How does a Machine Center work in Business Central?
The machine center is part of a work center, meaning you have to define a work center number on the machine center to tell where to allocate it and this basically is done because the calendar calculation is coming from the work center, so we cannot set up a calendar specifically on the machine center.
This is what happens in the video
The machine center card in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central lets you define a production resource that belongs to a work center. You set up a machine center by assigning a work center number, and the machine center inherits its calendar from that work center. You can override posting, capacity, and routing setup values per machine center, while these settings still default from the work center.
You cannot set up a calendar directly on a machine center. The calendar always comes from the work center you select.
The routing setup fields on the machine center, such as setup time, wait time, move time, and scrap percentage, are default values. They fill in automatically when you select the machine center on a routing line, but you can change them there.
How the machine center relates to the work center
A machine center is part of a work center. You have to define a work center number on the machine center to tell the system where to allocate it. The main reason for this connection is the calendar calculation, which comes from the work center. You cannot set up a calendar specifically on a machine center. It inherits the calendar from the work center you select.
On the machine center card you can give it a number, a name, and you can block it if needed.
Posting, capacity, and efficiency fields
The posting tab on the machine center contains the same information as the posting tab on the work center, with one difference: you can change the values per machine center. The same applies to capacity, efficiency, queuing time, and queuing time unit of measure. These fields work the same way as on the work center, so the work center setup is the place to understand them in detail.
Routing setup defaults on the machine center
On the routing setup tab you can define default values such as setup time, wait time, and move time, scrap percentage and quantity, send-ahead quantity, and minimum and maximum concurrent capacities. These are all fields used on the routing line.
This is a default setup. If you select this work center, or rather this machine center, on a routing line, the line will be filled in with these figures automatically, provided you have entered anything here. You can still adjust the values on the routing line itself. The fields are explained in full where the routing line is described.
Location code and warehouse bins
If the work center you chose in the header is attached to a location code, that location code is displayed on the machine center. If it is a warehouse location code requiring bins, you can also select specific bins for that machine center. This includes production bins, to-bins, from-bins, and open shop floor bins.
Q&A
Can you set up a calendar directly on a machine center in Business Central?
No. The machine center inherits its calendar from the work center you assign to it. The calendar calculation always comes from the work center, so you have to define a work center number on the machine center.
What is the difference between the posting fields on a machine center and a work center?
The posting fields contain the same information, but on the machine center you can change them per machine center. The same applies to capacity, efficiency, queuing time, and the queuing time unit of measure.
Are the routing setup values on the machine center fixed?
No. The setup time, wait time, move time, scrap percentage, send-ahead quantity, and concurrent capacity fields are default values. They fill in automatically when you select the machine center on a routing line, and you can change them there.
How does a machine center get its location code and bins?
The location code comes from the work center selected in the header. If that location requires bins, you can select specific production bins, to-bins, from-bins, and open shop floor bins for the machine center.