The Stratus Workstation application is a Cut List application that can be used by anyone and includes tools specific to the TigerStop cutting machine.

Pre-Checks: Hardware Setup, Cabling, Windows OS, Firewalls, COM Ports

User installing the Workstation App can generally use it right away, but occasionally, the following steps must be manually tended to:

1. Hardware Activation: When you first install a TigerStop, make sure to activate it. If you do not activate your TigerStop, you will see that the disabled com port makes the Workstation app freeze up.
2. Cabling: You will attach a serial cable from your Workstation App to your TigerStop pusher. This serial cable must not be over 20', and we don't recommend 20' without a repeater. Shorter is better. We have seen 50' cables fail, and once we swapped them out with shorter lengths, the system worked. Do not tie or wrap your serial cable / DB9 cable with any power lines/cords.
3. Windows:  You do not need to run the app as an administrator, but IT department must not lock down the user profile's write rights to the %appdata% part of the hard drive. 
4. Firewalls: The Workstation app uses SignalR over port 443, therefore your IT department has to allow websockets via your firewall.
5. TigerTouch: Do not run Tiger Touch and the Stratus Workstation App at the same time on the same computer – they will compete for the COM port and the Workstation App will fail to work.

Software Installation

Download and install the latest Stratus Workstation software. For hardware and cabling, see the section below: Stratus Workstation#CablingandTigerStop(ConnectingthePushertoyourPC).

Software Settings

1. Start the application through the Windows Start menu or another shortcut.
2. You may be prompted to enter your Autodesk credentials.
3. Click Settings. 
   
   
   
4. The Settings dialog will display.
   
   
   

General

1. Company - Select the company when you have access to more than one BIM 360 hub.
2. Tool - Select the tool. Tools are configured under Admin > Company > Tools and display in this list when Type is set to Cutlist. 
3. Apply Tracking Status on Done (Optional) - Select the Tracking Status that the part should be updated to after it is cut. Only Tracking Statuses under Admin > Company > Tracking Statuses where Applies to Part is checked should display as options.
4. Complete Task on Done (Optional) - Select the Task that should be updated after the cut. Only Tasks associated with the selected Tool under Admin > Company > Stations > Task Definitions will display in the drop-down list. See the New Task Definition to Update sub-section below for more information.
5. Print Labels - Check this box if you are printing to a Zebra compatible label printer immediately following any cut.
6. Label Printer - Select the Label Printer to be used for printing labels. A Label Printer Tool is configured under Admin > Company > Tools and display in this list when Type is set to ZPL Printer. 
7. Sign out - You can sign out and then another user can sign in.
8. Save - Click Save to save any setting changes.
9. Cancel - Click Cancel to cancel and not save any changes.

Cut

1. Blade Thickness (in) - Enter the thickness of the blade.
2. Cut Length Display Units - The Cut Length Display Units option toggles the display units to either Fractional Feet-Inches (Default) or Fractional Inches. See the Cut Length Display Units section for more information.
3. Cut Length Precision - The Cut Length Precision setting (Default = 1/16”) only applies to Length display and to printed labels. See the Cut Length Precision section below for more information.
4. Round Up - The Round Up checkbox setting (Default = Unchecked) applies to the actual cut length value. See the Round Cut Length Up section below for more information. 
5. Stock Length - Enter the nominal stock length in inches.
6. Load Offset (in) - When in the Push Dimension Mode, every time a new piece of stock is expected to be loaded (moving stop to stock length), this adds the 'Load Offset' length to the distance. Load Offset can be a positive or negative number. A negative number would be used for the Kwik-Snap Cast Iron Pipe Cutter use case where Stratus Workstation Dimension Mode is set for BackStop the first cut is off by 0.125 as it did not account for the Kwik-Snap chains.
   1. The head of stop should be Stock Length (48") + Load Offset (9") = 57" from the blade when a new stock is expected to be loaded
   2. The first press of move will move the stop to stock length, if the offset is 9", the fence will move 9" on the first push
   3. A second press of the move button will act as the first press of move does currently and move the stop to make the first cut
7. Minimum Length (in) - The minimum amount of stock material length in inches – meaning the Workstation App cannot move the tool to a position that is less than this minimum. Remaining stock length cannot be less than this minimum.
8. Maximum Scrap Length (in) - Filters out uncut material that is not long enough to be used for stock in another cut. Only uncut material less <= Max. Scrap Length will be considered scrap and included in the calculation for total scrap. Consider making this greater than the Minimum Length of cuts. If the “actual” material remaining should display as scrap, enter the stock length value as the Max. Scrap Length and everything uncut will be considered scrap.
9. Scrap Display Units - For the selected material and size, scrap units can be set to Percentage (Total scrap length over stock length), Fractional Feet-Inches, or Fractional Inches.
10. Stock Display Units - Select an option (Ex. Pieces of Stock, Fractional Feet-Inches (below), or Fractional Inches). In Stratus Workstation, the icon and value will display.
    
    
11. Keep Long End Last Stock Cut - For the last cut of a nested series, the tail end will be the longer end of stock material.
12. Dimension Mode - Back Stop mode or Push Mode.
    1. Back Stop indicates that the movement of material is towards the cutting tool's backstop.

    2. Push indicates material is pushed in a direction away from the cutting tool's backstop.

13. Movement Direction - Display cuts on stock material to match the flow of material on the cutting tool.
14. Test - Use the Test button to find a TigerStop when the application is already running. If the app is launched after a TigerStop is running, the COM port will be automatically located.

Workstation

1. Use Trigger - Groups settings for automation of TigerStop based on the presence of a tool trigger.
2. Trigger Timeout (sec) - Amount of time to wait for detection of a trigger before notifying the user that the tool did not cycle.
3. Move on Trigger Cycle - Automatically marks an item as “Done” and moves tool to next cut or resets stock length at end nested cuts.
4. Move Wait Time (sec) - Amount of time to wait before marking an item as “Done” and automatically moving tool.

5. Automated Cutting – Automatically cycle the cutting tool. The optional Advanced Interconnect Kit - AIK is required.

6. Simulation Mode - Simulates an attached TigerStop and provides the ability to print labels but won't move the sled or automate the saw.

Cut List Interface

In Stratus under the Package's Cut List tab, as soon as the Send Cut List to Station button is clicked, the cut list displays in the Stratus Workstation application associated with that station. Below is an example. 

1. Filter and Grouping - Filter and Group the cut list queue by Project, Model, Package, Spool/Assembly, Area, or Item Grouping.
   
   
   
   
2. Connected to Stratus - When grayed out, the computer is not connected to the Stratus. When white, the computer is connected to the Stratus.
3. Connected to the TigerStop 
   1. Workstation is connected - The connectivity icon color will be white.

   2. Workstation is not connected:

      1. The connectivity icon color will be red.

      2. The message “Workstation not connected. Setting Manual Cutting Mode.” prompt will display.

      3. Manual Cutting Mode will display in the bottom left.
         
         
         

      4. Note: When cutting in manual mode, the "Remaining" stock length does not change when you press Done, as it is up to the person cutting to manage the material and the scrap.

4. Filter and Grouping Current Settings - Displays the selections made under Filters and Groupings.
5. Tool - The currently selected tool under Settings.
6. Scrap Display Units - Decimal Inches (shown) or percentage is total scrap length over stock length.
7. Reset Stock - Click Reset Stock to set the "Remaining" stock length to configured in Settings. You can also key in a value and press enter or push the reset stock button.
8. Remaining - The stock remaining after each cut.  Note well: When cutting in manual mode, the "Remaining" stock length does not change when you press Done, as it is up to the person cutting to manage the material and the scrap.
9. Move - To start cutting a new stick:
   1. The operator must click the Move button.
   2. The operator is prevented from making a cut when the part length is longer than the stock length.
      
      
      
   3. The TigerStop will be positioned for the first cut. The operator will make the cut. 
   4. In Settings, if Print Labels is checked and a Label Printer is selected, then a label will be printed. For label configuration, see the Label Printing for Zebra (ZPL) Compatible Printers article. 
      
      
      
      
   5. In Settings, if the Move on Trigger Cycle is checked, the TigerStop will be automatically positioned to the next cut after the designated Move Wait Time setting.
   6. The top row and Last Cut Item will update.
10. Done - If the Move on Trigger Cycle is not checked, then the operator can click the Done button to trigger the TigerStop to move to the next position.
11. Pause - Pause will interrupt the stock material workflow.   When paused, the user can use the green TigerStop keypad to move the tool to a specified length. Then they can resume with an option to keep the current stock length or use the previous one.
12. Delete - Delete is used more by testers than operators. Delete will delete the selected item(s) from the cut list. The item(s) will be orphaned from the cut list and the status of the cut list in Stratus will not reach 100% complete. Use this option as a last resort.
13. Material and size tabs - Cut lists sent to the tool are organized into tabs by material and size.
14. Current Stock - The top row is highlighted green and indicates the current cut. 
    
    

15. Length - The cut length for each item to be cut. Note: The cut length display value is impacted by the Cut Length Precision, Round Cut Length Up, and Cut Length Display Units settings.

16. Stock - Stock is a visual representation of how the total length of the stock and how it will be cut.
    1. The Stock grid indicates the total length of the stock and how each part will be cut. 
       
    2. Diagonal stripes indicate the anticipated scrap material. 
    3. Gray indicates parts of the stock that either have been or will be cut. 
    4. Yellow indicates the current cut. 
       
       
17. Item - Displays the part's item number.
18. Package Name - Displays the Stratus Package Name.
19. Assembly Name - Displays the Stratus Assembly Name.
20. Project - Displays the Stratus  Project.
21. Model - Displays the Stratus Model.
22. User - Displays the User who generated the cut list.
23. Date/Time - Displays the Date/Time the cut list was sent to the TigerStop queue. 
24. Last Item Cut - Displays the last cut item.  
25. Stop - Stop will cause all movement to stop.
26. Home - Home sends the TigerStop back to the Home position.
27. Position - The stock remaining after each cut.
28. Bundle - Bundling allows the operator to cut more than one item at a time to the same length. See the Bundle section for more information.
29. Stock with current cut highlighted - At the bottom of the screen the current stock displays the currently selected cut.
30. Count - The number of cuts associated with the selected project, model, package, spool/assembly, material, and size.
31. History - View the history of cut items and re-print labels. If the same computer running the application is used for multiple Stratus tools (Ex. a copper tool, a steel tool, etc.), the history for each selected Stratus tool will be unique. 
32. Settings - Open the Settings Panel.
33. Close - Close the TigerStop Desktop Application.
34. Stock Display Units - Select an option under Settings > Cut.

Filter and Grouping

Filter and Group the cut list queue by Project, Model, Package, Spool/Assembly, Area, or Item Grouping.

1. Filter to Individual Items - Expand Model, Package, Spool / Assembly, Area to select/deselect individual items. As items are checked/unchecked, they are filtered in/out of the tool list. 

   Note: Click All Packages to select all packages in within the selected Project and Model. Long lists of assemblies or packages can take up to a minute to check or uncheck All items.

   

   1. Checked - When checked, all items will be checked and All will display in the drop-down (Ex. All Packages).

   2. Unchecked - When unchecked all items will be unchecked and the drop-down will be blank.

   3. Mix Checked/Unchecked - When individual items are checked and other items are unchecked, the selected item names will display in the drop-down (Ex. Model reads GTP - ITM - Revit - Mechanical) as to fill the space. The space is not designed to display all checked, just click the drop-down to view.

      
   
   
   
2. Item Grouping - Nested items can be grouped By Package, By Assembly, Item Number, Area, or No Item Grouping.
   
   
   
   
3. Batch Size - The Batch Size option creates cut list subgroups that will be cut before moving to the next subgroup. A Batch Size subgroup is used in combination with the Item Grouping (By Package, By Assembly, By Item Number) options. The purpose of a subgroup is to nest parts in a Batch according to the Item Grouping. If the Batch Size is 2 or more, all parts for the first two Item Groupings will be cut before moving to the next batch of 2. Currently, for a large list of cut list items, Stratus Workstation optimizes the cuts to reduce waste which means the order that parts from different assemblies or packages are cut may not be optimal for assembly or shipping.

   For example:

   1. With No Item Grouping, the Assembly sort order is random.
      
      
      

   2. Set Item Grouping to By Assembly. The list is sorted by Assembly.
      
      
      

   3. Batch Size

      1. Unchecked (default) - When unchecked the cut list will not enforce subgroups.

      2. Checked - When checked, the cut list will be organized in batches specified by the number entered. The cut list order may change.

         1. If Batch Size is 1, all parts for each assembly will be cut before moving to another assembly.

         2. If Batch Size is 2+, all parts for the first two assemblies will be cut before moving to the next batch of 2+ assemblies.
            
            
            

            1. As a result, the cut list will sort assemblies so that all parts for the first two assemblies will be cut before moving to the next batch of 2+ assemblies and a different assembly won’t be inserted in between. Notice that once the last -12 and -13 assembly has been cut, then the -14 assembly can be cut.
               
               
               

            2. Similarly, in this example with Batch Size = 3, the -12, -13, and -14 assemblies are cut before moving on to the -103 assembly.
               
               
               

Load Next Stock Material

When the last item from a cut list material and size is cut, a message similar to the following will display. The purpose of the message is to inform the operator that a *** NEW MATERIAL *** needs to be loaded. The name of the new material size to load is included.

Round Cut Length Up

The Round Cut checkbox setting (Default = Unchecked) applies to the actual cut length value.

To change the Round Cut value:

1. The cut list displays the Length values.

   

   
   

2. Under Settings, the Round Cut checkbox displays.

   

   
   

   1. Unchecked (Default) - When unchecked, the cut length will be the actual cut length value.

   2. Checked - When checked, the actual cut length will be rounded according to the Cut Length Precision setting.

3. Click Save.

4. With the Round Cut checkbox checked, the cut list page will refresh and display the actual cut length rounded according to the Cut Length Precision setting.

   

   
   

5. The cut and label will use the new cut length.

   

History

To re-print a label or re-cut an item:

1. Click the History button.
   

   
   

2. Previously cut items will display. Select an item.
   

   
   

   1. Print - Print the item’s label.

   2. Move - Re-cut the item. You will be informed that the tool position will be moved. The presumptive workflow is that an operator who needs to re-cut a previously cut piece will remove their current in-progress stock, place a different piece of stock on the platform and cut the stock in backstop mode.
      

      
      

   3. Click OK to move the tool position and make the cut.

   4. Close or X - Click Close or the X button to close the window. The operator will be prompted:
      

      
      

      1. Continue from previous position - Remaining stock will be the previous position value. The operator can place the original stock back on the platform to carry on as though they never stopped cutting. The cut list will not have been changed.
         
         
         

      2. Reset stock and continue - Functions as if the Reset Stock button was clicked, thereby setting Remaining to the Stock Length value and re-nesting the cut list.
         

Scrap Material

Scrap material from one standard stock can be used for the first cut of the next spool For example, Spool B2 uses the remaining scrap from previous stock and then moves to a new piece of stock to continue nesting cuts.

Bundle

Bundling allows the operator to cut more than one item at a time to the same length, think of multiple all-thread rods or unistrut strapped together destined for a band-saw. The Bundling feature supports TigerStop, Nesting, and Labels. It's important to note, Bundling will only work in the 'Backstop Mode' with a TigerStop. Bundling is a session-specific task, so if a bundle is made, the Stratus Workstations application is closed and reopened, the bundle will need to be recreated. The Bundle feature can also be used with the TigerStop AIK setup.

To use the Bundle feature:

1. Under Packages > Package > Cut Lists, send a cut list to a station.
2. At the station, open the Stratus Workstation application.
3. Click the cut list. A dialog similar to the following will display. Notice the identical lengths and the Bundle button.
   
   
   
4. Click the Bundle button. The Maximum Bundle Size dialog will display. Here the Bundle Size can be set to whatever the saw can handle. If the Bundle Size had previously been set and needs to be changed, it can be changed here as well.
   
   
   
5. Once the Bundle Size is set, click Close. A message will display that the TigerStop will run in “backstop mode.” Click OK.
   
   
   
   1. Note: If a different cut list is selected where a Bundle Size has not been set, a message will display that the TigerStop will run in “push mode”. Click OK. Clock Close on the Maximum Bundle Size dialog.
      
      
      
6. Now that the Stratus Workstation is setup in “backstop mode” it is ready to move and cut normally. Notice the following:
   
   
   
   1. Bundle Size - The Bundle Size is the count of the currently selected bundle.
   2. Bundle Max – The Bundle Max is the value entered in the Maximum Bundle Size dialog above.
   3. Count – The count column nests the items that will be cut together in a bundle.
   4. Cut List Bundle Icon – After a Bundle Max value has been saved for a cut list, the Bundled icon will display on the tab.
      
      
7. Move and cut normally. As you cut, bundles will disappear from the screen. Cut bundles, like normal cuts, can be viewed by clicking the History button.  If the same computer running the application is used for multiple Stratus tools (Ex. a copper tool, a steel tool, etc.), the history for each selected Stratus tool will be unique. 
   
   
   
8. To “Unbundle” a bundle, click the Bundle button and then click the Unbundle button and OK. The dialog informs that the bundle no longer exists and default cutting settings are active.
   
   
   
9. Click Close. The page will refresh, and the Count column will disappear indicating that all bundles have returned to unique cuts and the Bundle Max and Size data will disappear.

New Task Definition to Update

Companies can use Task Workflows for intermediate steps between major tracking status changes.  For example, they may have "In Fabrication" and "Fabrication Completed" as their tracking statuses, but they have a task workflow associated with parts that include individual tasks for steps like "Cut".

The Stratus Workstation application currently includes the New Status when Done setting which is used to update a tracking status when a cut is completed. The New Task Definition to Update setting is used to update a part Task (if one exists).

To use this feature:

1. Configure Task Definitions.
2. Configure a Tool.
3. Configure a Task Workflow for a part.
   
   
   
   1. Apply to Type = Part
   2. Initiated by Tracking Status = Issued for Fabrication (in this case)
4. Configure a Station. The Station is associated with the Tool and the Task Definitions. When the Stratus Workstation is opened (below) and this Tool is selected, the Task Definitions will be available in the New Task Definition to Update setting.
   
   
   
5. Create a Package.
6. In the Tracking tab, change the Status of the “Package to Issued for Fabrication” which is the setting for the Initiated by Tracking Status configured in the Task Workflow created (above).
   
   
   
   1. Tasks are created on the Tasks tab.
      
      
      
   2. The Task Workflow is automatically assigned to each part on the Package’s Items tab.
      
      
      
7. Generate a Cut Lists - In the Package’s Cut List tab, click the Generate a Cut Lists The Cut Lists will display.
8. Check to select one or more Cut Lists and then click the Send Cut List to Station button.
   
   
   
9. Stratus Workstation - Open the Stratus Workstation and click Settings.
10. Click the New Task Definition to Update drop-down. Select a status for the tasks to receive once a part is cut.
    
    
    
11. Once set, make a cut from the cut list.
    
    
    
12. The Package's Item tab will show the task is complete as the task button turns green.
    

Settings in the Stratus Workstation app

1. Be sure that the Move Wait Time in seconds is greater than the Move Delay in seconds from the TigerStop. We recommend adding an additional second to make sure there’s no toe stepping.
   

Remove Cut List from a Station

In Stratus under the Package's Cut List tab, as soon as the Send Cut List to Station button is clicked, the cut list displays in the Stratus Workstation application associated with that station.

If the cut list was sent to the wrong station or needs to be removed from the Stratus Workstation queue, it can be quickly removed in a couple of ways:

1. Under the Package's Cut List tab either:
   1. Click the Unassign from Station button. This will remove the cut list from the station and the Stratus Workstation queue, but will not delete the cut list from the package. This will enable a user to select a different station and Send Cut List to Station again.
   2. Click the Delete button. This will delete the cut list from the package. A user will need to Generate Cut Lists for the package in order for the cut list to be available after being deleted.
      
      
      
2. Under Shops > Station (select) > Tools (select) a list of cut lists for the station and tool will display.
   1. Click the Unassign from Station button. This will remove the cut list from the station and the Stratus Workstation queue, but will not delete the cut list from the package.
      

Rename Package

Note:  If a user changes the name of a package after sending a cut list to the Stratus Workstation, the old package name will continue to display in the Stratus Workstation. To resolve this issue, delete the cut list and resend it to the Stratus Workstation.

Status Update

In Stratus under the Package's Cut List tab, as soon as the Send Cut List to Station button is clicked, the cut list displays in the Stratus Workstation application associated with that station. The cut list status changes as items are cut.

1. Package's Cut List tab - When the Send Cut List to Station button is clicked, on the Package's Cut List tab the status of the cut list is changed to In Progress [0%]. 
   
   
   
2. As soon as any cuts are made, the cut list status is updated.
   
   1. Package's Cut List tab - Status column.
      
      
      
   2. Shops > Station (select) > Tools (select) > Status column.
      

Material Retractions with TigerStop

Retractions of material when using a TigerStop are handled by the tool/amp/controller and are not a feature of the Stratus Workstation App. This can be accomplished with a few simple changes to the TigerStop controller settings. Per TigerStop on the functionality of the DM Only option for the Retract Type setting, "The Retract move will happen as soon as the Dead-Man circuit opens when using a TigerStop Interconnect Kit."

Settings in the TigerStop controller (the green keypad)

1. Go to the Options Menu
    
   
   1. Set the Retract Type to DM Only
      
      
   2. Set your Retract distance in inches
      
   3. Validate that your Retract Offset is set to 0.000in. You should only have a non-zero value here if the cutting operation physically moves the stock material towards the direction of the pusher.
      
2. Go to the Motion Menu
   
   
   1. Please validate that the Move Delay in seconds on the TigerStop is less than the Move Wait Time in seconds on the Stratus Workstation App. Any physical restrictions on the tool and in its operational settings should be calculated and accounted for. Do not arbitrarily make your Move Delay less than the Move Wait Time and beware that the value you enter on the TigerStop is in milliseconds.
      
      

Settings in the Stratus Workstation app

1. Be sure that the Move Wait Time in seconds is greater than the Move Delay in seconds from the TigerStop. We recommend adding an additional second to make sure there’s no toe stepping 
   
   
   1. Process a cut list
      1. Validate that you are seeing the proper retract and take-up of that retract distance while the tool is cycling, even on the first cut piece out of a stock length
      2. Validate that the cut lengths are as expected

Cabling and Tiger Stop (Connecting the Pusher to your PC)

WARNING: Do not bundle/tie-wrap/tape your power cord with your DB9 serial cable. This will cause induction onto the cable.

The Cable from Pusher to the PC/Tablet

Your tablet or PC will run the Stratus Workstation App. And that tablet will communicate with the TigerStop pusher via the cable marked "Goes to PC Table" in the above picture.

A sample of such a cable is a DB9 to USB sold by SeaLevel: https://www.sealevel.com/product/2105r-usb-to-1-port-rs-232-db9-serial-interface-adapter/

The software to configure this cable on the PC is the SeaCOM PortManager available here, https://www.sealevel.com/product/2105r-usb-to-1-port-rs-232-db9-serial-interface-adapter/ (on that page, scroll down to "Software + Documentation" and download the software to the Tablet/PC that will run the Stratus Workstation App. The software, when run, looks something like this:

Printing Labels Troubleshooting Steps

Labels, ZPL Printers, Codes, and Troubleshooting#Printing-Labels-Troubleshooting-Steps

Videos

04/16/2021 CSG Webinar:  GTP Cut Application

00:00 Release Notes Review
02:20 Download GTP Stratus Workstation
03:00 Settings - General
11:45 Settings - TigerStop
15:00 Questions about TigerStop Automated Cutting
18:15 Admin > Tools > Label Template
19:30 Using the GTP Stratus Workstation application

08/13/2020 - Using your TigerStop with Stratus!

00:00 Cut List Introduction
01:22 Can Cut Tracking Status
02:28 Generate Cut List for a Package - Package's Cut List tab
03:35 Generate Cut List for a Part - Assembly Viewer
04:29 Pipe - Part Templates > Cut List Mappings
08:27 Hanger Rod - Part Templates > Cut List Mappings
12:47 Tool and Station Setup
13:54 Send Package Cut List to Station
14:19 TigerStop Station and General Workstation Settings
25:52 TigerStop Station and Filtering Projects, Models, Packages, Assemblies, Grouping
24:52 TigerStop Station and TigerStop Workstation Settings
27:46 Use the TigerStop Workstation for non-TigerStop workflows
28:54 TigerStop Workstation Dynamic Nesting
30:09 Labels for Different Tools