Fields

Data collection fields

You can include data collection fields that you want to collect when the Procedure gets executed in a Run. For example, let's say you want to know the running torque value for every run that uses a given Procedure. You can define that field in the procedure, and the technician/operator will input that when she/he executes the run.

Datetime

The date and time for a certain event. Use this field to track events and their times in production. For example, if you want to track when something was put into a thermal oven.

Boolean (checkbox)

True or false. This gives the operator a simple option for whether something is true or false. For example, use this field for a simple pass/fail data collection.

String (text)

A simple text field data collection field. Useful for freeform responses from the factory floor.

String fields have no length limitation and support all UTF-8 characters.

Number - includes the unit for data collection

Similar to a string, except this field type enforces that the data collected is a numerical value. Unlike other fields, number fields can have calculations, i.e. validations. See the Validations section below for more information on how to use validations to automate checking values in operation.

Select

Use this to provide a list of options to select on the floor. The select field only allows one response. For more responses, use multiselect.

Multiselect

A list of options which allow for more than one items to be selected in operation. This is useful if you want to collect multiple attributes or conditions from the operator. For example, "scratched", "bent", and "discolored" can all be multiselect options, and it might be that the operator found all three attributes to be true.

Signoff

Signoff fields allow procedure builders to define signoffs required on a step to ensure quality. Signoffs are defined by role, which is then enforced during the Run. For example, a procedure builder can define a Procedure step requires someone with the Quality Inspection role to signoff before continuing. During the run, Quality Inspector Susie can signoff on the step, but Assembly Technician Michael cannot. ION maintains that Susie signed off on the field with a digital signature.

Signoff fields can be configured as Peer Review Only which means only users that have not worked on the run connected to the signoff field can complete the field.

As a workspace admin, you can manage which roles exist in your organization and who has which roles in your organization settings.

File attachment

Use this to attach a file. You can, of course, use the attachments in the run step, which is a lot more flexible and preferred. A file attachment field type can be useful when you know that you want a very specific file, such as a CSV upload from a machine or similar.

The file attachment field has a maximum size of 5 gigabytes

Tool

Link use of Tools to a run step. Filling out a tool field on a run links records a use of the tool on the run for traceability and containment purposes. Tool fields can be limited to specific tool part numbers, types, and maintenance/calibration status of the tool.

ION: User

This links a user from your ION instance to a step.

ION: Part

This links a part from your ION instance to a step.

Required Fields

By default fields are optional. Leaving a field blank on a run step will not block the user from completing the step. Procedure writers can set fields as Required to force the executing user to fill it out.

Required setting on a field

If a field is set as Required, it may also be set to allow Not Applicable entries. This can be used to provide positive confirmation by the user that they chose not to fill out the field.

Fields completed with Not Applicable record their value as null but the not_applicable field as true

Required field that allows not applicable entries

User marking a field as Not Applicable in the Run Execution interface

Field Validations

Number fields in ION allow for setting up validations, or calculations, to automate numerical checking out on the floor. This is very useful for setting up conditions for passing. For example, if a torque value must be within a certain range, such as greater than 5 ft-lb but less than 10 ft-lb, you can use validations to set up your limits. Validations automatically run when a value is input in a run. If you have the relevant organization settings for automatically creating an issue when a value exceeds the criteria, an issue will automatically be created in ION.

Field validations may be only used for fields in Content steps.

Setting up validations in the procedure fields definition

Automatic indication when a value exceeds the setup validation criteria set in the procedure