Flexible, configurable, and workflow-oriented access to machine workspaces
What is it?
My Machines is Netfabb's dialog to manage machine workspaces. It replaces the Machine Library dialog of previous Netfabb versions, builds upon the original idea of machine workspaces, and extends it to provide practical and focused access to the tools relevant to the machines in your arsenal.
When and why should I use it?
In My Machines you define machine workspaces for the machines at your facility, store them for future use, and load them into the project tree at the beginning of your work with them.
My Machines is aimed at daily work on a range of machines that typically does not change between sessions. Managing workspaces for the same set of machines every day is a typical use case in manufacturing. Having a prepared list of favorite workspaces relevant to the machines at your disposal speeds up selection and reduces the time needed to get started with preparation for a new production run.
What are its key features?
Customizing
- Choose from a wide range of already defined build platforms and machine workspaces and add it to your list.
- Define your own machines by setting up a custom build platform and attaching an existing machine parameters to it, both generic ones as well as those of a wide range of existing models on the market.
- Assign repair and support scripts to be used preferably with the workspaces you defined.
Sharing
- Because machine workspace set-ups are stored in a database that can be located remotely, these become available for use by other Netfabb users in your organization.
Saving time and managing workspaces
- Load one or more machine workspaces upon launching Netfabb without having to click a single button.
- Assign templates: Templates are bodies and parts to be loaded by onto the platform by default. These can be test or reference bodies, rafts, etc.
- Put multiple machine workspaces into groups for an organized view and for quicker selection and loading; for example, keep prototyping machines separate from production machines, or group them by material, by floor number, etc.
Why should I assign scripts?
Assigning repair and support scripts to machines makes them available more readily when you work in the respective machine workspaces. They will be shown prominently for easy selection and application in places like the drop-down menu of the Scripts tab. If no scripts are assigned, the respective drop-down menu would default to the first available script. Typically, these are Netfabb built-in scripts.
Assigning repair and support scripts also stores a copy of the scripts directly with the set-up machine workspace, so that, if you share a configuration database with other Netfabb users and installations, these scripts become available to them as well.