Quick links in the article.

• The previous start mix flow
• The main changes for the improved start mix flow
• What does the improved mix flow look like?
• Prepare mix flow and stock check

 

The previous start mix flow

At the bottom of the formula page, there is a 'Start Mix' button. The title of this button is always the same, but on

many occasions, when the 'Start Mix' button is clicked the mix is not started right away. 

For example on a multi-layer formula like TES114, the Prepare layers dialog is shown when there are no ready-to-spray components added to each layer on the formula screen. 

When the 'Enable work order selection on the mix start' is enabled on the settings/config page there will be a following step in the dialog to select the Work Order number. 

 

If the formula has multiple layers, as in this example, there is a Select Start Layer step. When a layer is selected there is a 'Start MIX' button to start mixing the selected formula. 

The title of the 'Start Mix' button does not give the right expectation, in the example above the mix needs extra preparation before the layer of the formula can be started. 

In addition, it is currently not possible to go back to previous steps in the dialog in case something needs to be corrected. 

 

Based on the feedback received, and the soon-to-be-released "Queue Mix" feature, we made some improvements to the 'Start Mix Flow'. 

 

The main changes for the improved start mix flow are: 

• The titles of the buttons are in line with the actual action.
• It is now possible to go a step back in the Start Mix Flow dialog. 
• Fewer mouse clicks: by pressing the enter button you can move to the next step. 
• The number of steps on the prepare mix flow depends on the settings enabled at the shop (i.e. Work Orders, Stock, scales, etc.)

 

What does the improved flow look like? 

When on the formula page with a one-layer mix, like the color BMW7827, and the ready-to-spray components are added to the mix, the 'Start Mix' button is shown. 

meaning that the mixing process will start right away.

 

If the button title is 'Prepare Mix' MIXIT will open the 'Prepare Mix' dialog 

 

The dialog will contain only the steps that are required to prepare the mix. In this case, the select work order is not shown because this setting is disabled right now. 

Note: the primer layer is greyed out because there are no toners for it 

 

How does it work for a multi-layer mix? 

Let's open color TES114 in Autowave 2.0 as an example and go straight to the prepare mix. 

 

The Prepare layers are the first step in the Start Mix Flow.

In this step, you can

• Select the layers, by default all layers are selected, when the selection is not changed the primer layer will be the first layer mixed.
• Set the volume and ready-to-spray components per layer. 
• Click next or hit enter to move the the next step. 

In this example, I have the 'Enable work order selection on the mix start' enabled I therefore have to select a work order before I can proceed with mixing. 

I can also go back in case I have to correct something. 

When a work order number is filled in, the 'Start Mix' button becomes active. I can click on it or hit enter to start mixing the first layer.

 

Selecting the layers to start with is now done at the prepare layers step, by doing this we could skip one step in the prepare mix dialog. 

 

Prepare mix flow and Stock check

When a formula is viewed on the formula page, MIXIT will check if there is enough stock available for each toner on the background. When there is not enough stock for one are more toners the Prepare Mix button is shown on the formula page. 

The stock for the listed toners needs to be replenished before the mix can be started.