Pre-Expand

Overview

The Pre-Expansion function tracks expandable polystyrene (EPS) beads as they are processed through the pre-expander machine and moved into inventory. This page serves as a monitoring dashboard displaying all pre-expansion jobs that are currently in progress or have been completed.

Pre-expansion is a critical step in the EPS manufacturing process where raw beads are heated and expanded to the desired density before molding. The system automatically records this data via integration with the pre-expander machine, which sends updates in real-time.

Key Features:

• Automated Data Import - Pre-expansion data is automatically imported from the machine via API
• Real-Time Monitoring - Table refreshes every 30 seconds to show current operations
• Inventory Tracking - Links pre-expansion jobs to specific lot inventory consumed
• Job Details - View silo number, lot types, bags used, start/end times

Front-End Behavior

Page Layout

The Pre-Expansion page uses a simple, data-focused interface:

Header Section:

• Page title: "Pre-Expansion In Progress"
• Go Back button (top-right) - Returns user to the home page.
• Loading Indicator - Shows during data refresh.
• "Changes Saved" checkmark icon (appears when modifications are saved)

Data Table: The main content is a data table displaying pre-expansion jobs with the following columns:

Column	Description	Format	Width
Lot ID	Unique job identifier	Hidden	N/A
Status Icon	Warning icon if disconnected	Yellow circle icon	50px
Bags Used	Visual display of lot names and bag numbers	HTML formatted chips	3x
Started Expansion	When pre-expansion began	M/D/YY h:mm AM/PM	2x
Finished Expansion	When pre-expansion completed	M/D/YY h:mm AM/PM	2x
Silo #	Silo number used for expansion	Integer	1x
Lot Type	Type/density of beads expanded	Text	1x

Table Features:

• Pagination: Server-side pagination with configurable page sizes (25, 50, or 100 rows)
• Sorting: Default sort by "Started Expansion" descending (most recent first)
• Auto-refresh: Table data reloads every 30 seconds automatically
• Responsive Layout: Columns auto-fit to available width
• Row Click: Clicking any row opens a detailed modal view

Bags Used Display

The "Bags Used" column displays consumed inventory as HTML-formatted chips:

• Each chip shows: [Lot Name] | [Bag Number]
• Tooltip shows full lot name on hover
• Multiple chips displayed side-by-side in a responsive row

Modal: Job Details

Clicking on any table row opens a modal dialog with detailed information:

Modal Structure:

• Title: "Modify Preexpansion Job"
• Job summary table showing Started, Finished, Silo #, and Lot Type.
• Inventory Used section showing the lot names entered from the machine and matching inventory records.

The modal provides a detailed view for verification and troubleshooting, allowing users to see exactly which inventory was consumed.

Disconnected Status Indicator

Jobs with a disconnected status display a warning icon (yellow circle) in the leftmost column. This indicates:

• The machine may have experienced connectivity issues during the job
• Data may be incomplete or require verification
• Manual review recommended

Production Flow

Main Silos

Expanded beads are typically loaded into the main silos for curing before being sent to the molding machines.

Regrind Breakdown

Scrap material and off-cuts are processed into regrind and tracked throughout the production cycle to reduce waste.

Example Usage

Example 1: Monitoring Active Pre-Expansion

1. Operator logs in and clicks "Pre-Expansion" button on home page.
2. System navigates to /preexpand/view.
3. Page displays "Pre-Expansion In Progress" table.
4. Table shows current and recent pre-expansion jobs:
   • Row 1: Silo 1, started 8:30 AM, finished 9:15 AM, used Lot123 bags 1-3
   • Row 2: Silo 2, started 9:00 AM, not finished yet, using Lot456 bags 1-2
5. Table automatically refreshes every 30 seconds.
6. New jobs from the machine appear automatically.
7. Operator can see real-time status of all silos.

Example 2: Reviewing Job Details

1. User on pre-expansion page sees recently completed job.
2. User clicks on table row for the job.
3. Modal dialog opens showing:
   • Job Summary: Started, Finished, Silo #, Lot Type
   • Inventory Used: Lots Entered, Inventory Used (Shows specific bag records consumed)
4. User verifies data is correct.
5. User clicks "Close" to return to table.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why does a job show a yellow warning icon? A: A yellow warning icon indicates the job is in a disconnected state. This usually means there was a discrepancy with the lot names entered by the pre-expander machine, and it requires administrator review.

Q: How often does the pre-expansion table update? A: The data table automatically refreshes every 30 seconds to show the latest information from the pre-expander machine.

Q: What does "No Full" mean for a silo? A: "No Full" indicates the silo did not reach its maximum capacity during the pre-expansion process, often because the expansion was stopped early or there was an insufficient bead supply.