Maintain Assemblies

This option allows you to define new assemblies and to maintain the details of existing assemblies.The assembly stock item and all its components would usually already exist as stock items before you define the assembly structure (although stock creation options are available from within the Assembly maintenance screen).

Each Assembly is defined as a single-tier, where a component is an assembly in its own right then it is entered here as a standard component, and a separate assembly definition created for the component.

When you select this option you are asked how you wish to add a new assembly, update or view an assembly.You are also able to delete an assembly or copy an existing assembly structure for a new assembly.

Adding a New Assembly

The first option allows you to enter new assembly records. You are first prompted to enter the assembly number you wish to add to the file. This reference must be in the format you have defined and you cannot have duplicate assembly codes in the file. The prompt checks for both format and uniqueness – if the format is not matched then the computer rejects the code, if the code already exists on the file you are warned accordingly. Pressing <Enter> allows you to re-enter the code.

Once you have entered a valid code the cursor moves to the input area and you can start defining the assembly. The following section describes some of the specific details you may be asked but not every item discussed could be available – some items may not be applicable for your product level or may have been removed as they are not necessary for your requirements.

Assembly Stock Code

This is the stock item you are building, enter the stock code required. <F4-Select> is available to help you select an existing code.If the item isn’t yet available on the stock file then you can use <F7-Option> to create a new stock record – on input of <F7> you are taken in to the standard stock ‘add’ screen.

If you wish to create a new assembly stock item based on an existing stock item, enter the existing stock code and then instead of pressing <Enter> press the <Shift> and <F7-Option> keys together - this will take you into the stock maintenance but will default the details on the new code to the existing code. All items, except the accumulated balances such as physical or demand, are replicated into the new code.

Assembled Quantity

This is the quantity of the finished item that the entered components and quantities will build – usually this value will be ‘1’ but economies of scale may require other values.

Total Cost Price

This is a display value of the accumulated cost of the components. On first add of an assembly this value will be zero and as components are entered will increase reflecting the cost value of these components. Note that this is not necessarily the cost price of the finished stock item as held on the stock file as this will be updated by other processes.

Assembly Notes

This option allows entry of a short comment describing the assembly.

After completing the assembly details you are then asked for the components that make up that assembly –not all the details below may be prompted as they may have been removed as unnecessary for your requirements.

Type (Ty)

This asks for the component entry type. Three types are available

S-Stock. Component entry for a stock item.

N-Notes. Component entry for extra build instructions, these are printed on the build report and updated as ‘description-only’ details on Bill of Materials Works Orders.

C-Comment. Component entry for comments, these are only seen within assembly maintenance or, optionally, the Print/Value Assemblies report.

Select the type appropriate.

Component Stock

If select entry type ‘S-Stock’ then you are asked for the stock code for the component item.<F4-Select> is available to select an existing code and, as with the assembly stock code, you can create new stock codes via the <F7-Option> key.

Description

On input of stock code the first line of the stock description is displayed for you.

Quantity

This prompt asks for the quantity of the component required to build the assembly.

Cost Price

This option displays the cost price of the component stock item. This is either the standard cost price data item or the ‘Component Cost’ data item.

Component Cost

Component Notes

This option allows entry of a short comment relating to the component.

Text

If choose to enter a component type of ‘C-Comment’ or ‘N-Notes’ then you are able to enter text for details such as build instructions. The maximum size of the text entered for a component entry is 10 lines of 48 characters.

You can scroll up/down the list of components by using the up/down arrow keys on the first input column (either Type or Stock depending on configuration), <F5-Insert> and <F6-Delete> are available to insert a new component or delete an existing entry.Pressing <Enter> on a blank stock code or component type completes the component entry and prompts ‘Above Details OK’. Respond ‘No’ to go back and amend the components, or ‘Yes’ to accept the changes made.

Update an Assembly

This option allows you to amend an existing assembly – in operation it is identical to adding an assembly.

View an Assembly

This option displays the assembly details and components.

Delete an Assembly

This option allows you to delete the assembly definition where it is no longer required.

Copy an Assembly

If you want to define an assembly that is much like an existing one on file, then it may be easier to copy the structure intact and amend the details as required. Selecting COPY asks you for the assembly you wish to copy followed by a prompt for the new assembly reference – the replicated details are then displayed for you to confirm/amend as required.