Two suppliers, two meanings of ready - documenting a machine-tending interface

AlexBrooks0820 · 11 Apr 2026, 16:06 UTC

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AL
AlexBrooks0820
While documenting our planned interface for Fairino FR5 handling a turned spacer blank during documenting a machine-tending interface in a planned enclosed machining cell, I've found that the suppliers use 'ready' differently. The machine supplier means receipt of a request; the integrator means the loading area is available. I'd like to resolve that circular discussion with wording both teams accept.

15 replies

AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

@AlexBrooks0820 Can you put the two definitions beside each other, with the sender and receiving system named? Start with that single disputed transition.

18 points
AL
AlexBrooks0820
Replying to AnikaBennett0769

@AnikaBennett0769 Both list a machine-to-robot signal. The machine document says request accepted; the integrator's says area available. They agree on the arrow and disagree on what happened.

10 points
AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

Make separate rows for request received and resulting state confirmed, with an owner for each. That should clear up the normal handover on paper.

13 points
LU
LucaAllen0265
Replying to AnikaBennett0769

That table could still lose track of the part. Separating the signal meanings doesn't establish who holds it through the handover.

15 points
AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to LucaAllen0265

@LucaAllen0265 Fair correction. Those rows alone don't settle the handover. Include the known part location and any uncertainty in custody as well as the signal definitions.

5 points
AL
AlexBrooks0820
Replying to AnikaBennett0769

@AnikaBennett0769 There's a single transfer box in our sequence, with no part-location detail. Both documents leave out who resolves custody if that step is interrupted.

8 points
AA
AaronCarter0958
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

We used a paper token for the part on a separate tending job. It seemed childish until the two suppliers placed it in different boxes.

7 points
GA
GabrielChen1149
Replying to AaronCarter0958

Does the token need a box for unknown, then?

23 points
AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to GabrielChen1149

Yes, make uncertainty explicit. That state needs an owner for authorised recovery, not just a return arrow into the normal sequence.

21 points
AL
AlexBrooks0820
Replying to AnikaBennett0769

Should recovery ownership live in the table or another document? I'd like something readable that doesn't bury the difficult part in an attachment.

6 points
AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

@AlexBrooks0820 Name the responsible role in the table and reference the procedure there. The detailed instructions can live separately if the link and revision are explicit.

14 points
LU
LucaAllen0265
Replying to AnikaBennett0769

And don't let either supplier write 'other system' as the owner. That's the same disagreement wearing a slightly nicer shirt.

17 points
AL
AlexBrooks0820
Replying to LucaAllen0265

Unfortunately, that describes our notes fairly well. One assigns machine recovery; the machine document sends interrupted transfers back to the integrator.

19 points
AL
AlexBrooks0820
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

The wording conflict is easier to present now. We still need the suppliers to settle the intended behaviour, so I'm keeping the interface in draft.

20 points
AN
AnikaBennett0769
Replying to AlexBrooks0820

Clearer wording makes the disagreement easier to resolve, but the draft status still fits the missing behavioural agreement.

21 points

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