Routing Steps
How to define, manage, and advance multi-operation routing for complex parts.
What Is Routing?
Routing defines the ordered sequence of operations (work centers) that a job must pass through to reach completion. A simple part might have a single operation, but many manufactured parts require multiple steps — for example: Raw Material → Saw → CNC Mill → CNC Lathe → Deburr → Inspect → Ship. Each step in the routing is called an operation and is assigned to a specific work center type.
Why Routing Matters
Without routing, a work order sits at one station until it is complete. With routing, JobLine.ai automatically moves the work order through the correct sequence of stations, ensuring each operation is performed in order. This eliminates the need for paper travelers, reduces miscommunication about what step a job is on, and gives supervisors visibility into where every job is in the process.
Adding Routing Steps
When creating or editing a work order, open the Routing section. Click "Add Step" to insert a new operation. For each step, select the work center type (e.g., Mill, Lathe, Grinder) from the dropdown, enter a brief operation description (e.g., "Rough mill top face, 0.010 finish"), and optionally provide an estimated cycle time. Steps are automatically numbered (Op 10, Op 20, Op 30, etc.) following manufacturing convention.
Reordering and Editing Steps
You can reorder routing steps by dragging them up or down in the list. To edit a step, click on it to expand the fields. To remove a step, click the delete icon. Changes to routing are saved when you save the work order. Note: if a work order is already In Progress and has completed some routing steps, you cannot reorder or delete those completed steps — only future steps can be modified.
Advancing Through Operations
When an operator completes their operation at a station, they mark the current routing step as "Done." The work order then automatically advances to the next step and appears in the queue of the next work center type in the sequence. If no station of that work center type exists in the team, the supervisor is alerted. The routing progress is visible on the work order card as a step indicator (e.g., "Step 3 of 5").
Outside Processing Steps
Some operations require sending parts to an external vendor — heat treating, anodizing, plating, or specialized testing. Mark these routing steps as "Outside Processing" when configuring them. When the order reaches an outside processing step, it moves to a special status indicating the parts are off-site. When the parts return, a user marks the step complete and the order continues through the remaining internal operations.
Routing Templates
If you manufacture the same part repeatedly, you can save a routing sequence as a template in the Part Catalog. When creating a new work order for that part, the routing is automatically pre-filled from the template. This saves time and ensures consistency. Templates can be updated — new orders use the latest template, while existing orders retain their original routing.