Among the most important characteristics in manufacturing planning is the option of joining equal assemblies. Using it you can make considerable savings when preparing work documentation. Mainly it lowers costs and decreases amount of cycle time in production.

Let us take a look at graphically displayed data in order to make it easier to understand. Imagine three simple structured products A, B and C which have the following structure:

Besides products themselves you also have semi-finished products A1, A2, C1 and C2 as well as materials M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6. To join equal assemblies it is important that both products A and B are constructed from semi-finished product A1.

After calculating plan, both semi-finished products are joined by way of adding up the quantities and multiplying using production time. Set-up time is added in the end. At the same time documentation was not joined for issue, that is, a work order, requisition and a work slip for each operation.

It can be observed the entire scheme was simplified considerably. With more complex products appearing in the real world savings or simplification can be even more considerable. Yet there is also a down side to it all. By joining assemblies you lose sight of tracking or to put it differently origin. Take care by entering dates because you can quickly join two assemblies which are produced with the delay of several months. This is not acceptable.