ShopFloorManager's Resource Collections

Primer - Resource Collections

Resource Collection are Flexible, Secure Containers that "Hold" DNC Files & Packets and allow you to associate any number of Machine Tools & User Groups(Users) with each Container. Therefore you have complete control over access to these valuable Resources.

Resource Collections when used in conjunction with ShopFloorManager'sTM Maintenance Engine provide the Automated Import of DNC Files & Packets into ShopFloorManager: (html). By Associating Machine Tools and User Groups with Resource Collections you can completely control Who/What Accesses these Assets and what "Rights" they have to manipulate the Resource Collection's Contents. This allows you to Manage and Control all of your DNC Files, Packets & Machine Tools so you can meet the stringent requirements of the ISO Standards.

ShopFloorManager Runtime

Note: From the above ShopFloorManager Runtime Application you can click on the Resource Collections... Icon to manage the Resource Collections Relationships and various Parameters. See the following Windows for a more detailed View.

Resource Collections Window

Organizing Resource Collections

Since Resource Collections can contain any number of DNC Files & Packets and be associated with any number of Machine Tools the organization of these can be critical! In order to deal with this reality ShopFloorManager allows Resource Collections to be Organized into Hierarchical Trees so you can organize them according to your specification. I.E. By the Customers you Deal with; Development; In House, etc.

User Groups

User Groups are used to provide "Rights" to any Resources associated with them. Since you can associate a Resource Collection with them you can control who has access to and what functions can be performed on the DNC Files & Packets contained in the Resource Collections. Extremely flexible & secure!

Machines

Machines need DNC Files to operate and by associating Resource Collections with these Machines you control it's access to these DNC Files. I.E. The appropriate Operators(Users), with the Appropriate DNC Files associate with the Appropriate Machine Tool!

Resource Collections Import Name Rules Property Window

Import Name Rules

The above Window allows you to set various "Import Name Rules" which include adding an extension, default is blank, to the beginning or end of the file being imported. This is usually used when files with the same name may be located in different folders. You could then add an unique Import Id to avoid name collisions in the Database. See Import Path.

If you use particular extensions for your DNC File Type naming conventions, this is stored in the database but is not part of the "File" name, you can enter it the Default File Type. This would be used by ShopFloorManager: (html) when it start a Third-Party Application just as Window does when you double click on the files this this extension.

You can also instruct ShopFloorManager on how to handle DNC Files being Imported into ShopFloorManager: (html). Choose the appropriate option!

Resource Collections Import Behavior Property Window

Import Behavior

The above Window allows you to instruct ShopFloorManager: (html) on what to do with the original of the imported File. Select the option that best fits your needs but usually customers don't want multiple copies of Files available to users so they delete them.

Normally most files being imported don't need to the End-Of-Block Charters changed but if they do need to be changed it can be done here. Normally this is handled by the installer.

There is also an option for what to do if you use ShopFloorManager: (html) to "Manually" Import Files. Choose the appropriate option.

Resource Collections Import Path Property Window

Import Path

The above Window allows you to select the Import Path Folder that is used by ShopFloorManager: (html) to Automatically Import any DNC Files and or Packets placed into this Folder Location. ShopFloorManager's Maintenance Engine then periodically Imports them into the Database.

Note: Engineers and or Programmers place DNC Files & Packets into these folder(s) when these are completed.

Resource Collections Queues Property Window

Machine Queues

The above Window allows you to select what action is performed by ShopFloorManager: (html) after successfully downloading a file to a CNC Machine Tool. Choose the option that best fits your needs. Generally the No Actions is what Customers choose.

Resource Collections Flow Charts Property Window

Flow Charts (Approval & Sign-Off)

The above Window allows you to select a specific Flow Chart(Approval Process) for DNC Files & Packets that are imported and or dragged and dropped into this Resource Collection. Flow Charts are used for ISO9000 Control and Approval before release into the various shop floor processing stages. Quality Control has complete control over who has access to Files & Travelers(Packets) at any processing stage on the manufacturing floor!