Machine Tools Suite 4
Machine Tools Suite 4, (or “Suite 4”) is a complete machine tool management solution. It is comprised of several applications that work together to provide user-friendly methods for setting up, managing, updating, and troubleshooting your machine tool and job files. The following is a brief description of the Suite 4 applications and how they work together to create a powerful and easy to use machine tool environment.
The applications in Suite 4 can be grouped into three categories. They are: 1) Connection Related 2) Job file Related 3) Machine Related
Some of the applications will be used frequently by the operator, but others will run automatically in the background as necessary. Let’s discuss these categories and applications, and their purposes.
Connection Related These applications are used to create and maintain the connection to the machine tool. Once the connection is established and configured, you should not need to know anything more about these applications.
	Connection Manager – This is the program used to create the initial connection between the computer and the machine tool. It is also a very helpful tool when troubleshooting connectivity problems.
	Neti – Neti is a system service that acts as a network traffic router for the Suite 4 applications. It facilitates communication between the machine tool and applications, as well as between the applications themselves. One Neti can host many machine tools to different computers on a network.
Job File Related The Job File related applications in Suite 4 are focused on editing, previewing, and executing job files.
	Job Editor – Job Editor is an application specifically designed for modifying job files. Unlike a CAD package, it is not intended to create jobs, but to take existing CAD files or artwork, and give the operator the ability to move, scale, duplicate, combine, toolpath, and nest parts. Job Editor also has many features designed to compensate for anomalies and inaccuracies that are common in CAD files. In addition to modifying jobs, Job Editor can also perform time estimation on your jobs files, and can be used offline, (without the machine tool being connected or present).  This application also manages the merging of files from many sources to create one executable file.
	Job Name Server – Job Name Server is responsible for managing file names and locations for use on the machine tool’s keypad. Using this application, you can specify folders on a computer or network drive to use for DNC, Hotwatch and Digitize, allowing instant access to job files from the keypad and eliminating the need to initiate the job from a computer.
	Job Console – Job Console is the operator’s main interface to the machine tool. It acts as a live job monitor with real time information about the jobs progress. It can be used to preview and execute job files, and it also has a number of features for notifying operators or managers about important events like job start or end. These messages can be emailed automatically, keeping you in touch with production at all times. Job Console also has the ability to emulate certain keypad functionality, provide job history details, create job queues, and allow graphical restart to, resume a job that is already partially complete.
Machine Related The Machine related applications in Suite 4 are designed to give you the ability to make changes to the machine’s configurations, run updates provided by the machine’s manufacturer, diagnose machine errors, and provide information on machine usage. Except for Job Reporter, these applications should be used with caution due to the degree of control they have over the machine tool.
	Machine Parameters – Machine Parameters is the main application for making changes to the machine tool’s configurations. Speeds, accelerations, table size, device delays, and optional features are typically represented in Machine Parameters, and can be modified by the machine tool’s operator or caretaker. These settings can be password protected to prevent unwanted changes.
	Machine Update – Machine Update is the application that’s used when the machine manufacturer sends update files for the machine tool itself. These files are typically of the file type .XMU, and are for updating the software on the machine tool, not the software on the computer. Machine Update also maintains an archive of changes to the machine tool so that you can roll back changes if they have undesirable affects on the operation of the machine tool.
	Motion Mechanic – Motion Mechanic is a command line interface to the machine tool. This application is not generally used by the operator, but is invaluable if the machine tool is malfunctioning and diagnostics need to be performed. Typically, if this is necessary, it will be done under the advisement of a support representative from the machine’s manufacturer.
	Job Reporter – Job reporter is a basic reporting tool that can be used to generate reports detailing the machine usage. Although Job Reporter has a limited number of report formats, the data that Job Reporter uses is in a standard XML format and can be imported into a database, spreadsheet or other data management utility, to be organized and formatted in a way that fits your particular needs. Job Reporter does not require that the machine tool be online to run reports.