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Pre-Puff Process

Overview​

The Pre-Puff process is a specialized weighing and tracking system designed to record the weight of pre-puffed expandable polystyrene (EPS) bags as they are packaged for customer orders.

This interface allows operators to select their station and employees, monitor scale readings in real-time, and manage the completion and shipment details of the pre-puff jobs.

Web Application Interface​

Job Management Page​

Page Location: /prepuff/add_prepuff

The job management page displays all available Pre-Puff jobs created by administrators.

  • Start a New Job: Lists new jobs with the Sales Order, Customer, and Created Date. Click the Start button to begin.
  • Jobs in progress...: Lists jobs that have already been started but not finished. Click the Resume button to continue a paused or transitioned job.

Starting or Resuming a Job​

When starting or resuming a job, you will be prompted to:

  1. Select Station: Choose the physical weighing station you are working at.
  2. Job Employees: Select the employees working on this job.
  3. Click Start Job to enter the "In Progress" view.
Start New Job

Active Job Monitoring Display​

The "Pre-Puff In Progress" page is where the actual weighing process is monitored.

Pre-Puff In Progress

Job Details & Progress:

  • Displays the Job ID, Station, Sales Order, and Company.
  • Shows the Total Bags target and progress, as well as targets for specific bag types.

Bag Types: Use the Bag Type dropdown to select the type of bag currently being weighed. When the target for a bag type is reached, the system will prompt you to switch to the next type.

Scale Feeds: The page displays real-time feeds from Scale One and Scale Two.

  • As bags are placed on the network-connected scales and the print button is pressed, the bag weights will appear in the respective scale tables.
  • Add Bag Manually: If a scale is malfunctioning or network connectivity drops, operators can use the "Add Bag Manually" button to manually input a bag weight.
    Manually Add Bag
  • Remove Filler Bag: If a bag was weighed incorrectly, you can mark it as faulty to remove it from the total.

Job Actions​

  • Job Comments: Add or update comments on the job at any time.
  • Help / Weight Legend: Click the Help button to view the minimum and maximum acceptable weights for the currently assigned bag types.
    Weight Legend
  • Pause Job: Pauses the job timer.
  • Transition Job Owner: Saves your progress, logs your transfer time, and frees the station. Use this if you are leaving the station for a prolonged period or changing shifts.
    Transition Pre-Puff Job
  • Finish Job: Completes the job. You will be prompted to enter shipment details, such as selecting a Shelter Enterprises trailer, entering an Outside Carrier trailer number, or marking it as a Pick-Up order.
    Finish Job Screen
    Select Trailer

Scale Operator Workflow​

Physical Scale Interface: Since the scales are network-connected devices sending data directly to the server, operators interact primarily with the scale's built-in display and buttons:

  1. Scale Display - Shows current weight in configured unit
  2. Print/Send Button - Triggers data transmission to server
  3. Tare/Zero Button - Zeros the scale between weighings

Operator Process at Weighing Station:

  1. Place the empty bag on the scale and press "Tare" to zero it.
  2. Fill the bag with pre-puffed material.
  3. Verify the weight is on target using the scale's display.
  4. Press the "Print" or "Send" button on the physical scale.
  5. The weight will automatically appear in the web interface under Scale One or Scale Two.
  6. Check the web interface - bag count increments.
  7. Repeat the weighing process until the quantity is reached.