ShopFloorDNC is fully integrated into ShopFloorManager's Architecture inheriting the intrinsic: foundational features, security, intra-operability, look and feel, internal data exchange and document control mechanisms as does the rest of ShopFloorManager's Applications!
Note: Interrogate the Graphic above to investigate the various Application's Intra-Relationships by clicking on the Rectangles.
ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFiles are tightly entwined into a single Workspace where ShopFloorDNC's main task is to send, receive & manage N/C Files for Machine Tools.
From a User's point of view it makes sense having one Workspace that allows access to all of the actions that can be performed on a ShopNCFile including the actions that are support DNC.
ShopNCFiles is one of the Foundational Applications and ShopFloorDNC plays a minor role, though very import, in the scope of ShopNCFile Actions. ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFile are always found working in unisons in the same Workspace.
To display the Integrated ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFiles Workspace click on the "Manage ShopNCFiles" Icon and the following Workspace is displayed!
Before we get started take a look at the above Graphic. In general, ShopFloorManager provides a Workspace paradigm where every Application such as ShopFloorDNC can perform all it's possible Actions from within it's Workspace.
No disjointed Hopscotching from one Workspace to another. This is a Foundational(Fully Integrate) Paradigm based on our core Philosophies.
As you explore ShopFloorManager you will encounter various Workspaces for managing ShopFloorDNC, ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl & ShopFloorOperations.
These Workspace provide access to Integrated Applications & Tools that allow Users to perform their tasks securely, quickly and efficiently!
Why "ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFiles" and not just ShopFloorDNC? Well, you can't separate the ShopFloorDNC Aspects from the ShopNCFiles Aspects!
You always need to control access to ShopNCFiles when up or downloading to Machine Tools. They need to be approved and release controlled by the Master Document Control Module to assure that Quality Control Requirements are meet.
This drove us from the beginning to include a Master Document Control Module in ShopFloorManager supporting ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl, & ShopFloorOperations!
Visit the Sub-Websites: ShopFloorDocumentControl, ShopFloorOperations & ShopFloorMonitoring and Explore!
Note: To maximize the benefits of ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFiles they should be used as an integral part of ShopFloorOperations (Travelers)! See the Sub-Website ShopFloorOperations to Learn More About ShopFloorOperations.
ShopFloorDNC includes the following Features:
Notes:
ShopFloorManager provides a dedicate Workspace for Configuring Machines Tools. The following Window will provide a brief overview.
To display Configure Machines click on the "Configure Machines" Icon and the following Workspace is displayed!
The Configure Machines' Workspace provides a User with every possible Action from creating a New Machine Tool to maintaining and updating existing Machine Tools' properties as a company's requirements change over time.
To create a New Machine Tool click on the "New" Button to open the "New Machine Tool Connection" Form. Enter the name of the new machine, in our case 8000A. All Machine Tool names must be unique and is enforced by ShopFloorManager.
Click the OK Button and the following Forms are available for Configurating and setting every available parameter needed to create a New Machine.
In the Graphic above we have opened multiple forms that are used to create and set the properties of a New Machine! We won't go into any depth at this stage but each of these forms allows you to configure a virtual Machine that connects to Real-Machine matching it's Properties.
Check out each of the Forms Tabs above to get a feeling for it's capability!
Note: To see more in-depth details download our User Manual!
CNC Queues and More!
We have clicked on the "Manager Transfer Queues" Icon opening up it's Workspace. The above displays the Manage File Transfer Workspace with it's active & non-active transfer queues of all the configured Machine Tools. It provides a User access to all the possible actions for controlling & managing Machine Queues.
On the Manage Transfer Queue Workspace click on the "Manage ShopNCFiles" Icon to open this Workspace.
Click on the Machine 8000C and all of it's associated ShopNCFiles are displayed in the Right-Hand Pane. Select the ShopNCFile 143996.F.GT 300_V1.NC and every Icon that can perform an Action is activated including the Send & Receive Icons.
Click on the Send Icon and the following Queuing Form is displayed.
This Form provides access to every Action a User can take regrading the Queued ShopNCFile selected including adding ISO Documentation, Macro DPRNTs for ShopFloorOperations & ShopFloorMonitoring, Search Criteria Data, RRC Files, Queuing Options, etc.
You can verify that this File contains the information checked off in the "Change Content File?" Section by clicking on the View Button. After clicking on the View Button the very beginning of the text in ShopNCFile is displayed. See the following Window!
Notes:
There are four sections of the above View Form we will discuss. The fourth section is at the end of the ShopNCFile! We will explain.
Click on the Cancel Button to return to the previous View then click on the OK Button on the Send Form and the following Window will be displayed.
Note: Click on this link OEE-Controller-based-MDI to View a Typical RRC Template.
The above Graphic displays the "Manage File Transfer Queue" Workspace with the download ShopNCFile & all of the selected RRC Files. The Operator can manage their Queue(s) as needed whether they are at the PC or Machine Tool.
The View of the Queue Form previously displayed was based on the default downloading settings for this Machine Tool. If the Operator is using Remote Requests to download a file and wants to include some or all of Queuing Options these can be established by configuring the default settings.
Since it is not feasible for an operator to request individual RRC Files the default settings are used to meet their needs when using remote requests. If the operator doesn't need all of the queued files they have the option to keep or delete them at their discretion at the machine tool!
Note: To see the details download the User Manual!
The above Graphic displays how a Machine Tool operator would create & format a dummy N/C File (GET 143996.F.GT 300_V1.NC) to request this file from ShopFloorManager.
Without getting into the full range of Remote Request Commands, over 20, the GET in front of the file 14966.F.GT 300_V1.NC "tells" ShopFloorManager to queue this file for sending to the Machine Tool from which it was uploaded.
ShopFloorManager supports the ShopFloorManagers' remote requests paradigm by responding to incorrect commands or just verifying that a remote request was completed successfully so an operator is never left wondering if the remote request was successful.
Note: To see additional details download our User Manual!
Each ShopFloorDNC User can View their Documents their Way!
In any Sophisticated System different Users require varying "Views" in order to quickly and accurately carry out their unique tasks efficiently & effectively.
ShopFloorManager's ShopFloorDNC provides a View Selection Form that provides any number of options for uniquely creating Views for any User's Requirements!
Let's investigate exactly how ShopFloorDNC allows each User to quickly configure a View that meets their needs!
Let's start with a view displaying all of the ShopNCFiles in ShopFloorManager. This view could contain hundreds of thousands of ShopNCFiles. The total number of ShopNCFiles is displayed at the bottom left corner in the above graphic. See the red arrow above.
This view is best used when a User needs to do a Search across all ShopNCFiles when they are looking for common property(ies)! To see this in more detail look at the Menu "Search Keys"!
Let's investigate how Views can be changed based on the various "View Mode" Options! On the Application above we have clicked on the "Change View" Icon displaying the following Form!
The above form as configured was used to generate the previous View. Let's select the next setting option, "Unassigned (Orphaned)" and see how these setting change the View! See the red arrow above! After changing the settings click the OK Button the following view is displayed.
This View is used when isolating any ShopNCFiles that have not been assigned to a "Resource Collection".
A Resource Collection is a Virtual Folder that holds any number of ShopNCFiles and can be associated with any number of Machine Tools.
This View allows a User to assign any ShopNCFile that is Orphaned to any Resource Collection(s).
Note: This combination allows a User to select files that are associated with a Machine Tool for Downloading and for performing other Operations.
Choose the Setting "Machines->Resource Collections->ShopNCFiles" in the "Change View" Form to display the above View.
This View is used when a User wants to Send or Receive a ShopNCFile using a PC.
The User would highlight the Machine Tool of Choice (8000A in this View) and Icons for Sending & Receiving are activate. See the Red Arrow in the upper right hand corner.
Choose the Setting "Resource Collections->Machines->ShopNCFiles" in the "Change View" Form to display the above View.
This View is used when a User wants to Send or Receive a ShopNCFile using a PC.
The User would highlight the Machine Tool of Choice (8000A in this View) and Icons for Sending & Receiving are activate. See the Red Arrow in the upper right hand corner.
The difference with this view and the last is all of the Resource Collections associated with each Machine Tool are displayed. This allows a User to click on a particular Resource Collection and only those files in that Resource Collection are displayed allowing a User to select the particular ShopNCFiles of interest.
At this stage you may not be able to Up or Download any files as it is necessary to highlight the Machine Tool. You can highlight the Machine Tool after selecting the ShopNCFile of interest and you will be able to Up and Download.
Choose the Setting "Files Waiting for Sign-Off" in the "Change View" Form to display the above View.
This View is for Users who are responsible for Signing Off(Approval) of any Pending ShopNCFiles.
Any ShopNCFile not Approved can't in general be used in production by Operators since they don't have the Rights!
The ShopNCFile must be Fully Approved through all Sign-Off Stages included in a particular the Sign-Off Flow Chart containing this Sign-Off State! See the Menu "Approval" in this Sub-Web Site for more details.
When a User Signs-Off(Approves) ShopNCFiles this View is immediately updated and the Signed-Off ShopNCFiles are removed since this View only displays ShopNCFiles that need to be Signed-Off!
Choose the Setting "checked Out Files" in the "Change View" Form to display the above View.
This View is for Users who need to locate any ShopNCFiles that have been Checked Out for Third-Party Editing but have not been Checked-In and Saved.
Note: There are times when a User may have been interrupted when Editing a ShopNCFile with a Third-Party Tool and forgot to finish Editing.
This View allows a User three options:
See the Red Rectangle in the graphic above.
Choose the Setting "Show ShopFileCabinets" & "ShopNCFile->Resource Collections..." in the "Change View" Form to display the above View.
This View is used when a User wants to view the ShopNCFiles contained in a particular ShopFileCabinet! For Security a User must have Group User Rights to this ShopFileCabinet to access any ShopNCFiles it contains!
If a User is moving from one View to another they should first highlight the ShopNCFile and then change the View! This View, if logically possible, will display the correct ShopFileCabinet containing this ShopNCFile!
Create your own Search Criteria for All Document Types
When you have hundreds of thousands of ShopNCFiles how do you associate particular properties with each individual ShopNCFile and then use these properties to find these ShopNCFiles?
If a System has a fixed number of pre-configured property fields this greatly limits the number of options for locating these ShopNCFiles.
ShopFloorManager provides a solution that is virtually unlimited. It provides for creating your own Search Keys, not pre-configured, which can be populated with the data that you deem are important for this ShopNCFile.
You can then use this data to search for any ShopNCFiles containing this data! See the Menu "Engines" for details on the Search Engine!
ShopFloorManager provides nine different Key Field Types to accommodate any Search Key Field requirements to store your data. You can create any number of Key Fields to meet your Company's requirements!
Users can choose to display/not display these Key Fields by clicking on the Icon "Show Search Data Window". These Key Fields can contain import data for each ShopNCFile aiding a User in it's use/intent or other useful information.
If additional Key Fields are required to accommodate new or changing properties, ShopFloorDNC accommodates change! Change is inevitable in any manufacturing environment and ShopFloorDNC provides the ability to adapt!
ShopFloorManager allows you to display the Search Keys in the Header Labels replacing the Standard Header Labels with a Click on the "Switch to Search Columns" Icon! Then Click on the Edit Button and following Window is displayed.
Note: See the Red Rectangles, Arrows & Ellipses above!
All of the Key Fields are displayed allowing a Qualified User to Edit and or Enter any Data in the Various Key Fields!
Once the User has completed and or entering the data they can Apply Button to save all of the Changes.
Find any Document Quickly
In any system that deals with large quantities of Files, managing them can be a challenge. Trying to locate a specific ShopNCFile relative to known words or phrases is almost impossible without a sophisticated way of searching.
ShopFloorManager provides multiple ways to search for documents based the standard properties every document has and on the data stored in the User created Key Fields!
One way to perform a "Simple Search" is to start to type the name of the ShopNCFile you are trying to locate as shown in the textbox with the Red Arrow! As you type the ShopNCFile with the characters in the textbox is displayed. When it no longer matches any ShopNCFile you will stop seeing the ShopNCFile updating!
Another way to perform a "Simple Search" is to double click on the Header Labels enclosed in the Red Rectangle! This will align the column contents in Alphanumeric Order!
ShopFloorManager provides the ability to search for ShopNCFile Properties:
Note: When you need a more sophisticated way to Search, ShopFloorManager’s Search Engine comes to the rescue. See the following!
To better illustrate the Search Process we will open the "Show Search Data Window" which displays the Search Key Fields with the populated data if any exists!
Click the "Show Search Data Window" Icon and the following Window is displayed.
ShopFloorManager provides a Search Engine with the ability to locate ShopNCFiles based on data populated into Search Key Fields associated with a File.
Click the "Search Engine" Icon and the following Window is displayed.
ShopFloorManager allows Customers to create their own Key Fields chosen from 9 different types! There can be any number of unique Key Fields that are associated with a ShopNCFile, ShopDocument or ShopOperation !
When these Key Fields are populated, you can use ShopFloorManager’s Search Engine to locate the exact search key matches for any ShopNCFiles you are looking for by using Multiple Search Criteria “Lines” joined by Logical “And” & “Or” modifiers.
See the Search Engine above as it uses Key Fields for locating any number of ShopNFiles based on these Key Fields!
Click the OK Button and the following Window will be displayed showing the Results of the Search!
As you can see there was only one file that meet the Search Key Data criteria!
Automatically Import all Your Documents
The Maintenance Engine is used to automatically import ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl & ShopFloorOperations into ShopFloorManager’s Database.
There are configuration settings in the Resource Collections & ShopFileCabinets where you can select & create paths & folders that are used to Import ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl & ShopFloorOperations.
These Folders are used by Programmers, Mfg. Engineers, etc. to place ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl & ShopFloorOperations for importing into ShopFloorManager’s Database and appropriate Resource Collections & ShopFileCabinets. These will also be imported into ShopFloorManager’s Database! I.E. Drop into a Folder and Import, it’s that easy!
The Maintenance Engine can be started up manually by looking in the "CCI ShopFloorManager 8.0.xx" or Equivalent Folder. In Windows 10 you can find it by clicking the Windows Start Icon. It will also start up at automatically if placed in the Startup Folder!
Only one instance of the Maintenance Engine can be running at any time. You can see the various paths the Engine visits and imports any ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl or ShopFloorOperations located in these folders.
Where Master ShopNCFiles live
Master Files are special files in ShopFloorManager. Generally, you don’t modify these files in fact you need special Rights to modify these files. They are considered Base Files!
All imported Files are Master Files! If you need to modify a Master File, make a copy and modify that copy! ShopFloorManager keeps a record of each Files' lineage so you can use ShopFloorReports to find any ShopNCFile's History!
Note: See the User Manual for a more detailed explanation.
Obsolete ShopNCFiles Live in Limbo
An Obsolete Document is in a Limbo like State! There are times when you want to be able to control access to particular Documents Globally but not remove any existing relationships. That is the definition of an Obsolete Document.
In order for a User to access an obsolete ShopNCFle they need to have the right to access obsolete ShopNCFiles. If they don't have that right they wouldn't even know that ShopNCFile existed.
To support Obsolete Documents you need to activate this Option in the Database Properties Section. If this property is set you will need to mark a Document as Obsolete before being able to delete it from the Active System. Deleted Documents are placed in an Archive.
Note: See the User Manual for a more detailed explanation.
Where Old ShopNCFiles go to Retirement
An important aspect of File Management is how you deal with deleted Documents. As ShopNCFiles are deleted there are at least three ways to handle them. Most Applications just delete them and it’s up to you & Windows to retrieve or purge these.
First, ShopFloorManager takes a more File Management approach by keeping these deleted ShopNCFiles in an Archive.
Second, ShopFloorManager allows a User access for a quick retrieval to insert it back into the Active Database.
Third, ShopFloorManager allows a User to purge it from the Archive if it’s at the end of its life cycle.
One of the benefits of a File Management System, is it addresses the inevitable when a User deletes a ShopNCFile by mistake! They don’t have to fret just retrieve it from the Archive.
In order for an Archive Application to be "Useful" there are a few Operations that it needs to posses. Let's briefly describe each!
Archive Operations
Note: For a more detailed explanation see our User Manual!
Approval all your Documents the Right Way
In manufacturing when producing a product, it is assumed that all of the "Documentation" has been approved by the appropriate Experts.
The process that is used to make sure that all of the "Documentation" (I.E. ShopFloorDocumentControl; ShopNCFiles; ShopFloorOperations)” used in production are correct involves Experts giving their approval of the "Documentation" used to produce “Parts, Assemblies, etc.”.
This approval process can involve more the one Expert’s Approval for a particular "Document".
ShopFloorManager provides features for creating a one step or multiple step Approval Process for approving "Documents".
View the following for how ShopFloorManager handles Approving ShopNCFiles, ShopFloorDocumentControl & ShopFloorOperations!
Click on the "Manage ShopNCFiles" Icon and the following Window is displayed.
We have selected the ShopNCFile LM-29F2456 to demonstrate the Approval Process.
Click on the "Edit Approval and Sign-off" Icon to start the process and the following Windows are displayed!
Note: You will notice that this highlighted file is marked UNAPPROVED!
The "Edit Approval and Sign-off" Form is displayed in the Background. We have opened two Windows to better describe the Process.
The second Window is the "Select Sign Off Flow Chart"! The list of Sign OFF Flow Charts can contain one or more Sign Off States (Stages) that a ShopNCFile must visit and be signed off before Final Approval.
To start the process we will check off the three Checkboxes as shown above in the "Edit Approval and Sign-off" Form in the Background Window. Now click the "Copy Steps from Flow Charts" and the "Select Sign Off Flow Chart" Form is displayed!
Click the OK Button in the "Select Sign Off Flow Chart" Form and the following Window is displayed!
Note: For this demonstrator we will select the 4 STAGE SHOPNCFILE SIGNOFF Flow Chart!
When the 4 Stage Sign-Off Flow Chart States (Stages) are displayed click on the OK Button to Accept!
If collecting Histories on ShopNCFiles has been activated an Approver would have to input a reason for the Approval. This can then be used to provide document histories for Company & ISO Audits!
Now let's investigate how the "Sign Off Flow Chart" is used in the Approval Process. See the following!
Notes:
For signing off documents ShopFloorManager provides a special View that only displays ShopNCFiles that are ready to signoff by the designated Approval User.
Click the "Change View" Icon and the following Window is displayed.
We have configured the above options for displaying ShopNCFiles that need to be signed off (Approved)!
Click the OK Button when finished and the following Window is displayed!
All of the ShopNCFiles displayed are the Files that this particular User has the Rights to Approve. Also notice the Red Arrow in the left hand lower Window with the number of ShopNCFiles that this User has to Approve!
Click the Sign OFF ShopNCFile Icon and the following Window is displayed.
Note: Before Approval the ShopNCFile is at the "Approval ShopNCFile Stage 1" Stage shown above!
As you can see the ShopNCFile has been Approved for the "Approval ShopNCFile Stage 1" Stage and has moved on the next Stage: "Approval ShopNCFile Stage 2". At this point the User would click on the "Change View" Icon and set the View Options back to the previous settings!
Note: The reason you see that the ShopNCFile has moved to the next Stage in this Window is this User has the Rights to Sign-OFF this ShopNCFile for this "Approval ShopNCFile Stage 2" Stage!
As you can see the ShopNCFile has moved to the "Approval ShopNCFile Stage 2"! The ShopNCFile continues to move into the different Stages until it is finally Approved!
Managing Screen Clutter with a Click of the Mouse
When working with the various views that contain a large number of Machines (30 plus), ShopFileCabinets, Resource Collects, etc. it can be difficult to select and work with a particular Item efficiently.
To address this issue ShopFloorManager created Organizational Units for efficiently managing a large number of objects such as Machine Tools.
As an example if you have 100 Machine Tools or more, a “Flat” List just won’t work. See below!
Viewing the Graphic above it is obvious that working with a long "Flat" list is not only not fun but at best Chaotic!
See the following on how Organizational Units can take Chaos & transform it into Order with a single click! Magic at your finger tips!
Clicking on any "-" sign collapses the "Organizational Unit" and remember that with the click of the mouse you can go from "Flat" to "Organizational Units" to "Flat" again! In other words, have your cake and eat it too!
Keeping in Touch with your Third-Party Apps
In any Document Control System you will be managing any number of different Native Document Types! It would be impossible to fully support these document types natively in any system other the Originator's System.
This fact motivate us to create a communication channel between ShopFloorManager’s ShopNCFiles & ShopFloorDocumentControl and various Third-Party Applications using ShopFloorManager’s Shop3rdPartyTools.
Note: ShopFloorManager provides document storage, security, recording of History Changes and revision control for Third-Party Application Documents.
Let's take a look at how Shop3rdPartyTools accesses Third-Party Applications and handles their Documents. See the following pages!
How does Shop3rdPartyTools provide a channel to the Third-Party Applications? When clicking the Icon "Check Out and Edit with Shop3rdPartyTool or Native", one of seven Shop3rdPartyTools Application Modes, the following Form is displayed.
The "Select Editing Tool" Form, above, displays all of the created Channels a User can select based on the User Groups to which they belong. This assures that only qualified Users can access these different Third-Party Applications!
This is part of the built in Security inherent in ShopFloorManager.
As can be seen in the above Form we have chosen the Third-Party Application editNC10 to Edit ShopNCFiles vs using ShopFloorManagers NC Editor.
The reasons for selecting a different Editor can be a Company Protocol, a Users Preference or if a Third-Party Application is required, such as, when editing Mazatrol Files! It doesn't matter we have it covered!
Next let's look at the various options for Editing.
Note: We will not be investigate all of the Editing Options in detail! For a more details see our User Manual!
We have chosen the editing option, "Check Out and Edit with Shop3rdPartyTool or Native". After the "Manager ShopNCFiles (Assigned)" Form is displayed click on the "Use this One" Button and the following Window will be displayed!
We will be demonstrating using the Shop3rdPartyTools Third-Party Application, editNC10, and show how using this particular Application provides features that another Third-Party Application might not! If you have an other Third-Party Application you prefer you can use that one!
One of the Reasons we decided to create Shop3rdPartyTools is you can't be everything to everybody. Our original mission was to provide the best Factory Automation System designed around Machine Tool Communications, System Security & a Superior Document Control System regardless of the Document Types.
This implicitly required supporting almost any Document Type! We believe we have meet and will continue to meet our original mission!
We will not only be using eitNC10 to edit a ShopNCFile but to also Backplot!
We will now select the various editNC10 options for Backploting this ShopNCFile as displayed above and the following Window will be displayed.
See below for the Backplot of the selected ShopNCFile.
This is just a small taste of what Shop3rdPartyTools can do for you! Remember we stayed true to our mission and our Customers have benefited!
We can compare almost any Document Type
Let's investigate how we can Configure a Workstation for selecting a particular App for comparing documents. ShopFloorManager can be configured to use almost any type of Comparison Application if it follows Microsoft's Command Line Arguments protocol and the Application supports selecting two Documents to Compare via Command Line Args!
Selecting the "Configure Workstation" Icon displays the "Workstation Properties" Form with several selections to choose from! For this Demonstration we will select the EditNC(editNC10) App. Following we will display how this App is used to compare two different ShopNCFiles.
Close this Window and the next Window and the ShopFloorManager Runtime will be displayed.
Click the "Manage ShopNCFiles" and the following Window will be displayed!
Select the 1st ShopNCFile as shown above and click the Compare Icon and the following Window will be displayed.
You can see the first file that was selected at the bottom right indicated by the Red Arrow in the graphic below!
Select the 2nd ShopNCFile as shown above and click the Compare Icon and the following Window will be displayed.
The following Window is EditNC's Compare Function Application!
We have selected the Third-Party Application EditNC to compare two ShopNCFiles but we could have chosen any compare application registered in ShopFloorManager! Choose the Application that best meets your needs!
Over 71 Reports and 3 ShopFloorCharts
We will only be showing the Report Options for ShopNCFiles. This will provide you with the Reports' Depth & Details which are extensive. Any Document Control System "Worth it's Weight in Salt" would include these types of Reports!
Note: These Reports can be used for ISO & Company Audits!
Note: This was brief Overview of ShopFloorManager's ShopFloorDNC & ShopNCFile (Document Control) Apps!
