Open the formulas list. The ‘Add New’ button is below the list on the left. This will open a new blank detail view for the formula. If you are creating a formula that is similar to or a variation of an existing formula it may be quicker to open the existing formula and clone it using the ‘Clone Formula’ button.
Fill in the details for the formula as follows:
1. Code: a unique code to identify this formula, up to 25 characters long. If you try to enter a code that has already been used or that is too long, you will see an error outline in red around the text box.
2. Name: a description of your formula, up to 50 characters long.
3. Colour: choose a colour closest to the colour of your formula. This provides a visual clue when working with lists of formula and does not need to be an exact match.
4. Items: are the most important part of a formula
a. Select materials to add to the formula from the drop down list. Typing into the list will filter the selection if you have a large number of materials.
b. Click ‘Add Material’ to add the selected material to the formula. It is quickest to add all of the materials you need and then enter the parts required once they are all in the list together.
c. If you need to remove a material from the formula, select it in the list and click ‘Remove Material’.
d. Double click on the values in the ‘Parts’ column to edit them. Once you are editing parts, you can move up and down the list using the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard.
e. Manual add materials are indicated by a ☼ symbol. These materials are not attached to a dispense valve and are instead added manually by the operator when required.
f. Clicking on a material and dragging it up or down the list will change the dispense order. It is recommended that you place manual add materials either at the start of the list or the end. This causes the least disruption for the operator. A benefit of placing the manual additions at the beginning of the list is that any accidental over dispensing of manual can be corrected easily by the dispenser.
g. It is recommended that you save the formula at this point to validate the items. If the sum of the parts does not add up to 100, you will be given the option to reapportion the formula. In most cases this is the correct thing to do, but in some cases you may have a formula that makes more sense as 1 part of A, 1 part of B and 1 part of C. Choosing no will allow you to keep the formula in this format.
5. Categories: assign any categories you need.
6. Attributes: add any attributes required.
7. Files: add any files for supporting information e.g. a colour specification document.
8. Notes: it may be a good idea to make a note of why the formula was added to the system or changed for future reference.
