Container Resource
A container resource is a resource in which a product can be stored; it can be a multiresource or multimixed resource with storage characteristics. Such a resource is limited not only by time but also by capacity (defined in terms of volume, weight, or other parameters).
A container resource is considered occupied only when it contains a product; downtimes are not considered. This means that upstream or downstream operations, rather than the direct operation (filling, emptying) of the resource itself, determine how long the resource is used. Capacity is consumed even without executing a production order or planned order.
Note
The container resource is not characterized by a separate resource type. Instead, it is a resource with additional storage characteristics (container resource).
A container resource is used in production for intermediate storage of different products. You can also control whether it stores only one product or multiple products at a time. Several activities may fill or empty products. From the point of view of planning, the container is a resource that is occupied for a certain period of time with a defined product quantity. Along with production capacity, the container resource also has storage capacity.
The container characteristics are defined using the fill level description. The fill level is characterized by the minimum production quantity, the maximum stock level and the remaining quantity allowed.
Note
A container resource has a time dimension and a capacity dimension. The capacity dimension is not the fill level. The units and values allow you to distinguish between them.
Structure
The container resource is defined as follows:
Storage Characteristic Indicator
The Storage Characteristic
indicator is set for a multiactivity or multimixed resource on the General Data
tab in resource maintenance. If you set the indicator, you can assign the following fill level descriptions to the resource:
Maximum stock level
The maximum stock level defines the maximum quantity of the product that can be stored in the container.
Minimum production quantity
The minimum production quantity defines the minimum quantity of the product that must be stored in a container. The minimum production quantity is only used if the container resource is used for production.
Example: You want to carry out a reaction in a container resource. For a complete conversion, the products used must be stirred. In order for the mixer blade to be located within the product mixture, the container must be filled with the minimum production quantity.
Remaining quantity allowed
The remaining quantity allowed defines the maximum quantity of a product that can be stored in the container when a product is to be filled.
Example: You want to display a container, which always has to be completely emptied before a new product can be filled in it again. In this case, you must set the remaining quantity allowed to zero.
Allow Multiple Products
This setting indicates whether storage of multiple products is allowed in the storage resource.
Set Remaining Fill Level to Zero
This indicator controls the calculation and display of the fill level for the container resource. The decisive factor is whether or not the principle of product purity is to be followed. Product purity means that a container must not contain a mixture of different products.
Integration
Fill Level
The material quantity in the container resource can be visually represented in the DS Planning Board. To do this, the profile of the DS Planning Board must be adjusted accordingly.
Product Flow
The product flow is assigned in the production process model (PPM). It describes whether a product is removed from or filled into a container resource using an activity, as well as the time this occurs. The product flow is an additional dimension of a container resource. You can also define it through the product storage definition in the PPM and PDS; for more information, see Implementing Product Flow for PDS and PPM.
Example
The following examples show the storage and assignments of container resources that are used in different ways:
Example 1
A container resource is first used for production, and then the product is filled from the resource at different times or all at once.
Example 2
A container resource is used for intermediate storage. The product is filled into or emptied from the container resource at different times. The container must not be completely emptied before being filled with another product.
