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. Also, if automatic transfer of templates parts (object property AUTO_TRANS_ALTERNATE) is turned off when defining position alternates, a manual transfer is required to transfer the new alternates to IFS/Manufacturing. 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

• A template structure must exist.
• Interchangeability codes must be defined. For more information, refer to the activity Define Interchangeability Code.
• If the interchangeability rule Qualified Interchangeable is to be used, an approval template must have been defined in IFS/Document Management. For more information, refer to the activity Create Approval Template.

System Effects

• The alternate position and its structure will receive access rights from the template part of the structure position for which the alternate is created. Furthermore, when an alternate part and its structure are removed from the template structure, the access for the part will be removed, provided that the alternate part does not exist elsewhere in the structure as a part or alternate.
• If the alternate part has serials connected to its structure, the top serials will be updated with the new access and will be spread to the serials below in the structure.
• The serial access for disconnected serials of the given template structure will be updated for the alternate part.
• You can view the access granted to the alternate part and its structure on the Part Access tab in Manage Template Structure page.
• If IFS/Complex Assembly MRO is used, and the structure position for which the alternate is valid is transferred to manufacturing or prepared for transfer, the alternate will be included automatically in the temporary transfer table. In addition, the alternate will be added to the produced parts list for ongoing disassembly, assembly, and disposition shop orders for the position for which the alternate was defined. This connection is necessary if the alternate is to be received instead of the original part.
• The definition of position alternates in IFS/Fleet and Asset Management will result in automatic creation both in IFS/Part Catalog and in IFS/PDM-Configuration.
• The list below indicates how the alternates automatically will be created in IFS/Part Catalog and IFS/PDM-Configuration:

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.

Pages

Manage Template Structure

Activity Diagrams

Define Template Structure
Maintain Template Structure