Define Alternate Parts per Position

Explanation

This activity is used to define the alternates that can be used in a given structure position in the template structure.

The list of position alternates will include all parts that are valid for each structure position, including the prime part. Each part in the list will be a valid engineering part revision. The serialized part definition must be the same for the prime part and alternates. Meaning, if the prime part is a serialized part, the alternate must be a serialized part, and if the prime part is a non-serialized part, the alternate must be a non-serialized part.

Position alternates can be defined for structure positions at the lowest level of a template or for structure branches that are controlled by a separate template (position TEMPLATE). It will be possible to define the relationship between the prime part and its alternates, and the relationship between the different alternates (if those parts are installed). Each alternate will by default be linked to the existing template, if any, for that specific part number and revision.

Each position alternate is defined by:

  1. The installed part number and revision.
  2. The alternate part number and revision.
  3. An interchangeability code telling which interchangeability rule that applies.

If access control is established, the defined alternate part in a template structure, will receive access from the template part level on which the alternate part and its structure is created.When an alternate part and its structure are removed, the access to the alternate will be removed provided that the position alternate does not exist elsewhere in the structure as a prime or alternate part.

Alternatively, if the access is distributed to a template part after the alternate and belonging structure is defined, the alternate part and its structure will be updated with the distributed access groups.

If transfer alternates to manufacturing is enabled (RUN_IN_BATCH) when defining position alternates for template structure entries that will be used in a Complex Assembly MRO flow, introduced alternates will be transferred to manufacturing through a background job. Once the background job is executed, the temporary transfer table will be updated. For more information, view the online help file, Verify or Adjust Default Object Properties.

To define an alternate for a selected structure position within a template structure, open the Manage Template Structure page and search for the part at the lowest level of the template structure for which you want to register a position alternate. Then click the Position Alternates tab and create a new record.

Note: If you select the Qualified Interchangeable interchangeability code, it is recommended to enter a value in the Approval Template field.

Prerequisites

System Effects

Interchangeability Rule Description
One Way Interchangeable An alternate will automatically be created that is Not Fully Interchangeable in Alternate Parts tab in Part page and in Alternate Part Revisions tab in Engineering Part Revision page.
Two Way Interchangeable Will result in a Fully Interchangeable alternate in Alternate Parts tab in Part page and in Alternate Part Revisions tab in Engineering Part Revision page.
Not Interchangeable Nothing will be created in Alternate Parts tab in Part page and in Alternate Part Revisions tab in Engineering Part Revision page.
Interchangeable as a Set Same as One Way Interchangeable.
Qualified Interchangeable Same as Two Way Interchangeable, but the alternate must be approved before the structure can be set to status Operational. For more information refer to the activity Approve or Reject Structure Change.