Batch Operations

Batch operations: initialize, move, split, and merge: are the core actions that advance batches through the production flow, each triggered at a scanning station.

Initialize

Initialize creates a new batch at an initial production step.

• The batches created in a production run have not executed any inventory movements. Initialize will bring these batches into inventory and execute the production step.
• Links consumption demands for the materials required at this step
• Calculates the execution multiplier (batch quantity / step production quantity)
• Scales all consumption quantities by the execution multiplier

This is the entry point: the first operation in any production run.

Move

Move advances a batch from its current production step to the next step in the flow.

• Calculates output quantity (may transform units if the next step uses different units)
• Multiplies the new step's consumptions by the execution multiplier
• Checks inventory availability for each consumption before proceeding

If inventory is insufficient for any consumption, the move operation will flag the shortage.

Split

Split divides one batch into multiple batches, typically to separate quality grades after a particular production step:

• Firsts: good output that continues through production
• Seconds: secondary quality output tracked separately
• Waste: scrap recorded for cost accounting

Each split batch gets its own tracking record with independent quantities. The original batch can be closed after splitting.

Merge

Merge combines multiple batches into one consolidated batch:

• Sums quantities across all source batches
• Creates a single output batch with the combined total
• Supports both single-part merge (batches of the same item) and multi-part merge (batches from different steps converging)

Merge is used when separate production paths converge: for example, combining separately manufactured components into an assembly.

The execution multiplier

The execution multiplier is the key scaling concept across all batch operations:

executionMultiplier = batchQuantity / stepProductionQuantity

If a production step defines consumptions for producing 1 unit, and you initialize a batch of 100 units, the execution multiplier is 100. Every consumption quantity is multiplied by 100 to reflect actual material needs.

This scaling carries through move operations as well, ensuring material demands stay proportional to batch size.

Related

• Batches: the objects these operations act on
• Scanning stations: each station type corresponds to an operation type
• Production steps: define the consumptions and productions that operations execute
• Inventory: operations create inventory issues and receipts

Next: Scanning stations