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Operations & Workflow Integration

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Status: Skeleton

This document is a starting point. Sections marked with TBD need to be filled in.

Purpose

Orchestrate the operational workflows that surround the CAM pipeline — job scheduling, machine queueing, and real-world physical workflows that must happen alongside or in support of machining.

Scope

The in-depth design of the broader ERP / data management / operations system is out of scope for this pipeline documentation. This page covers the critical interfaces and behaviors required from it.

Responsibilities

  • Queue machining jobs to be run on specific machines
  • Schedule and balance work across available machines
  • Trigger real-world workflows:
    • 3D printing of soft jaws (Formlabs Fuse SLS)
    • Stock preparation (billet selection, saw cutting)
    • Material gathering and delivery to the workcell
  • Coordinate shipping and customer delivery

Interfaces

Direction System Data
Input AutoCAM Pipeline Soft-jaw geometry for printing, stock size requirements
Input Machine Integration Job status and completion events
Output Machines Job assignments and scheduling
Output SLS printers / stock area / shipping Workflow triggers
Output Customer portal Order status, delivery tracking

Open Questions

  • What ERP/MES system will be used?
  • How is the soft-jaw print queue coordinated with Op 1 cutting time?
  • How are generated 3D models for fixtures communicated across the pipeline to the actual machine?