Creating Time Constraint Links Between Operations

You can create time constraint links to specify synchronization or precedence constraints between operations.

When you create time constraints between parent objects, the start times and end times of the child objects are automatically updated.

Time constraints are displayed in the Process Gantt as arrows connecting operations.

Time constraints are also displayed in the System Editor. You can change the color of the arrows in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > System Grid Editor > Display.

Dropping an operation or a system and its children from one system to another keeps external time constraints (outside the System structure) if the Keep Time Constraints option in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > System/Operation Management > Drag and Drop Operation in System Structure is selected.

This task shows you how to:

Create a Precedence Link
Create a Start-Start Link
Create an End-End Link
Create an End-Start Link
Delete a Time Constraint Link

Before you begin: Select a system and open the Process Gantt

Tip: You can access the commands described below by pressing Ctrl + dragging an operation to another in the Process Gantt. Without the Ctrl key, a product flow is created instead. For more information, see About Product Flows.

Create a Precedence Link

You can create a precedence link to specify a precedence constraint between two operations in the same system.

From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Create Precedence Link .
Select two operations in the following order:
1. Select the operation that must be completed first.
2. Select the operation that must start once the first operation is completed.

The precedence link is created:

In the Process Gantt
In the System Editor

Tip: If arrows do not appear in the System Editor:

From the Tools section of the action bar, click App Options .
In the App Options panel, select Display Time Constraints , then click Refresh System Editor .

Create a Start-Start Link

You can create a start-start link to specify a synchronized start between two operations in the same system.

From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Create Start-Start Link .
Select two operations that must be launched at the same time.
Optional: Specify a delay. Right-click the arrow to open the context menu and click Constraint Properties .

Note: To edit the delay, double-click the arrow in the Process Gantt.

The start-start link is created:

In the Process Gantt
In the System Editor

Tip: If arrows do not appear in the System Editor:

From the Tools section of the action bar, click App Options .
In the App Options panel, select Display Time Constraints , then click Refresh System Editor .

Create an End-End Link

You can create an end-end link to specify a synchronized end between two operations in the same system.

From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Create End-End Link .
Select two operations that must end at the same time.
Optional: Specify a delay. Right-click the arrow to open the context menu and click Constraint Properties .

Note: To edit the delay, double-click the arrow in the Process Gantt.

The end-end link is created:

In the Process Gantt
In the System Editor

Tip: If arrows do not appear in the System Editor:

From the Tools section of the action bar, click App Options .
In the App Options panel, select Display Time Constraints , then click Refresh System Editor .

Create an End-Start Link

You can create an end-start link between two operations of the same system. The link specifies that the first operation must end at the same time that the second one starts.

From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Create End-Start Link .
Select two operations in the order of the following constraint:
The first operation must end at the same time that the second one starts.
Optional: In the Set Delay dialog box, enter a fixed delay between the end of the first operation and the start of the second one, then click OK.

Note: To edit the delay, double-click the arrow in the Process Gantt or right-click the arrow and click Constraint Properties .

The end-start link is created:

In the Process Gantt
In the System Editor

Tips:

If arrows do not appear in the System Editor:
1. From the Tools section of the action bar, click App Options .
2. In the App Options panel, select Display Time Constraints , then click Refresh System Editor .

Delete a Time Constraint Link

You can delete a time constraint link between two operations in the same system.

In the Manufacturing System Gantt, right-click the arrow representing the link.
Select Delete Constraint .

The link is deleted from the Process Gantt and the System Editor.

Tip: Alternatively, select the arrow representing the link in the System Editor, then press the Delete key.