Jobs

Back to TMAC Categories Page

Overview

TMAC uses a jobs-based system to store monitoring information. A job contains all parameters that TMAC needs to monitor tools for any operation in a machining task. A valid operation must include a tool, section, and channel(s). A job must contain at least one operation. For each operation in a job, limits and para- meters must be specified.

Each job is stored in the database. An unlimited number of jobs can be created. Tool numbers from 1-99999999 and section numbers from 1-99 can be specified for each operation. Once a job is created, it can be loaded at any time using the Job Operations Menu or by external command. The job-based structure is utilized specifically for Cutting Mode operations.

Note: Calls for the job and operations can be included in the part program. While in Learn mode, TMAC can utilize these calls to automatically create the job and populate it with the called operations.  

Job Operations Menu

The Job Operations Menu is where the process of creating a job begins. To access the Job Operations window, click the Job button on the TMAC Action Bar and the following options are displayed:

• Edit Active Job: Launch the Job Editor to make changes to the active job
• Edit Job: Launch the Job Editor to make changes to a job
• Load Job: Manually change the active job
• Create Job: Launch the Job Editor to create a new job
• Duplicate Job: Create a copy of an existing job saved under a different name
• Delete Job: Delete a job
• Import Job: Import a TMAC 3.0 job, or import a legacy job file for use in TMAC 3.0
• Export Job: Exports a TMAC 3.0 Job for importing to other systems
• Edit Tool and Section Details: Opens an interface where Tool and Section names and descriptions can be added or changed for all jobs on the system.
• Dismiss: Close the Job Operation window

Edit Active Job

Use the following steps to launch the Job Editor:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Edit Active Job

Edit Active Job Steps 1-2

Changes can now be made to the active job using the Job Editor

Edit Job

Use the following steps to launch the Job Editor:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Edit Job
3. Select a job from the list
4. Click SELECT

Load Job

Use the following steps to load a Job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Load Job
3. Select a job from the list to load as the active job
4. Click SELECT

Create Job

Use to following steps to create a new job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Create Job
3. Enter a Name and Description for the Job
4. Mark any desired options from the following:
   1. Open in job editor: After CREATE is clicked, the new job opens in the Job editor for editing
   2. Load job immediately: After CREATE is clicked, the new job is loaded as the active job
5. Click CREATE

Duplicate Job

Use the following steps to save a duplicate of a job under a new name:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar Select
2. Duplicate Job
3. Choose a job to duplicate from the list
4. Click SELECT
5. Enter a Name and Description for the Job
6. Mark any desired options from the following:
   1. Open in job editor: After Duplicate is clicked, the new job opens in the Job editor for editing
   2. Load job immediately: After Duplicate is clicked, the new job is loaded as the active job
7. Click Duplicate

Delete Job

Use the following steps to delete a job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Delete Job
3. Select a job from the list
4. Click SELECT

Importing A TMAC 3.0 Job

Importing a TMAC 3.0 job file (.tmj) adds a new job to the TMAC system. This job contains all data and parameters from the associated job. Use the following steps to import a TMAC 3.0 job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Click Import job
3. Click the SELECT FILE button
4. Select a .tmj file to import
5. Ensure the instance listed is the instance associated with the selected job file. If the displayed instance is incorrect, select a new one by clicking the instance button. Click NEXT
6. Enter a name and description for the imported job, then click next
7. Each channel in the imported file needs to be mapped to a channel that exists in the selected TMAC instance. The channels listed on the left represent the channels stored in the imported job. Check each channel to ensure that it is mapped correctly. If any channel is mapped incorrectly, click the Channel button on the right to select the correct channel.
8. Click Next
9. Review the displayed import summary for accuracy and click IMPORT to import the job.

Importing Legacy Jobs

Legacy job files from TMAC MP version 2.0+ can be imported for use in TMAC 3.0. Importing a legacy job requires a more involved process than import- ing a TMAC 3.0 job. Users should be familiar with both systems and the job to be imported before beginning the process.

Use the following steps to import a legacy job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Click Import job
3. Click the SELECT FILE button
4. Select a .csv legacy job file to import
5. Ensure the instance listed is the instance associated with the selected job file. If the displayed instance is incorrect, select a new one by clicking the instance button. click NEXT
6. TMAC automatically adds the job name from the legacy file. If desired, change the job name and add a description for the job.
7. Each channel in the imported file needs to be mapped to a channel that exists in the selected TMAC instance. In TMAC MP, channels have dedicated channel numbers and were not named. Assign a TMAC 3.0 channel to each legacy channel number by clicking the associated SELECT ITEM button. Ensure each channel is correctly mapped before continuing.
8. Click NEXT
9. Review the displayed import summary for accuracy and click IMPORT to import the job

Export a Job

TMAC is able to export jobs to a text file. This allows for the exported job file to be imported into a separate TMAC 3.0 system. When a TMAC 3.0 job is exported, all job data and parameters are stored in the exported file.

Use the following steps to export a TMAC 3.0 job:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Click Export job
3. Select a job from the list to export
4. Navigate to the desired directory and click save

Edit Tool & Section Details

The Job Operations menu provides an interface where Tool and Section details can be added or changed for all jobs on the system. The following details may be added or changed:

• Name: Add a name to any Tool that exists in the TMAC system. The tool will still have an assigned tool numbe
• Description: Add a description to any Tool or section that exists in the TMAC system

Use the following steps to edit Tool and Section details:

1. Click the JOB button on the TMAC Action Bar
2. Select Edit Tool and Section Details
3. Select a Job from the job list. The active job is marked with a green dot. All tools that exist in the job are displayed
4. Select a tool from the list. All sections associated with the tool are displayed
   1. Enter a name and description for the selected tool
   2. Enter descriptions for each section associated with the selected tool
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all desired changes are made
6. Press SAVE

Note: The Tool and Section details are also able to be edited in the job editor.

Using the Job Editor

The Job editor is split into two major sections. The channels and operations are on the left side (1) and the programmable features, limits and delays are in the body of the Editor (2). Selecting a tool from the list changes the listed operations to those associated with the tool. The Job Editor allows the following actions to be performed:

• Add or delete operations
• Launch the Time Increment Editor or Data Viewer

Note: A recording for the selected operation must exist for TMAC to launch the Time Increment Editor from the Job Editor.

• Set Tool and Section details, features, limits, delays and channel scales
• Cycle through and search for operations

Selecting Channels for an Operation

The available channels are displayed on the left side of the Job Editor. To add a channel to the job use the following steps:

1. Click the "+" button on the Job Editor Toolbar
2. Click Select Channels
3. Click the Channels field
4. Select the desired channels to add to the operation
5. Click SAVE to close the Select Channels window
6. Click SAVE to close the Create a Channel window

Manually Adding an Operation

The available operations are listed on the left side of the Job Editor. To add an operation to the job, use the following steps:

1. Click the "+" button on the Job Editor Toolbar
2. Select one of the following
   1. Add Tool: Adds a new tool and section
   2. Add Section: Adds a section to the tool selected on the left side of the Job Editor. If selecting Add Section proceed to Step 5
3. Click the Tool field
4. Enter the desired tool number. By default, the section added with the tool is Section 1. This can be changed by clicking the section field.
5. Enter the desired section number.
6. Ensure that the channels to be associated with the new tool are listed in the Channels field
   1. If all associated channels are listed, proceed to step 7
   2. If the Channels list is incorrect, click the channel field and select the appropriate channels
7. Once the preferred channel and section are selected, click SAVE.

Navigating Operations

Jobs can potentially contain many operations, which can make finding a specific operation in the job editor more difficult. The job editor offers navigation tools to aid in finding specific operations in a job. Refer to the following table for description of the navigation tools.

Indicator Action Bar Functionality

Searching for an Operation

Use the following steps to search for a specific operation:

1. Click the "search" button in the Job Editor
2. Enter the tool and section numbers of the operation
3. Click GO

Job Options Menu

Pressing the "-" button opens a menu with additional job options. This menu allows the following options:

• Edit Details: Change the job name and description
• Global Edits: Set features and limits for multiple operations in the job at once
• Duplicate: Create a copy of a tool or section as a new tool or section number.
• Reassign: Reassign The a tool or section number from the selected operation
• Show Tool Names: Displays the tool names in place of tool numbers in the tool list
• Show Descriptions: Shows brief descriptions for each feature in the job editor. Only available while using Updated View for the Job Editor
• Updated View/Classic View: Toggle between the Updated and Classic views for the Job Editor. The Updated View for the job editor provides a different layout for the features in the job editor, so that brief descriptions can be displayed for each feature.

Note: The Duplicate and Reassign option in the Job Options menu are depend- ent on the operation selected prior to pressing the "-" button. The selected operation is displayed above these option in the Job Options menu.

Edit Details

Selecting Edit Details from the Job Options menu allow the job name and description to be changed.

Note: Changing the job name and description does not update existing recordings, events, and logs. Any existing recordings, events, and logs will refer to the previous job name.

Global Edits

In some jobs, multiple operations could require the same features or parameters to be changed. The Job editor provides a global edits tool that can apply the same changes across multiple operations at once. Any feature or parameter set in the Job Editor can be changed using global edits. Access the global edits feature by clicking the "globe" button in the Job Editor.

Selecting Operations for Global Edits

When the "globe" button is clicked, TMAC prompts the user to select which operations to apply global edits to. The available operations are listed on the left side of the window and the following buttons may be used to manipulate the lists:

• SELECT ALL: Selects all operation in the associated list.
• DESELECT ALL: Deselects all operations in the associated list
• ADD: Moves the selected operations from the Excluded Operations list to the Operations to Edit list
• REMOVE: Moves any operations selected in the Operations to Edit list to the Excluded Operations list
• ADD ALL: Moves all operations from the Excluded Operations list to the Operations to Edit list, regardless of selection.
• REMOVE ALL: Moves all operations from the Operations to Edit list to the Excluded Operations list, regardless of selection.

Use the following steps to select operations for global edits:

1. Mark each operation individually by clicking the associated check-boxes, or using the operation buttons described above
2. Click the ADD button
3. Click CONFIRM

Filtering Operations for Global Edits

The list of operations in the Select Operations window can be filtered by clicking the EDIT FILTERS button. The following filters are available:

• Tool: Filters the list of operations to display only operations containing the specified tool number
• Section: Filters the list of operations to display only operations containing the specified section number
• Channel Class: Filters the list of operations to display only operations containing the specified channel class (primary, coolant, spindle)
• Channel Type: Filters the list of operations to display only operations containing the specified channel type (power, vibration, strain, etc...)
• Channel Name: Filters the list of operations to display only operations containing the specified channel name

Click SAVE to apply the filters.

Applying Global Edits

Once operations have been specified, individual parameters and features can be selected. The operations for which global edits are to be applied to are listed on the left hand side of the screen (1). This list can be edited by clicking the EDIT SELECTIONS button (2). The job name is displayed at the top of the screen (3) and indvidual parameters populate the right side(4). Additionally, the parameters can be filtered by channel class (primary, spindle and coolant) using the channel class buttons at the top of the screen (5). Certain features in the Job Editor may not be setable using Global Edits.

Applying Global Edits

To set parameters using global edits, use the following steps:

1. Mark a parameter or feature to set by clicking the associated check-box
2. Enter the desired value for the parameter or feature
   1. If the parameter or feature requires a numeric value, enter it in the field
   2. If the feature normally requires flagging a check-box or switch in the Job Editor, select Enabled or Disabled from the dropdown.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each feature and parameter to be set globally.
4. Click SAVE AND EXIT
5. Review all changes in the provided summary and click CONFIRM to send the changes to the Job Editor.
6. Press Save in the Job Editor to save the applied global edits

Note: Certain features on the global edits screen are marked with purple icons. These icons represent a channel class. The icons match the symbols seen on the channel class buttons at the top of the screen. If a feature marked with these icons is applied using global edits, the feature is applied to channels with that class type.

Duplicating Operations

Selecting Duplicate from the Job Options menu allows the user to duplicate the tool or a section from the selected operation. Duplicating a tool creates a new tool and duplicates all sections associated with the selected tool. Every para- meter, feature and limit from the old operations are copied to the new operations with new tool and section numbers. Duplicating a section creates a new section associated with any tool and copies all parameters, features and limits from the selected section to the new section.

Note: Duplicated operations can not access the chart data used to create time increments from the old operation. For example if Tool 2 Section 1 was duplicated from Tool 1 Section 1, the time increment editor can not be opened for Tool 2 Section 1 as there is no chart data available for the new tool. If a tool already has time increments when it is duplicated, the time increments will be duplicated as well.

Duplicating a Tool

Use the following steps as a guide for duplicating a tool:

1. Select the desired tool from the list
2. Ensure all desired features and parameters are set for the operation.
3. Press the "-" button and select Duplicate
4. Select Tool
5. Enter a tool number for the new tool
6. If the tool name and descriptions need to be included in the duplication, mark the Duplicate Details check-box
7. Click DUPLICATE

Duplicating a Section

Use the following steps as a guide for duplicating a Section:

1. Select the desired tool and section from the list
2. Ensure all desired features and parameters are set for the operation.
3. Press the "-" button and select Duplicate
4. Select Section
5. Enter a tool number to associate with the new section. The tool number can be an existing tool or a new tool
6. Enter a new section number
7. If the section description needs to be included in the duplication, mark the Duplicate Details check-box
8. Click DUPLICATE

Reassigning Operations

Selecting Reassign from the Job Options menu allows the user to reassign the tool or a section from the selected operation. Reassigning a tool changes the tool number and associates all of its sections with the new number. Reassigning a section changes the section number associates the new section number with any tool number.

Note: Reassigned operations can not access the chart data used to create time increments from the old operation. For example if Tool 2 Section 1 was reassigned to Tool 1 Section 1, the time increment editor can not be opened for Tool 2 Section 1 as there is no chart data available for the new Operation.

Reassigning a Tool

Use the following steps as a guide for reassigning a tool:

1. Select the desired tool from the list
2. Press the "-" button and select Reassign
3. Select Tool
4. Enter a new tool number for the selected tool
5. Mark the Reassign Details check-box to include the name and description details for the tool and all of its sections
6. Click Reassign

Reassigning a Section

Use the following steps as a guide for reassigning a Section:

1. Select the desired tool and section from the list
2. Press the "-" button and select Reassign
3. Select Section
4. Enter a tool number to associate with the new section. The tool number can be an existing tool or a new tool
5. Enter a new section number
6. Mark the Reassign Details check-box to include the description of the section
7. Click REASSIGN

Show Tool Names

Selecting Show Tool Names from the job options menu displays tool names and section descriptions in the tool list. The figure below shows a comparison of how tool names and section descriptions are displayed when Show Tool Names is enabled.

Show/hide Tool Name Comparison

Show Descriptions

Selecting Show Descriptions from the job options menu displays brief descriptions of each feature of the job editor. The figure below shows a comparison of how feature descriptions are displayed when Show Descriptions is enabled.

Show/hide Descriptions Comparison

Edit Tool and Section Details

Use the following steps to edit Tool and Section details from job editor:

1. Select an operation from the tool list
2. Press the EDIT button in the Tool & Section Details section of the Job Editor
3. Select a tool from the list. All sections associated with the tool are dis- played
   1. Enter a name and description for the selected tool
   2. Enter descriptions for each section associated with the selected tool
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all desired changes are made
5. Press APPLY

Features

The following sections document the features available in the Job Editor. As cer- tain features are enabled, the fields available in the Job Editor may change. These changes are documented specifically in the feature description. Some features that require more extensive documentation are documented in separate chapters of the manual. These features are as follows:

• Time Increment Editor
• Limits and Delays
• Adaptive Control
• Approach Override

Learn Once

The Learn Once feature permits TMAC to re-learn a specific operation. During the next execution of the part program, TMAC will enter learn mode for the designated operation. Once the operation is complete, TMAC updates the learn parameters and disables the Learn Once feature automatically.

Enabling Learn Once

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Activate the Learn Once feature by clicking its check-box. The Learn once check-box is located in the Learn Mode Options section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE.

Each time the operation is called while TMAC is in Learn mode, TMAC will switch to monitoring mode for the duration of the operation. After the operation is complete TMAC returns to learn mode.

Learn Disable

Learn Disable disables learn mode for the specified operation.

Utilizing Learn Disable

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Activate the Learn Disable feature by clicking its check-box. The Learn Disable check-box is located in the Learn Mode Options section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE

Each time the operation is called while TMAC is in Learn mode, TMAC will switch to monitoring mode for the duration of the operation. After the operation is complete TMAC returns to learn mode.

Dither

In some machine tool operations, tool chatter can occur from harmonic vibrations during the cut. Oscillating the spindle speed over a period of time disrupts the harmonics that causes tool chatter. Enabling the Dither feature allows TMAC to control and oscillate the spindle speed.

The dither settings are as follows:

• Mode: Designates one of two dither modes; Step and Ramp.
• Period: The amount of time in seconds to oscillate the spindle speed between the highest and lowest variation and back to the normal spindle speed.
• Delta: The oscillation percentage above and below spindle speed. For example, if the spindle runs at 1000 rpm and the delta percentage is set to 10%, the spindle speed will oscillate between 1100 rpm and 900 rpm over the time period.
• Note: TMAC does not need to be configured to monitor spindle speed to use the Dither feature.

Step Mode

When using Step Mode, the spindle speed is increased and decreased rapidly at certain time increments. When Dither Step mode is enabled and a start command is issued, the spindle speed immediately increases to the positive delta percentage for half of the programmed period. The spindle speed then drops to the negative delta percentage for the second half of the period.

Ramp Mode

When using Ramp Mode, the spindle starts at 100% speed and increases over time to the positive delta percentage programmed. It then decreases to the negative delta percentage, followed by an increase back to 100%.

Fixed Scale

TMAC utilizes a combination of learned values and programmed limits to automatically determine the scale for an operation. There may be instances where fix- ing the scale for an operation is more desirable. In those instances, it is helpful to set a fixed scale. Enabling Fixed Scale in the Job Editor unlocks the scale field found in the Learn parameters.

Setting a Fixed Scale

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Activate the Fixed Scale feature by clicking the check-box. The Fixed Scale check-box is located in the Features section of the Job Editor.
3. Click the Scale field in the Learn Parameters section of the Job Editor and enter the desired scale
4. Click SAVE

Monitor Hold

The Monitor hold feature disables monitoring for a specific operation. This is use- ful for temporarily disabling monitoring when fine-tuning the monitoring limits for a operation. During Monitor Hold, the TMAC process continues to monitor all other operations where Monitor Hold is not specified. Data for the specified operation is still collected for purposes of review, but the signal is not tested against the programmed limits.

Enable Monitor Hold

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Activate the Monitor Hold feature by clicking the check-box. The Monitor Hold check-box is located in the Features section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE.

When the part program is executed, TMAC enters a disabled state for the duration of the operation. Once the operation is complete, TMAC returns to monitor mode.

Idle Follows

The Idle Follows feature re-captures the idle value any time the motor value decreases below the previously captured idle. This can prevent TMAC from storing an incorrect idle when a machine is first started. Idle Follows is commonly used on machines with large spindles that tend to use more power to get up to speed. Using Idle Follows allows TMAC to recapture the idle value after the spike in power, thus properly monitoring the tool.

Note: Be sure to re-learn any operation where idle follows is specified.

Specifying Idle Follows

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the channel, tool and Section from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Activate the Idle Follows feature by clicking the check-box. The Idle Follows check-box is located in the Features section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE.

Idle Reset

Idle Reset is a feature specific to time increments. If Idle Reset is specified for a time increment, TMAC automatically samples the monitored value at the instant the time increment begins. The system then uses that sampled value as the new idle value for all subsequent time increments unless Idle Reset is specified for a subsequent time increment.  

Specifying Idle Reset

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Specify the time increment by selecting it from Time Increment Time-line. The selected time increment is displayed to the left of the time-line.
3. Activate the Idle Reset feature by clicking the check-box. The Idle Reset check-box is located in the Features section of the Job Editor.
   1. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any additional time increments, if necessary, then Click SAVE.

Filters

TMAC can utilize filters to reduce unwanted signal noise. TMAC has the following options for filters:

• Averaging Filter: Centers the signal at zero and averages the total magnitude of the signal. Typically used with vibration monitoring.
• Low Pass Filter: Passes low-frequency signals but reduces the amplitude of signals with frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency
  • Filter Cuttoff Options: .075 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 3 Hz, 6 Hz, 12 Hz, 18 Hz, 24 Hz

Setting A Filter

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the channel, tool and Section from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. In the Filter Options section of the Job editor, select a filter mode from the drop down
   1. If selecting Averaging continue to step 3
   2. If selecting a low pass filter, select a cutoff frequency from the drop down menu
3. Click SAVE

Start Delay

A Start Delay inhibits monitoring during a specified start delay period. There are many situations in which a start delay helps avoid an unnecessary alarm by delay- ing the capture of the idle value.

Note: All limits are inoperative while the start delay is in progress. No other delays begin until the start delay has timed out.

Setting a Start Delay

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Enter the desired delay in the Start Delay field. The Start Delay field is located in the Timing Section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE

Is Tap

If the control is configured to support this feature, a tapping operation can be specified. This feature permits a special case extreme alarm called a “tap alarm” to be issued when the programmed extreme limit is reached for that operation. A tap alarm causes the machine to reverse the tap out of the part before the machine is put into an interrupt or alarm state. How the tap alarm behaves is determined by alarm settings located in the Instance parameters. The settings are as follows:

• Tap Extreme Delay: Sets a delay between when the Tap Output turns off and when TMAC is put in extreme alarm that triggers a feed hold or interrupt.
• Output Off Delay: This setting determines how long the Tap Alarm Out-put stays on. This timer determines how long the machine has to finish reversing the tap out of the part before an alarm is triggered.
• Adaptive On Follows tap: This is an optional setting that turns on the adaptive output when the Tap output turns on. This parameter is for specific use cases.

Note: These settings are typically set by integrators and only available for specific machines.

Specifying Is Tap

In the Job Editor:

1. Specify the operation by selecting the tool, section, and channel from the lists on the left side of the Job Editor. The selected operation is displayed at the top of the Job Editor.
2. Click Is Tap check-box. The Is Tap check-box is located in the Features section of the Job Editor.
3. Click SAVE.