Manually Updating Contract Work Orders within Production Control
The Generate Contract Work Orders task within StruMIS gives the user the ability to easily select the best fabrication route for the selected Mark or Mark Item by utilizing the rules within Workstations and Templates created previously (See Chapter 7 of the StruMIS evolution training manual).
This is for the most part an automated process and will save the user a lot of time and effort.
However, there are occasions when the work orders may need to be adjusted and this might not be prior to the fabrication commencing. In these situations, the user would not want to un-issue the job from the workshop but would rather amend the planned work-flow. It is the purpose of this document to highlight some of the changes that may need making on occasion and the different methods with which the user can implement these changes.
Updating a single Work Order Manually
One of the most useful features of the Generate Contract Work Orders task is that it can utilise the NC data of a Mark Item to determine which processes are required. Below is an example of a Circular Hollow Section used as a beam with a Fin Plate style connection.
Note how the Plate PLT15 has holes but PLT14 does not. Because of this, StruMIS would route both plates to the same cutting station but once cutting has been undertaken, PLT15 will move onto the Drill and PLT14 will move onto Complete.
This means that the user does not have to progress items through processes that the Mark Items do not actually need to go through. However, occasionally the operator will know that they will need to override the suggested path that the items have been routed down.
E.g. If the above assembly needs to be galvanized then it will require drainage holes in the cap plates (PLT14). Ideally the draughtsman will have detailed the plate with the galvanisation in mind but this is not always the case and so instead it is up to a user in the production office do this.
1) Locate the Item in the Production Control grid. Below shows all the items that are currently at the process Cutting and specifically at the Workstation Guillotine.
Note: The Next Process column shows as being Complete for the Mark Item PLT14 as previously mentioned and that PLT15 is due to move onto Holemaking.
2) Either double-click on the line or click on Actions then select View Work Order whilst the line is highlighted. Either way, this will open the Work Order and allow the user to modify it.
3) Click onto the Processes tab, this will show all the existing processes for this Mark Item which in this example would only be Cutting.
4) To add a new process click into the drop down menu beneath the existing Processes as shown below.
5) Once the Process is added, the user can also amend the Workstation at which this process is to be undertaken and also the Planned times.
Note: It is within the Processes tab that the user could also make adjustments to an existing Process. E.g. Change the Workstation at which Cutting is to be done or remove a Process that is no longer required.
6) When you are happy with the changes, click on Save and then Close. When the user returns to the Production Control grid and clicks on Refresh, they will notice that the Next Process is now Holemaking. This is shown below.
Batch-Updating multiple Work Orders
The above example of opening a Work Order and making changes to it is great if the user is updating only a few lines. However, there may be occasions where the user has to update a large number of lines and making the same change to each of them.
In these situations it would be frustrating to the user to have to open each line one at time and make the same change over and over so instead it’s better to use the Batch Update option.
The Batch Update button is situated at the bottom of the Production Control grid and has the following options;
• Add Work Order Processes – Allows the user to add a brand new process to a selection of Work Orders.
• Update Work Order Processes – Allows the user to make a change to an existing Process that appears within their work orders. Examples of this could be changing the workstation at which cutting is performed at or increasing / decreasing the planned time it takes to undertake this process.
• Remove Work Order Processes – Deletes a Process that is no longer required from the Work Order.
Examples of each are shown below.
Batch Update to Add Work Order Process
Below is a list of fittings required for Contract C-0155.
Note: PLT14 and PLT15 will be cut at the Guillotine then move onto Holemaking but PLT8 will be Complete upon being cut.
To introduce a new Process after cutting:
1) Highlight all items currently at the Guillotine.
2) Click on the Batch Update button and choose the option Add Work Order Process.
3) The Add Processes form will be displayed.
4) Adding an inspection process that will take 5 minutes after the process of Cutting.
5) Click OK to commit the changes.
Note: If this process change became permanent in your production flow then it would be a good idea to amend the Production Template.
Now when the user checks the Production Control grid, they will notice that the Next Process after cutting is now Pre-Fabrication Inspection. This will also show on the Work Order should the user choose to open it. See Below:
Batch Update to Update Work Order Process
Below are the beams for one of the Lots required for Contract C-0155.
Mark Item 29 only needs to be cut, Mark Items 26 & 27 will need to be Profile Cut and Mark Item 30 requires Holes. We do not want to change any of the Processes but we will work under the assumption that these Beams cannot be accommodated at the Kaltenbach Saw. This could be due to the Workstation having scheduled maintenance or simply because there is already a large workload at the normally preferred Kaltenbach Saw and we wish to process this Lot quickly and therefore will use a different machine. In any case, updating a Process is simple and done as follows;
1) Highlight the lines that need to be changed. (In this example we will highlight all items currently at the Kaltenbach Saw).
2) Click on the Batch Update button and choose the option Update Work Order Process.
3) This will open the following window. Make the adjustments as required.
4) Click OK to commit changes.
Now when the user checks the Production Control grid, they will notice that Mark Items 26 & 27 are no longer at the Kaltenbach Saw and have been moved to the Flame Cutting Workstation.
See Below:
Batch Update to Remove Work Order Process
Below are some of the Marks for one of the Lots required for Contract C-0155.
You can see down the left hand side the production flow that these assemblies could take to become completed i.e. erected on site. For the purpose of this exercise we will remove Shop Paint from the Work Order as a process that these items must go through.
1) Highlight the lines that are to be changed (In this example we will highlight all items currently at the process Assembly / Welding).
2) Click on the Batch Update button and choose the option Remove Work Order Process.
3) This will open the following window. Select Shop Paint from the For All Production Processes drop-down menu.
4) Click OK to commit changes.
Now when the user checks the Production Control grid, they will notice that the process Shop Paint is no longer the Next Process but Final Inspection is. This will also be reflected within the Work Order should the user choose to open it. See Below:
