Scheduling rules determine the timing of the flow schedules using the following logic in the calculation routine:
Sequence is determined by the criteria in the rule.
Demand is sequenced using the criteria in the scheduling rule. The priority of each criteria determines the order in which it is applied.
The first flow schedule created goes to the first available date in the scheduling horizon.
Flow schedules are created for orders starting with the first available due date that has capacity. Flow schedules are not created for orders than cannot be scheduled within the scheduling horizon.
This process of attaining the line rate for each day continues until the end of the scheduling horizon.
Capacity is calculated for the day using the line rate, subtracting the existing workload (flow schedules, discrete jobs, repetitive schedules) for that day. When available capacity for the day is attained, schedules are slated for the next day until the end of the scheduling horizon.
If you are using flexible tolerance fences, scheduling begins after the last day indicated from the Days in Advance value.
Tolerance fences provide temporary increases to capacity above their normal operating rate to handle rises in orders.
Oracle Flow Manufacturing supports shifts that cross calendar days, as long as the start of the shift falls on a working day. To accomplish this, ensure that the Oracle Bills of Material Workday Calendar, the line definition, and the scheduling window you use in the Line Scheduling Workbench are synchronized. For example, you can specify the workday calendar is setup for the days Monday - Friday, and three shifts:
Shift 1 - 7 am to 3 pm
Shift 2 - 3 pm to 11 pm
Shift 3 - 11 pm to 7 am
The line definition is then set up to work from 7 am to 7 am. To schedule all shifts for Friday, ensure that the current schedule on the Line Scheduling Workbench is set to Saturday at 7 am. The Line Scheduling Workbench then schedules through 7 am, Saturday - even if Saturday is a non-work day.
You cannot start a shift on a non-work day. For example, if you have a shift starting at 11 pm on Sunday, the Line Scheduling Workbench cannot schedule for the first hour of the shift. See: Using the Workday Calendar
The scheduling rule is comprised of an algorithm and the criteria used in sequencing the flow schedules. Oracle Flow Manufacturing provides three algorithms described here.
No Level Loading
If you select a scheduling rule that has no level loading, the criteria defined in the scheduling rule is used to prioritize and sequence the orders. Orders are scheduled with capacity considerations beginning with the first available date of the scheduling date range. If the entire quantity of the sales order cannot be satisfied on a date, the remaining quantity is scheduled on subsequent days where capacity is available.
Level Daily Rate
If you choose to schedule for each day using the level daily rate, each item is scheduled at a rate in regard to the demand ratio of the item. The demand ratio of an item equals the total demand of the item divided by the grand total demand.
Mixed Model
This algorithm establishes a pattern to manufacture items in order to meet demand. The pattern distributes units according to the demand of each item for each day.