Operation Constraints

Operation Constraints defines the rules that control which materials can be consumed on specific machines and operations. The application provides two mechanisms to enforce the constraints:

  • Routing constraint: A routing operation restricts consumption to a specific material type or material.
  • BOM constraint: A BOM item can include a routing operation code that must match the same code on the routing operation before consumption can occur.

These methods can be used independently, or together.

Routing Operation Constraints

Routing Operation Constraints define which material types, or materials, can be linked to a specific operation within a routing.

Material types or individual materials can be linked to a routing operation:

  • If a material type is specified, any material of that type can be consumed at the operation.
  • If a specific material is defined, only that material is allowed to be consumed. This approach requires different routings if multiple valid options for a material are is possible for the same operation, but for different production orders.
  • Multiple materials or material types can be linked to a single operation, allowing consumption of more than one material.

If no links are configured, any material defined in the BOM can be consumed at the operation.

BOM Constraints

BOM Constraints control material consumption by linking BOM items to specific routing operations through a routing operation code. A Routing Operation code can be defined on the routing operation and the BOM item. If the routing operation code is specified on the operation, only BOM items with a matching code can be consumed at that operation.

This method provides several advantages:

  • Reduces integration effort when ERP systems download the production order BOM with an operation code. This minimizes the need to construct routing logic separately.
  • There is finer control by defining exactly where each BOM item can be consumed.
  • Supports situations where the same material is consumed at more than one machine.
  • Improves transparency, making configuration easier to understand and maintain.