Configure a Machine Control

To access the settings page of a machine control:

1. click on “Resources” in the main menu
2. click on the machine you want to configure in the “Access Control” box.
3. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Move the threshold with the mouse so that the graph is above the line most of the time during operation.