The Mate / Demate block allows procedure authors to define physical connection and disconnection actions directly within a procedure.

During a run, operators can use the block to record when a cable, harness, fitting, or other connector is physically connected between two parts or tools, or disconnected from an existing connection.

Mate and Demate actions become part of the connected item's permanent history, providing traceability of how hardware was connected over time.

Before a part or tool can be used in a Mate / Demate block, it must have at least one Connection Interface defined. A Connection Interface identifies a physical connection point on the item, such as P1, J2, or another plug, socket, port, or fitting identifier.

For a Mate action, both sides of the connection require a Connection Interface. For a Demate action, only one side of the existing connection needs to be identified; Epsilon3 uses the selected interface to determine what is currently connected to it.

Open the part or tool and locate the Connection Interfaces section. Select Add interface to create a new connection point.

Enter an Interface ID that identifies the physical connection point. You can also enter a Maximum Mating Limit to define the maximum number of times the interface should be mated.

Select Add interface to save the connection interface.

Connection Interfaces carry forward automatically when a new revision of a part is created, so they do not need to be recreated for each revision.

While editing a procedure, add a Mate / Demate block from the Connectors group in Add Block.

The block can be configured as either Mate or Demate. Mate creates a connection between two specified interfaces, so both sides of the connection must be defined.

Demate removes an existing connection, and only one side needs to be defined because Epsilon3 identifies the item currently connected to that interface.

Select Mate, then configure both sides of the connection.

The Connection Interface represents the specific physical connection point on the selected item. The Connection Interface field is only available when the selected part or tool has an interface defined.

If no interfaces have been configured for the selected item, an interface cannot be selected and the connection cannot be completed.

Select Demate, then identify one side of the connection that should be disconnected. Choose the connector Type, select the applicable Part or Tool, and select its Connection Interface.

Only one side of the pair needs to be identified for a Demate block. During the run, Epsilon3 uses the selected physical connector and interface to determine its currently connected counterpart automatically.

Enable Include in Summary when the Mate / Demate information should be included in the run summary. This setting can be enabled independently for each Mate / Demate block.

When an operator reaches a Mate block during a run, select the actual physical connector for the first side by serial number, then select the physical connector for the second side. The connection is made using the Connection Interfaces configured by the procedure author.

Connectors that are already mated on the selected interface are not available for selection. Once the required connectors have been selected, complete the step to record the Mate action.

For a Demate block, select the physical connector for the configured side of the connection.

Complete the step to record the Demate action and remove the connection between the items.

Every completed Mate or Demate action is permanently recorded in the item's history.

These records cannot be edited or deleted after they have been recorded.

If a recorded connection needs to be reversed, perform a new action rather than modifying the existing record. Use a Demate action to disconnect a previously mated pair, or record a new Mate action if two interfaces need to be connected again later.

Users with Operator, Editor, or Admin access can perform Mate and Demate actions during a run. Viewers can view the recorded history but cannot perform Mate or Demate actions.

Once a step containing a Mate / Demate block has been signed off, that signoff cannot be revoked. This protects the permanent connection history associated with the completed action.