Blow Through

What is Blow Through?

Blow Through in Logistics

Blow Through is a term used in logistics to describe a specific process within Material Requirements Planning (MRP). MRP is a system that helps companies manage their inventory and production processes by determining what materials are needed and when they are needed.

In MRP, Blow Through refers to a process that utilizes a concept called a "phantom bill of material." A bill of material is a list of all the components and materials required to produce a finished product. However, in some cases, there may be a need to include a phantom item in the bill of material.

A phantom item is a component that does not physically exist but is included in the bill of material to represent a group of related components. It acts as a placeholder or a virtual item that helps simplify the planning and production process. The phantom item is not physically produced or stocked; instead, it serves as a way to drive requirements directly to its components.

The Blow Through process allows the MRP logic to pass through the phantom item and determine the requirements for its components. This means that when the MRP system calculates the materials needed for production, it considers the phantom item and its associated components as separate entities. The system can then generate purchase orders or production orders for the components based on the demand generated by the phantom item.

One advantage of using Blow Through is that it allows for more efficient planning and production scheduling. By using a phantom item, companies can simplify their bill of material and reduce the complexity of their production processes. This can lead to cost savings and improved productivity.

It is important to note that even though Blow Through allows the MRP system to drive requirements straight through the phantom item, the system still retains the ability to account for any occasional inventories of the item. This means that if there are any existing stocks of the phantom item, the MRP system can net them against the requirements and adjust the demand for the components accordingly.

In conclusion, Blow Through is a process within MRP that utilizes a phantom bill of material to drive requirements directly to the components of a virtual item. This process simplifies planning and production scheduling, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings. By understanding and implementing Blow Through, companies can optimize their logistics processes and enhance their overall supply chain management.