Batch

Batch

The following definition of processes is adopted from the ANSI/ISA-S88 standard:

A batch is:

  1. The material that is being produced or that has been produced by a single execution of a batch process
  2. An entity that represents the production of a material at any point in the process.

NOTE: Batch means both the material made by and during the process and also an entity that represents the production of that material. Batch is used as an abstract contraction of the words "the production of a batch"

In Apis Click & Trace the second S88 interpretation of the term batch is similar to the concept process unit run in Apis Click&Trace.

The tracker batch concept

In the tracker the Batch concept refers to a collection of materials that is produced in a process unit in a specific time range. Material is related to a batch with the use of process unit runs, and the batch membership is provided by a common identifier for all the material that belongs to the same batch. In order to register batch memberships the following actions must be performed:

  1. Create a process unit run in the tracker process unit that allocate the batch membership.
  2. Connect at batch to the run
    1. Use the web control "BatchRunTransaction" with the connect operation or
    2. Insert a valid BatchID to the batch id control port of the tracker process unit. 
  3. Insert material into the tracker process unit.

All material that enter the tracker process unit when a batch is connected to the process unit run will be connected to the batch by a common Identifier. (all material will have the same IdentValueID)

To end the batch the following actions can be performed:

  1. Use the BatchRunTransaction web control and the disconnect transaction or
  2. Stop the process unit run, either by use of the tracker process unit control ports or by the use of a web control.

The BatchRunTranasction web control

Since the use of batches requires the use of a web control, the basis operations of the BatchRunTransaction web control are described here.

Connect

This operation will relate a registered batch to a created or active process unit run. It is not allowed to connect several batches to the same run.

  1. A new IdentValue will be created, and the value will be the same as the batch name.
  2. A new row will be inserted in the BatchRunMembership table. This row will include the IdentValueID from the point 1.
  3. A "batch object" will be created in the tracker application. This object will provide for that every material that enters the tracker process unit will be member of the batch.

Disconnect

This operation will stop the functionality that allocates batch membership to the incoming material in the tracker process unit and mark the registration of batch material as finished.

  1. The BatchRunMembership table is updated with an EndTime.
  2. The "batch object" in the tracker application will be removed.

RemoveMaterialReferences

This operation will do the same as the Disconnect operation and in addition remove all TrackingMaterialIdentValue rows with the corresponding IdentValueID.

  1. An ordinary Disconnect operation will be performed.
  2. The quality code of the corresponding row in the BatchRunMembership table is set to invalid.
  3. Remove all TrackingMaterialIdentValue rows with the corresponding IdentValueID.

RollbackMaterial

This operation will do the same as the RemoveMaterialReferences operation and in addition regenerate all the membership material to the tracker process unit before the tracker process unit that allocated the batch membership.

  1. An ordinary RemoveMaterialReferences operation will be performed.
  2. Regenerate all the membership material to the tracker process unit before the tracker process unit that allocated the batch membership.