How To Track Product Genealogy Using Tables

How To Track Product Genealogy Using Tables

Here's how to tie the serial numbers of individual parts to a product in Tulip

Note: This topic is featured in the "Build a Traceability and Genealogy App" In Tulip University.

Product genealogy and traceability are popular concepts across many industries.

Companies that manufacture products like...

• medical devices
• robotics
• lotion
• chemicals

...have used Tulip to replace paper records of product genealogy.

This tutorial will give a simple example of genealogy and traceability- tying one product number to serial numbers of 5 different parts.

Before using this tutorial, you first need to have a basic understanding of Tables. You should read the overview of Tables and build your first Table

In this example, we will use the example of manufacturing a product from 5 different chemicals. Each of these chemicals has a lot number that you would like to record next to the batch number of the final product.

This tutorial will be valid whether you use one app for the manufacturing process, or multiple apps.

There are 2 steps:

1. Create a batch number in Tulip via a Form Step
2. Every time a chemical is mixed into the batch, log details like the lot number and quantity added (in pounds or ounces)

Let's get started!

Adding The Batch Number

When the operator begins the batch, you will want to create a record in a table to track its history.

In Tulip, first create a Table called "Batches". Then, add a few fields like:

• Chemical 1 Lot Number (text)
• Chemical 1 Quantity (number)
• Chemical 2 Lot Number (text)
• Chemical 2 Quantity (number)
• Chemical 3 Lot Number (text)
• Chemical 3 Quantity (number)
• Chemical 4 Lot Number (text)
• Chemical 4 Quantity (number)
• Chemical 5 Lot Number (text)
• Chemical 5 Quantity (number)

Now, you are ready to update the table whenever a new batch is started in your process. In this example, we are assuming that the operator will need to manually enter a batch number that is assigned to them.

First, create a record placeholder called "New Batch Number" to tie the app to the "Batch Numbers" table.

Next, create a Form Step, and add a text field called "Enter New Batch Number".

Add a variable to track the value.

Then, add a custom action to the "Submit" button and add a trigger.

Then, add a "Create Record" action that will add a new record to the table based on the value entered into the form.

• "Table Records" "Create Record"
• by ID: "Variable" "Create New Batch- Enter New Batch Number" into: "New Batch Number"
• "Go To Step" "Next"

As soon as an operator presses the "Submit" button on the form, a new record will be created in the Table.

Updating the Details on Components In the Batch

If you plan on updating this batch record in another app, remember that you need to load the table record for the correct batch in every app where you will be making updates.

In this example, you want to attach a chemical lot number and quantity to the table record. So, create a Form Step with a text widget for the lot number and number widget for the quantity. Add a variable for each one.

Then, add a "Custom Action" with a trigger that fires when an operator presses the "Submit" button just like above.

You will need two "Data Manipulation" "Store" statements to update the record.

• "Data Manipulation" "Store" data: "Variable" (variable name)
• location: "Table Record" "New Batch Number' "Chem 1 Lot Number"
• "Data Manipulation" "Store" data: "Variable" (variable name)
• location: "Table Record" "New Batch Number' "Chem 1 Lot Quantity"

This will instantly update the product or batch record.

Further Reading

• A Guide To Using Tables in the App Editor

Did you find what you were looking for?

You can also head to community.tulip.co to post your question or see if others have faced a similar question!