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ManoelCosta
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
1,917
Introduction

With Time Based Auto-Assembly (TBAA), batches of components can be loaded into predefined resource bins to be automatically consumed during the manufacturing process while maintaining full batch traceability.

This capability is frequently used on high-speed or automated manufacturing process, where small non-serialized but batch-managed components are consumed, as seen in a Printed Circuit Board manufacturing process, for example.

In this blog post, we will explore the detailed configuration and utilization of Time-Based Auto-Assembly (TBAA) in SAP Digital Manufacturing.

Configuration

First, create a new Production Process and a new Cloud Process in the "Design Production Processes" app. Add a Start Control and create Input Parameters for Plant, Operation, Resource and Sfcs as follows:


Add the "Auto Assemble" service and map all the necessary Input Parameters accordingly:


Save and deploy it.

Then, choose Additional Options ("...") and select "Edit Header":


To make your Production Process visible in the Service Registry library for calling from other apps, such as POD Designer, switch "Publish to Service Registry" to "ON":



Next, define how the "Auto Assemble" Production Process will be triggered during the manufacturing process. This can be accomplished in various ways, such as using a Business Rule or an Action Button in POD Designer.

You can create a Business Rule to trigger the "Auto Assemble" Production Process automatically as soon as an SFC is started, using the "Manage Automatic Triggers" app, as follows:


Here, you can define an Event Type like "SFC Started," which will trigger an Action to call the "Auto Assemble" Production Process with the necessary Input Parameters when specific conditions are met:



These conditions may include filters for Plant, Resource, Work Center, Material, and others.

Alternatively, you can call the "Auto Assemble" Production Process from an Action Button in your POD.

To do this, add the "Auto Assemble" Production Process to an Action button like "Start" in POD Designer and map the required Input Parameters as follows:


Next, Bins must be created for Resources in the "Manage Resources" app:


This can be done manually or automatically:


Where:

Add from BOM: Allows you to create a resource bin structure based on the BOM.
Add Manually: Allows you to create a resource bin structure manually.


Once created, Bins can be loaded and unloaded in the "Load Resource with Components" app:


Multiple Inventory IDs can be loaded and remain in a queue for a given Resource/Bin combination:


Each Inventory ID can represent a different batch, which will be consumed in the sequence it's queued for each Bin in the "Load Resource with Components" app.

 

Execution

The Time-Based Auto-Assembly (TBAA) setup is now complete, and you can test it by producing an SFC in an Operation Activity or Work Center POD. This will trigger Time-Based Auto-Assembly after starting the SFC, either via the POD Button or the Business Rule previously configured:


Once the SFC is started, if all goes well and "Auto Assembly" is successfully triggered, check the "Required Quantity" and "Remaining Quantity" columns in the "Assemble (Component List)" plugin to confirm that the components have been automatically assembled and consumed:


You can also verify that the "Auto Assemble" Production Process was triggered in the "Monitor Production Processes" app:



And that the components were properly assembled and consumed in the SFC Report.


Remarks

  • Time-based Auto Assembly (TBAA) is not supported for routings with relaxed flows.


Conclusion

In conclusion, Time Based Auto-Assembly (TBAA) in SAP Digital Manufacturing presents a powerful solution for enhancing efficiency in high-speed and automatic manufacturing processes, such as Printed Circuit Board manufacturing, while ensuring full batch traceability throughout the production cycle.

It's important to note that TBAA may not be suitable for all production scenarios, particularly those with relaxed flows in their routings. Nevertheless, for those looking to optimize efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure consistent quality in their manufacturing operations, Time-Based Auto-Assembly can be very useful.

In summary, SAP Digital Manufacturing's Time-Based Auto-Assembly offers a reliable and efficient solution to meet the demands of modern manufacturing, delivering precision and traceability in every batch.

Experiencing SAP Digital Manufacturing

You can have a glimpse and experience several aspects of SAP Digital Manufacturing via the Interactive Value Journeys below:






























Discrete within SAP Digital Manufacturing and S/4HANA Cloud
Process Industry within SAP Digital Manufacturing and S/4HANA Cloud
Tool Management within SAP Digital Manufacturing
Resource Orchestration within SAP Digital Manufacturing
Production Process Design within SAP Digital Manufacturing
Shop Floor Orchestration with SAP Digital Manufacturing
Time Tracking within SAP Digital Manufacturing
SAP Digital Manufacturing for Insights
Nonconformances Processes within SAP Digital Manufacturing

 

Do you like this post? Please let me know in the comments section what you think. Any feedback is highly appreciated.

Or, if you have any questions, please check SAP Community Q&A Area, or comment down below.

Thanks,

Manoel Costa
7 Comments
Berjoyce
Newcomer
0 Kudos

Hi is there a way in sap to automatically switch from one material (or next issue) to another when the old material is at zero?

okakoshow
Explorer
0 Kudos

Dear Manoel

Thank you for the useful information.

I have 2 questions.

  1. Is it possible to specify the consumed quantity when executing TBAA?
  2. Is it possible to specify the batch when multible batches are loaded to 1 resource bin?

Best regards,

Koichi Okamoto

ppilvines1
Explorer
0 Kudos

@ManoelCosta following up with Koichi's comment above. Is there a way to automatically assemble specific materials on an operation/phase for a specific quantity?

 

We are trying to utilize counts from our automation to charge quantities of specific components and it is not always a 1:1 for all components (e.g. some parts we might have tossed 5% due to defects since the last time we polled our system). When I did the above all materials on the phase were charged at the same quantity on the phase.

ManoelCosta
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
0 Kudos

Hello @okakoshow 
No, as this is not the purpose of TBAA at all!
To specify quantities and batches, you can use Assemble Components API instead.
Br,
Manoel

ManoelCosta
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert

Hello @ppilvines1 , 
To assemble specific materials and quantities, you can use Assemble Components API instead.
Br,
Manoel

ppilvines1
Explorer
0 Kudos

@ManoelCosta for Assemble Components when I tried this it did not pull out of resource bins. Is that expected functionality?

Would love to use the load resource with components functionality to help with line staging for our logistics team and then use the Assemble Components to pull material from the pre-filled bins.

Thanks!

ManoelCosta
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
0 Kudos

@ppilvines1 , Assemble Components don't really use resource bins, only Auto Assembly.
Learn more at Load Resources with Components.

Br,
Manoel