Time-based consumption

The inventory consumption functionality is responsible for loading inventory onto a machine for a period of time, then either unloading the remaining quantity or loading replacement inventory once the original quantity is fully consumed.

Multiple pieces of inventory can be loaded for consumption at the same time. The loading time can be staggered based on when the material was loaded.

Any inventory created can be tracked back to all the materials loaded onto the machine within the correct time frame.

This approach is typically used in high-volume, low-value production. It is important to know which inventory was consumed, but the exact quantities consumed do not need to be precise.

An example of this is loading a vat of paint. Over time, that paint is used until either it is empty and needs replacing, or it is no longer required, so the remaining paint is unloaded and moved back to storage.