Features

Cell Configuration Guide

Learn how to configure and manage production cells in Attainment Tracker for optimal tracking and analytics

Production cells are the foundation of Attainment Tracker. This guide will walk you through setting up, configuring, and managing cells for accurate production tracking and analytics.

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell configuration dashboard showing multiple cells

What is a Production Cell?

A production cell is any defined work area where manufacturing takes place. In Attainment Tracker, a cell represents:

  • A specific workstation or machine
  • An area with consistent workflow
  • A trackable unit of production
  • A point where operators record data

Examples of cells:

  • CNC machine #5
  • Assembly line station 3
  • Welding booth A
  • Packaging workstation
  • Quality inspection area

Cell Management Overview

Accessing Cell Configuration

  1. Log in to Attainment Tracker Admin Dashboard
  2. Navigate to ⚙️ Settings → Cells
  3. View list of all configured cells

📸 Screenshot needed: Navigation path to cell configuration

Cell List View

The cell list shows all configured cells with key information:

  • Cell Name: Identifier for the cell
  • Status: 🟢 Active, 🟡 Idle, 🔴 Down, ⚪ Offline
  • Assigned Operator: Current operator (if any)
  • Current Part: Part number being produced
  • Today’s Output: Parts completed today
  • OEE: Current OEE percentage
  • Last Activity: Timestamp of last recorded action

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell list with multiple cells showing different statuses

Creating a New Cell

Step-by-Step Cell Creation

Step 1: Click ”+ Add Cell”

  1. From the Cells page, click + Add Cell button
  2. Cell configuration form opens

📸 Screenshot needed: Add cell button highlighted

Step 2: Basic Information

Cell Name (Required)

  • Unique identifier for the cell
  • Keep it short and descriptive
  • Examples: “CNC-05”, “Assembly-A3”, “Weld-B1”
  • Best practice: Use naming convention (Department-Type-Number)

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell name input field with example

Cell Description (Optional)

  • More detailed description of what the cell does
  • Example: “5-axis CNC machining center for aluminum parts”
  • Helps new operators understand the cell purpose

Department (Required)

  • Select from dropdown or create new:
    • Machining
    • Assembly
    • Welding
    • Packaging
    • Quality Control
    • Custom departments

Location/Facility (Required if multi-facility)

  • Select which facility this cell belongs to
  • Important for multi-site deployments

📸 Screenshot needed: Basic information section of form filled out

Step 3: Production Configuration

Target Cycle Time (Required)

  • Expected time to complete one part (in seconds)
  • Used for OEE calculations and pace tracking
  • Example: 120 seconds per part
  • Can be part-specific (configure later)

Shift Schedule (Required)

  • Select the shift pattern for this cell:
    • Single shift (8 hours)
    • Two shifts (16 hours)
    • Three shifts (24 hours)
    • Custom schedule

Capacity (Optional)

  • Maximum parts per hour
  • Used for capacity planning
  • Example: 30 parts/hour

📸 Screenshot needed: Production configuration section

Step 4: Quality Settings

Quality Tracking (Toggle)

  • ✅ Enable to track scrap and rework at this cell
  • Configure acceptable scrap rate threshold
  • Example: Alert when scrap rate >5%

Inspection Required (Toggle)

  • ✅ Enable if parts require quality inspection
  • Sets up quality hold workflow
  • Notifies quality team

First Article Inspection (Toggle)

  • ✅ Require FAI when starting new job
  • Ensures quality before full production run

📸 Screenshot needed: Quality settings toggles and thresholds

Step 5: Downtime Configuration

Downtime Reasons Enable relevant downtime categories for this cell:

  • ✅ Machine Issues
  • ✅ Tooling
  • ✅ Material Shortage
  • ✅ Operator (breaks, training)
  • ✅ Changeover
  • ✅ Quality Issues
  • ✅ Maintenance
  • ✅ Custom reasons

Downtime Thresholds Set alert thresholds:

  • Alert after: 10 minutes of unplanned downtime
  • Escalate after: 30 minutes of downtime
  • Notify: Supervisor, Maintenance (select roles)

📸 Screenshot needed: Downtime configuration with categories and thresholds

Step 6: Device & Operator Settings

Operator Assignment

  • ✅ Require operator login at this cell
  • ✅ Allow multiple operators (if team-based cell)
  • ✅ Track operator-specific metrics

Device Configuration

  • Number of devices assigned: (auto-populated after enrollment)
  • Preferred device type: Tablet / Smartphone / Desktop
  • Offline mode: ✅ Enabled (recommended)

📸 Screenshot needed: Operator and device settings

Step 7: Integrations (Advanced)

Machine Integration (if available)

  • Connect to machine PLCs or controllers
  • Enable automatic part counting
  • Configure I/O mappings

Barcode Scanning

  • ✅ Enable barcode scanning for part numbers
  • ✅ Enable barcode scanning for operator badges
  • Configure scanner type (camera / dedicated scanner)

ERP Integration

  • ✅ Sync work orders from ERP
  • ✅ Push production data to ERP
  • Configure sync frequency

📸 Screenshot needed: Integrations section showing options

Step 8: Review & Create

  1. Review all settings
  2. Click Create Cell
  3. Cell is now active and ready for use

📸 Screenshot needed: Review summary before creating cell

Configuring Existing Cells

Editing Cell Settings

  1. From Cells list, click the cell you want to edit
  2. Click ⚙️ Edit Configuration
  3. Modify any settings
  4. Click Save Changes

📸 Screenshot needed: Edit cell button and configuration panel

Part-Specific Settings

Some settings can vary by part number:

Configuring Part Numbers

  1. Open cell configuration
  2. Navigate to Parts tab
  3. Click + Add Part

For each part, configure:

  • Part Number: Unique identifier
  • Part Description: What is it?
  • Target Cycle Time: Time per part (overrides cell default)
  • Target Quantity: Expected output per shift
  • Work Instructions: Link to documentation or upload PDF
  • Quality Requirements: Specific inspection criteria
  • Tooling Required: List of tools needed

📸 Screenshot needed: Part configuration form with multiple parts listed

Cell Templates

Save time by creating templates for similar cells.

Creating a Template

  1. Configure a cell with all desired settings
  2. Click ⋮ More → Save as Template
  3. Name your template (e.g., “Standard CNC Configuration”)
  4. Select which settings to include in template

📸 Screenshot needed: Save as template dialog

Using a Template

  1. Click + Add Cell
  2. Select Use Template
  3. Choose from your saved templates
  4. Customize cell-specific details (name, location, etc.)
  5. Click Create Cell

Templates save time when setting up multiple similar cells!

Cell Status & Monitoring

Understanding Cell Status

Cell Status Indicators:

🟢 Running (Green)

  • Operator logged in
  • Actively producing parts
  • No active downtime

🟡 Idle (Yellow)

  • Operator logged in but not producing
  • No active work order
  • Waiting for job assignment

🔴 Down (Red)

  • Active downtime recorded
  • Production stopped
  • Requires attention

⚪ Offline (Gray)

  • No operator logged in
  • Device not connected
  • Outside of scheduled shift

🔵 Setup (Blue)

  • Changeover in progress
  • Not yet producing

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell status indicators in different states

Real-Time Cell Monitoring

View live cell data from the dashboard:

Production Metrics

  • Parts produced (current shift)
  • Target vs. actual
  • Pace (ahead/behind schedule)
  • Cycle time (actual vs. target)

Downtime Tracking

  • Current downtime duration
  • Total downtime (shift)
  • Downtime by reason (Pareto chart)

Quality Metrics

  • Scrap count and rate
  • Rework count
  • First pass yield

Operator Info

  • Who is currently working
  • Shift start time
  • Efficiency rating

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell monitoring dashboard with real-time metrics

Cell Groups & Organization

Creating Cell Groups

Organize cells into logical groups for easier management:

Examples of Cell Groups:

  • By department (Machining, Assembly, Packaging)
  • By product line (Product A cells, Product B cells)
  • By shift (Day shift cells, Night shift cells)
  • By building/area (Building 1, Building 2)

Creating a Group:

  1. Go to Cells → Groups
  2. Click + Create Group
  3. Name the group
  4. Select cells to include
  5. Save

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell group creation interface

Using Cell Groups

Benefits:

  • Filter dashboards by group
  • Run reports for specific groups
  • Apply bulk settings changes
  • Compare group performance

Advanced Configuration

OEE Calculation Settings

Customize how OEE is calculated for each cell:

Availability

  • Planned production time vs. actual runtime
  • Exclude planned downtime (breaks, changeovers)
  • Include/exclude setup time

Performance

  • Ideal cycle time vs. actual cycle time
  • Factor in minor stoppages
  • Small losses threshold

Quality

  • Good parts vs. total parts
  • Include scrap and rework
  • First pass yield calculation

📸 Screenshot needed: OEE calculation settings

Alert Configuration

Set up automated alerts for each cell:

Production Alerts

  • Behind schedule by: 15 minutes
  • Cycle time exceeds target by: 20%
  • No activity for: 10 minutes (during scheduled shift)

Quality Alerts

  • Scrap rate exceeds: 5%
  • Consecutive scrap parts: 3
  • Rework rate exceeds: 10%

Downtime Alerts

  • Downtime duration exceeds: 10 minutes
  • Specific downtime reasons (e.g., machine breakdown)
  • Recurring downtime patterns

Who to Notify:

  • Supervisor (email, SMS, in-app)
  • Department manager
  • Maintenance team (for specific alerts)
  • Operator (on-device notification)

📸 Screenshot needed: Alert configuration with multiple alert types

Shift Configuration

Define shift schedules for accurate tracking:

Standard Shifts

  1. Navigate to cell configuration
  2. Go to Shifts tab
  3. Select shift pattern:
    • Day Shift: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM
    • Afternoon Shift: 2:30 PM - 11:00 PM
    • Night Shift: 11:00 PM - 6:00 AM

Custom Shifts

  • Define start and end times
  • Configure break times (excluded from production time)
  • Set lunch periods (planned downtime)
  • Weekend/holiday schedules

📸 Screenshot needed: Shift schedule configuration calendar

Cell Performance Analytics

Viewing Cell Analytics

  1. Select a cell from the list
  2. Click 📊 Analytics tab
  3. View comprehensive performance data

📸 Screenshot needed: Cell analytics dashboard

Key Metrics Displayed:

OEE Trends

  • Daily/weekly/monthly OEE
  • Trend line (improving/declining)
  • Comparison to facility average

Production Output

  • Total parts by shift/day/week
  • Target attainment percentage
  • Output variance analysis

Downtime Analysis

  • Pareto chart of downtime reasons
  • MTTR (Mean Time To Repair)
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
  • Planned vs. unplanned downtime

Quality Performance

  • Scrap rate trends
  • Top defect types
  • First pass yield
  • Cost of poor quality

Operator Performance (aggregated, not individual)

  • Average cycle time by shift
  • Efficiency by shift
  • Most common issues by shift

📸 Screenshot needed: Each analytics section (OEE trends, downtime pareto, quality metrics)

Troubleshooting Cell Configuration

Common Issues

Problem: Cell not appearing in operator interface

Solutions:

  • ✅ Verify cell status is “Active”
  • ✅ Check that device is enrolled to correct cell
  • ✅ Ensure cell is assigned to correct facility
  • ✅ Refresh operator device

Problem: OEE calculations seem incorrect

Solutions:

  • ✅ Verify target cycle time is accurate
  • ✅ Check shift schedule configuration
  • ✅ Ensure planned downtime is properly categorized
  • ✅ Review quality settings (scrap counting)

Problem: Alerts not triggering

Solutions:

  • ✅ Verify alert thresholds are configured
  • ✅ Check notification recipients are set
  • ✅ Ensure email/SMS settings are correct
  • ✅ Review alert history for delivery issues

Problem: Data not syncing to ERP

Solutions:

  • ✅ Verify integration is enabled
  • ✅ Check API credentials are valid
  • ✅ Review sync logs for errors
  • ✅ Confirm network connectivity

Best Practices

✅ Cell Configuration Do’s

  1. Use consistent naming conventions across all cells

    • Good: “CNC-01”, “CNC-02”, “ASSY-01”
    • Bad: “Machine 1”, “New CNC”, “The assembly station”

  2. Set realistic target cycle times

    • Base on actual data, not theoretical ideal
    • Update as processes improve
    • Use part-specific times when possible

  3. Configure appropriate downtime categories

    • Enable only relevant categories
    • Train operators on when to use each
    • Review and refine based on actual usage

  4. Set meaningful alert thresholds

    • Not too sensitive (alert fatigue)
    • Not too loose (miss important issues)
    • Adjust based on experience

  5. Document cell-specific requirements

    • Add work instructions for complex cells
    • Include troubleshooting guides
    • Link to equipment manuals

  6. Regular review and optimization

    • Review cell performance monthly
    • Update settings based on changes
    • Archive inactive cells (don’t delete)

❌ Common Configuration Mistakes

  1. ❌ Using same cycle time for all parts

    • Different parts have different processing times
    • Leads to inaccurate OEE and pace tracking

  2. ❌ Not configuring shift schedules properly

    • Breaks and lunches count as downtime if not excluded
    • OEE calculations will be incorrect

  3. ❌ Too many downtime categories

    • Operators won’t use them correctly
    • Data becomes meaningless
    • Stick to 5-8 core categories

  4. ❌ Forgetting to assign devices after cell creation

    • Cell configured but not usable
    • Operators can’t log in

  5. ❌ Not testing configuration before going live

    • Problems discovered during production
    • Frustration for operators
    • Always test with dummy data first

Cell Configuration Checklist

Use this checklist when setting up a new cell:

Pre-Configuration

  • Cell location identified and named
  • Department determined
  • Shift schedule known
  • Target cycle times researched
  • Downtime categories identified
  • Quality requirements understood

During Configuration

  • Basic information entered
  • Production settings configured
  • Quality tracking set up
  • Downtime categories enabled
  • Alert thresholds set
  • Operator assignment rules configured
  • Integrations connected (if needed)

Post-Configuration

  • Test cell with dummy data
  • Enroll device to cell
  • Train operators on cell usage
  • Verify data appears in dashboard
  • Test alerts trigger correctly
  • Document cell-specific procedures
  • Add work instructions/drawings
  • Review initial week of data and adjust

📸 Screenshot needed: Printable configuration checklist

Need Help?

Configuration Support:

Tips:

  • Start with one cell and refine before rolling out to all cells
  • Use templates to maintain consistency
  • Involve operators in configuration process
  • Review and adjust settings based on real usage

📸 Screenshot needed: Support resources quick reference card

Screenshots

Cell Configuration Guide - screenshot 1
Cell Configuration Guide - screenshot 2
Cell Configuration Guide - screenshot 3