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  1. Production Setup
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    • Production Setup & User Management Workflow
  1. Production Setup

Workstation Groups

The Workstation Groups page allows authorized users to organize related Work Stations under shared production setup records.
image.png
A Workstation Group represents a collection of machines, stations, or production areas that perform similar work or should follow common operational settings.
Examples include:
Cutting Area
CNC Cutting Machines
Bending Machines
Rolling Machines
Welding Stations
Painting Areas
Assembly Stations
Packing Stations
A Workstation Group can be connected to:
A Production Stage
A Work Calendar
One or more Work Stations
A descriptive operational context
Using groups reduces repeated configuration and makes similar Work Stations easier to review and manage.
For example, a group named Cutting Area can contain several CNC plasma cutting machines and connect them to the Laser Cutting Production Stage.

Where to Find Workstation Groups#

Navigate to:
Production Setup → Workstation Groups
The page displays all Workstation Groups configured for the organization.
The information and actions available depend on the logged-in user’s permissions.

What Workstation Groups Control#

Workstation Groups provide a shared setup level between Production Stages and individual Work Stations.
They help Fabritec:
Organize similar Work Stations
Apply a common Production Stage
Apply a common Work Calendar
Show which Work Stations belong to each group
Reduce repeated workstation configuration
Support consistent production setup
Make workstation filtering and review easier
Provide inherited setup values to linked Work Stations
A group should represent a meaningful operational relationship between its Work Stations.
For example:
Several CNC cutting machines may belong to one Cutting Area
Several welding stations may belong to one Welding Group
Several assembly tables may belong to one Assembly Area
Similar machines operating on the same schedule may share one group

Workstation Groups Page#

The Workstation Groups page contains:
Workstation Groups grid
Search
Column controls
Column filters
Excel Export
PDF Export
Clear Filter
Reset Cache
Add Group
Edit action
Delete action
Each row represents one configured Workstation Group.

Workstation Groups Grid#

The grid may display the following columns:
Name
Production Stage
Work Calendar
Work Stations
Actions
The exact columns can be controlled using the Columns button.

Name#

Displays the Workstation Group name.
Examples:
Cutting Area
Group 1
CNC Cutting Machines
Welding Stations
Main Assembly Area
The name should clearly identify the machines or operating area included in the group.
Avoid vague names such as:
New Group
Machines
General
Group A
unless those names are already part of the factory’s formal operating structure.

Production Stage#

Displays the Production Stage assigned to the Workstation Group.
Examples include:
Laser Cutting
Rolling
Bending
Welding
Painting
Assembly
The group Production Stage can provide the default stage used by linked Work Stations when they do not have a direct Production Stage of their own.
Example:
Workstation Group: Group 1
Group Production Stage: Rolling
Linked Workstation: MIG/MAG Welding Station
Direct Workstation Stage: Empty
Resolved Workstation Stage: Rolling
Source shown on the Work Stations page: Inherited
This allows several Work Stations to use one shared Production Stage configuration.

Direct Workstation Values Take Priority#

When a Work Station has a Production Stage configured directly on its own record, the direct value takes priority over the stage assigned through its Workstation Group.
Example:
Group Production Stage: Rolling
Workstation Direct Production Stage: Welding
Final Production Stage used by the workstation: Welding
The Work Stations page may display a Direct badge when the stage comes from the Work Station itself and an Inherited badge when it comes from the Workstation Group.

No Production Stage#

A group may be created without selecting a Production Stage.
When None is selected:
The group does not provide a Production Stage to its Work Stations
Each linked Work Station may require its own direct Production Stage
Work Stations without another stage source may remain without a resolved default stage
Leave this field empty only when the group is used mainly for organization or when its Work Stations intentionally use different stages.

Work Calendar#

Displays the Work Calendar assigned to the Workstation Group.
The Work Calendar determines when the group’s linked Work Stations are expected to operate.
It may control:
Working weekdays
Non-working days
Shift schedules
Planned working hours
Break deductions
Holidays
Workstation availability
Capacity calculations
The grid may display:
A specific Work Calendar, such as Main
None when no group calendar is assigned

Follow Default#

Select Follow Default when the Workstation Group should follow the organization’s default production Work Calendar.
This is suitable when the group operates according to the standard factory schedule.
Changes to the default production calendar can then be reflected without selecting a separate calendar for the group.

Specific Work Calendar#

Select a specific Work Calendar when the group follows a different operating schedule.
Examples include:
A Cutting Area operating on two shifts
A Welding Group operating only during the day shift
A Painting Area with a separate weekend schedule
A group of machines operating during a dedicated night shift
Use a specific calendar only when all Work Stations in the group are expected to follow that schedule.

No Work Calendar#

When no calendar is assigned to the group, the linked Work Stations may continue to use:
Their own directly selected Work Calendar
The organization’s default production calendar
Another applicable calendar configuration
Review the Work Stations page to confirm the final calendar resolved for each Work Station.

Work Stations#

The Work Stations column displays the stations linked to the group.
Each Work Station may appear with:
Workstation code
Workstation name
Example:
41 MIG/MAG Welding Station
42 Automatic Welding Machine
A group may contain one or several Work Stations.
The Work Stations listed in this column are managed from the group form or from the individual Work Station setup.

Why Link Work Stations to a Group?#

Linking Work Stations to a group helps standardize setup and improve operational organization.
It can be used to:
Group similar machines
Apply one Production Stage to several Work Stations
Apply a shared Work Calendar
Review related Work Stations together
Reduce repeated setup
Support consistent production reporting
Make future configuration changes easier to manage
Example:

Cutting Area#

Production Stage: Laser Cutting
Work Calendar: Main
Linked Work Stations:
CNC Plasma Cutting Machine 234
CNC Plasma Cutting Machine 346
CNC Cutting Machine 2343
This configuration identifies the Work Stations as one operational cutting area while keeping each machine available as an individual Work Station.

Expanding a Group Row#

Use the arrow beside a Workstation Group when additional row information is available.
Expanded details may provide further context about the group or its linked configuration.
Click the arrow again to collapse the row.

Searching and Reviewing Workstation Groups#

Search#

Use the Search field to find a group using information such as:
Group name
Production Stage
Work Calendar
Linked Workstation name
Linked Workstation code
Search works together with active column filters.

Column Filters#

Use the filter icon in a column header to narrow the displayed records.
Filters may be applied to fields such as:
Name
Production Stage
Work Calendar
Work Stations
Multiple filters may be used together.

Clear Filter#

Click Clear Filter to remove the active grid filters.
This restores the complete list of Workstation Groups available to the user.

Columns#

Click Columns to show or hide grid columns.
Use this when reviewing a specific area of group configuration.
For example, a user reviewing workstation assignments may display:
Name
Production Stage
Work Stations
Actions

Reset Cache#

Click Reset Cache when recently saved group information does not appear correctly in the grid.
This rebuilds the grid’s cached display data.
Use it after reloading the page when the group, Production Stage, calendar, or Work Station links still appear outdated.

Excel Export#

Click Excel Export to export the Workstation Groups grid for external review or reporting.
The export may reflect:
Active filters
Visible records
Available grid columns

PDF Export#

Click PDF Export to create a PDF version of the Workstation Groups data.
Review the visible columns before exporting to keep the report clear and readable.

Adding a Workstation Group#

image.png
To create a Workstation Group:
1.
Navigate to Production Setup → Workstation Groups.
2.
Click Add Group.
3.
Enter the group Name.
4.
Select a Production Stage when required.
5.
Select the Work Calendar behavior.
6.
Select one or more Work Stations.
7.
Enter a Description when required.
8.
Review the group configuration.
9.
Click Add Group.
The new group will appear in the Workstation Groups grid after it is saved.

Add Workstation Group Form#

The form contains the following fields:
Name
Production Stage
Work Calendar
Work Stations
Description
Fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Name#

Required field.
Enter a clear name for the Workstation Group.
Examples:
Cutting Area
Plate Rolling Machines
Main Welding Stations
Assembly Line 1
Paint Preparation Area
The name should describe the shared purpose or physical location of the linked Work Stations.

Production Stage#

Select the Production Stage that should apply to the group.
Examples include:
Cutting
Laser Cutting
Rolling
Bending
Welding
Painting
Assembly
Select None when:
The group is used only for organization
Its Work Stations perform different stages
Each Work Station will use its own direct Production Stage
Before selecting a stage, confirm that it accurately represents the work performed by the group’s Work Stations.

Work Calendar#

Select the calendar behavior for the group.
Available options may include:
Follow Default
A specific configured Work Calendar

Follow Default#

Uses the organization’s default production calendar.
Use this option when the Work Stations follow the normal factory schedule.

Specific Work Calendar#

Uses the selected calendar instead of the standard production default.
Use this option when the group operates according to a separate schedule.

Work Stations#

Select one or more Work Stations to include in the group.
The field may support selecting multiple records.
To link Work Stations:
1.
Open the Work Stations list.
2.
Search for the required workstation when necessary.
3.
Select each Work Station that belongs to the group.
4.
Review the selected records before saving.
Only include Work Stations that genuinely share the group’s operational purpose or configuration.

Moving a Work Station Between Groups#

When a Work Station needs to belong to another group:
1.
Open the current group or the Work Station record.
2.
Remove the Work Station from its current group.
3.
Assign it to the correct group.
4.
Review any inherited Production Stage or calendar changes.
5.
Save the updated configuration.
6.
Review the Work Stations page to confirm the final resolved values.
Moving a Work Station can change inherited setup values.
Always review the Work Station after changing its group.

Description#

Enter additional information about the Workstation Group.
The rich-text editor supports formatting such as:
Bold
Italic
Underline
Paragraph styles
Numbered lists
Bulleted lists
Links
The Description may include:
Operational purpose
Physical factory area
Types of machines included
Supported production activities
Scheduling notes
Group limitations
Shared operating requirements
Example:
Contains the CNC plasma cutting machines used for structural plate cutting. All machines normally follow the Main production calendar and serve the Laser Cutting stage.
The Description should provide useful operational context without duplicating the Work Station descriptions.

Example Workstation Group Setup#

Cutting Area#

FieldExample Value
NameCutting Area
Production StageLaser Cutting
Work CalendarMain
Work StationsCNC Plasma Cutting Machine 234, CNC Plasma Cutting Machine 346, CNC Cutting Machine 2343
DescriptionMain CNC cutting area for structural plate processing
After saving:
The group appears in the Workstation Groups grid
The selected Work Stations are linked to the group
Eligible Work Stations can inherit the group Production Stage
The group calendar can provide shared scheduling context

Editing a Workstation Group#

To edit a group:
1.
Navigate to Production Setup → Workstation Groups.
2.
Locate the required group.
3.
Click the Edit action.
4.
Review the group Name.
5.
Update the Production Stage when required.
6.
Update the Work Calendar.
7.
Add or remove linked Work Stations.
8.
Update the Description.
9.
Review the effect on linked Work Stations.
10.
Click Save.
Group changes may affect several Work Stations at the same time.
Review linked stations before saving major changes.

Changing the Group Production Stage#

Changing the group Production Stage can affect every linked Work Station that depends on the inherited value.
Example:
Previous Group Stage: Rolling
New Group Stage: Welding
After the change:
Work Stations with no direct stage may inherit Welding
Work Stations with a direct stage continue to use their direct value
Production planning and stage-based operator coverage may use the newly resolved stage
Review the Work Stations page after changing the group Production Stage.

Changing the Group Work Calendar#

Changing the group Work Calendar may affect the planned schedule of linked Work Stations that depend on the group configuration.
This can affect:
Planned shifts
Planned hours
Operator coverage
Staffed hours
Capacity
Coverage gaps
Utilization
Machine load
Before changing the calendar:
1.
Confirm the new calendar is correct.
2.
Review its working days and shifts.
3.
Confirm which Work Stations depend on the group calendar.
4.
Save the change.
5.
Review scheduling and productivity results.

Adding Work Stations to an Existing Group#

To add more Work Stations:
1.
Open the required Workstation Group.
2.
Open the Work Stations field.
3.
Select the additional stations.
4.
Review the Production Stage and Work Calendar.
5.
Click Save.
After saving, review each newly linked Work Station for inherited configuration changes.

Removing Work Stations from a Group#

To remove a Work Station:
1.
Open the required Workstation Group.
2.
Locate the selected Work Station in the Work Stations field.
3.
Remove it from the selection.
4.
Review the remaining group members.
5.
Click Save.
6.
Open the removed Work Station and confirm its Production Stage and Work Calendar.
Removing a Work Station from a group does not delete the Work Station.
However, the Work Station may lose values that were previously inherited from the group.

Deleting a Workstation Group#

To delete a group:
1.
Navigate to Production Setup → Workstation Groups.
2.
Locate the required group.
3.
Click the Delete action.
4.
Review the confirmation message.
5.
Confirm the deletion.
Before deleting a group, review:
Linked Work Stations
Inherited Production Stages
Work Calendar dependencies
Scheduling effects
Production setup dependencies
Deleting a group should not be used as a temporary way to reorganize Work Stations.
Edit the group or move the Work Stations when the operational structure is changing.

What Happens to Linked Work Stations?#

Deleting or removing a group relationship does not mean the Work Stations themselves should be deleted.
However, linked Work Stations may lose inherited setup values.
After deleting a group or removing Work Stations from it:
1.
Open Production Setup → Work Stations.
2.
Review the affected Work Stations.
3.
Confirm the Default Production Stage.
4.
Confirm the Work Calendar.
5.
Add direct values when required.
6.
Review scheduling and productivity results.

How Workstation Groups Affect Fabritec#

Production Setup#

Groups organize related Work Stations and can provide shared Production Stage configuration.

Production#

The resolved Production Stage helps connect Work Stations with production activities and pending demand.
Incorrect group-stage setup can cause Work Stations to appear under the wrong production context.

Scheduling#

The group Work Calendar may influence when linked Work Stations are planned to operate.
Calendar changes can affect planned shifts and hours.

Operator Coverage#

Stage-derived operator coverage depends partly on the Production Stage resolved for the Work Station.
If a Work Station inherits its Production Stage from a group, changing the group stage may change the labour pool considered eligible for derived coverage.

Capacity#

Workstation capacity remains configured on the individual Work Station.
The group organizes and provides shared context, but each Work Station retains its own capacity definitions.

Productivity#

Group changes can indirectly affect productivity calculations when they change:
Production Stage
Work Calendar
Planned hours
Operator coverage
Staffed capacity
Review Workstation Productivity after significant group changes.

Maintenance#

Maintenance plans, orders, meters, and downtime remain associated with individual Work Stations.
Workstation Groups may help users identify related machines, but maintenance service baselines are not shared between group members.

Group Configuration and Direct Workstation Configuration#

Fabritec uses direct Work Station values when they are configured.
Group values support shared configuration where direct values are not present.
A simplified resolution example is:
1.
Direct Work Station configuration
2.
Workstation Group configuration
3.
Default system or production setup
This allows organizations to use groups without preventing exceptions for individual Work Stations.

Permissions#

Relevant permissions may include:
Permission to view Production Setup
Permission to create Workstation Groups
Permission to edit Workstation Groups
Permission to delete Workstation Groups
Permission to manage Work Stations
A user may be able to view group information without being able to change it.
Actions that modify linked Work Stations may require the appropriate resource-management permission.

Governance Rules#

Every Workstation Group must have a clear Name.
A group should contain Work Stations with a meaningful operational relationship.
Select a Production Stage only when it applies to the group’s Work Stations.
Direct Work Station values take priority over inherited group values.
Select None when the group should not provide a Production Stage.
Use Follow Default when the group follows the standard production calendar.
Use a specific Work Calendar only when the group genuinely operates on a different schedule.
Review inherited values before moving a Work Station between groups.
Removing a Work Station from a group does not delete the Work Station.
Deleting a group may remove inherited values from linked Work Stations.
Workstation capacities remain configured individually.
Maintenance service history remains specific to each Work Station.
Review scheduling and productivity after major group changes.
Do not use groups only as temporary labels when they change operational configuration.

⭐ Best Practices#

Name groups according to real factory areas or machine families.
Keep the group structure simple and operationally meaningful.
Group Work Stations that perform similar work.
Use the Production Stage that accurately represents the group’s main activity.
Avoid grouping machines that use unrelated Production Stages.
Use Follow Default for groups operating on the normal factory schedule.
Use separate calendars only when schedules genuinely differ.
Review every selected Work Station before saving.
Keep direct Work Station overrides limited to genuine exceptions.
Review inherited badges on the Work Stations page.
Check affected Work Stations after changing a group stage.
Check planned hours after changing a group calendar.
Review operator coverage when the resolved Production Stage changes.
Add a clear Description explaining the group’s purpose.
Avoid duplicate groups containing the same operational resources.
Move Work Stations instead of creating duplicate station records.
Review dependencies before deleting a group.
Keep Workstation Groups aligned with the real factory layout and production process.

🔗 Related Articles#

Production Stages – Steps performed by each workstation
Routes – How workstations are used inside workflows
Labours – Assigning people to stations
Shifts – Scheduling workers around workstation availability
Modified at 2026-07-30 11:54:42
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