Define Alternate Parts per Position

Explanation

This activity is used to define alternates for a structure position. The purpose of this activity is to be able to define alternate parts for a certain structure position within a serial structure template. This list of alternate parts will actually be a list of valid parts for each structure position, and even the original part (from now on called the prime part) currently in the structure position will exist in this list.

Each part in the list of valid parts for a structure position will always be a valid engineering part revision. The list of valid parts can consist of both serialized and non-serialized parts, but restricted to serialized parts if the prime part is serialized, and non-serialized parts if the prime part is non-serialized. The list of valid parts can only be defined for parts that are on the lowest level of its serial structure template, but the lowest level parts can have a structure by pointing to another configuration. 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:

The installed part number and revision.
The alternate part number and revision.
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.

Prerequisites

A template structure must exist.
Interchangeability codes must be defined. For more information, view the online help file, 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, view the online help file, Define 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 Serial Structure Template/Part Access tab and on the Template Structure Navigator/Part Access tab.
The definition of position alternates in IFS/Vehicle Information 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 Part/Alternate Parts and in Engineering Part Revision/Alternate Part Revisions.
Two Way Interchangeable	Will result in a Fully Interchangeable alternate in Part/Alternate Parts and in Engineering Part Revision/Alternate Part Revisions.
Not Interchangeable	Nothing will be created in Part/Alternate Parts or in Engineering Part Revision/Alternate Part Revisions.
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, view the online help file, Approve or Reject Structure Changes.

Window

Serial Structure Template
Template Structure Navigator

Related Window Descriptions

Serial Structure Template/Alternates/Position Alternates
Template Structure Navigator/Alternates/Position Alternates
Part/Alternate Parts
Engineering Part Revision/Alternate Part Revisions
Configuration Basic Data/Interchangeability Code

Procedure

Use this procedure to define an alternate for a selected structure position within a template structure

Open one of the following windows, and query (F3) for the part at the lowest level of the template structure for which you want to register a position alternate.

Serial Structure Template

Template Structure Navigator

Click the Alternates tab and then click the Position Alternates subtab.
Create a new record (F5).
In the Installed Part Number field, enter a value for the part the for which the position alternate is to be defined. Use the List of Values to select a value.
Enter the interchangeability code for the alternate part in the Interchangeability Code field. If you select the Qualified Interchangeable interchangeability code, it is recommended to enter a value in the Approval Template field.
In the Alternate Part Number field, enter the part number for the position alternate.
Save the record (F12).