About Machine Transactions (Data Collection)

The system allows you to track machine time for data collection solutions in two different ways: prorated with labor or independent of labor.

Machine Transactions Prorated with Labor

Machine transactions prorated with labor are affected by all labor parameters, including:

  • Time and attendance
  • Shift changes
  • Breaks
  • Holidays
  • Overtime
  • Double rates
  • Any other time and labor factors

For example, in multi-job transactions, labor time and machine time are prorated to 50% labor and 50% machine in a job for machine transactions from the Job Transactions form. If a worker is operating two machines, the system prorates to 33% for labor and 33% for each machine.

Machine Transactions Independent of Labor

Machine transactions independent of labor provide tracking of specific machine transactions for more accurate costing figures.

Machine transactions tracked independently from labor contain the following attributes:

  • Machine transactions are not affected by grace periods or time and attendance parameters. Machine transactions are based on standard clock time and are not affected by clock in or clock out, breaks, lunch breaks, and so forth.
  • Machine overhead is calculated in terms of standard rates regardless of the shift and hour. Therefore, there are no overtime and double-rates or indirect time for machine transactions. There are no special machine rates for weekends or holidays, either.
  • Machine transactions are not affected by shifts and machine time is accrued regardless of shifts. At the end of shifts, machine transactions are not automatically stopped.
  • Start and end transitions are required but can be entered by different employees on different shifts or days.

The system keeps track of a specific machine time when a machine set up or machine run process is interrupted for the same job.

Note:  After machine transactions are posted to the system, you cannot trace the transactions back to a specific machine or to a specific machine setup or run transaction.

If multiple machines are required by a job and you need to track time for each machine, you may want to create multiple operations and work centers to allow for the tracking of machine time after posting.

Example 1

You have a job operation that requires the setup of a machine. You start the machine setup, but have to end it abruptly. Enter the transactions as follows:

Machine Trans Hour Reason
Start Set Up (F) 8:00 a.m. Job setup
End Set Up (G) 8:15 a.m. Job setup interrupted
Start Set Up (H) 8:30 a.m. Job setup resumed
End Set Up (I) 9:00 a.m. Ready to run the job

If machine setup and run transactions cross midnight, the system automatically generates the end transaction for that day and start transaction for the next day for the same transaction type and machine.

Example 2

Machine setup started at 7:00 p.m. on 3/18 and ended at 3:00 a.m. on 3/19. The machine run started at 3:10 a.m. on 3/19 and ended at 2:00 p.m. on 3/21. The system automatically enters the other transactions (denoted below with an asterisk).

Machine Trans Start Time End Time Date
Start Set Up 19:00:00   03/18
End Set Up *   23:59:59 03/18
Start Set Up * 00:00:00   03/19
End Set Up   03:00:00 03/19
Start Mach Run 03:10:00   03/19
End Mach Run *   23:59:59 03/19
Start Mach Run * 00:00:00   03/20
End Mach Run *   23:59:59 03/20
Start Mach Run * 00:00:00   03/21
End Mach Run   14:00:00 03/21
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