Scheduler Batching

Using the CloudSuite Industrial Scheduler, you can group several potentially different items on different jobs into a batch and process that batch through, for example, an oven or a paint booth. After the batch is processed, the different jobs then continue on their own routing.

Batching affects only the Scheduler, not the Planner.

About Batching

Each batch definition describes how batches are formed, including a routing that processes the batched parts. The Operations forms includes a batch definition field. Any operation on which a batch definition is specified is referred to as the batch operation. In a jobs or production schedule routing, an operation (the batch operation) references a batch definition when the job or production schedule can be combined with other jobs or productions schedules for processing. This causes batches to be formed, based on the rules defined on the Batch Definitions form, and transfers control to the batch definition routing. At the end of the batch definition routing, the job or PS returns to its original routing and continues processing as normal.

You can use the Batched Productions form to define specific jobs and production schedules to be batched together. These jobs and production schedules are combined into batches based on the definition and not on the rules defined on the Batch Definitions form. The routing from the batch definition is copied and attached to the batched production, similar to the way current operations are copied to job operations when jobs are released. A batch routing cannot have batches defined on its routing (no batches of batches) and cannot define materials, status, or costing; these are defined on the batch operation.

If the Batch Definition field on the appropriate operations form specifies a batch operation, then in the Scheduler the job or production schedule proceeds to the batch routing, ignoring the resource requirements and operating times on the operation. If batches are in process, they are placed at the correct operation in the batch routing based on the time recorded on the Batch Definition Operations form. For example, if the batch operation has an operation time of 10 hours, and 4 hours are reported against it, at the beginning of the Scheduler run the batched operation that is 4 hours from the beginning of the batch routing is identified as the current operation, and LSTATUS000 records are created to indicate that situation.

The Planner uses the operation as defined, and does not use the batch routing. Planning (operations and material), data collection, and costing are unaffected by this process, because there are still resource requirements and data collection processed against the batch operation.

Defining and Running System-Created Batches

To define and run batches:

Use the Batch Definitions form to tell the Scheduler how batches should be formed, including how jobs or production schedules will be batched together and when a batch will be released to be processed.
On this form, you define rules to specify how batches are formed:
- Define a separation rule to determine which jobs are grouped together. Use the Separation Attributes form to maintain a list of the characteristics of items that can be separated into batches.
- Define a release rule to determine how an arriving job affects the quantity for a forming batch load, that is, when a batch will be released to be processed.
- Define an override rule, if needed, to indicate the conditions under which a forming batch load should be released during an override check.
Click the Operations button to open the Batch Definition Operations form, where you define operations attached to the batch definition.
On the Items form, use the batching attributes fields to define how the batches are separated, or grouped together, and when they will be released.
On the Job Operations, Estimate Operations, Current Operations, Standard Operations, Production Schedule Item Operations, and Production Schedule Release Operations forms, use the new Batch Definition (and Batch ID, where applicable) field to note where a batch will be formed and where it will start processing on the batch routing.

Defining and Running User-Defined Batches

Use the Batched Productions form to create a user-defined batch. Specify the contents of the batch, which include specific released jobs and production schedule releases.

When you create batched productions, a copy of the batch operations is created and attached, much like jobs have an attached copy of the current operations for an item. Click the Operations button to open the Batched Production Operations form to define operations that use the batched production definitions.

These utility forms are also available for dealing with batched productions: Change Batched Production Status Utility, Batched Production Removal Utility, and Batched Production Creation Utility.

Viewing Batch Summary Information

Use the Batch Summary form to see the batching results of a Scheduling run: which jobs and production schedules were batched together, how long jobs waited to be batched, and how long they were batched together.