With visual support of individual routing steps the graphical control center allows the user to plan faster and better. By optimizing the production short term planning the client/server tool increases the efficiency of production.
As an extension to the main CHARISMA production module the graphical control center, as an addon, gives the opportunity to optimize short term planning at the fin-ishing level. The client/server tool can be used for planning machine loading as well as personnel resources.
As a sub-task the production control supports production short term planning:
- Distributing forthcoming routing steps on to available resources (resource comparison)
- Sequence planning of orders according to resources and taking into consideration the latest deadline.
It is therefore possible to fix the processing sequence of a machine, employee or a workgroup for an allocated order. Production and delivery deadlines, based on personnel and machine resources, can then be planned. This link is carried out with help from the graphical interface with mouse support. The planned orders are then up-dated in CHARISMA – this is carried out either directly or in simulation mode by pressing a key.
Application examples
With help from the GUS Group graphical control center 3M Medica optimized sequence planning for work groups in final finishing. The current production orders are loaded onto the PC from the production module in CHARISMA and then visualized in a Gantt table of the graphical control center. The allocation of routing steps to work groups is defined in CHARISMA and is product related. The scheduler, using the graphical control center, can then define the sequence of tasks within the workgroup. The planned deadlines as well as material availability are taken into consideration. Both restrictions are visualized in the form of symbols. The scheduled orders as well as the proposed deadline are updated in CHARISMA.
Method
For fixing deadlines, the graphical control center transfers the routing steps from CHARISMA and submits these to the time scheduling routines of the system along with their individual detailed calendars. Planning and allocation can also be carried out manually with a mouse click. The resource load is calculated per shift. The previously planned routing steps for a resource are graphically displayed. Future scheduling can be simulated so that the user can carry out scheduling more easily and more exactly. Manual rescheduling is updated immediately. Resource comparisons are then made according to resources, dates and shifts whereby start of shift, length of shift, resources and requirements are all taken into consideration. In the area of personnel planning it is possible to carry out individual changes of the CHARISMA master data in the control center using their own shift calendar management. To simplify the planning situation a simulation mode is also supported so that planning can be run through without the results being transmitted back to CHARISMA.
