About process structures

A process structure describes how an assembly or part is manufactured. Processes are structured in hierarchical parent-child relationships. Sequence relationships can also exist between child processes. These relationships let you specify both sequential and parallel processes, as shown in the following figure.

Defining process structures

A process is referred to as a composition structure because its configuration is affected by the configuration of its assigned structures. Although a process is a distinct entity and is revised and controlled independent of the part or product, lines in the process structure can configure out depending on the configuration of the assigned structure. You can specify which open structure configures the process structure using the Define Configuring Structures menu command.

When you assign a product or part to a process, certain properties of the part are copied over to the process. You can specify which properties in the MEAssignProperties preference.

By default, when you assign a part to a process, Teamcenter assigns the part using the MEConsumed type. Your administrator can change the controllingOccsForProcessConfiguration preference to specify another occurrence type to use for assignment at your site. If this preference is blank, the configuration of consumed items does not affect the configuration of operations.

Also, by default, if an occurrence type is defined for a BOM line, and you assign the BOM line to a process or operation, Teamcenter assigns the BOM line using the same occurrence type. However, if your administrator sets the MEAssignCustomizedOccurrenceType preference, you can specify a different occurrence type during the assignment.

Related Topics

• About process configuration