Like a Part within Epsilon3, a Tool is a defined item, whereas a Tool Instance represents a specific serialized item on hand. Tool Instances are associated to defined Tools.
Tools
The Tools screen displays a list of all of the defined tools within the workspace, as well as how many Tool Instances have been created.
Expand the Tool to see the serial numbers and creation dates for any associated Tool Instance.
Add New Tool
To add a new tool, click the New Tool button from the Tools screen.
Fill in the Tool Number, Name, Description, and Image and click Save.
The new tool will be listed on the Tools screen with no instances associated yet.
Click into an existing tool from the Tools screen to view, edit, or delete the tool, as well as add Tool Instances.
Delete can be found in the 3 dot menu next to Edit. Deleting the Tool will also delete the Tool Instances.
Tool Instances
Tool instances are essentially your inventory of tools and equipment. The Tool must first be defined (see above) before you are able to add instances.
To add a new tool instance, click into a tool from the Tools screen, and click Add Tool Instance.
Fill in the Serial #, latest maintenance details, location, and any other notes about checking in/out this tool. Click Save.
The Notes field supports Markdown!
Click on the Serial Number of the Instance from the Tool overview screen to view, edit, or delete the Instance.
Click Edit to edit the Notes field, or use the 3 Dot menu to delete the Instance.
The serial number of the instance is not able to be edited once created.
Tool Maintenance
Tool maintenance intervals are configured on a Tool, and last maintained dates are recorded on a Tool Instance.
Click into a tool from the Tools screen.
If a maintenance interval is set, it will be displayed with the tool details. Click Edit to add or modify maintenance intervals.
Tool Maintenance can be associated to a Tool Instance to record when maintenance was performed and by who.
Navigate to a specific Tool Instance either from the Tools List or from a tool's Definition Overview page.
Edit the Tool Instance to set a Maintenance Date.
BOTH Last Maintained By and TIME must be selected.
The Last Maintained date and user will be displayed for the Tool Instance along with the Next Scheduled Maintenance date for Tools that have an interval set.
If the maintenance is overdue, the text will be displayed in red.
The text will display in yellow if Maintenance is due within 7 days.
The text will be displayed in black if Maintenance is due in 8 days or more.
COMING SOON! Maintenance History Log to be displayed on this screen in a future state.
Subscribe to Tool Notifications
Subscribe to tool notifications by clicking the bell icon in the toolbar on the tool detail page.
When you are not subscribed to notifications to the tool the bell will appear as an outline. When you are subscribed, the bell will be colored blue.
Configure notification channels under Settings > Notifications.
Icons and custom alerts make it easy to track approaching or overdue tool maintenance without navigating away from your operation.
Checking Tools In or Out
Check Tool Instances in or out during procedure runs to track which instances are available for use.
The Tool and Tool Instance must be created created before it can be used in a run.
Adding Tool Check In / Check Out in Procedure
Check In Tool and Check Out Tool are Content Block options when building steps in a procedure.
For more information about adding Content Block check out our Anatomy of a Step Help Center article!
When the content block is added, a Search Tools drop down will appear.
Select which Tool will be checked In or Out during the run, and the Operator will select the Tool Instance during the run.
You must select a Tool from the drop down when building the procedure.
Using Tool Check-In / Check-Out in Run
Tool Instances are auto-populated in the Check-In and Check-Out drop downs based on their current status.
A Tool Instance is only available in the Check-Out drop down menu if the instance is not currently Checked-Out. Only Tool instances that are currently checked out are available in the Check-In drop down.
In the example above, Drill-1 was checked out previously so it is not available in the Check-Out drop down but it is available in the Check-In drop down.
Clicking the Tool name will link to the Tool Details page.
The Tool Instance is Check-Out / Checked-In on step sign off, so it is recommended to have the Check-Out and Check-In in separate steps if they are intended to be for the same Tool / Tool Instance.
At this time, Tool Instances can only be Checked-In or Checked-Out during a run containing the corresponding content blocks.
If a Check-In or Check-Out is missed, the Operator will either need to repeat the step if the run has not been ended, or start a new run skipping all but the missed step(s) if the run has already ended.
Viewing Status of Tool
There are a few places to view the Checked-Out status of a Tool Instance:
Tools Screen
If a Tool Instance is Checked-Out you will see a link to the procedure run the Tool Instance is currently Checked-Out for.
Tool Detail Screen
Clicking into a specific Tool will show all associated Tool Instances as well as their Checked-Out status.
This also links to the procedure run the Tool Instance is currently Checked-Out for.
Tool Instance Overview
When viewing a specific Tool Instance, you can see if the instance is currently In Use, as well as a Procedure Run History for the instance.
Tools Usage
Keep track of Cycles or Time usage for different tools in your inventory.
Edit a tool from the tool detail screen.
Select Cycles, Time, or both from the Usage Types drop down.
"Cycles" and "Time" are the only usage types available for Tools.
Click Save.
The Tool Instance will show the current usage on the Tools screen.
Add Tools Usage in a Procedure
Navigate to a draft of a procedure you would like to include Tools Usage.
Add the Record Tool Usage content block to any step within the procedure.
Select the desired tool and usage type from the drop down menus to pre-populate the Tool and Usage type in the run.
NOTE: Usage Type MUST be added to Tool prior to adding the usage block to a procedure.
The Tool MUST be added to a Tool Check Out block in the procedure.
Record Tool Usage During a Procedure Run
When running a procedure with a Tool Usage step, use the Tool Instance drop down menu or type to search the available instances for the selected part.
Enter the usage in the Usage Value field, following any specified formatting.
Note: The usage will not be recorded until the step is signed off.