---
title: Material
slug: material
createdAt: 2026-05-04T08:59:26.537Z
---

The Material module holds the master data for every **raw material, semi-finished good, finished product or packaging component** that passes through the shop floor. Material records are the anchor point for quality specifications, recipes, Bills of Materials and production order items.

## Material Classes

Materials are organized in **Material Classes** that group materials by shared characteristics and quality specification templates.

- Identified by a **unique ID**
- Supports **multi-language descriptions** (English mandatory)
- Shows all **linked materials**
- Can be **archived and restored** (not deleted)
- Includes **audit trail**: creator, last update, timestamp

## Material

Material holds all the characteristics of the used items in the Mantsu suite. 

- Identified by a **unique ID**
- Linked to **one or more material classes**
- Has a **base unit of measurement (UoM)**
- Supports **UoM conversion tables** (defined in settings)
  - Always start from base UoM
  - Build a conversion table (e.g., kg → g, kg → lbs)
  - *Preview* of the calculated conversions available
- Supports **multi-language descriptions** (English mandatory)
- Shows **linked batches** in the material screen
  - Batches created from a production order gets the Production order ID as batch ID. Link between batch and production order is visible in that way.
- Archivable with **audit trail**

## Units of Measure

Each material has a **Base UoM** (Unit of Measure), which is used as the default in confirmations or consumptions. Each material also supports **Unit Conversions**, ensuring that confirmations and consumptions in different units can be performed and logged.

:::hint{type="warning"}
Unit conversions can only be created starting from the Base UoM.
:::

## Key principles

- **Archive only**: No deletion, everything can be archived/restored
- **Auditability**: Each object tracks creator, editor, and timestamps
- **Consistency**: English descriptions mandatory; UoM and types managed via settings
- **Traceability**: Batches and sub-batches link back to materials and locations