Understanding Product Synchronization
Product synchronization defines the phased relationship of all manufacturing processes that are required to build a product. Product synchronization supports line design by concatenating processes to reflect actual production paths. JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Demand Flow Manufacturing provides a tool that enables you to construct the product synchronization in a graphical interface, thus creating a visual impression of what the production line might look like.
You can create multiple product synchronizations based on an inventory of the processes that you use in the manufacturing environment. You define processes using the Process Master program (PF30L701). Processes can be reused throughout the product synchronization. You combine processes into physical and logical chains by linking them to a path. You build a product synchronization using the following paths:
Main line.
Rework paths.
Feeder paths.
Option paths.
The main line processes are the processes that most, if not all, products go through. These processes typically go straight to the end-of-line process. The main line may include feeder, rework, and option paths. When you set up a scenario, the system automatically defines an end-of-line process, as well as a scrap process, and stores these two default processes in the FF30L701 table. The end-of-line process is the required last process on the main line in any product synchronization. You cannot edit or delete this process.
You define rework paths to provide the ability to recover at least part of the product that would otherwise be scrapped. Rework paths are a series of processes that flow against the main flow of the line. Any process for which you defined yield as less than 100 percent has to have a rework path or a scrap process attached to it. When you attach a rework path to a process, you define the rework percentage and the number of rework loops. Rework paths can have many loops. Rework paths are subject to these rules:
A rework path must flow back to its originating path upstream.
It can return to its originating process just before the originating yield and fallout task.
You can attach other rework paths to a rework path.
You can attach a feeder path to a rework path.
You cannot attach an option path to a rework path.
Rework paths cannot rejoin the downstream processes without returning to the same or previous process.
Rework paths cannot go to the end-of-line process directly.
Feeder paths are branch processes that feed directly into a consuming operation. They build a portion of the product that feeds into the final product. Feeder path processes are consumed as a continuous grouping. They can contain additional rework and option paths. When you attach a feeder path to a process, you define the consumed quantity. Feeder paths are subject to the following rules:
You can attach feeder paths to other feeder path processes, rework path processes, option path processes, and main line processes.
Feeder paths parallel main line processes.
Option paths consist of processes that are used only by some of the products flowing down the line. They parallel the main line and can either continue to the end-of-line process or return to the main line. When you attach an option path to a process, you define the planned and designed percentage that is required to go through the option line. Option paths are subject to the following rules:
Option paths should return to the same paths where they originate.
Option paths cannot rejoin upstream processes.
You can attach a rework path to any process within the option path.
Option paths can return to the processes where they originate.