Show TOC

 Rules Locate this document in the navigation structure

Rules are defined to deal with exceptional cases so as to achieve realistic standard values. For example, you need rules if the turning speed calculated in a sub-calculation in the method cannot be adhered to because of the machine-specific speed sequence. In this case, it must be determined whether the next largest or next smallest value should be used for further calculations.

You can maintain the following rules for determining values.:

  • Validation rule

  • Search rule

  • Conversion rule

Validation rule

The validation rule checks whether a specific value range is adhered to with respect to a characteristic.

Example Example

If the drill depth must not exceed 50 mm, then the value of the characteristic must be <= 50 mm.

End of the example.

Search rule

A search rule determines how a general table or a table for a work center is to be read.This rule refers to the key fields in the table .

For every characteristic that was generated for the key fields in the table, you can enter a search rule in the method.

The following processing indicators are valid when accessing tables to select the generated characteristics:

  • >= or "GE" the next largest value is selected

  • <= or "LE" the next smallest value is selected

  • = or "EQ" only the exact value is selected

Example Example

If the cutting speed depends on the key fields "basic material", "cutting depth" and "feed" and if the cutting depth entered or calculated does not appear in the table, then you must use the search rule to specify whether the system is to take the next largest or next smallest value.

End of the example.

For example, if the key fields "work center", "plant" or "material" are involved or if you have not maintained a search rule for another key field, then the system automatically searches for the exact value. If no value is found on a later calculation then this is noted in the log.

Conversion rule

A conversion rule indicates which value is to be taken from a table. This rule refers to the function section of matrix tables . For example, if the calculated turning speed does not exist in a speed sequence then you must specify whether the next smallest or the next largest speed is to be used for the rest of the calculation.

Database rule

A database rule relates to database tables. By accessing database tables you can use fields from master data to determine characteristics. The database rule determines whether the data used to calculate the characteristic is taken from the database table of the material to be planned (end product) or whether it is taken from the database table of the material component required.

The database rule is required for the origins Material master and BOM . The system sets it automatically depending on the menu entry selected.