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Microvellum Processing Center Application

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Written by Jordan Munoz

The standalone Processing Center application provides shop-floor tools for managing and executing manufacturing data generated from Microvellum projects.

It enables users to:

  • Print part labels

  • View and print reports

  • Create and re-create manufacturing data

  • Manage part remakes

  • Re-optimize output

  • Create and manage batches

  • Review G-code and other production results

This standalone software delivers the established Processing Center functionality in a lightweight, purpose-built application designed specifically for shop-floor environments.
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Production App Transition

The Processing Center interface has served as the core Microvellum data processing toolset for many years. This new standalone application:

  • Provides access to the same core functionality.

  • Operates independently from the primary CAD environment.

  • Is optimized for shop-floor usage.

For customers currently using the standalone Production app on the shop floor:

  • The new Processing Center serves as a direct replacement.

  • No additional cost is required to transition.

  • Core shop-floor functionality remains unchanged.

Production vs Processing Center

The standalone Processing Center application does not fully replace all existing functions for the Production application.

Production historically included broader project-level and engineering capabilities that the Processing Center application does not include, such as:

  • Creating and managing projects

  • Adding products to projects

  • Access to Edit Design Data, Global Variables. Material Files, Part Properties

  • Creating work orders

  • An integrated version of Processing Center

Instead, the standalone application is intended to replace the need to use Production on the shop floor for operational manufacturing tasks, including:

  • Batch creation and management

  • Processing of existing work orders

  • Optimization

  • Label printing

  • Report printing

  • Processing Station (Tool File) management

  • Scrap Management

Project setup, product engineering, and work order creation will continue to occur within the Microvellum BSB/AC or the legacy Production app. The standalone Processing Center is purpose-built for executing and managing manufacturing data after work orders have been created.

Features

General

  • Load Parts List – All Parts: Loads every part in the work order into the Processing Center, regardless of machining status.

  • Load Parts with Machining Only: Loads only parts that contain machining operations, allowing users to focus on parts requiring CNC processing.

  • Load Parts with No Machining: Loads parts without machining, typically used for saw-only or manual processing workflows.

  • Load Parts List by Material: Filters and loads parts grouped by material to simplify batching, nesting, and inventory decisions.

  • Preview & Print All Reports & Report Groups: Allows users to preview and print individual reports or predefined report groups directly from the Processing Center.

  • View Single Part G-Code Results: Displays the generated G-code for a selected part, enabling verification and troubleshooting before production.

  • View Event Log: Shows a detailed log of processing events, warnings, and errors generated during work order processing.

  • Modify Work Order Details: Allows edits to work orders without reprocessing the entire project.

  • Modify Material Inventory: Updates material inventory quantities directly from the Processing Center to reflect production decisions.

  • Change Work Order: Switches between different processed work orders without closing the Processing Center.

Label Types

  • Current Product Label: Prints a label for the currently selected product.

  • Product Labels: Prints labels for multiple products within the work order.

  • Current Part Label: Prints a label for the selected individual part.

  • Current Auto Nest Part Label: Prints a label associated with the selected nested part within an optimization pattern.

  • Part Labels – Nest, Saw, ARDIS: Prints part labels formatted for specific workflows such as nesting, saw operations, or ARDIS systems.

Label Printing

  • Compatible with Touch-Screen Monitors: Supports touch-based interaction for shopfloor use on industrial touch screens.

  • Preview & Print Sheets of Labels: Allows users to preview and print labels for entire sheets at once.

  • Preview & Print Individual Part Label: Provides on-demand preview and printing for a single part label.

Optimization Results

  • View Optimization Patterns per Sheet: Displays how parts are arranged on each sheet within an optimization or nesting result.

  • View Part and Yield Information: Displays part name, width, length, product number, and sheet yield details within the optimization view.

  • Track Printed Labels Visually: Visually indicates which parts already have labels printed to prevent duplicates and missed labels.

Nest

  • View Nesting G-Code Results: Displays the CNC output generated for nested sheets.

  • View Composite Nest Drawings: Shows combined visual drawings of nested sheets for review and verification.

  • Plot Nests: Sends nest drawings to a plotter or printer for physical reference.

Scrap Options

  • Commit Scrap to Inventory: Adds unused material from nesting results back into scrap inventory.

  • Manage Scrap Inventory: Tracks available scrap materials for future use.

  • Manage Storage Locations: Defines and manages physical storage locations for scrap materials.

Processing Station Management

  • New: Creates a new processing station.

  • Edit: Modifies settings, rules, and outputs for an existing processing station.

  • Copy: Duplicates an existing processing station to accelerate setup.

  • Delete: Removes unused or obsolete processing stations.

  • Map Parts: Defines how parts are routed and processed through a station.

  • Activity Stations: Manages associated activity stations used for reporting and workflow tracking.

  • Import / Export: Transfers processing station configurations between databases or environments.

Processing Assignments

  • Select All Parts: Selects every loaded part in the Processing Center grid.

  • Assign Processing Stations to Selected Parts: Manually assigns one or more processing stations to selected parts.

  • Assign Processing Station Rules to Selected Parts: Applies auto-assign rules to automatically determine processing stations.

  • Clear All Assignments from Selected Parts: Removes processing station assignments from selected parts.

  • Process: Generates machine output, drawings, and reports based on current assignments.

Batch Options

  • Control Batch Names: Defines and edits batch identifiers used for grouping processed output.

  • Create New Batches: Creates additional batches within the same work order.

  • Hide Assigned Parts: Temporarily hides parts that have already been assigned or processed.

  • Process Report Groups: Generates reports based on predefined report group configurations.

Work Order Details (Grid Data)

Displays detailed part and work order information, including:

  • Project Name

  • Room Name

  • Item Numbers

  • Product Name

  • Specification Group Name

  • Part Name

  • Quantity

  • Width

  • Length

  • Material Name

  • Edgebanding

  • Comments

  • Processing Station Assignment

Grid Settings

  • Create New Views: Saves custom grid layouts for different workflows.

  • Show / Hide Columns: Controls which data fields are visible in the grid.

  • Column Groups: Groups columns for improved organization and readability.

  • Control Font Size: Adjusts grid font size for readability or shop-floor displays.

  • Custom Sorting: Sorts grid data based on user-defined criteria.

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