Materials Overview

Monitor the materials, trace lots, and manually or automatically keep usage records through IoT integrations. Resource management structures can easily be defined that reflect the hierarchies, profiles, and statuses of materials and other critical operating elements.

This article covers the following topics:

• What is a material?
  • Class
  • Subclass
  • Material Instance
• Accessing material classes and subclasses
• Accessing material instances

Materials Hierarchy

All the material you enter into the Apprentice MES is associated with a material class and subclass. An example of a material class might be "chemicals."

An example of a material subclass (continuing with our chemicals example) could include "amino acids", "purified water", or "salts".

Finally, an example of a material definition (which has inherited the material class chemicals and the material subclass amino acids) might include L-Cystine 2HCL as the material itself.

Custom Material Properties

When a user creates a new material class or subclass they have the option to attach custom properties to it. Custom properties allow a user to attach specific attributes to a material class or subclass not included by default. An example of a custom attribute a user could add is “color”.

When a user creates a new material definition it automatically inherits the custom properties of the class and subclass selected at the time it’s created.

Material Definitions

Once a user has entered all of the material classes and subclasses used during the manufacturing process, it’s time to add the physical material to the MES platform, referred to as a material definition. While completing the steps to create a material definition, the operator will be prompted to attach a required class/subclass.

A material definition inherits the standard properties of the material classes and subclasses you select when creating it.

Material Lots and Sublots

Once an operator has created a material definition they can add it to inventory in the form of a lot or sublot. Once a lot has been created, the operator can add one or more sublots to it.

How to navigate to Materials

To navigate to Material Classes/Subclasses or Material Definitions in v.6.3.x, hover over the navigation panel on the left and click Materials. If using v.6.5.X, click Tempo followed by Materials.

Next steps

Review one or more of the articles linked below to learn more about related functionality:

• Material Class & Subclass Overview
• Material Definitions Overview