Define Pull Sequences and Generate Kanban Cards
Kanban is typically used as a just-in-time inventory replenishment method to manage material supply based on actual consumption.
A Kanban card accompanies a standard size bin that signals when material needs to be replenished from an internal or external source. In a flow manufacturing environment, continuous production is run at a constant rate to meet customer demand and requires material replenishment only when more material is needed. Often there are physical space limitations for storing materials at a work center or workstation, minimizing overstocking situations and the associated cost with holding inventory. Kanban is also used in non-manufacturing environments, such as the warehouse.
For items replenished using Kanbans, you can define replenishment chains as the series of pull sequences that pull materials from the point of supply to the point of use. For example, you can replenish materials from an external supplier or an internal storage subinventory to the supply subinventory for an operation in a flow production line.
For each pull sequence, you can define, generate, and print Kanban cards that act as electronic visual signals used in coordinating the replenishment process. The Kanban card accompanies a bin of material to help track the bin status and replenishment supply status.
To manage pull sequences, use the Pull Sequences action in the Work Definition work area or use the Pull Sequences task in the Inventory Management work area:
- In the Work Definition Overview list of actions, click the Pull Sequences action under Kanban.
- Click Create Pull Sequence to create a new pull sequence.
- Provide the Item, Destination Subinventory, and Destination Locator details.
- Select the Source Type. The following source types are
supported:
- Supplier: Provide the Supplier and Supplier Site details from where the material is to be sourced.
- Intraorganization: Provide the Source Subinventory from where the material is to be sourced. If applicable, you can provide the Source Locator.
- Production: If you provide a Production Line Name, then a flow schedule is created on this production line on replenishment of the Kanban card. Else, a discrete or process work order is created on replenishment, as per the primary work definition.
- Interorganization: Provide the source organization and the source subinventory details.
- Enter a Kanban Size, which is the lot size for the bin.
- Enter the Number of Cards that need to be circulated in the system.
- Enter the replenishment Lead Time in days.
- You can optionally provide Additional information about the pull sequence using descriptive flexfield attributes.
- Click Create to create the pull sequence.
You can now generate and print the Kanban cards for the pull sequence. To generate Kanban cards:
- In the Kanban Pull Sequences page, click the pull sequence name.
- Click Generate Cards.
The cards are generated depending on the Number of Cards and Kanban Size settings for the pull sequence.
- To print one or more Kanban cards, select the cards and click
Print.
The Kanban cards are printed as physical cards to signal replenishment of material at the point of use.