Defining Assembly Line Assignments

Start Manufacturing > Assembly Control > Assembly Lines (tiasl1530m000).

Assignments are used to define process characteristics. Defining assembly line assignments is the process of linking operations and resources, that is, operators and machines, to an assembly line in such a way that the assembly process can proceed without bottlenecks. This set of relations is called an assignment. A cycle time is defined for each assignment. This cycle time indicates the line speed, also known as the takt time of the line. Assignments can be date-effective.

Process characteristics

Several process characteristics can be defined by using assignments. Process characteristics that are applicable to the entire assembly line are defined on the line-level assignment. Process characteristics that apply to line-stations are defined by creating assignments for each line station. All line-station assignments are then linked to the line-level assignments. When the line-level assignment is active, all line-station assignments that are linked to it are effective.

Assignments are defined for an assembly line. For each assignment, you specify the average and non-average cycle time and the period for which the assignment is active. To define the period for which the assignment is active, you must specify the Effective Date and the Expiry Date for the assignment.

  • Average cycle time assignments, which applies to line: Specify and use an average cycle time based on the cycle times of the non-average assignments for the day. The Assembly Control module uses the average assignment in planning. Planning is based on cycle time, calendar, and availibility type. An average assignment is valid for a day.

  • Non-average cycle time assignments, which applies to line-station: A non-average assignment is based on specific times within a day. Non-average line-level assignments are linked to line-station levels only .

Note

  • An average cycle time is not a mathematical average, but is a value that you consider to be a suitable average for the non-average cycle times over the course of a full day.

  • Each day must be completely covered by average and non-average assignments. Therefore, ensure that for each moment of the day a non-average assignment is effective, even if no work is performed for a part of the day. Average assignments automatically apply to the whole day. LN takes the hours of the working day from the calendar.

  • Non-average assignments are used to define order content. For generated (non-frozen) orders, the order content is based on the first active, non-average assignment of the day. For frozen orders, the order content is based on the non-average assignment that is in effect at the time that the order is frozen.

  • Non-average assignments are used to offset the lead time during sequencing. When the order is sequenced, a lead time is calculated for every order. This lead time is based on the cycle times, and the applicable cycle time is retrieved from non-average assignments.

To define process characteristics, complete the following steps:

  1. Select the main assembly line.
  2. Click Assignments on the appropriate menu. The Assembly Line - Assignments (tiasc5510m000) session starts.
  3. Define the assembly assignment for the assembly line.
Linking the assignment to line stations

Start Manufacturing > Assembly Control.

To link the assignment to line stations, complete the following steps:

  1. Select the assembly line. Click Assignments on the appropriate menu . The Assembly Line - Assignments (tiasc5510m000) session starts.

  2. Select the non-average line assignment that you have defined in the steps above. Click Line Station Assignments on the appropriate menu. The Assembly Line - Assignments and Line Stations (tiasc5520m000) session starts.

  3. Add the line stations that belong to the assembly line.

    For all line stations, you must specify values for the following:

    • ManOccupation.
    • MachineOccupation.
    • Number ofCycle Times for all line stations. The number of cycle times is the time required to process one assembly order in the line station for this assignment. The time is expressed as a number of cycles. For example, if the cycle time is two minutes, ten minutes is expressed as five cycles.