Details on restrictions and operation of group transfer
The maximum number of machines allowed in the saw transfer parameter screen is 99
Where different machines form a group it is critical that all machines receive the output files for all runs transferred. In Group transfer mode the program ensures that the correct files reach each machine and (in the case of adapted CADmatic saws), that the files have been successfully imported by the controller.
When a Group line is entered in the saw transfer parameters, all machines following this entry belong to the same group (up to the start of the next group). The order of transfer within the group is the order shown in the saw transfer parameters but machines with safe transfer set have priority.
If a machine belongs to two groups, it must have separate entries in each group.
Any single machines must be entered above the first group, otherwise they are assumed to be group members.
The group line also allows an intermediary transfer path to be specified for the whole group.
Transfer paths for group members would normally be the final location for exported files (typically on the machines themselves).
Group transfer procedure
The group transfer procedure consists of two stages: Export file creation and File transfer to machines.
Re-transfer warning level for group transfer (and other group validity checks) - if this is required for a group the warning level should be entered against the group line.
An error occurs if:-
- Two similar machines have different requirements. Machines with the same transfer mode must not have conflicting settings. For example, all CADmatic machines in the group must have the same controller and all PTX machines must have the same settings for exported pattern image format.
- A machine has the same saw path as the group. It is not possible to set the group saw path to be the same as that for a machine in the group.
Export file creation
The program determines what the group members are and creates all export files required in the path specified for the group (the group path for saw data). This directory is emptied first - buffered transfer is not possible for groups.
Group transfer is restricted to those formats where the export filenames are unique and where there is one file per run. This limits group members to the following transfer modes:
6 - CADmatic 3/4/5 (.saw)
8 - Giben (.ac)
11 - ASCII PTX - one per run - (.ptx)
12 - MDB PTX - one per run - (.mdb)
File transfer to machines
This has three phases. If an error occurs when transferring a run to one machine, that run is internally marked as ‘bad’ and the program does not attempt to transfer the run to other machines in the group (but continues with the other runs in the batch).
- Test machines are online
Before commencing transfers the program tests that each machine is online by transferring a temporary file to its transfer path. This test includes establishing a session with the machine and passing a user name and password if necessary. If any machines are off-line errors are recorded and the transfer halts completely.
- Transfer to CADmatic controllers which have ‘safe transfer’ enabled
If any of the group members have ‘safe transfer’ options, these are dealt with first, irrespective of their order in the group
- Transfer to other group members
Taking the remaining group members in the order they appear, the program transfers the correct output files to each machine.
A run is only marked as ‘Transferred’ if it has been successfully transferred to all machines in the group.
Safe transfer mode - CADmatic 3, 4 & 5
Safe transfer mode is an option for CADmatic 3/4/5 saws since these can be modified to create status files for transferred runs.
Modified CADmatics - runs successfully imported are marked by the creation of <run number>.ERL in the machine Path for saw data. In an error is encountered, <run number>.ERR is created.
Safe transfer procedure
The CADmatic .saw files are copied to the respective CADmatic controllers.
A single timeout value is then calculated based on the number of valid runs copied. For 'n' runs this is (1 x first timeout value + (n - 1) x second).
Where there is more than one machine, the program uses the maximum timeouts specified.
The program starts polling each CADmatic for response files at periodic intervals (dictated by the second timeout value.
The response files are checked but if there is a time out or not response file the run is treated as failed (a response file may also indicate a failure).
Establishing a session (optional username and password) - UNC paths only
Controllers which offer Windows networking (and which are accessed by UNC paths) may require the program to establish a session with them before transfer can begin (authentication). This involves issuing an authentication request with optional user name and password.
These properties are available for CADmatic 3/4/5 and PTX transfer modes. Up to 255 chrs are allowed for user names and passwords.
If a machine requires authentication but an invalid user name or password is passed, Windows presents a log in dialog or returns an error message which is displayed by the program.
Important note: When accessing a networked controller, a PC must always present the same user name and password. If another session is attempted with different credentials, Windows will return error code 1219 (not possible to establish a second session with a different name).
When using Windows explorer (or any other means) to browse the network, the system may establish a session with networked controllers using the local PC’s name. On transfer to saw with a different name, error code 1219 will be reported. Restarting the local PC should clear this problem but if it persists, it may be necessary to permanently map a network drive to the controller and enter this path in the saw transfer parameters.
Standalone transfer to groups
To transfer to the first group in the saw transfer parameters: Sawlink /AUTO /GROUP=1
