Define active-dependent ingredient relationships

Dynamic Production  •  Article  •  10/22/2025  • 

You can establish relationships between active ingredients and dependent ingredients to maintain intended weight/volume ratios when ingredient quantities are adjusted due to potency variations.

The system supports two types of relationships:

Fixed ratio relationship

The dependent ingredient is used in a fixed proportion to the active ingredient. When the active ingredient quantity changes, the dependent ingredient changes by the same factor to maintain the specified ratio.

Example: A recipe uses a 1:4 ratio of active ingredient to carrier (by weight). If the active ingredient increases from 10 kg to 12 kg due to potency adjustment, the carrier automatically increases from 40 kg to 48 kg.

Filler/Balance to total relationship

The dependent ingredient serves as a filler to achieve a desired total batch weight or volume. This ensures end-to-end accuracy and regulatory compliance.

For example: A tablet must weigh exactly 500 mg. If the active ingredient increases from 50 mg to 55 mg due to low potency, the filler automatically decreases from 450 mg to 445 mg to maintain the 500 mg total.

Set up BOM component relationships

To define relationships between active and dependent ingredients, follow these steps:

  1. Select the Search icon , enter Production BOMs, and then choose the related link.
    The Production BOMs list page opens.
  2. Select the production BOM for which you want to define relationships.
    The Production BOM page opens.

  3. On each BOM line, configure the Component Type field,

    • Select Active Ingredient for the primary active component.
    • Select Dependent Ingredient for components that should adjust based on active ingredient changes.

    • Select Filler for components that balance the total batch weight.

      For lines marked as Dependent Ingredient, Filler, or Active Ingredient related field values become editable.

  4. In the Active Ingredient Line No. field, enter the line number of the active ingredient that this component depends on.

  5. On the action bar, select Ingredient Relationships.
    The Relationships for BOM page opens, showing all defined relationships for the current BOM.

  6. On the Relationships for BOM page, configure each relationship:

    Fixed ratio relationships

    • Use this when one component quantity is defined as a fixed ratio of another.
    • In the Ratio Value field, enter the ratio value.
      For example: Enter 4 for a 1:4 relationship.The system maintains the following relationship:
      Dependent Quantity ÷ Active Quantity = Ratio

    For filler/balance to total relationships:

    • Use this when the total weight or volume of the formula must remain constant, and one component should make up the remainder.
    • In the Relationship Type field, select Filler/Balance to Total.
    • In the Total Weight/Volume field, enter the target total.
      For example: Enter 500 for 500 mg tablets. The system maintains the following relationship:
      Active Quantity + Dependent Quantity = Total Weight/Volume

  7. The BOM Total field displays the sum of all Quantity per value on the production BOM lines, helping you verify that relationships are configured correctly.

The system enforces the following rules:

  • One dependent ingredient can only link to one active ingredient (no ambiguous multiple active influences).
  • Multiple dependent ingredients can link to the same active ingredient.
  • Circular relationships are not allowed.

View relationships on the FactBox

You can see the component relationships on the BOM Relationships FactBox of a production BOM or Production Order FactBox:

  1. Navigate to the Production BOM or Production Order page.
  2. Select a component line.
    The BOM Relationships FactBox displays:
    • Whether the selected line is an active ingredient with dependents.
    • If the line is a dependent, which active ingredient it is linked to.
    • The type of relationship and its parameters, such as ratio or total.
      The BOM component relationships are defined and automatically adjust dependent ingredient quantities when active ingredients change due to potency variations.