Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

Configurator

User Guide

Version 6.0
June, 2018
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 MES Configurator User Guide

Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started..................................................................................................... 5
Overview .................................................................................................................................. 5
MES Configurat or Login ............................................................................................................ 5
Navigating in Configurator ......................................................................................................... 6

Chapter 2 Configurator Windows ........................................................................................ 7

System..................................................................................................................................... 7
Job States Window.............................................................................................................. 8
Tools Window ..................................................................................................................... 9
Document Types Window .................................................................................................. 10
File Extensions Window..................................................................................................... 12
Labor Departments Window ............................................................................................... 13
Labor Categories Window .................................................................................................. 13
Users ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Certifications Window ........................................................................................................ 15
Entities ................................................................................................................................... 19
Physical Entities Explorer .................................................................................................. 20
Entity Tree .................................................................................................................. 20
Entity Detail Pane ........................................................................................................ 22

Index ......................................................................................................................................... 37

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C HAPTER 1
Getting Started
In This Chapter
Overview........................................................................................................................................ 5
MES Configurat or Login .................................................................................................................. 5
Navigating in Configurator ............................................................................................................... 6

Overview
Configurator is used to customize and maintain your Manufacturing Execution System (MES) system.
With this module, you may set up system-wide values, and maintain personnel and plant information.
Since this module is used mostly by System Administrators, access to Configurator should be limited.
Configurator allows you to customize system-wide settings, such as archiving information and
association of external programs with file types for online documentation to the shop floor.
Configurator also allows you to determine where and when labor usage data will be collected for later
analysis. Specific details may be given to Configurator, as well, to integrate MES with your plant -level
systems and equipment for the purposes of sharing production information.

Caution: Since the purpose of Configurator is to customize your installation, all changes made to the
information contained within its windows are assumed to be intentional. You will not be asked if you wish
to save any changes. The changes will be automatically saved when you close a window, select another
entry in a dat a tree, or select another tab within a window. To discard any undesirable changes,
right-click and select Cancel before doing any of those three things.

MES Configurator Login

The MES Configurator login window always contains the Password field. Depending on your specific
settings, described later, the window might also contain a Login Text view-only pane and/or a User
Name field.
1. On the Start menu, click the MES Configurator tile.

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The login dialog box appears.

2. In the User Name and Password boxes, type your username and password.
o If the MES user Security mode is set to Native, you can obtain the username and password from
the MES administrat or who set up users in MES Client.
o If the Security mode is set to OS User or OS Group, enter your Windows username, including the
domain.
3. Click OK.
The MES Configuration application opens.

Navigating in Configurator
You can use the commands in the View menu to display or hide the toolbar, status bar, or menu bar or
toolbar.

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C HAPTER 2
Configurator Windows
In This Chapter
System........................................................................................................................................... 7
Users ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Entities......................................................................................................................................... 19

System
The System grouping contains the Configurator windows pert aining to certain system-wide settings for
MES. This grouping contains icons that provide access to the Job States, Tool s, Document Type s,
File Extensions, Labor Departments, and Labor Categorie s windows.

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Job States Window

The term job represents an operation from a work order, and the term step represents a phase of a job.
The Job State s window is used to define the available job states and step states for the system. Job
states report the status of a job, such as whether a job has been started (i.e., Running) or is waiting to be
started (i.e., Ready). Step states can report the status of a job step or record the atypical ex ecution of job
steps. The job state is utilized in the MES S upervisor and Operator applications. The step state is utilized
in the MES Operator application.

There are four states available to both jobs and steps.

New
A job that has not been told by the system that it will be running in the near fut ure. Depending on the
user’s privileges, this might restrict a user from starting the job in MES Operator. A step in the job’s
step sequence that follows the current, Ready or Running, step.
Ready
A job/step that is capable of being started. This indicates, to a user logged into MES Operat or, that
the requirements for running this job/step have been met. For example, this may indicate that a
downstream job has met the pieces produced requirement to start this job, or that this is the first job
of a work order and all consumable BOM (Bill of Material) components are available.
Running
A job/step that is currently running in MES Operator.
Complete
A job/step that has finished running. For example, this may indicate that required quantity produced
has been met, all steps have been completed, and all required data has been entered.
There are three states available only to jobs.
Suspended
A job that is paused temporarily. For example, a user at a shift change will suspend a job so that the
next shift user can log in and continue running the job.
Onhold
A job that is paused indefinitely. For ex ample, this may indicate that there are material or machine
issues.
Canceled
A job that was started but then stopped before completion. For example, this may indicate a
customer canceled a work order for a job that had already been scheduled and started running.
There are two states available only to steps, to record the atypical execution of job steps. The use of
these atypical step states is defined below.
Bypa ssed
A step, within a job, that was skipped, allowing the next step to run. For ex ample, if a setup s tep is not
needed on a particular machine, it can be bypassed and the next step can be started.

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Superseded
A step, within a job, that was reopened to run again. For example, this may indicate that the
produced item needed to be reworked. This would allow the data from the original attempt to be
retained, and not over-written by the new production data.
Right -clicking on a job or step state displays a context menu with the following commands:
Rename
Allows you to customize the name of the selected state. For example, the term Active could be
substituted for Running.
The purpose of each state remains the same.
Color
Allows you to customize the color of the selected state.
Cancel
Discards any unsaved changes made to the state definition.

Tools Window
MES facilitates the distribution of online document ation to the shop floor. The system supports an
unlimited array of document types as long as each can be associated with a program on the client’s PC to
view and/or edit files of that document type. The Tool s window is used to establish viewers and editors
for online doc ument ation. The tools are us ed when defining document types, to ensure access to an
appropriate viewer or editor.

Description
The user-defined name for the tool or application. This value will appear in lists in the Document
Type s window.
Program Path
The path to the directory where the tool’s executable is stored on a client PC. Click the Browse (…)
button to open a file browser window.
Working Directory
The default path to the directory that the tool will use for accessing and creating files. Press the
Browse (…) button to open a directory browser window.

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Arguments
The list of arguments to be passed to the tool to automatically populate its fields. Each
tool/application must be able to accept the arguments included in its definition. Press the Browse (…)
button to open the Argument Selection window. The available arguments are shown in the
following figure. Click on the desired arguments to add them to the Argument Selection line, then
click OK to save your argument selection or Cancel to discard it.

To modify the tool definition, select the desired field and change its value. Click elsewhere in the window
or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking on the Tool s window displays a context menu with the following commands:
Insert
Adds a new tool definition to the MES database.
Delete
Removes the selected tool definition from the MES database.
Brow se
Opens a window, allowing you to choose a new program path for the selected tool.
Test
Opens the selected tool, to ensure the definition was entered correctly.

Document Types Window

The Document Type s window is used to define the file types to be used in your system, and assign
them to the viewers and editors specified in the Tool s window. Examples of document types include:
setup sheets, tool lists, and part programs. Various doc ument types can be defined for the same tool. For
example, an Excel spreads heet file may be used for a tool list and a different Excel spreadsheet file may
be used to collect inspection data.

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The left pane of the window displays the various document types that have been set up. The right pane
displays the detailed information for the selected document type. This detailed information allows a user
to provide a description for the particular document type (e.g., Graphic), select the viewer used to display
the particular document type (e.g., AutoVue) and, if the file is editable, selec t the editor that will be used
to make modifications to the file (e. g., AutoCAD).

Name
Identifies the document type (e. g., Inspection Check List) in the data rec ords. The name must be
unique and is not editable after the document type definition is first saved.
Description
Brief description of this doc ument type (e.g., "Check list used for inspection").
URL
When checked, indic ates that the file path that is defined (when adding a file to a folder in
Supervisor’s Folders window) should be treated as a web page address.
Downloadable
When checked, indic ates a user can download this document type. This allows for the file to be
copied to an entity's directory when the cont ents of a folder are distributed.
Download Level
Defines the minimum File download level value required for a user to download a document of this
type. The user’s user group privilege, assigned in MES Client in the Users Privileges:General group,
must be set to this value or higher.
Viewer
Indicates the tool to be used when viewing a document of this type.
If the selected viewer has editing capabilities, the user will be able to edit the file, regardless of their
File edit level assigned in MES Client in the Users Privileges:General group.
View Level
Defines the minimum File view level value required for a user to view a document of this type. The
user’s user group privilege, assigned in MES Client in the Us ers Privileges:General group, must be
set to this value or higher.
Editor
Indicates the tool to be used when editing this doc ument t ype.

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Edit Level
Defines the minimum File edit level value required for a user to edit a document of this type. The
user’s user group privilege, assigned in MES Client in the Us ers Privileges:General group, must be
set to this value or higher.
Possible File Descriptions
Lists the file descriptions possible for this document type. The Folders tab in MES Operator uses
these descriptions to give more information on what the document entails.
To modify a document type definition, select the desired field and change its value. Click elsewhere on
the window or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking in the left pane displays a context menu with the following commands.
Insert
Adds a new document type definition to the MES database.
Delete
Removes the selected document type definition from the MES database.
Expand All
Expands the selected document type in the tree, to display its detailed information.

File Extensions Window

The File Extensions window is used to establish default file extensions. These are the default file
extensions for the document types defined in the Document Type s window. For example, an Excel
spreadsheet file has a file extension of .xls. This information will be used to automatically fill in
Description and Doc ument Type fields when a file is added to a folder or an item definition.

Extension
The actual file extension used by the particular application. For example, "DOC" would be used for a
Word doc ument. The extension entry is not editable after the file extension definition is first saved.
Document Type
Indicates the document type, from those defined in the Document Type s window. This entry
indicates that a given file extension (e. g., DOC) belongs to a particular document type (e.g., Setup
sheets).
Description
A description of this file extension.
To modify a file extension definition, select the desired field and change its value. Click elsewhere on the
window or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking on the File Extensions window displays a context menu with the follo wing commands:
Insert
Adds a new file extension definition to the MES database.
Delete
Removes the selected file extension definition from the MES dat abas e.
Cancel
Discards any unsaved changes made to the selected file extension definition.

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Labor Departments Window

The Labor Departments window can be used to create an unlimited number of labor departments.
Labor departments are used to categorize employees for reporting purposes.

ID
Identifies the labor department in the data records. The ID must be unique and is not editable after
the labor department definition is first saved.
Description
Brief description of this labor department.
Click a column heading to sort the labor departments by that field. Click again to reverse the sort order.
To modify a labor department definition, select the desired description and change its value. Click
elsewhere on the window or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking on the Labor Departments window dis plays a context menu wit h the following
commands:
Insert
Adds a new labor department definition to the MES database.
Delete
Removes the selected labor department definition from the MES dat abase.
Cancel
Discards any unsaved changes made to the selected labor department definition.

Labor Categories Window

The Labor Categories window can be us ed to creat e an unlimited number of labor categories. Labor
categories are user-definable codes assigned to each type of labor data to be collected.

Code
Identifies the labor category in the data records, so must be unique and is not editable after the labor
category definition is first saved.
Time
Specifies how to classify time associated with the labor category:

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o Fixed: Labor actions for which the exact time for completion is known.
o Variable: Labor actions for which the exact time for completion is not known.
o Neither: Labor time that is neither Fixed nor Variable.

Description
Brief description of this labor category.
Click a column heading to sort the labor categories by that field. Click again to reverse the sort order.
To modify a labor c ategory definition, select the desired field and change its value. Click elsewhere in the
window or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking in the window displays a context menu that might include the following commands:
Insert
Adds a new labor category definition to your MES database.
Delete
Removes the selected labor category definition from your MES databas e.
Color
Allows you to change the display color for the selected labor category.
Cancel
Discards any unsaved changes made to the selected labor category definition.

Users
The Users grouping cont ains a Certifications icon that opens the Certifications window, which allows
you to set up user certifications.
MES users must exist in the system before you can assign certifications to them. Users are added using
MES Client. See the MES Client Guide or online help.

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Certifications Window
The Certi fications window allows you to define certifications and qualify individual users for those
certifications. There are two types of certifications in the system: an audit, which is a certification that
requires a user signoff, and a non-audit, which is a certification that restricts access to an operation, item,
and/or step.

When the By User tab is selected, the left pane will display a list of all defined user groups. Clicking on
the plus sign (+) next to a user group will display the user(s) belonging to that group. A user group without
a plus sign (+) does not have any members. Clicking on the plus sign (+) next to a user will display all
certifications for which he has been qualified. A user without a plus sign (+ ) is not qualified for any
certifications. Clicking on the plus sign (+) next to No User will display all certifications that have no
qualified users.
When the By Certifi cation tab is selected, the left pane will display a list of all defined certifications.
Clicking on the plus sign (+) next to a certification will display the users qualified for that certification. A
certification without a plus sign (+) has no qualified users. Clicking on the plus sign (+) next to No
Certification will list all users not qualified for any certification.
When a certification is selected in the left pane, the right pane provides access to the certification’s
definition settings, which are described below.
Name
Identifies the certification in the data records, so must be unique and is not editable after a
certification definition is first saved.

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General Tab
Max Level
Defines the number of different levels of qualification for this certification. A value of 1 means that
there are no levels of progression in qualification for this certification; either a user is qualified for the
certification or is not. A value of 2 or more means the certification has levels of progression, allowing
users to be qualified at different levels.
Audit
When checked, indic ates the certification requires a user signoff. When not checked, indicates the
certification restricts user access to an operation, item, and/or step.
Duration
Defines the lengt h of a time a user retains this certification, once qualified.
o Permanent: When selected, a user’s qualification for this certification never expires.
o Expires after: When selected, a user’s qualification for t his certification expires after the number
of days defined in the Days field (spinner control).

Available to Operation
When checked, indic ates this certification may be assigned to operations.
Available to Operation Steps
When checked, indic ates this certification may be assigned to operation steps.
Available to Producing Items
When checked, indic ates this certification may be assigned to items that are produced.
Available to Consuming Items
When checked, indic ates this certification may be assigned to items that are consumed.
Available to Attribute s
When checked, indic ates this certification may be assigned to attributes.

Note: This option is only available to non-audit certifications. Selecting this checkbox will activate the
Attribute s tab.

Number of Signoffs Required

For an audit certification, defines how many valid users must sign off on this certification in order for
it to be completed.
Requires Signoff Comment
For an audit certification, when checked, indicates the us er that is signing off on this certific ation
must enter comments to complete the certification signoff.
Signoff Note s
For an audit certification, optional comments entered here will be displayed i n the certification signoff
window for the user to read prior to signing off.
Users Tab
User
Displays a list of all users defined in the system.
Level
Defines each user’s qualification level for this certification.
o The value may be Yes or No, for a certification with a maximum level of 1. Yes means that user
possesses this certification, No means that user does not possess this certification.
o The value will be a number for a certification with a maximum level of 2 or higher. 0 means that
user does not possess this certification, 1 means that user is qualified for this certification, 2
means that user is more qualified, etc.

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Expiry
Defines the date when each user’s certification expires. This field is blank for permanent
certifications.
Spare Fields Tab
Cert_Type spare 1-4
Optional, user-definable fields for this certification.
Attributes Tab
Attribute
Displays all attributes defined in Configurator’s Attributes window.
Level
Determines whet her this certification applies to each attribute, and, if so, what the user’s minimum
qualification level for this certification must be in order to edit each attri bute.
o The value may be Yes or No, for a certification with a maximum level of 1. Yes means only a
certified user may add, modify, and delete this attribute, No means this certification does not
apply to this attribute.
o The value will be a number for a certification with a maximum level of 2 or higher. 0 means this
certification does not apply to this attribute; any other number is the minimum qualification level
for this certification that a us er must possess to add, modify, and delete this attribute.

When a user group is selected in the left pane, the right pane provides access to the user group’s
certification assignments, which contain the following fields:
Certification
Displays a list of all certifications defined in the system.
Level
Defines the certification levels for all members of the selected user group.
o A value of Various indicates that the users in the selected group currently have different
certification levels for that certification.
o The value may be Yes or No for a certification with a maximum level of 1. Yes indicates that all
users in the selected group possess that certification, No indicates that all users in the selected
group do not possess that certification.
o The value may be a number for a certification with a maximum level of 2 or higher. 0 indicates
that all users in the selected group do not possess the certification, 1 means that all users in the
selected group are qualified for that certification, 2 means that all users in the selected group are
more qualified, etc.

Expiry
Defines the certification expiration dates for all members of this user group.

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o A value of Various indicates that the users in the selected group currently have different
expiration dat es for that certification.
o A blank field indicates that no member of the selected group qualifies for the certification or that
the certification is permanent.
o A date defines the expiration date for that certification for all members of the selected user group.

When a user is selected in the left pane, the right pane provides access to that user’ s certification
assignments, which contain the following fields:
Certification
Displays a list of all certifications defined in the system.
Level
Defines the certification levels for the selected user.
o The value may be Yes or No for a certification with a maximum level of 1. Yes indicates the
selected user possesses that certification, No indicates the selected user does not possess that
certification.
o The value may be a number for a certification with a maximum level of 2 or higher. 0 indicates the
selected user does not possess that certification, 1 means the selected user is qualified for that
certification, 2 means the selected user is more qualified, etc.

Expiry
Defines the certification expiration dates for the selected user.
o A blank field indicates the selected user is not qualified for that certification or that certification is
permanent.
o A date defines the expiration date for that certification for the selected user.
To modify a certification definition or a user’s or user group’s certification assignments, select that
certification, user, or user group from the list in the left pane, then select the desired field and change its
value. Click elsewhere in the list or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking in the left pane of the Certifications window will display different menu commands,
depending on what is selected and/ or checked.
When an unchecked certification or us er has bee n selected, the following commands may be available:
Insert Certification
Adds a new certification definition to the MES database.
Cancel
Canc els any changes that have been made in the right pane, unless already saved.
When one or more certifications or users have been checked, the following commands may also be
available:
Delete Certifications
Removes the checked certification definitions from the MES database.

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Remove Link
Removes certification assignments from users. On the By Certi fication tab, removes the
assignment of the parent certifications from the checked users. On the By User tab, removes the
assignment of all certifications from the checked users.
Cut
Disqualifies the checked users from the parent certification, allowing you to paste the users under
another certification.
Copy
Copies the checked users, allowing you to paste the users under a certification.
Paste
Qualifies the cut or copied users for the selected certification.

Entities
The Entities grouping contains windows to define entities and categorize machine utilization.
New entities should be added through MES Client. Configurator should only be used to enter or modify
settings not available in MES Client, such as Files settings.

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Physical Entities Explorer

Physical entities are the components of the system that users will log into. An entity may be a building, a
location within a building, a production line, a single machine, a storage loc ation or bin, etc. Entities may
be defined in a tree structure, with child entities inheriting default values (like shift schedules) from their
parents. There is no limit to the number of entities or the number of indented tiers.
The Physi cal Entitie s Explorer window is used to create and maintain entity definitions in the system.
The window is split into two panes. The tree pane on the left contains a tree diagram of all defined
entities. The detail pane on the right displays the detailed information, capabilities, and capability
parameters for the entity selected in the tree, organized by tabs for easier access.
The tabs in the detail pane appear or are hidden, depending on the entity capabilities that have been
selected for the entity on the General tab.

Entity Tree
A physical entity may be a building, a location within a building, a production line, a single machine, a
storage location or bin, etc. All entities that will be used by the system must be defined in this window,
along with any detailed information and int errelationships spec ific to those entities.

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An entity node has been selected in the entity tree.

Right -clicking on an entity node in the tree will display different menu commands, depending on whet her
or not the node is checked.
When an unchecked entity node has been selected, the following commands may be available:
Cancel
Canc els any changes that have been made in the right pane, unless already saved.
Expand All
Expands the tree to display all underlying entities for the selected entity.
Paste
Inserts the cut or copied entity under the selected entity.
When an entity node has been checked, the following options may also be available:
Clone
Creates an exact duplicate of the selected entity. To clone an entity, check the entity under which you
want the cloned entity to be located, select the entity that you want to clone, right -click, and select
Clone.
Insert
Inserts a new entity under the checked entity.

Note: The entity name must be unique as it identifies the entity in the data records.

Delete
Delet es the checked entity.
Cut
Removes the link between the checked entity and its parent, allowing you to paste it into another
location in the entity tree. If a paste is not performed, the link is restored.
Copy
Creates another reference to the checked entity, allowing you to paste this new reference into
another location in the entity tree. Both entity nodes will access the same physical entity. If a paste is
not performed, the copy is terminat ed.

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Entity Detail Pane

The entity detail pane contains many detail panes accessed by tabs. The General tab allows the review
and modification of detailed information and capabilities for the entity selected in the tree. The
Capabilities grid defines what functions the entity can perform. As capabilities are selected, the
parameters tab for that capability will be added to the top of the pane so that only the values necessary
for a specific entity will need to be set.

Name
Identifies the entity in the data records, so it must be unique.
Description
Brief description of the entity.
Hourly Cost
Specifies the dollar amount required to run the entity for an hour.
Identical Job Execs
Specifies the number of jobs that may be run at the same time on the entity, if the Jobs can be run
on thi s entity capability is checked. A value of 0 is the same as a value of 1; one job may be run at
a time.
Capabilities
The capabilities and their parameter tabs are discussed in the following sections.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window t o
save your changes.

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Jobs can be scheduled to this entity

When the Jobs can be scheduled to this entity capability is checked, jobs may be scheduled to the
selected entity. This does not allow the selected entity to run jobs, only to be specified in processes
(instructions for producing an item).
When the Jobs can be scheduled to this entity capability is checked, the Schedule tab becomes
available in the entity detail pane.

Operation Type
Brief description of the type of operation performed at this entity.
Queue Time
Additional time in hours allocated to the entity when scheduling, for such things as preparation work
or material move.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.
This capability and the Jobs can be run on this entity can be combined for use in different ways.
Scenario 1: the entity, Saws, is a group containing Saw01, Saw02, and Saw03, as child entities. Saws
has the capability Jobs can be scheduled to this entity and S aw01, Saw02, Saw03 have the capability
Jobs can be run on thi s entity. Processes and work orders are created to using the entity Saws. The
job(s) will appear on the queues of Saw01, Saw02, and Saw03 (as child nodes, they will ‘inherit’ the
jobs). The us er of the Operator module, logged int o the first available saw, say Saw02, will start a job.
That job will disappear from the queues of Saw01 and Saw03. In the Queue window of the Supervisor
module, that job will display a ‘Running Entity’ of Saw02 and a ‘Scheduled Entity’ of ‘Saws’.
Scenario 2: the entity, Saws, is a group containing Saw01, Saw02, and Saw03, as child entities. Saws
has/needs no c apabilities of its own; Saw01, Saw02, and Saw03 each have the capabilities Jobs can be
scheduled to thi s entity and Jobs can be run on this entity. Saws is simply used to organize the
other entity definitions. Processes and work orders are creat ed using Saw01, Saw02, or Saw03; one
must be chosen specifically. The job(s) will appear only on the queue for the saw selected in the
process/work order. The user of the Operator module, logged into a saw, say Saw02, will start a job
scheduled to Saw02. That user’s user privileges may also allow him to start a job scheduled to Saw01 or
Saw03. In the Queue window of the Supervisor module, that job will display a ‘Running Entity’ and a
‘Scheduled Entity’ of ‘Saw02’.

Jobs can be run on this entity

When the Jobs can be run on this entity capability is checked, the selected entity may run jobs and will
be available in the Entity Logon window in the Operator module. An entity that can run a job often has
the Jobs can be scheduled to thi s entity capability also. See the sample scenarios described in the
previous section.

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When the Jobs can be run on thi s entity capability is checked, the Job tab becomes available in the
entity detail pane. The Job tab sets the parameters on how a job is to be run in the Operator module. It
also sets default values for production and consumption reasons, defines display functionality, and sets
up user-defined spare fields.

The job paramet ers are described below.

Allow only next job to be started
Yes/No. If Yes, jobs must be started/completed in order on this entity’s job queue.
Confirming Prompt
Not yet implemented.
Store output in
List of entities with storage capability. Specifies the default storage location for produced items.
Receive input from
List of entities with storage capability. Specifies the default storage location for cons umed items.
Default production reason
Specifies the production reason to be used by default in the Production tab of MES Operator.
The user of Operator will be allowed to select other reasons.
Default consumption reason
Specifies the consumption reason to be used by default in the BOM tab of MES Operator. The MES
Operator user will be allowed to select other reasons.
Default lot number
The lot number to be used by default in the Production tab of MES Operator. The MES Operator
user might be allowed to select another lot number, de pending on other settings.
Default sublot number
The sublot number to be used by default in the Production tab of MES Operator. The MES Operator
user might be allowed to select another sublot number, depending on other settings.
Automatically load job specification
If Yes, all job specifications will be aut omatically loaded when a job is started.

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Start next sequence for current W/O and op.

Determines how next operation in current work order will be start ed: either manually, by the MES
Operator user, or automatically by MES if the created jobs have the same sequence numbers and
operation numbers.
Start next job
Options are:
o Manually: The the MES Operator user will need to click the Start Job button in the Work Queue
tab to start the next job when a running job is completed
o As soon as ready: The next readied job in the entity’s queue will start automatically once a
running job is completed.

End job
Options are:
o Manually: The the MES Operator user will need to select the Stop Job button in the Work
Queue tab to change the job’s status to Complete.
o When quantity done meets required quantity: The job’s status will automatically be set to
Complete when the required quantity is produced.

Show both item class and entity reasons

If Yes, the It em class reasons and the entity reasons will be displayed for the jobs.
Must all steps be completed/bypassed to end job?
If Yes, all steps must be marked as Complete or Bypassed before the job can be mark ed Complete.
Must required quantity be produced to end job?
If Yes, the required quantity must be produced before the job can be marked Complete.
Run without operator
Specifies whether an operator needs to remain logged on while a job is running. By default, no
operator needs to remain logged on while a job is running.
Suppress 'Start Some Quantity' Prompt
Specifies whether a dialog box should appear for entering quantities while performing a job. If this
option is selected, the dialog box does not appear, and by default the value of start quantity becomes
1. If the Allow zero quantity split option is selected, by default the value of start quantity becomes
0.
Allow Zero Quantity Split
Specifies whether to allow the creation of a job wit h 0 quantity when you split it.
Auto-allocate Quantity to Running Job
The overages in reported quantities that are to be covered by moving the job from a scheduled to a
running job. An error appears if there are no available overages in the scheduled job.
Job _Exec spare 1 to 4
Optional, user-definable fields for extra information.

Utilization can be captured on this entity

When the Utilization can be captured on this entity capability is checked, the selected entity may
collect and display utilization data in the Operator module. Utilization is licensed per entity. If you exceed
the number of entities that can capture utilization, a warning message will appear.

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When the Utilization can be captured on this entity capability is checked, the Utilization tab becomes
available in the entity detail pane.

Utilization from I/O

When checked, indic ates that the entity’s utilization data will be inputted via a UCO, rather than
coming from the Operat or module.
The Attribute pane (top left) defines values and default values for the entity’s utilization attributes.
Target utilization %
The utilization percentage hoped to be achieved for this entity.

Note: For the following attribut es, clicking the "…" button brings up the Reason Selection window,
allowing you to choose from entity utilization reasons defined in Configurator’s Utilization window.

Default reason when job starts

The entity utilization reason which will be used when a job is started, unless the user makes his own
selection.
Default reason when job ends
The entity utilization reason which will be used when a job ends, unless the user makes his own
selection.
Default reason when shift starts
The entity utilization reason which will be used when a shift starts, unless the user makes his own
selection.
Default reason when shift ends
The entity utilization reason which will be used when a shift ends, unless the user makes his own
selection.
Default unknown reason
The entity utilization reason which will be used if the status of the entity does not fall into a
pre-defined utilization reason.
Util_Exec Spare1 - 4
An optional, user-definable field for this entity.
The Rea son tree (top right) allows you to specify which entity utilization reasons and states will be
available to users of the s elected entity. Select the check box next to the desired utilization reason(s) and
state(s). If no reasons or states are selected with a check mark, all will be available for selection on the
Util/OEE tab of the Operat or module.
The Raw Reason Definition pane (bottom) is available only when the Utilization from I/O check box is
selected. This associates each external raw reason code, which will be coming from a UCO, with a
utilization reason and state category.

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Raw Reason Code

Defines the reason code that will be coming from the PLC to the UCO to change the utilization state
of this entity.
Default Reason
Associates the reason code with the appropriate utilization reason and state.
Prompt
When checked, the Enti ty tab in the Operator module will blink, alerting the user logged into the
entity that this utilization reason has been passed from the UCO.
Right -clicking in the Raw Reason Definition pane brings up a context menu containing the following
commands:
Insert
Creates a new reason code entry.
Delete
Removes the selected reason code entry.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.

Labor can be captured on this entity

When the Labor can be captured on this entity capability is checked, the Labor tab becomes
available in the entity detail pane, allowing user interaction wit h a job to be collected for the selected
entity.

The Labor tab defines default values, the number of concurrent users, allowable labor categories.
Default Labor Category
Indicates the user’s initial labor category when he starts to run a job on this entity.
Default Department
Indicates the user’s initial labor department.
Number of Simultaneous Operators (0 = unlimited)
Defines the total number of users allowed to be active, at the same time, on this entity.

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The Allowable Labor Category pane allows you to specify which labor categories will be available to
users of the selected entity. Select the Allow checkbox next to the desired labor category(s). If no labor
categories are selected with an ‘x’, all will be available for selection on the Labor tab of the Operat or
module.

Can this entity track Overall Equipment Efficiency

When the Can thi s entity track Overall Equipment Efficiency capability is checked, OEE calculations
are activated for the selected entity. The following chart shows how the OEE is calculated.

When the Can thi s entity track Overall Equipment Efficiency capability is checked, the OEE tab
becomes available in the entity detail pane, allowing you to establish targets to be achieved during
production and to compare actual results with the targets.

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Production Data from

Check the entity in the entity tree from which the OEE calculations should retrieve the production
data.
Utilization Data from
Check the entity in the entity tree from which the OEE calculations should retrieve t he utilization data.
OEE Target and Resul ts pane
o OEE Item: Identifies the OEE item.
o Target: Defines the target value for the OEE item.
o Current: Displays the current value for the OEE item.

Default Production rate

Defines the rate typically required to produce one batch or piec e on the selected entity, to be used as
the default value when proc esses or jobs are defined.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.

This entity has its own shift schedule

When the Thi s entity has its own shift schedule capability is checked, a shift schedule must be
defined for the selected entity on the Shifts tab, which is now available in the entity detail pane. When
this capability is not checked for an entity, it will inherit the closest shift schedule defined for an entity
above it in the entity tree.

Shift
Indicates the shift, from those defined in the Shifts window of Configurat or, for which a specific
schedule will be defined. A shift schedule may be defined for each shift/starting day combination.
Starting Day of the Week
Indicates the day of the week for which this shift will be used.

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Shift pane
After selecting the Shift and Starting Day of the Week, check the Shift check box to define the
Start Time and End Time fields for that combination. This should contain the normal working hours
and not estimated overtime.
Break panes
If normally scheduled breaks are required for this shift, check the Break check box on the left side of
the pane, beginning with 1st Break. This will allow the Start Time and End Time fields to be defined
for this break. Up to three breaks may be defined for each shift.
To ent er/modify a shift or break time, select the desired part of the time field and then enter the value with
the keyboard or using the up/down arrow keys.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.

Material can be stored at this entity

When the Material can be stored at this entity capability is checked, the selected entity can be used as
a storage location. The Storage tab, now available in the entity detail pane, allows the capabilities of this
storage entity to be defined.

Type
Optional, user-defined description of the type of storage location.
Storage Characteristics
o Delete inventory when quantity reaches 0: When checked, gives the dat abase permission to
delete inventory entries when the remaining quantity of an item reaches 0. When not checked,
the inventory entries will remain, even after all quantities have been used.

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o Allow Negative Quantities: When checked, gives the storage entity the ability to have its
inventory levels fall below zero. If this is not checked and a job tries to consume more material
from the location than has been entered into inventory, the consumption transaction will fail. This
should be checked if the ent ry of inventory rec eipts might lag behind their usage on the shop
floor.
o Allow Multiple Items: When checked, gives the storage entity the ability to store different items
at the same time.
o Allow Multiple Lots: When checked, gives the storage entity the ability to store different lots for
the same item at the same time.
o Moveable: When checked, Indicates the storage entity can be moved or transported throughout
the plant. An example of a movable entity is a cart or a bin.
o Allow a Dirty State: When checked, the storage entity’s status is automatically changed to
‘Dirty’ when the last item is removed from it. A ‘Dirty’ entity may not be used again for storage
until a user changes its status to ‘Available’ (meaning empty & clean) in the Status field in this
tab, in the Storage Status window of the Supervisor module or in the Storage tab of the
Operator module. When not checked, the storage entity’s status is limited to "Available" (it is
empty) and "Used" (it is being used to store something).

Status
Displays the current status of the storage entity. The status may be changed from " Dirty" to
"Available" or "A vailable" to "Dirty" here, but no other changes are allowed.

Note: If a storage location has a status of "Dirty", no inventory can be received or transferred into it
until its status has been changed to "A vailable".

Max. Capy. (0 = unlimited)

Defines the maximum number of units that can be stored at this entity at any given time. A value of 0
gives the storage entity an unlimited storage capacity.
Scannable ID
Will be implemented in a future release.
Location
Indicates the current location of the movable storage entity, chosen from a list of all defined entities.
Storage_Exec spare 1-4
Optional, user-definable fields.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.

Data can be logged for this entity

The Data can be logged for this entity capability allows the selected entity to use Data Logger to
collect data log values. If this capability is not checked and a job is run on this entity, the user of the
Operator module will not be able to collect data via Data Logger.

Shipments can be made from this entity

Indication that the entity can ship lots from it. No additional functionality is enabled.

Material can be received at this entity

Indication that the entity can receive lots. No additional functionality is enabled.

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Files Tab
E very physical entity has a Files tab, to allow you to associate files to the entity. The files, for example,
can include instructions about how to operate the entity.
A file can be a file on the disk of a local computer or a web page identified by its URL.
Entity files can be accessed in applications using the Folders .NE T control and on the Folders tab in
MES Operator.

To add files
1. Right -click in the list box and click Add files.
The Open dialog box appears.
2. Navigate to and select the files to be added, then click Open.
The New file information dialog box appears with the selected files listed.

3. For each file, enter the following settings.

Type
The document type.
Description
A description of the file content.
4. Click OK.
The files are added to the list on the Files tab.
To add a URL
1. Right -click in the list pane and click Add URL.

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The Add URL dialog box appears.

2. Enter the following settings.

URL
The URL of the web page to display.
File Type
The document type.
File Description
A description of the file content.
3. Click OK.
The URL is added to the list on the Files tab.

Directories Tab
E very physical entity has a Directories tab to identify directories to which folders can be distribut ed.

Upload
Indicates the directory to be used for files uploaded from a machine cont rol. Type in the path or press
the ‘…’ button to bring up the Brow se for Folder window.
Download Directory pane
o Order: Defines the order in which the directories will be displayed.
o Download Directory: Indicates a directory in which downloadable files will be stored for this
entity. You may type in the path or press the ‘…’ button to bring up the Brow se for Folder
window.
Right -clicking in the Download Directory pane brings up a context menu, which may contain the
following commands:
Insert
Adds a new entry in the download directory list.
Insert At End
Adds a new entry to the bottom of the download directory list.

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Rename
Brings up the Brow se for Folder window so that you may choose another download directory to
replace the selected one.
Delete
Removes the selected download directory from the list.
Top
Moves the selected download directory to the top of the list (order 1).
Up
Moves the selected download directory up one position in the list.
Down
Moves the selected download directory down one position in the list.
Bottom
Moves the selected download directory to the bottom of the list (highest order #).
Cut
Removes the selected download directory from the list, so that you may paste it in another location.
Copy
Copies the selected download directory, so that you may paste it in another location.
Paste
Replaces the selected download directory with the cut or copied directory.
To modify an entity’s definition, select the desired entity node in the entity tree, make the desired
change(s) on any tab, and then click on another tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to
save your changes.

Attributes Tab
E very physical entity has an Attribute s tab to access the attributes defined in the Attribute s window as
appropriate for physical entities. Those attributes, which are appropriate for the selected entity, may be
selected and assigned values and/or notes here. The ability to edit the Value and/or Notes field of a
particular attribute depends on its definition.

Attribute
Displays the name of the physical entity attribute.
Value
Defines the value for this attribute for the selected entity. This field will be inaccessible if the attribute
was defined as a Notes Only type.
Note s
Optional, user-defined information about the attribute for this entity. This field will be inaccessible if
the attribute was defined as a Value Only type. Click the ‘…’ button to bring up the Note s window, for
easier viewing/editing of longer notes.
To modify an attribute assignment, select the desired field and change its value. Click on another tab,
click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to save your changes.
Right -clicking in the window of the Attribute s tab brings up a context menu, which may contain the
following commands:

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Insert
Adds a pre-defined attribute to this entity’s attribute list.
Delete
Removes the selected attribute from this entity’s attribute list.

Rejects Tab
E very physical entity has a Rejects tab to allows you to indicate which reasons are most appropriate for
explaining rejected production from the selected entity. Mark the check box next to the relevant reason
group(s). The reasons in the check-marked reason groups will be available for the description of an
item’s use/production on this entity in the Operator module. If no reason groups or states are selected
with a check mark, all will be available.

To modify the reason group selection for this entity, change the desired check boxes. Click on anot her
tab, click elsewhere in the tree or close the window to save your changes.

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Index
Data can be logged for this entity • 31
A Jobs can be run on this entity • 23
applications • 9
Jobs can be scheduled to this entity • 23
Labor can be captured on this entity • 27
C Material can be received at this entity • 31
certifications
Material can be stored at this entity • 30
users, assigning to • 15
Shipments can be made from t his entity • 31
Configurator
This entity has its own shift schedule • 29
logging in • 5
Utilization can be captured on this entity • 25
navigating in • 6
overview • 5
F
files
D
extensions • 12
documents
online • 9
types • 10
J
job states • 8

E
editors • 9
L
entities labor

attributes • 34 categories • 13

capabilites • 22 departments • 13

description • 22
directories, DNC • 33 S
System grouping • 7
entity tree • 20
hourly cost • 22
identical job execs • 22 T
tools • 9
name • 22
physical entities • 20
reject reasons • 35
U
Entities grouping • 19 users
entity capability settings certifications, assigning • 15
Can this entity track Overall Equipment
Efficiency • 28

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