Initialize a Batch

You must initialize a batch before you can run it.

The initialization process performs the following checks to ensure that the batch can be properly processed:

• Recipe Verification

  Verifies that the recipe assigned to the batch exists. If the recipe does not exist, an error appears. The recipe must be created or another recipe must be assigned to the batch.

• Recipe Validation

  The recipe assigned to the batch is validated with the process model database and the Materials Database. If the recipe is not valid, an error appears. The recipe must be changed, or the process model database or the Materials Database must be checked and corrected.

• Train Verification

  Verifies that the train assigned to the batch exists. If the train does not exist, an error appears. The train must be added using the Train Editor or another train must be assigned to the batch.

• Recipe Equipment Requirements Verification

  Verifies that units defined in the recipe equipment requirements are in the assigned train. This includes having at least one unit in the train for each process instance, as well as having at least one unit in the train that satisfies the required attribute range. Errors are shown if either of these conditions is not satisfied. The train must be altered using the Train Editor or another train must be assigned to the batch. If the attribute range is not satisfied, the recipe equipment requirements must be changed or the value of the unit attribute in the process model must be changed.

• Quantity Verification

  Verifies that the quantity assigned to the scheduled batch is greater than the recipe minimum batch size specification, and less than the recipe maximum batch size specification. If the quantity is less than the minimum batch size, an error appears. The quantity assigned to the batch or the recipe minimum batch size must be changed.

  When the batch has been successfully initialized, the status changes from Open to Ready. A selected batch can be "un-initialized" by clicking on the Change button. The batch status changes from Ready to Open. This can only be done to batches that are Ready.

  WARNING! Batch Manager verifies that all units required by the recipe are available in the train. Connections and possible paths through the train are not verified. Thus, if a connection is not available in the train, it is possible to take a path through a train that results in a dead-end situation.

In this example, the recipe requires a transfer from Process Class A to Process Class C. The recipe initializes properly on either Train 1 or Train 2, but does not run properly on Train 2. Although Train 2 has the correct unit, it does not have the connections needed to run the recipe.

Therefore, it is extremely important when multiple paths are possible through a train, to determine if the recipe can process properly for all possible paths. If not, a change in the train must be made.

To initialize a specific batch

1. On the Batch Scheduler dialog box, select a batch. The batch must have a status of Open.

2. On the toolbar, click the Initialize Batch (Single batch) icon.

   Note: If you initialize a specific batch when the Batch Auto Start option is enabled, then the specific batch is initialized and started automatically. We recommend that you initialize the batch only if you want the batch to start automatically. For more information about the Batch Auto Start option, see Start Batches Automatically.

To initialize multiple batches

3. On the Batch Scheduler dialog box, ensure that all the batches have a status of Open.

4. On the toolbar, click the Initialize All (Multiple Batch) icon.

Note: If you initialize all batches when the Batch Auto Start option is enabled, then all batches are initialized and started automatically. We recommend that you initialize batches only if you want all the batches to start automatically. For more information about the Batch Auto Start option, see Start Batches Automatically.