Object documentationBuilding Blocks

 

A building block is a predefined, independent, and reusable object created in the PLM Web User Interface (Web UI) that can act as a template for recipes, or parts of recipes.

 

To save you having to enter identical data from scratch when creating new recipes, you can create and use building blocks as often as required. To make up a complex process, you can load different categories of building blocks into a recipe and finalize the process afterwards.

Building Block Categories

Building blocks can be created in the following categories:

  • Process

    Process building blocks can contain multiple stages, or even a whole process when there is no need for a separate recipe or intermediate product.

    For example, the preparation of pizza dough that is used as a basis for different frozen pizza products.

  • Stage

    Stage building blocks represent a process step that is always performed in the same way, that is, with the same equipment requirements, process parameters, operations, and actions.

    For example, the baking of the pizza dough.

  • Operation

    Operation building blocks represent a fixed set of specified actions.

    For example, the standard process for the cooling of an oven.

  • Action

    Action building blocks represent the most granular element of a process that can bring equipment requirements into the process.

    For example, when opening the oven door, protective gloves are required.

  • Equipment requirement

    Equipment requirement building blocks define often-required equipment with a specific set of parameters.

    For example, a forklift that can lift five tons that you might need individually or part of an operation as well.

Building Block Types

Building block types can exist within each building block category to distinguish between different areas and ways of use. For example, one type of action building block can be plant-dependent, but you may also need plant-independent ones.

You can distinguish building blocks according to type within a category according to the following attributes:

  • The status scheme used

  • Whether the system writes change documents for building blocks of this type

  • Whether the process building block can contain streams

  • Whether the building block is plant-dependent

You can create building block types in Customizing activity Define Building Block Types, under Start of the navigation path Logistics - General Next navigation step Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Next navigation step PLM Web User Interface Next navigation step Recipe Development Next navigation step Recipe Next navigation step Building Block End of the navigation path.

Caution Caution

Do not create building block types and recipe types with the same identifier.

End of the caution.

Structure

A building block can consist of the following units:

  • Process elements (stages, operations, actions)

  • Process parameters

  • Equipment requirements

Inside a building block, you can specify the following data:

  • Process elements that are below that building block in the hierarchy. For example, within a process building block you can specify stages, operations, actions, and equipment requirements.

  • Classes and characteristics assigned to the building block, and data for the characteristics

    Note Note

    You can only assign one class to one equipment requirement.

    End of the note.

  • Process parameters assigned to the process elements of the building blocks, to describe the process flow in more detail

  • Centrally managed documents assigned to the building block, stored in SAP Document Management. For example, standard operating procedures or plant diagrams.

  • Formula items, with similar capabilities as in recipes. Formula items are transferred when a building block with formula is loaded into a recipe. These formula items have an output specification (final output); however its contents are not transferred when a building block is loaded, as they are not referenced within the recipe that the building block is used in.

  • Language-dependent short and long texts

When a building block is created, the system creates a specification automatically. You can define the attributes for this specification in Customizing activity Define Default Settings for Building Block Categories, under Recipe Development.