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Tutorial: Material Serialization#

Estimated time to read: 3 minutes

Objective#

Learn how to configure and execute material serialization to generate hierarchical materials (e.g., Lot, then Panel, then Board) and ensure full traceability throughout the process.

Step 0: Validate Preconditions#

Before configuring serialization, ensure:

  • Feature is enabled:

    • /SMT/MaterialSerialization/IsEnabled = True

  • The following Smart Tables are configured:

    • SMTMaterialExpandContext
    • SMTMaterialNameGenerationContext
    • SMTMaterialPrintableDocumentContext (optional)

Step 1: Configure Expansion Rules#

  • Navigate to Administration > Tables > Smart Tables and Open SMTMaterialExpandContext.

  • Configure:

    • Step where serialization occurs
    • Parent Form (e.g., Lot)
    • Child Form (e.g., Panel)
    • Sub Child Form (e.g., Board)
    • Expand Operation (Track-In or Track-Out)
    • Expansion Factor(s)
    • External/Internal naming
    • Special Mode (True/False)

This configuration defines when and how materials expand.

Step 2: Configure Naming Rules#

  • Open:

    • SMTMaterialNameGenerationContext

  • Configure:

    • Step
    • Material Form
    • Operation = ExpandMaterial
    • Name Generator
    • Optional validation mask (for scanning/format enforcement)

Step 3: Configure Label Printing (Optional)#

  • Open:

    • SMTMaterialPrintableDocumentContext

  • Configure:

    • Step
    • Material Form
    • Operation
    • Label template
    • Synchronous printing option

Step 4: Choose Serialization Mode#

Option A: Without Special Mode#

  • Is Special Mode = False

Behavior:

  • Expansion occurs across multiple steps

Option B: With Special Mode#

  • Is Special Mode = True

Behavior:

  • Multiple levels (e.g., Panel + Board) are created in a single step

Step 5: Execute Serialization#

  • Start with a parent material (e.g., Lot)

  • Move the material through the configured step

  • Perform the configured operation:

    • Track-In or Track-Out

  • The system automatically generates child materials

Example:

Expected structure:

  • Lot, then Panel, then Board

Expected Result#

  • Materials are expanded based on configured rules
  • Material hierarchy is created automatically
  • Each level (Lot, Panel, Board) is uniquely identified
  • Full traceability is established

Frequent Configuration Questions#

Why are no materials being created?#

Check that the SMTMaterialExpandContext configuration is correctly defined and enabled.

Why are the generated quantities incorrect?#

Validate the following configuration values:

  • Expansion Factor
  • Sub Expansion Factor

Why are there issues with material naming?#

Verify that the Name Generator configuration is correctly set up and associated with the process.

Why is the expansion process not being triggered?#

Verify that the operation is configured to execute at the correct step and event:

  • Track-In
  • Track-Out

Why are labels not being generated?#

Validate that the SMTMaterialPrintableDocumentContext configuration is properly set up.

Why is the generated material hierarchy incorrect?#

Confirm that the Special Mode configuration is correctly defined for the intended expansion scenario.