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Machine Control
Here you will learn how to integrate a machine into 2log.io
One of the main functions of 2log is the access control of machines. A machine can be any device with a power cable. From the laser cutter to the band saw to the 3D printer, pretty much any device can be integrated.Thanks to 2log rights management, each user can be given permission to use specific machines. This is done either via individual permissions or via groups.
Via the power consumption, 2log can determine whether a machine is actually working or only in stand-by mode. In this way, the machine usage can be charged according to different pricing models.
Prerequisities
Certain hardware and software components are required to set up a machine access control.
The machine itself
Since the 2log Switch controls access to the devices by connecting and disconnecting power, it is important to ensure that all connected machines can handle this. Since 2log detects via power consumption whether the machine is in stand-by mode or actually working, it is ensured that a machine is never switched off from operation.
Depending on the smart sockets used for the 2log switches, it must be ensured that the machines do not draw more current than is supported by the smart plugs.
Needed Hardware
To integrate a machine into 2log, two hardware components are required: A 2log Switch and a 2log Dot. The Dot is a smart RFID reader that reads the user’s cards and logs them into the machine. The Swtich is the actuator. It activates the power supply only when a user with valid authorization has logged on to the system.
Used Software
The 2log Admin App is required to connect the hardware components with the 2log.io server. The APK for Android can be downloaded here
1 - Setup a Machine Control Instance
Learn how to setup a machine control by connecting Switch and Dot with the 2log system.
Create a new Machine
Connecting the hardware components to the server must be done via the 2log app. This is currently only available for Android. The APK can be downloaded here. For this reason, it is recommended to run the complete setup of the new machine directly via the app.
- Log in to your 2log instance with your admin account.
- Go to “Resources” and click on “Add” in the “Access control” box in the upper right corner
- Enter a unique and preferably unambiguous name for the machine in the small pop-up window and then click on the “+” symbol.
- The new machine should now appear as a tile. You will then be taken directly to the machine settings overview page.
Connet a Dot
In the machine settings there is a box with the heading “Dot”. Immediately after creating the machine, a note should appear here stating that no dot has yet been assigned.
- Click on “Set up now”
- Now you will be asked if you want to use a dot that was already used in the system or if you want to use a new dot.
Setup a new Dot
If you are setting up a new machine you will probably want to connect a new Dot.
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Answer “no” to the question whether the Dot is already connected to the system. You will now be redirected to the Setup Wizard.
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Follow the instructions dosplayed on the screen until the setup is complete.
Note:
The wizard will suggest the WiFi SSID your phone is currently connected to. If your WiFi has two separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, make sure you configure your Dot with the 2.4GHz WiFi. You can simply tap on the SSID and edit it manually.
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If the setup is completed successfully, you have the possibility to test the connection by clicking on the “Blink” button. If the LEDs of the dot start blinking, everything has worked.
Setup an already connected Dot
If it is a Dot that is already connected to the server, continue here.
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Answer “yes” to the question whether the Dot is already connected to the system.
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Enter the four character address of the dot you want to assign to the machine.
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If the setup is completed successfully, you have the possibility to test the connection by clicking on the “Blink” button. If the LEDs of the dot start blinking, everything has worked.
Connect a Switch
In the machine settings there is a box with the heading “Switch”. Immediately after creating the machine, a note should appear here stating that no switch has yet been assigned.
- Click on “Set up now”
- Now you will be asked if you want to use a switch that was already used in the system or if you want to use a new switch.
Setup a new Switch
If you are setting up a new machine you will probably want to connect a new Switch.
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Answer “no” to the question whether the Switch is already connected to the system. You will now be redirected to the Setup Wizard.
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Follow the instructions dosplayed on the screen until the setup is complete.
Note:
The wizard will suggest the WiFi SSID your phone is currently connected to. If your WiFi has two separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, make sure you configure your switch with the 2.4GHz WiFi. You can simply tap on the SSID and edit it manually.
Setup an already connected Switch
If it is a Switch that is already connected to the server, continue here.
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Answer “yes” to the question whether the switch is already connected to the system.
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Enter the four character address of the switch you want to assign to the machine.
2 - Configure a Machine Control
Learn how to configure an access control by setting the current threshold and defining the pricing model.
To access the settings page of a machine control:
- click on “Resources” in the main menu
- click on the machine you want to configure in the “Access Control” box.
- click on “Settings” in the upper right corner
General settings
Display Name
Sets the name with which the machine is displayed in the system. The name should be unique and identify the machine without any doubt.
Bad example: “3D Printer 1” , “3D Printer 2”, “3D Printer 3”.
Good example: “Prusa i3MK3s orange”, ““Prusa i3MK3 black”, “Ultimaker 2”
Switch off after …
Defines after which period of time (in minutes) a machine is automatically switched off if no active job is currently running. This also automatically causes the currently logged in user to be logged out.
Type
Select a machine type. This currently only affects the icon that is displayed in the overview page.
Suction
Many machines require suction to extract sawdust or toxic fumes. But some of them are not able to communicate with the machines they are connected to.
2log offers the possibility to switch a suction with a 2log Switch and assign it to one or more machines. If a user logs on to a machine that is connected to a suction, the suction will automatically switch on. This is especially helpful when several machines share one suction.
Pricing
2log offers different pricing models for charging the machine usage. A distinction is made between billing on the basis of machine usage or on the basis of user session. The distinction which billing basis makes more sense depends primarily on the type of machine. Machines whose jobs have a predefined runtime, such as laser cutters or 3D printers, should be billed according to the duration of use. Machines such as belt grinders or drill presses are better billed according to the session. This prevents the user from switching the machine on and off unnecessarily often.
Regardless of the billing basis, you can choose between a flat fee or billing by duration. The duration of a unit can be freely defined.
According to duration of use
When billing according to the duration of use, only the time during which the machine is actually running is charged.
Flat rate per job
With “Flat rate per job”, the set fee is charged as a flat rate for each time the machine is switched on.
Flat rate per session
In the case of a flat rate per session, the set fee is charged only once for logging on to the machine.
By session time
When billing by session time, the time during which the user is logged in to the machine is billed.
Threshold adjustment
When charging on the basis of machine usage (job duration or flat rate per job), it is very important to set the threshold value to match the machine behavior.
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Turn on the machine and let it run in stand-by mode for a few minutes.
Note:
If the machine consumes a relatively large amount of power for a short while directly after login, for example because it is in the process of initializing, you can enter this in the “Initialization time” field. If the power consumption of the machine is above the threshold within the first x seconds after login, this will not be recognized as a job.
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Start a job and wait until it has run through or switch on the machine and let it work for some time. You should see the power consumption of the machine in the form of a graph.
Note:
For some machines (e.g. 3D printers), it is difficult to adjust the threshold value because the power consumption fluctuates strongly. A transition time can be set via the “Time tolerance” field. If the current consumption is below the threshold value for this time, the currently recognized job is not aborted.
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Move the threshold with the mouse so that the graph is above the line most of the time during operation.