Skip to content

Step Validate Sub Materials#

Overview#

The Step Validate Sub Materials feature ensures the correct association between parent materials (e.g., panels) and their sub-materials (e.g., boards) during production.

It introduces a controlled validation step during track-out to confirm that the physical materials being processed match the expected structure and sequence.

Concept#

In SMT manufacturing, materials often exist in hierarchical structures (e.g., Work Order, then Panel, then Board). Ensuring that these relationships are preserved during execution is critical for traceability, quality assurance and process integrity.

This feature enforces validation by requiring operators to scan materials during track-out and verify that:

  • The correct materials are present
  • The structure (parent-child relationship) is respected
  • The expected quantity and sequence are fulfilled

The validation process ensures that:

  • Materials belong to the correct hierarchy
  • No duplicates or mismatches occur
  • All required sub-materials are accounted for

This feature is especially relevant in scenarios where manual labeling is performed by operators.
In such cases, it provides a controlled validation step to ensure that the applied labels correctly reflect the material structure and sequencing before the material progresses in the flow.

Functional Behavior#

Preconditions#

  • Materials must have sub-materials
  • The material must not be the topmost level

  • Step.TrackStateDepthLevel > 0

  • Only levels defined in the Expand Material Context are validated

System Configuration#

To enable this feature:

  • /SMT/ValidateSubMaterials/IsEnabled

    • Type: Boolean
    • Required: Yes

  • /SMT/ValidateSubMaterials/StepTypeTrigger

    • Defines the step type where validation is enforced

  • /SMT/ValidateSubMaterials/IsEnabled/ = True

    • Enables the validate wizard at Track Out

System Actions#

During track-out:

  • A validation step is automatically introduced
  • The operator must scan materials to confirm their structure

The system validates:

  • Material Form

    • Ensures the correct type (e.g., panel vs board)

  • Hierarchy

    • Ensures scanned materials belong to the expected parent

  • Uniqueness

    • Prevents duplicate scans

  • Quantity

    • Ensures all required materials are scanned
    • Prevents over- or under-scanning

Feedback to Operator#

During validation:

  • Green indicator: valid scan
  • Red indicator: invalid scan

Track-out is only allowed when:

  • All required materials are successfully validated

Key Capabilities#

  • Enforces correct material hierarchy
  • Prevents traceability errors
  • Ensures completeness and consistency
  • Guides operators through validation via real-time feedback

You can find more detailed information in the Step Validate Sub-Materials tutorial.