Sequencing - Multi level
You can optimize the sequencing of up to 20 grouping or minimizing parts of the co-sorting by using multi level sequencing. Each of the parts of the co-sorting corresponds to the 20 characters of the co-sorting key.
In multi level sequencing, the levels are defined in the Multi Levels tab of the Sequence Optimization menu. You can sort or minimize the setup time for each level which will create a number of groups for the specific level. The next level will then optimize the sequencing in the groups created inside the previous level.
You can use multi level sequencing to combine steps in standard sequencing and minimize set up time sequencing. To optimize the sequence, you can use a step from standard sequencing followed by a step from minimize set up time sequencing.
Use standard sequencing to group and sort the co-sorting keys into two parts. You can only define two parts for grouping and sorting in standard sequencing. You can then use minimize set up time sequencing to group a part of the co-sorting key from standard sequencing to and minimize all operations within the defined group. All subsequent steps will be arranged and processed according to the previous steps.
Example of multi level sequencing
In this example, two sequencing levels are defined in the Multi Levels tab of the Sequence Optimization menu.
This diagram shows the process of sequencing 40 operations using multi level sequencing:
In Sequence level 1, operations are grouped in position 1 and 2 of the co-sorting key that created three groups of operations. Group 1 contains 12 operations, Group 2 contains 21 operations, and Group 3 contains seven operations.
Operations in Sequence level 2 are optimized inside the three groups created in Sequence level 1. The 12 operations in Group 1 are grouped into two: 1A and 1B. Each group contains eight operations and four operations, respectively. Sequencing in level 2 continues by grouping the 21 operations in Group 2 into three groups: 2A, 2B, and 2C. Group 2A contains seven operations, 2B contains six operations, and 2C contains seven operations. For Group 3, the seven operations are grouped into four: 3A with one operation, 3B with one operation, 3C with two operations, and 3D with three operations. In multi level sequencing, all operations are group one level at a time until all levels that are defined in the Sequence Optimization menu are executed.