Handling material problems as they arise

Organizing a manufacturer’s internal logistics and materials handling information can be a daunting task. Many companies store this detailed information within one or multiple spreadsheets or Access databases. The challenge with this approach is that part data is often obsolete, and it is difficult for multiple users to access simultaneously. In addition, the data is not easy to format into the various reports, analyses or queries needed by the multiple users.

The Proplanner PFEP (Plan for Every Part) materials handling database can be used as a master repository for all that information. PFEP defines where parts are received, stored and deliver-ed in the plant, as well as how the material is moved, and what triggers that movement.

Courtesy of Proplanner

As part of the Plan for Every Part materials handling database software, Flow Planner generates flow lines that are color coded according to product family, part family, container type and move method, among other attributes.

PFEP synchronizes with the engineering change orders (ECOs) that come from product engineering, as well as the updated line balancing tasks and subsequent part assignments that come from process engineering. With these upstream integrations, changes to a line balancing task or a product line’s bill of materials can be quickly and accurately identified and electronically submitted to the materials handling engineers.

Materials handling engineers import these ECOs and line balancing scenarios, and the PFEP module flags the required part location changes in a way that quickly and easily identifies and categorizes them. The engineers can then address these changes as parts that need to be relocated from, added to or removed from each workstation and “supermarket” (a smaller department-based storage area near assembly lines and workplaces). PFEP then generates new rack and container labels for those added or relocated parts so the changes can be implemented on the shop floor.