Racking and Unracking

    Racking and Unracking


    Article summary

    Racking

    Parts in a job shop are often put on racks. There are multiple features in Steelhead to imitate and record this step in the best way possible.

    Racking Setup

    For racking to be performed and work as expected, a racking process node must first be created in a process.

    There are several places that racking can be performed:

    • Racking page
      • Found in the top right corner of the main page in the Racks tile ("Racking" hyperlink)
      • Displays all parts that can be racked, no matter the similarity
    • Workboards
      • Open Work Parts or Work Racks when parts are in a racking node
      • Displays all parts that can be racked together
    • Work Orders
      • "SHOW DETAILS" on parts of a work order
      • Displays all parts that can be racked together
    • Received Orders
      • If racking is the first step of the process, after saving parts to the received order, a page will open that gives the ability to rack the parts immediately

    In the above locations where racking can be performed, there are three sections displayed and many buttons with different functions:

    Parts Ready to Rack

    This section lists the part numbers that are ready to be racked. Which parts are displayed in the table is dependent on where in Steelhead the racking is being performed. Nevertheless, the table has the following columns:

    Screenshot 2024-01-24 at 11.31.39 AM.png

    There are multiple buttons in this section with different funtions:

    "SELECT ALL"
    With one part number selected, clicking this will select all other similar part numbers (highlighted green and all have the same future process nodes).

    "UNSELECT ALL"
    Will deselect all currently selected part numbers.

    "RACK SELECTED PARTS"
    Will direct you to a popup to fill out a few fields:

    • Rack - select which rack the selected parts are being put on
    • Part Count - enter the count for each part number that is being racked
    • % of Rack - enter the percent of space on the rack that the part takes up
    • Timers editor - can change time segments for time user(s) spent on racking the parts if timers are present
      • Can be done through "EDIT TIME SEGMENTS" button or Hours and Minutes fields to the right of the user

    Screenshot 2024-01-24 at 12.15.37 PM.png

    When to Use Percent of Rack

    Percent of Rack refers to the amount of space on a rack that a part takes up. This makes job costing more accurate. The amount of time spent on the rack gets distributed based on the percentages. Example: There are 90 small parts that take up 25% of the rack and 10 large parts that take up the 75%. The amount of time spent on parts could either be distributed by -

    • Percent of Rack - 25% (small parts) and 75% (large parts)
    • Amount of Parts - 90% (small parts) and 10% (large parts)

    In this case, distributing by amount of parts would be highly inaccurate, and using % of Rack would be advised.

    "RACK TO MULTIPLE"
    Will direct you to a popup that will allow you to choose to rack by Part Quantity or Rack Quantity.

    • "PART QTY" - the following fields will display:
      • Unit
      • Parts to Rack (in unit chosen above)
      • Rack Types (used to filter the racks to be selected below)
      • Parts Remaining to be Racked (this will update as part counts are added to racks)
      • Racks (select racks and the part counts for each)
    • "RACK QTY" - the following fields will display:
      • Unit
      • Rack Count to Use (the number entered will add that amount of racks down below)
      • Rack Types (used to filter the racks to be selected below)
      • Parts Remaining (this will update as part counts are added to racks)
      • Racks (select racks and the part counts for each

    Screenshot 2024-01-24 at 11.52.19 AM.png

    There are a few other buttons displayed on this popup:

    • "ADD RACK" (above Racks table) - Adds another rack column to the Racks table where a rack can be selected and a count can be entered
    • "REMOVE EMPTY RACKS" (above Racks table) - Deletes any columns that either have no rack selected, or a rack selected but no part count
    • Trash icon (in Actions column on Racks table) - Removes the row from the table
    • Red check icon (in Actions column on Racks table) - Sets the count as the default parts per rack cpacity for the rack type and the icon will turn green
    • Restore arrow icon (in Actions column on Racks table) - Will set the count back to the rack type default capacity

    Racks Ready to be Assembled

    This section shows current racks with parts on them and allows them to be assembled onto other racks (super racks). View and select the racks to "assemble."

    The table has the following columns:

    There is only one button displayed in this section:

    "ASSEMBLE SELECTED RACKS" - a popup that allows you to assemble the racks you selected

    • Select the super rack to be assembled to
    • View the parts on each rack
    • A dropdown menu to select the part limiting capacity
    • An entry field to specify the percent of space on the rack that the sub rack takes up

    Screenshot 2024-01-30 at 2.28.45 PM.png

    Part Limiting Capacity

    If there is more than one part number on a sub rack, there is the option to choose which one limits the capacity. It is advised to choose the part that is most limiting to the rack capacity.

    Racks Ready to Move

    This section shows current racks with parts on them and allows you to move the racks to the next step of the process. It also allows you to remove parts from racks and remove racks from super racks.

    Screenshot 2024-02-07 at 3.48.18 PM.png

    There are four main buttons in this section:

    "UNRACK MULTIPLE PARTS" - a popup menu that allows you to unrack many parts at once

    • Available Racks section displays all racks and the parts on them

      • Select the parts to unrack in the Actions column or use the "SELECT ALL" button
      • Use the arrow button to unrack the particular parts or use the "MOVE SELECTED" button
      • Option to change the Units of the parts
    • Unrack Racks section displays the Racks and Part Numbers to be unracked

      • Select any parts to not unrack in the Actions column or use the "SELECT ALL" button
      • Use the arrow button to NOT unrack the particular parts or use the "MOVE SELECTED" button
      • Option to change the quantity of parts to unrack
      • Option to change the Units of the parts
    • Click the "SAVE" button to apply any changes

    Feb-07-2024 16-03-45.gif

    "UNRACK PARTS" - a pop up menu that allows you to specify the number of parts on the rack to unrack

    "REMOVE RACKS" - a pop up menu that allows you to disassemble selected racks from the super rack

    "MOVE RACK" - a popup menu that allows you to step or transfer the rack

    • Lists the parts on the rack
    • Choose STEP or TRANSFER
    • Shows or allows selection for the node the rack is being moved to
    • Shows and allows changing of station the rack is moving to

    Unracking

    Parts in a job shop are often taken off of racks. To keep track of this, there are multiple features in Steelhead to imitate this process and keep track of it in the best way possible. Parts must be racked before they are unracked.

    Unracking Setup

    For unracking to be performed and work as expected, an unracking process node must first be created in a process.

    There are several places that unracking can be performed:

    • Unracking page
      • Found in the top right corner of the main page in the Racks tile ("Unracking" hyperlink)
      • Displays all parts on racks
    • Workboards
      • Open Work Racks when rack is at an unracking node
      • Displays the parts on the particular rack
    • Work Orders
      • "SHOW DETAILS" on parts on a work order
      • Displays the specific parts on racks

    Parts Ready to Unrack

    This section lists the racks ready to be unracked. Which parts are displayed in the table is dependent on where in Steelhead the unracking is being performed. Nevertheless, the table has the following columns:

    • Rack profile image
    • Rack name
    • Parts and Work Orders
    • Actions

    There are multiple buttons in this section:

    "UNRACK MULTIPLE" - works the same as the "UNRACK MULTIPLE PARTS" button found in the Racks Ready to Move section
    "REMOVE RACKS" - a pop up menu that allows you to disassemble selected racks from the super rack (also found in the Racks Ready to Move section)
    "UNRACK PARTS" - a pop up menu that allows you to specify the number of parts on the rack to unrack (also found in the Racks Ready to Move section)
    "STRIP RACK + STEP PARTS" - a pop up menu that allows you to strip the super rack and move the parts

    • View the Racks to be Disassembled, the Parts, and the To Node the parts will be moved to
    • Click "SAVE" to perform the action
      "UNRACK + STEP PARTS" - a pop up menu that allows you to unrack the parts and move them
    • View the Parts to be taken off the rack and the To Node that the part will be moved to
    • Click "SAVE" to perform the action

    Screenshot 2024-02-08 at 8.41.15 AM.png


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