Capture New Material step

A Capture New Material step type allows operators to capture and introduce or "birth" new materials into inventory "on the fly" and associate them to a unit—without going through a receiving process or adding new materials manually. Using a Capture New Material step type generates a new material UID and immediately associates it with the unit being produced. (The UID for the unit is based on the UID format settings you specify in NPI.)

For example, when working with bulk materials on the factory floor such as wire, bolts, screws, or fabric, an operator can validate that the material/part is the correct material/part and maintain traceability for it using the Capture New Material step. When the operator initializes the material/part, a UID is created for it and inventory items are created and associated with that unit at that operation.

The Capture New Material step type supports printing labels automatically or manually. Use the drop-down next to Label Printing Mode (on the Capture New Material Settings tab) to specify whether an operator is required to click the Print button for each new UID created or whether the system should print a label automatically each time a barcode is started. Select the Show Print/Re-Print All Button to display the button to the operator. Under Printed Label Settings, you can select a printed label template to use or select a template associated with a batch attribute.

Create a Capture New Material step

Log into the NPI client application.
Select Process Engineering , then select an assembly.
In the Process Definition window, double-click the Process Flow in the tree to open it for editing.
Double-click the operation where you want to add the Capture New Material step to open it for editing.
Select the Add button under Step List in the Process tree, then select Capture New Material.
Double-click the Capture New Material step to open the Settings dialog.
Use the following tables to make your selections for the step.
When you're finished making selections for the step, select OK to confirm your choices.

Settings dialog - Basics tab

Option	Description
Name	Specifies the name of the step. To apply a step template to the step, select the Apply a Template button, select a step template, then select OK. To save the step as a step template, select the Save as Template button, enter a name for the template, then select OK. For details about creating and saving step templates, see Create a process, step, or operation template.
Operator Interface Template	Specifies the Operator Interface template to apply to the step. See Operator Interface templates for more information.
Assigned Workstation	Specifies the assigned workstation where the step and activities will be performed by a shop floor operator. See Create a factory and set up factory resources for more information.
Any Order Mode (Activities can be viewed in any order)	Specifies that all the activities associated with the step may be viewed in any order.
Is Step Required?	Specifies that the step cannot be skipped by a shop floor operator.
Activities may be executed without starting a unit	Specifies that any activities associated with the step may be executed by a shop floor operator without first scanning or entering the UID to start the unit in production.
Frequency	Frequency - The frequency with which activities associated with the step are displayed and performed. Every Item - Activities must be performed for every item. By Item Count - Displays activities for the step every n number of scans. For example, when you select 3, activities will display for every third item, (item 1, item 4, item 7, item 10, and so on). Batch Based - Displays activities using the specified condition: (Select All) - Displays activities for the first and last items in the batch. Start of Batch - Displays activities for the first item in the batch. End of Batch - Displays activities for the last item in the batch. Time Interval - Activities for the step must be performed using the specified conditions. For example, 1 product every 2 minutes for the current batch. At Certain Times of Day - Displays activities for the step at specific times during the day, for example when periodic maintenance is needed to keep a workstation or machine running smoothly. By % of Total - Displays activities (even distribution) for the step each time the specified percentage of the total batch is reached. For example, a value of 10 percent in a 50-piece batch will display the specified step and activities every tenth assembly (10 percent of 50 is 5 over the course of 50 assemblies). This condition might be useful for periodic inspection of items in a batch. Operation Session Based - Displays activities for the step each time an operator logs in to begin a new session.
Activity Completion Acknowledgement	Add Acknowledgement to: The shop floor operator must acknowledge completion of All Activities, the First Activity, or the Last Activity associated with the step.
Do you want to require credentials?	Yes - The shop floor operator is prompted to supply appropriate credentials before completing the step. No - The shop floor operator isn't required to provide credentials before completing the step.
Approval Process	Yes - An approval will be required for the specified activities before the step can be completed. Select an approval process from the Approval Process drop-down. Select the activities that the approval will be required for: First Activity, Last Activity, or All Activities. No - The shop floor operator won't be required to obtain an approval before completing the step and its activities.

Settings dialog - Capture New Material Settings tab

Option	Description
Use Printed Label Templates	Select the desired type of printed label template to use for new materials. See Printed label templates for materials and transport orders for more information about setting up printed label templates.
Use Batch Attributes for Label Template	Uses pre-defined batch attributes for material printed label templates. See Use batch attributes for printed material labels for more information.
Label Printing Mode	Automatically print when barcode started - Select this option to print a label each time an operator scans or enters a barcode (UID) in Production. Requires user to click on print button - Requires the operator to select the Print button to print a label each time an operator scans or enters a barcode (UID) in Production. Show "Print / Reprint All Button" - Displays or hides the Print/Reprint All button.
Max Number of Items	Specifies the maximum number of items that can be processed for the Material Capture step.
Parts List Settings	Part Number Mode - Used for ad-hoc material capture. From Parts List - Material capture is done using the parts list. From Batch Attributes - Material capture is done using batch attributes via the xTend FLX-XTD-JOB-01.xml file.

Settings dialog - Option Codes tab

Option

Description

Option Codes

Displays a list of available option codes.

Note

Option codes are only used with configurable (CTO) assemblies.

Use the Apply Option Codes button to move selected option code(s) to the Assigned Option Codes column.
Use the Remove Option Codes button on the right side of the window to move selected assigned option code(s) back to the Option Codes list.

Note

For details about option codes, see Option codes for configurable assemblies.

Assigned Option Codes

Displays the option codes assigned to this step.

Use Logical Expression

Select the Use Logical Expression button on the right side of the dialog to define option codes for a step in the form of a logical expression (comprised of available option codes plus the logical operators: AND, OR, and NOT, and brackets to identify precedence).

Related topics

Add a new operation to a process flow

Operator Interface templates

Option codes for configurable assemblies

Option codes in Production

Batch attributes for material collection activities