping chains. This means that we combine different process chains into an identical one with a grouping chain. 

Tip:
Grouping chains correspond to the realizations of e.g. carsets, sequence trolleys or picking trolleys. In this case, different transport chains merge into a common strand. More about this can be found at our helpdesk here: Default grouping chains

4. Now create a default grouping chain and give it a suitable name, e.g. Route_via_SuMa_VoMo. 

5. The default grouping chain should connect the assembly line with a preceding level from different layout levels (supermarket or pre-assembly) - we do not want to limit ourselves to one layout area here and therefore select "Hall" in the layout structure.

6. The transport terminates at the assembly line. It will will take place by route.

7. Choose suitable loading and unloading processes for the transport.

8. Make sure that the field "full/empty goods exchange" is selected!

The default grouping chain (see picture above) is now in place. We can proceed to apply it in the SuMa_via_rackstorage SSC.

9. Change the Box Type Out in stage 1 of SuMa_via_rackstorage to Bundler Rack (LE).

10. Now the new window shows the possibility for the selection of the suitable and just created grouping chain.

Create and adapt further default grouping chains

Now you've got the idea. We will continue with the SSC that runs from the rack storage to the pre-assembly. This standard chain should then end in the already created grouping chain Route_via_SuMa_VoMo. 

To do this, duplicate the grouping chain with the name "Suma_via_Regallager" and rename it "VoMo_via_Regallager". 

  Save your progress.