Production orders for plastics machines can be created in two ways:

  • Via an automatic import process from the ERP (see ERP connection).
  • By entering manually like explained in this article.


The Production orders module is available in the SCHEDULING section. This module shows a table with the orders that have been created manually and those that come from the ERP. To see the latest ERP import in the table, refresh the page (F5).



The icon in the Status column shows the status of the production order. Hover the icon to see the status description.


Creating a production order

To create an order manually:

  1. Click New production order.



  2. Before creating your first order, you can define a pattern for the Name of the order. See Name generation pattern.
  3. Enter or select values. Fields marked with * are required.
    For a description of the fields, see below.
  4. Click Save.
    You can also click Save and close to return to the list or Save and create new to create more.

Fields


Name *Any name can be entered or if a name generation pattern is defined, click Apply to generate a name.
Due dateSelect the date when the order should be finished.
Product *Select the product to be produced. From this dialog, you can add new products. See Products.
Quantity *Enter how much products must be produced.
MachineSelect the machine on which the product must be produced. If 'matching criteria' have been set for the product or for the tool, you can only select machines that match with these criteria.
If you don't select a machine, you can also assign the machine when you add the order to the planning.
Machine groupYou can select this to limit the number of machines for the Machine field.
ToolSelect the tool that is required to produce the product.
From this dialog, you can add new tools and edit tools that have the status 'Free'. See Tools.
CustomerIf a customer who ordered the product was defined for the product, it will appear here after selecting the product. You can change the customer or add if it is missing. Customers are defined in the Customers module.
Planned speed

Displays the speed value that will be used to estimate the production time of the Production order. The value is determined in the following order of priority:

  1. If a Speed is defined for the selected Product, that value is copied to this field.

  2. If not, but a Speed is defined for the Tool, that value is copied to this field.

  3. If neither is set, the Standard speed of the selected machine is copied to this field.

This speed can be manually overridden here for the specific Production order if needed.

See also 'How to determine planned speed and efficiency?' at the bottom.
Planned efficiency

Displays the efficiency value that will be used to estimate the production time of the Production order. The value is determined based on the following priority:

  1. If a Standard efficiency is defined for the Product, that value is copied to this field.

  2. If not, the Standard efficiency of the selected machine is copied to this field.

This value can be manually overridden here for the specific Production order if needed.

See also 'How to determine planned speed and efficiency?' at the bottom.

Order statusShows the status of the order. Hover the icon to see the status text.

  • Creating: The new order is saved or downloaded with the release indicator disabled.

  • Released: The new order is saved or downloaded with the release indicator enabled.

  • Sending →  Queing → Queued: Status sequence when saving the planning board.

  • Executing: Activating the order on the Data Unit.

  • Completely executed: The order is completed and has ended on the Data Unit.

  • Partially executed: The order has ended on the Data Unit but the required quantity is not yet reached or there is overproduction.


Release for productionThis switch determines that the order is ready to be produced and if planned, it will be available on the DU for starting the order.

Enabled (= released):
  • The order gets subsequently gets these statuses: Sending → Queing → Queued
  • Once queued, the order becomes visible on the Data Unit.
  • The order can be disabled. Result:
    • Status changes to Creating.
    • Order is removed from the Data Unit.

When disabled (= creating):
  • The order is planned with the status Creating.
  • The order is visible on the planning board.
  • The order can be enabled. Result:
    • The status changes subsequently in: Sending → Queing → Queued
    • Once queued, the order becomes visible on the Data Unit.


IMPORTANT: Tool and machine compatibility
If both a Machine and a Tool are selected for the production order, ensure that following fields match:
- Speed unit from the Tool must match the Standard speed (sec or rpm/ppm) from the Machine
- Tool type from the Tool must match the Technology from the Machine
Both Technology and Standard speed are defined by the Machine type of the selected machine. See Machine types.


How to determine planned speed and efficiency?

Planned speed and efficiency should be determined based on a combination of planner expertise and historical production data.


  • Planner experience:
    Use your knowledge and practical experience to estimate realistic values based on known behavior of the product, tool, or machine.

  • Historical data analysis:
    Review actual speed and efficiency values from previous production orders using the Reports module. Look for trends or consistent values for similar products, tools, or machines to make informed planning decisions.