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.
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.