How to add formulae to product definitions
Formula can be used when describing parts or other items that make up a product (at the product library screen).
A typical example is to use formula to describe the part material, length and width in terms of the external product dimensions.
In this way a range of different product sizes and material ranges can be covered by a single library entry.
The example below shows part of a product definition defined in this way.
KCAB - Kitchen cabinet
Item Material Length Width Qty
TOP/1 @TOPMATERIAL@ X+20 Z-40 1
DOOR/RH @DOORMATERIAL@ (X-20)/2 Y-120 1
DOOR/LH @DOORMATERIAL@ (X-20/2) Y-120 1
The items X, Y and Z are variables that stand for the product width, height and depth.
Items like @TOPMATERIAL@ are variables that stand for the various materials used in the product such as the top and the doors.
Product requirements - the actual values for the variables (materials and product dimensions are entered at the Product requirements screen (or Quote /orders screen) and this enables the program to work out the correct part sizes, materials and quantities etc for each product.
When working with Formula in the Product library the formula can be included in the Part or in the Product. The best choice is not always clear - so make sure to experiment with products, parts and formula and get used to using them before creating a large number of complex product definitions.
Formula table
When using formulae it is often the case that the same formula is used in several situations, for example, a formula to work out the plinth height for a product or the number of shelves.
In this situation use the Formula table to pre-define the formula and store each formula with a unique name. The name can then be used instead of the formula when defining a product. This helps to keep complex formula more compact and accurate.
Formula in sub-assemblies
A formula can also be used with items in the Product library defined as a sub-assembly. This allows for products containing sub-assemblies that vary with the overall product size. To do this enter the formula in the usual way at the product details screen for sub-assemblies.
Note - sub assembly can only make use of product variables that are already defined for other items in the product - do not add new product variables within the sub-assembly.
Sub-assemblies are identified by the + as part of the product code and are the same as products except that they do not contain other products or sub-assemblies.
The demonstration data has several examples or Products and Parts that are defined with formula
