Create a Work Definition for Flow Manufacturing that’s Associated with a Production Line

Flow manufacturing is a work method of manufacturing characterized by running a continuous flow of similar products (often single piece flow) on a production line at a steady rate to align with customer demand. Using a Redwood user experience, you can create and update a work definition to make a standard item or Assemble to Order model (ATO) item using flow manufacturing on a specific production line.

A work definition models the production process as the combination of the product structure with the set of operations, and equipment and labor resources used in the production line. A flow manufacturing work definition is subsequently used in creating flow schedules that can be sequenced for execution and completion of multiple products on a line.

As a manufacturing engineer, here’s how you can create a work definition for flow manufacturing that’s associated with a production line.

1. Navigate to the Work Definition Overview work area.
2. Click the Manufacturing Work Definitions link on the Actions menu.
3. On the Work Definitions page, click Create Work Definition.

   Now, let's add a new work definition.

4. On the New Work Definition page, select the Flow Manufacturing as the work method.

   The product details such as item structure name, structure item type, completion subinventory, and completion locator are populated automatically.

5. Select the work definition name from the drop-down list. The work definition details such as work definition type, version, and production priority are populated automatically.
6. Change the work definition start date to indicate from when the work definition is effective.
7. Supply the costing priority details.
8. Search and select the production line from the drop-down list to indicate what item will be produced.
9. Click Create.

   Now, let's create operations.

10. (Optional) You can modify an operation that was created as a placeholder by updating the work center name and operation name information.
11. On the Operations page, click on the + icon.
12. You can reference a standard operation by selecting the standard operation code and retaining the Referenced check box as selected. You can't edit any attributes in this case.
13. (Optional) You can create an operation by manually entering the operation name, work center, and specifying whether it's a count point or automatically transact operation, or serial-controlled operation.
14. Click Save.

    The Operation Items page opens displaying the operations that can be automatically assigned to items in the suggested operation sequence wise in the item structure.

    Now let’s assign remaining components to the operations that didn’t have suggested operation sequence defined in the item structure.

15. Assign operation sequence to operation items and click Save.
16. Click the Operation Resources tab to review the operation resources assigned to work definition operations.
17. On the Operation Resources page, click the + icon.
18. Supply the operation sequence number, resource name to assign to an operation, and usage details.
19. Select the Scheduled checkbox and click Save.
20. Click the Operations tab to navigate back to the operations view.
21. Click Save and Close.

    Now, you have created a flow manufacturing work definition that’s associated with a production line.

Note: If you use standard cost method to value your inventory, in the Rolled-up Costs page, the Production Line information is available for reference after you calculate the costs of your products.