Packout processing with alarm reaction templates

Packout can be carried out as an operation in a process flow or as a global operation. If you use the Analytics client application, a packout operation in NPI can include one alarm reaction template (which can have one or more alarm reactions) to be used when a box is completed. How does it work? The barcodes of the packing box contents are used as runtime parameters. Each alarm reaction can generate and export (or email) a report. (For details about alarm reaction templates, see Alarm triggers, reactions, and alarm reaction templates.)

When executing a packout operation on the shop floor, any configured alarm reaction templates for the entire box contents are executed when a packing box is completed. Depending on configuration settings, a completed packing box might be incomplete. When a previously-completed box is completed again, the alarm reaction templates are executed again. If the template is configured to trigger for each single item, it will execute when the item is added to the box.

The execution of alarm reaction templates is handled by the FactoryLogix Alarm Service. This service is triggered by the Production client application. The affected barcodes are transferred using the existing Alarm Smart Text feature, which allows transferring multiple barcodes. If the alarm reaction template is configured to be executed for each barcode in the box separately, multiple triggers are created, one for each barcode.

When adding a new alarm reaction template to a packout operation, you can select whether the template will be executed for all items in the packing box at once or each single packed item which generates multiple reports:

• Under Fire Alarms on the Packout Settings tab of the Packout step in an operation, select from the following options:
  
  

  • On Box Completed - Executes the selected alarm reaction template for the entire box contents when a packing box is completed.

  • On Item Added - Executes the selected alarm reaction template when each item is added to the packing box.
    
    
    

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Report printing

When you select the Print check box for the On Box Completed or the On Item Added alarm reaction, any reports associated with the alarm reaction are generated on the client workstation (that is, the workstation executing the Packout operation in Production). Only items of the Report type are returned in the selected output type format. The returned reports are printed on a local printer automatically. The printer can also be selected in the Activity Work Area in Production, so if multiple printers are installed, the shop floor operator can select a specific printer to use.