Process Batch

Definition
The process batch is a batch that you create for the production order so that you can document the properties of a material during the production process (for example, after the individual process steps). It also establishes a connection between the input batch and goods receipt batch.

Use
In production, you can use the process batch not just to document the progress made in production on a quantity basis (confirmations) but also to record the current properties of the material that is to be produced.In addition, the process batch ensures end-to-end batch tracking, because with this function, the system can automatically record n:m relationships between input and goods receipt batches.As a rule, no stock exists for a process batch. However, the process batch may have stock for a short time if you want to remove the relevant material from stock temporarily during the production process (see Prerequisites for Process Batch Management in the Settings in the Material Master section).

Example
Two bales of green fabric are to be produced with production order 1000185. Production consists of three operations: weaving, dyeing, and cutting. After each operation, the current properties of the fabric are documented in process batches: 1. In operation 10, one bale of undyed fabric is produced. Its properties (length, width, and color) are recorded in process batch (PB) 185_01. 2. In operation 20, this bale of fabric is dyed green. The new properties of the bale are documented in process batch 185_02. (You can also record the new properties in process batch 185_01.) 3. In operation 30, the bale of fabric is split into two bales of 100 m. The process batch 185_02 is therefore split into two process batches: 185_03_1 and 185_03_2. The properties of the final product are recorded in these two process batches. The following graphic illustrates the production order with its operations and the process batches that were generated for the individual operations: Example: Operations in a production order with the related process batches

Process Flow for Confirmation Using Process Batches

Creating Process Batches

USE
There are a number of ways of creating process batches: With reference to an input batch With reference to an order item Without reference Depending on which method you choose, you can copy characteristic values from the input batch or the order item to the process batch.

CREATE WITH REFERENCE TO AN INPUT BATCH

You create a process batch with reference to an input batch when you want to copy the classification of the input batch (component batch) to the process batch. You may want to do this, for example, if you want to map the components of the production order as process batches. The system uses the batch class of the header material of the production order or the original batch reference material as the class for the process batch. In addition, the system copies the values of the characteristics that have the same name in the class of the input batch and the class of the process batch.

Before you can create a process batch with reference to an input batch, you must assign the relevant input batch to the component in question. Proceed as follows to create a process batch with reference to an input batch: 1. In the Goods Issue area, select the component of the input batch for which you want to create a process batch. 2. Choose the pushbutton PB.

The system takes you to the characteristic valuation screen. The system has copied the characteristics of the same name from the input batch to the process batch.

Configuration Required:
Activate the flag for 'Original Batch Reference Material'

Logistics - General -> Material Master -> Basic Settings -> Make Global Settings

Define confirmation profile

In Customizing for Shop Floor Control, choose Operations Confirmation Single Screen Entry Define Single Screen Entry to define a confirmation profile that includes at least the following detail areas: Mill: PB Mask SAP recommends that you select Process Batches as the pushbutton text. Note that the Process batch area must be the highest-level detail area. Mill: GI Mask SAP recommends that you select Goods Issues as the pushbutton text. Mill: GR Mask SAP recommends that you select Goods Receipts as the pushbutton text.

If you include the Goods Issue and/or Goods Receipt detail areas in your confirmation profile, the system hides the Goods movements pushbutton in the confirmation transaction, ass you post the goods movements for the production order in the selected detail areas.

If you work with process batches, and still want to enter quantities or activities for the operation, you must include the relevant additional detail areas in your confirmation profile, for example,: Quantities: Yield/Scrap/Rework/Cause (0200) SAP recommends that you select Operation Quantity as the pushbutton text. Activities: Activity 1 Activity 6 (0300) SAP recommends that you select Act./ Oper. as the pushbutton text. If you work with process batches in the confirmation transaction, you should not allow automatic proposals for quantities and confirmations. You make this setting in your confirmation profile. If you do allow this in your confirmation profile, the system automatically suppresses these proposals if, in the confirmation transaction, you call an order that has a header material that allows process batch management.

So that the system can use this confirmation profile in the time ticket/confirmation transaction, you must either define this confirmation profile as the standard profile or assign it to the users with the help of user parameterCORUPROF.

Permit goods receipt for order item

If you want to post goods receipts via the time ticket transaction, you must permit goods receipts for the order item in Customizing for Production by choosing Shop Floor Control Master Data Order Define Additional Settings for Production Orders. To do so, set the GR allowed for order item indicator.

Define copying rules

In Customizing for Batch Management, choose Batch Valuation Valuation for Goods Movements in Inventory Management Activate Batch Classification for Goods Movements in IM to define copying rules for characteristic values. Using these copying rules, you define how characteristic values are copied to a goods receipt batch. For further information, see Copying Rules for Characteristic Values.

1.1.1 MATERIAL MASTER SETTINGS

You must make the following settings in the material master of a particular material so that you can create process batches for that material: The Batch requirement indicator must be selected. Process batch management must be permitted via the field OB management. If you need to be able to temporarily place the material in storage in the production process, you must enter a material, which is not MRP-relevant and which is managed in stock, as the original batch reference materialin the field OB ref.material.

You can make the settings for batch management and OB management on the General Plant Data/Storage andWork Scheduling views of the material master.

These settings can be relevant for the following materials: Header material of the production order Materials of the co-product item Original batch reference material of the header item Original batch reference material of the materials in the co-product items You can only create process batches for a production order if the settings described have been made for the header material of the production order or its original batch reference material.

Execution: