ControlPro v3.4
This article assumes you’re already familiar with the process of sub-batching and adding new equipment. If you’ve never worked with sub-batching before, I recommend you read our article, “Introduction to Batching and Sub-Batching” before proceeding. This article covers sub-batching using equipment. If you need assistance with automatic or manual sub-batching, or adding new equipment, refer to our other articles covering those topics.
Sub-batching with equipment is mainly used for dry systems where the trucks have compartments in their trailers. Each compartment is loaded, one at a time. Keep in mind that ControlPro does not track the number of compartments or their individual capacity. It can only track that the truck or trailer has compartments, the total capacity of all compartments together, and the tare weight of the truck and trailer. For this reason, we recommend using manual sub-batching for trucks with compartments. Automatic sub-batching will not work as intended in this situation.
In the following example, we are using a mixer with a capacity of 80,000 lbs. The ticket has a requested amount of 20,000 lbs. and the truck has a capacity of 24,000 lbs with two compartments (12,000 lbs each). To enable compartments, open the equipment and check the compartments box.
I loaded a ticket into the system with the requested amount of 20,000 lbs. The next step is to add the equipment to the ticket. At the bottom left of the system screen, under the tickets tab, click on the green plus sign next to the equipment field. In the equipment search window that pops up, double click on the equipment you want to assign.
Once the equipment with compartments is added to the ticket, sub-batching automatically enables itself.
Here’s the part where we need to do a little math. The truck has a total capacity of 24,000 lbs. with two compartments at 12,000 lbs. each. We can fill up the first container and load the remaining into the second, or we can equalize the amount of material in each compartment. You can always ask the driver if they prefer one way or the other. In this example, I will equalize the load across both compartments. That comes out to 10,000 lbs. in each compartment. Under the batch details tab, in the sub-batch pounds field, fill in 10,000 lbs. When ready, click process to run the first sub-batch.
After the first sub-batch is delivered, you can see the 10,000 lbs. already delivered (5,000lbs each of two materials). At this point, ControlPro goes into a “waiting” status. This is when you tell the driver to pull the truck forward so you can fill the second compartment. At the bottom right, fill in the amount you want to deliver. We only have 10,000 remaining, and that’s automatically filled in. If you’re running more than two sub-batches, make sure to type in the number you want to run for that sub-batch. When ready, click the process button to run the second sub-batch.
When all sub-batches have been delivered, ControlPro goes into “waiting” status again. Click the “complete” button at the bottom of the screen to close the ticket. The ticket will then clear itself from the screen.
That’s it. Make sure to run a sub-batch for each compartment on the truck. Keep in mind that each sub-batch can be a different size. Sometimes trucks contain different size compartments, or compartments were dented/damaged, and can’t hold the same capacity as the others. That’s why I prefer using manual sub-batching for equipment. It gives you the control and flexibility that automatic sub-batching doesn’t.