The binary files that contain the lists have the"*.mwf" extension. The files are stored in the "minestar" directory that is below the "caes" working directory. The files are generated in Cat® MineStar System.
The following binary files can be generated by Cat MineStar System:
Waypoints - This file is not used in the on-board software. Provides a list of waypoints. When the truck passes the waypoint, a message is sent to the office. Waypoints can only be used with Cat MineStar System.
Delays - Provides a list of reasons for a delay. The expected duration of the delay is included with the delay identity. When the delay is started, the time counts down from the expected delay duration. Instead of an expected delay, delays of infinite duration can be configured. Infinite duration delays have no expected duration. Instead, the delay time continually increments.
Machines - Provides a list of truck identities for selection when a loaded truck is sent: The list of trucks is also used when messages are sent.
Operator - Provides a list of machine operators to select from when logging in
Message - Provides a list of predefined text messages that operators can send either to other machines or else to the office: Messages are only supported on IP radio systems. The Allow Text Messages setting is used to enable the text message option in the System menu.
KPI - Provides a list of Key Performance Indicators for displaying group progress to operators in achieving daily goals
Truck - Provides a list of trucks and the dipper (loader specific) and tonnage capacity of the trucks for use in MineStar
Material - Provides a list of materials and descriptions of the materials for use in Cat MineStar System
Operator Checklist - Provides a list of items that require action on a machine
Activities - Provides a list of activities that an operator can select from when the machine activity changes
Job Codes - Provides a list of job codes that the operator can select from to inform the office of the work the machine is doing
Fluid - Provides a list of various fluids for the operator: The Use Multiple Fluids setting is used to include the list of fluids into the "Hour Entry" dialog. The operator can enter the consumption quantities for different fluids.
Material Blocks - This file is not used in the on-board software. Provides a list of material blocks. The truck driver selects a material from a list that the office sends to the truck. The selected material identifies the material in the truck load.
Cat MineStar System is used to perform the following tasks:
- Export *.mwf files into Unicode format text files for updating the information.
- Import either updated or else new text files into the binary format used by the on-board software.
- View existing *.mwf files.
Once created or updated, the *.mwf files are transmitted to the on-board software by either FTP for IP network sites.
The *.mwf files must be located in the "caes" working directory in the "minestar" folder. The on-board software automatically detects which type of list is contained in the file.
As long as the file extension is "mwf", any filename may be used for the file. The on-board software will use only one *.mwf file for each type of list. When more than one file with the same type of list is found, then the most recent of the two files are used.
Note: To avoid confusion as to which list is used, ensure that there is only one file of each type of list in the "minestar" directory.
Reference: For information about lists that are used by the operator, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, SEBU8822, "Cat® Terrain for Grading and Loading", "General Information (Operator Utilities)" .
Various machine configuration settings must be set up in order for the operator to be able to use the lists.
Some of the settings that are relevant to enabling the various lists for operators are:
"Allow Text Messages" - Enables the send operator messages option in the system menu
"Display Truck List" - Enables the display of a list of trucks when the Send Truck button is used
"Checklist Required" - Displays the "Operator Checklist" when the on-board software is started or when the operator is changed
"Login Required" - Displays the login confirmation dialog when the on-board software is started
"Logout Hours Required" - Displays the "Hour Entry" dialog before logout is completed
"Save Truck List" - Saves the list of most recently used trucks when the on-board software is started
"Save User" - Specifies whether to save the operator identity when the on-board software is started
Reference: For additional details on the machine configuration settings, refer to the MCU Help file, List Files - Reference
The operator checklist includes a list of items for the operator to check. These items usually relate to the maintenance of the machine. The on-board software can be configured to force the operator to check the list at both system start and at shift change. The operator identifies the items that require attention. The completed operator checklist is recorded in the productivity file. The operator checklist can also be sent to Cat MineStar System.
Reference: For additional details on the operator checklist setup, refer to "List Files" section of this manual.
The settings listed below are used to configure checklist behavior:
"Checklist All Items Required" - Specifies that the operator must check all items on the list
"Checklist Bad Word" - Specifies the term that is used to indicate that the check list item requires action
"Checklist Deferred Word" - Specifies the term that is used to indicate that the check on an item has been deferred
"Checklist Good Word" - Specifies the term that is used to indicate that the check list item does not require action
"Checklist No Cancel" - Removes the "Cancel" button from the checklist dialog
"Checklist No Deferred" - Removes the "Deferred" button from the checklist dialog
Reference: For additional details on the operator checklist setup, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, M0078762, "Cat® Terrain for Grading and Loading", "General Information (Operator Utilities)".
The settings in Table 1 could be used to customize the terms that are used on the Operator Checklist dialog buttons.
| Custom Operator Checklist Example |
| Checklist Good Word =Passed
Checklist Bad Word =Failed Checklist Deferred Word =No |
"Checklist All Items Required" - Requires the operator to check each item in the checklist
| |
| Illustration 1 | g03396093 |
|
Customized "Operator Checklist" dialog. The Operator must check each item. | |
Illustration 1 shows the "Operator Checklist" dialog with the customized buttons. The "OK" button has been renamed "Passed", the "BO" button has been renamed "Failed", and the "Deferred" button has been renamed "No Test"
To check each item, the operator must touch each item in the list. The operator then touches a button corresponding to one of the three possible states. The possible states are "Passed", "Failed", or "No Test". The "Send" button remains disabled until the operator has associated a state to every item in the list.
When the checklist is complete, the "Send" button is enabled. Once this button is enabled, the operator can send the list and continue with either system start or else operator change.
Note: The "Cancel" button is not available in the dialog when using the Checklist All Items Required setting.
"Checklist No Cancel" - The setting can be used to remove the Cancel button from the Operator Checklist dialog when the "Checklist All Items Required" setting is not used.
"Checklist No Deferred" - The setting is used to remove the "Deferred" button from the "Operator Checklist" dialog
In the example in illustration 1 the "No Test" has replaced the "Deferred" button. This button would not appear when the "Checklist No Deferred" setting is used. Since this button would no longer be available, the operator would be forced to set each item as either "Passed" or "Failed".
List Files are also MineStar files. These files can be generated in Cat MineStar System and in File Builder.
Because the lists within these files are continually updated, file version control is important to ensure that all machines are working with consistent lists.
After update, new List/MineStar files are sent to the machine. The on-board software loads the most recent List/MineStar files so that the most recent lists of options are available for the operator. The on-board software uses the date and time of the file to determine which MineStar file is the most recent.
For Terrain on-board software on MineStar sites the "Use Saved MineStar Files" setting can be used to lock the MineStar files to the last used files. The files can be locked regardless of the dates and times of the files.
Note: The "Use Saved MineStar Files" setting may only be used on sites with MineStar installations.