About Operation Position

An operation position is defined by resource selection. You can adjust the position using the Robot manipulator. You can then use it in simulation to see product positioning.

This capability is especially useful in systems simulation to ensure that placement of parts is correct during manufacturing.

To define an operation position, the operation must be realized by at least one resource. The position is defined relative to the root of the product.

The ability to position a group of operations relative to the "scoped resource" gives more flexibility for the user. The scoped resource is the resource with a scope link to the system.

Resource types are as follows:

Area or Manufacturing Cell (that is, an organizational resource)
Robot, Worker, Transport, Conveyor, NC Machine, Industrial Machine, Inspect, Control Equipment, or Logic Controller (that is, a working resource)
Tool Equipment, Storage, Sensor, Manufacturing Product, or User Defined Resource (that is, a nonworking resource).

Resource categories are as follows:

Organizational, Working, or Non-working (for resources that are not assigned to any operation)
Localization, Executing or Used (for resources that are assigned to operations).

This page discusses:

Operation Position by Copy from One Operation to Another
Operation Position for a Group of Operations
Operation Position Relative to the Scoped Resource
Operation Position Removal

Operation Position by Copy from One Operation to Another

You can copy an operation position relative to the same resource type or category, or relative to the scope. A resource used in the definition of an operation position is called a "positioning resource".

If the copied operation is based on a given resource, by default all operations realized by that resource are eligible for copy.

In the Copy Position dialog box:

Extend to Type means that all operations realized by a resource of the same type as the positioning resource are eligible for copy. In this case, the position is relative to each resource separately.
Extend to Category means that all operations realized by a resource of the same category as the positioning resource are eligible for copy. In this case, the position is relative to each resource separately.

When a position is copied with respect to another resource, the position is relative. For example, if the position of the copied operation is "in front of" the worker, all operations have a position "in front of" the worker whoever the worker may be.

Copy Relative to Same Resource

If an Operation A has a position defined relative to a Resource A, you can copy this position and apply it to any operation realized by Resource A.

All the possible operations are proposed for multiselection.

If Operation A has a position, copying defines a position for compatible selected operations.

Only an operation with the same scope can be candidate for the copy, since all operations must be realized by the same resource.

In the figure below, if Operation Ap is selected for a copy relative to same resource, Operations B and Dp are candidates for the copy of position defined on Operation Ap, since they are realized by Station.1. Station.1 defines the position on Operation Ap. For this copy, the positions refer to Station.1.

Then if Operation Dp is selected for copy, the previous position defined on Dp is overwritten by the copied position.

If Operation Dp is selected for a copy relative to same resource, Operations B and C are candidates for the copy of position defined on Operation Dp since they are realized by resource Key. Key defines the position on Operation Dp. For this copy, the positions refer to Key.

Note: The copied position in "same resource" mode results in an identical position of the root product to produce for each operation selected.

Copy Relative to Same Resource Type

If an Operation A has a position defined relative to a Resource A, you can copy this position and apply it to any operation realized by a resource of the same type (such as Robot or Worker).

All the possible operations are proposed for multiselection.

Any operation with no relationship with the scope can be candidate for copy, since all operations are not to be realized by the same resource (only the type is considered).

Copy Relative to the Same Resource Category

If an Operation A has a position defined relative to a Resource A, you can copy this position and apply it to any operation realized by a resource of the same category (such as Executing or Used).

All the possible operations are proposed for multiselection.

Any operation with no relationship with the scope can be candidate for the copy, since all operations are not to be realized by the same resource (only the category is considered).

Copy Position and Working Resources

The Copy Position command displays all working resources in the Copy Position dialog box, although only one is to be selected.

In the case of extending the working resources, a selector in the New Positioning Resource column of the dialog box lets you choose the working resource used for positioning.

There are two cases:

When an extend mode is selected, the copied position copied refers to a working resource. All operations assigned to this working resource are candidates for the position copy.
Note: The Current Positioning Resource column indicates the resources for operations that already have a position.
When you select an extend mode, more resources are available for the position copy. A Select a resource selector is displayed to indicate that an indetermination must be resolved.
For example, if two operations are both assigned to two working resources, you must select which one is the positioning resource.
The Extend to category: Executing case could give more choices (for example, if robots or conveyors are also available). For multiselection, select the rows by pressing Ctrl + clicking OK.

Operation Position for a Group of Operations

You can define a single operation position related to a single resource that is shared by a group of compatible operations.

If you start the Operation Position > Define Position contextual command on several selected operations, the list of compatible operations is given. The listed operations must have a common resource or must share the same scope.

Then a single common position for all operations is defined. This single position is related to a single resource shared by all the operations. This resource could be the scoped resource.

The position used for the entire group is based on the first compatible operation of the group. If an incompatible operation is selected, it is ignored.

Operation Position Relative to the Scoped Resource

You can define a single operation position relative to the scoped resource.

In the case where all operations are directly under an organizational scoped resource, the organizational resource cannot be assigned to operations.

Since the organizational scoped resource groups the operations, the operation position should be defined relative to this resource.

In the Operation Position > Define Position contextual command, the list of possible resources for the operation position includes a scoped resource. The scoped resource is found first from the localization resource.

If the operation is not realized by an organizational resource (for example, if it has no localization resource), the scoped resource is found from the executing resource.

If the operation is not realized by an organizational or working resource (for example, it has no localization resource and no executing resource), the scoped resource is found from one of the used resources (since they share the same scope).

The scope is restricted to the lower scope linking the system above the operation. If selected operations are linked to several scopes, there is no common scoped resource and it is impossible to define an operation position.

Note: An eligible operation must be realized by at least one resource. It is impossible to position relative to the scoped resource an operation with no resource assigned.

Operation Position Removal

You can use the Operation Position > Remove Position contextual command to remove an operation position.