Synchronizing a supply line with mutiple parent lines

For a divergent supply line structure, multiple parent lines can synchronize with the same supply line. In such a scenario, for each assembly order, the supply line must be synchronized with the parent line only after the system determines that the supply line is part of the assembly line model required to assemble the configured end item. The system determines the inclusion of the supply line based on the Configuration Dependent parameter

After the assembly order sequence for a parent line is generated, the sequence of the parent line segment must be synchronized with the sequence of the linked last segment of the supply line. If the parent line segment is linked to multiple supply lines, then the sequence of the parent line segment must be synchronized with the sequence of last segment of every supply line that supplies to that parent line segment.

A parent line synchronizes with the supply line to fix the sequence of the assembly orders on the supply line. As a result of this synchronization, the end date of the line station order (LSO) of the last line station of the last line segment of the supply line connected to the parent line, is set to the start date of the LSO on the linked line station of the parent line.

Therefore, in a scenario where multiple parent lines synchronize with a single supply line, the First come - First serve concept is used to determine a fixed position for assembly orders on the supply line. This fixed sequence cannot be changed even if the supply line is re-sequenced at a later stage, for another parent line.

When another parent line is sequenced and synchronized with the same supply line, the previously fixed positions of the assembly orders are not changed. The synchronization process tries to fix the assembly orders in a position as close as possible to the start date of the LSO, on the linked line station of the parent line.

The search for a position is limited to 30 days. If the assembly order cannot be fixed in a position which is closest to the requirement date of the LSO of the line station, the system backdates the search for an available position to fix the assembly order until 30 days before the start date. If the order cannot be fixed within the 30 days, the assembly order is fixed in an available position, at a date in the future, surpassing the requirement date. A message is displayed stating that the synchronization is not completed succesfully.

When a parent line is re-sequenced, the fixed assembly orders on the supplying line, related to this parent line are removed. The orders must be inserted again when the supply line is synchronized after re-sequencing the parent line. The positions, available on the supply line, are searched again. All other fixed assembly orders on the supply line, related to other parent lines, are not affected.

The fixed assembly order sequence on the linked last line segment of the supplying line is required to:

  • Ensure that the assembly orders on the supplying line are delivered on time.

  • Ensure that the assembly orders are delivered to the line station on the parent line, in the defined sequence.