You can use this function to insert sort buffers in the line hierarchy. Sort buffers are buffers, in which the sequence of planned orders may change. By inserting sort buffers in the line hierarchy, you split the production line up into buffered sections. You can then enter a processing profile for each buffered section, which Sequencing uses to determine the sequence of planned orders in scheduling.

The buffered sections also give you additional display options in Sequencing and in the planning table.

You must have created a line segment to be defined as a sort buffer. The line segment must lie on the first level of the hierarchy directly below the line hierarchy header, between two other line segments. You can also define the first line segment of the line hierarchy as a sort buffer. However, such a sort buffer does not have any function.

• You can define line segments in the first hierarchy level as planning visualization segments. The system then displays a separate row per visualization segment in Sequencing and in the planning table.
• If, instead of scheduling based on takts, you use lead time scheduling in conjunction with the capacity planning table, you can define the line segments, to which you have assigned operations from the routing, as visualization segments. The system then displays the capacity load utilization resulting from the operations in a separate row per capacity segment in the planning table.
• If you use Sequencing, you can insert a planning segment in the first level of the hierarchy. The planning segment is the basis of scheduling in Sequencing. The production start and finish dates in the planning table always refer to the first and last takt in the planning segment.

Select a line segment in the hierarchy level directly underneath the line hierarchy header, and then the menu path Line segment ® Buffer ® Sort buffer ® Define.

The system classifies the line segment as a sort buffer and displays it in color.