Processing Work Orders/Processing Center
Once the products have been selected, and the work order properties and options have been set up, click the Process button to continue with the work order. After the processing has finished, a window will be displayed, providing a summary of the work order. You will be prompted to open the newly created work order.
Opening the work order will launch the Processing Center interface.
At the top of the interface is the menu bar. The menu bar includes the following menus:
General – Allows you to load the parts list, print reports, view single part g-code results, see the event log, browse to the work order directory, or switch to another work order.
Labels – Allows you to set default product and part labels, and print labels.
Nest Options – Allows you to open nest drawings, view nesting g-code results, make new g-code, and plot nest drawings.
Scrap Options – Allows you to set up and manage scrap inventory and storage locations (the Scrap Management module must be purchased to use these settings).
The parts list will display the sheet stock and solid stock parts (hardware and buyout items can be displayed by activating them in the Toolbox Options). The column headers at the top of the list can be used to organize the parts. By clicking on the column headers, you can sort or filter the parts. You can also drag the column headers to create groups. Right-clicking in the parts list will allow you to print the grid, export the grid, and modify the way the grid is displayed.
The bottom-left section of the interface will display the processing stations that have been set up for your company. Processing Stations contain a tool file and settings that are linked to the machines in your shop. Processing stations can be assigned to specific parts or all parts.
By default, there are four processing stations:
Default Nest – Setup as a generic CNC router. Parts will be placed on sheets of material.
Default P2P – Setup as a generic point-to-point machine. Single part g-code files will be created.
Default Saw – Setup as a generic beam saw. Parts will be placed on sheets of material.
Default Solid Wood Door – Setup as a generic cutoff saw.
Processing stations can be created, edited, removed, imported, and exported from the Processing Center. It is not uncommon for multiple processing stations for the same machine to be created. Certain parts or materials may require specific settings.
Next to the Processing Stations is the Processing Assignments buttons:
Select All Parts – This will select all the parts in the parts list.
Assign Processing Stations to Selected Parts – This will assign the selected processing station(s) to the selected parts.
Assign Processing Station Rules to Selected Parts – This will assign the selected processing station(s) to the selected parts based on the rules that have been set up for each processing station.
Clear Assignments from Selected Parts – Removes the processing station assignments from the selected parts.
Process – Creates the machining code (and drawings if required) for all the parts that have been assigned processing stations.
When assigning processing stations to parts, an “X” will be displayed in the column that matches the processing station.
The Batch Options allow you to add batches to the work order. When using multiple batches, it is important to clear the processing station assignments and reassign them to the parts that will be included in the next batch.
The Batch Options also contains options to hide assigned parts and process report groups.