---
pdfexport: true
module: Electronics
timetoread: True
tutorial: deepdive
alias: tutorials-packing-process
glightbox: True
---

# Tutorial: Packing Process

## Objective

Learn how to execute the full packing process, including creating containers, adding/removing materials, and finalizing containers for storage or shipment.

---

## Step 0: Validate Preconditions

Before starting the packing process, ensure:

- Feature is enabled:
    - `/SMT/MaterialPacking/IsEnabled = True`

- The packing step has:
    - `IsPacking = True`

- Container product is configured with:
    - `IsPackingContainer = True`

- Materials to be packed:
    - Have a valid Flow Path
    - Are compatible (same product/context where required)

---

## Step 1: Configure Packing Smart Tables

### 1.1 Configure Packing Context

- Navigate to **Administration > Tables > Smart Tables**
- Open:
    - `SMTMaterialPackingContext`

- Define:
    - Product to be packed (e.g., Board)
    - Container Product (e.g., Packing Box)

![](images/index/st_packingcontext.png)

> This defines allowed packing relationships (e.g., Board, then Box, then Pallet)

---

### 1.2 Configure Name Generation

- Open:
    - `SMTMaterialNameGenerationContext`

- Configure:
    - Step = Packing Step
    - Form = PackingContainer
    - Name Generator

![](images/index/st_namegeneratorcontext.png)

---

### 1.3 Configure Labels (Optional)

- Open:
    - `SMTMaterialPrintableDocumentContext`

- Configure labels for:
    - Open Container
    - Add Items
    - Close Container

![](images/index/st_printable.png)

---

## Step 2: Open Packing Container

- Navigate to **Resource View**
- Locate the material(s) to be packed and click **Open Container**

![](images/open/clickopencontainer.png)

- Confirm the operation in the wizard

![](images/open/openwizard.png)

---

### Result

- A **Packing Container Material** is created
- Container state = **Open**
- Container is ready to receive materials

---

## Step 3: Add Items to Container

- In **Resource View**, select the Packing Container and click **Add Items**

![](images/additems/clickadditemstopackingcontainer.png)

- In the wizard select or scan materials to add and confirm

![](images/additems/additemstopackingcontainerwizard.png)

---

### Result

- Materials are added to the container
- Labels may be generated (if configured)
- Container contents are updated

---

## Step 4 (Optional): Remove Items from Container

- Select the Packing Container and click **Remove Items**

![](images/removeitems/packingcontainerremoveitems.png)

- In the wizard select materials to remove and confirm

![](images/removeitems/packingcontainerremoveitemswizard.png)

---

### Result

- Selected materials are removed
- Container may return to **Open** state if previously closed
- Materials are available again for packing

---

## Step 5: Close Packing Container

- Select the Packing Container and click **Close**

![](images/close/packingcontainermorebuttons.png)

- Review container details in the wizard and click **Close Container** or **Close & TrackOut**

![](images/close/packingcontainerclose.png)

---

### Result

- Container state = **Closed**
- No further changes allowed
- Labels are printed (if configured)
- Container is moved to next step automatically when **Close & TrackOut** is selected

---

## Expected Result

- Materials are grouped into packing containers
- Containers reflect correct hierarchy (e.g., Board, then Box, then Pallet)
- Containers are finalized and ready for:
    - Storage
    - Shipment

---

## Frequent Configuration Questions

### Why can't I open a container?

Verify the following:

- The product has the `IsPackingContainer` attribute enabled.
- The packing step is correctly configured.

### Why can't I add materials to a container?

Ensure that the materials are compatible with the container according to the defined rules (for example, product, flow, and other applicable criteria). Also validate the `SMTMaterialPackingContext` configuration.

### Why can't a container be closed?

Check the container state. Only containers in the **Open** state can be closed.

### Why are container labels not being printed?

Validate that the `SMTMaterialPrintableDocumentContext` configuration is correctly set up.

### Why is the container behaving unexpectedly?

Review and confirm the Smart Table configurations associated with the packing process.

### Why did the container become empty?

The system may automatically terminate the container when all packed materials have been removed. This is expected behavior.