What is Discrete and Batch Troubleshooter?

The Discrete and Batch Troubleshooter guides users through the rapid troubleshooting of discrete and/or batch processes, typically using historical discrete data.

Using the Troubleshooter, you are given the tools to identify the causes of process deviation using historical data. Preparing data is made easy using the powerful data preparation engine included in the Discrete and Batch Troubleshooter, allowing users to build data recipes to combine and prepare data from various industry standard data providers. Once data is prepared, users can start an analysis of a dataset, by visualizing data, building various types of models and using various statistical techniques to gain new insights into their data.

Overview of Batch and Discrete processing

Manufacturing operations can be generally classified as discrete, continuous, or batch type processes. The Discrete and Batch Troubleshooter is ideally suited for the rapid process troubleshooting of discrete or batch type processes. In this case, data is typically linked to batch identifiers or discrete type events.

Discrete Processes

Discrete processes involve the production of things. A part or a specific quantity of parts in a group moves from one workstation to another, gaining value at each location as work is performed. In a discrete process, each thing or part maintains its unique identity. A great example of a discrete manufacturing process is the production of automobiles.

Batch Processes

According to the S88 standard, a batch process is defined as a process that leads to the production of finite quantities of material by subjecting quantities of input materials to an ordered set of processing activities over a finite period of time using one or more pieces of equipment.

Instead of a continuous flow that can go on for days or weeks, batch processing involves limited quantities of material called batches. By the nature of the process, batch manufacturing is discontinuous. That is, you start with some raw material, do something with it, send it on its way, and start all over again with some new raw material.

Batch manufacturing is also not discrete. There are no things that you can easily separate or identify. Sure, you can place a portion of a batch into some specific container, like a bottle of soy sauce, but that doesn't make the process discrete. If you combine a whole bunch of uniquely stamped gas caps in a box and mix them up, you can still identify each one individually. You can individually mark bottles of soy sauce, but the sauce inside the bottle is still part of the same batch and cannot be distinguished from one bottle to the next. The distinguishing factor of a product like soy sauce is the batch or lot from which it was bottled. That’s why you’ll see some type of batch or lot identifier printed on the cap or label.