# TieMeasureFlow User Guide Welcome to TieMeasureFlow - a comprehensive measurement task management system designed for precision measurement workflows with caliper measurements, barcode tracking, and statistical process control. ## Table of Contents 1. [System Overview](#system-overview) 2. [Getting Started](#getting-started) 3. [User Roles](#user-roles) 4. [Maker Workflow](#maker-workflow) 5. [MeasurementTec Workflow](#measurementtec-workflow) 6. [Metrologist Workflow](#metrologist-workflow) 7. [Admin Workflow](#admin-workflow) 8. [UI Features](#ui-features) 9. [Keyboard Shortcuts](#keyboard-shortcuts) 10. [Tips & Tricks](#tips--tricks) ## System Overview ### What is TieMeasureFlow? TieMeasureFlow is a web-based measurement management system that enables teams to: - **Create measurement recipes** - Define measurement procedures with tasks, subtasks, and tolerance specifications - **Execute measurements** - Record measurements using USB calipers or manual input with automatic pass/fail determination - **Track traceability** - Associate measurements with lot numbers, serial numbers, and operators - **Analyze quality** - Generate SPC (Statistical Process Control) charts, capability indices, and quality reports - **Export data** - Download measurements as CSV or generate PDF reports with configurable formatting ### Key Concepts | Concept | Description | |---------|-------------| | **Recipe** | Master document that defines a set of measurements to perform | | **Version** | Immutable snapshot of a recipe. Editing creates a new version; old measurements stay linked to original | | **Task** | Logical group of related subtasks (e.g., "Measure external dimensions") | | **Subtask** | Individual measurement point with tolerance limits (UTL/UWL/LWL/LTL) | | **Measurement** | Individual recorded value with automatic pass/fail/warning status | | **Lot/Serial** | Traceability fields linking measurements to physical parts | ### Architecture ``` TieMeasureFlow ├── Server (FastAPI on port 8000) │ ├── Authentication & Authorization │ ├── Recipe versioning & management │ ├── Measurement storage & analysis │ └── Statistical calculations └── Client (Flask on port 5000) ├── Maker: Recipe editor ├── MeasurementTec: Measurement entry ├── Metrologist: SPC dashboard └── Admin: User management ``` --- ## Getting Started ### Login 1. Open `http://localhost:5000` (or your configured client URL) 2. Enter **username** and **password** 3. Click **Login** You are now logged in and redirected to your role's dashboard. ### Change Language Click the **language selector** (top-right) to switch between: - **Italian (Italiano)** - Default - **English** - Full UI and data labels translated Language preference is saved to your profile. ### Change Theme Click the **theme toggle** (sun/moon icon, top-right) to switch between: - **Light Mode** - White background, dark text - **Dark Mode** - Dark background, light text Theme preference is saved to your profile. ### Profile Settings 1. Click your **username** (top-right) 2. Select **Profile** or **Settings** 3. Update: - Display name - Email - Language preference - Theme preference 4. Click **Save** --- ## User Roles TieMeasureFlow has four primary roles. Users can have multiple roles simultaneously. ### Maker **Purpose:** Create and maintain measurement procedures **Permissions:** - Create new recipes - Edit recipe structure (tasks, subtasks, tolerances) - Add measurement points and annotations - Upload images/PDFs for reference - View recipe history and versions - Manage recipe access **Access:** - Menu: **Maker** → Recipe Management - Can see: All recipes and their versions **Typical Tasks:** - Define new measurement procedures - Set tolerance limits (UTL/UWL/LWL/LTL) - Create visual annotations on images - Document measurement instructions --- ### MeasurementTec **Purpose:** Execute measurements in the field/lab **Permissions:** - Select recipes to measure - Record individual measurements - Use USB caliper for automated input - Scan barcodes for lot/serial tracking - View assigned measurement tasks - Export measurements to CSV **Access:** - Menu: **Measure** → Task Execution - Can see: Published recipes only **Typical Tasks:** - Open a recipe via barcode or search - Follow task instructions - Record measurements (manual or USB caliper) - Scan lot and serial numbers - Monitor real-time pass/fail status --- ### Metrologist **Purpose:** Analyze measurements and generate quality reports **Permissions:** - View all measurements across recipes - Access SPC statistics and control charts - View capability indices (Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk) - Generate PDF reports - Export measurements and charts - Filter data by recipe, date, operator, lot **Access:** - Menu: **Statistics** → SPC Dashboard - Can see: All measurements and statistics **Typical Tasks:** - Monitor process capability - Generate control charts - Investigate out-of-control conditions - Export data for analysis - Create quality reports --- ### Admin **Purpose:** System administration and user management **Permissions:** - Create/edit/delete users - Assign roles to users - Regenerate user API keys - Configure system settings - Upload company logo - Manage CSV export settings **Access:** - Menu: **Admin** → User Management - Can see: All users and system settings **Typical Tasks:** - Onboard new users - Reset lost API keys - Configure locale/format settings - Upload company branding - Manage system access --- ## Maker Workflow ### Create a New Recipe 1. Navigate to **Maker** → **Recipe Management** 2. Click **New Recipe** 3. Enter details: - **Code**: Unique identifier (e.g., `RECIPE_MOTOR_001`) - **Name**: Human-readable name - **Description**: Purpose and context 4. Click **Create Recipe** 5. Recipe v1 is created and ready for editing ### Add Tasks and Subtasks 1. Open a recipe 2. Click **Add Task** 3. Enter task details: - **Title**: e.g., "Measure external dimensions" - **Directive**: Step-by-step instructions - **Description**: Additional context - **File Type**: Select if using images/PDFs 4. Click **Add Subtask** for each measurement point 5. For each subtask: - **Marker #**: Unique number within task (e.g., 1, 2, 3) - **Description**: What is being measured - **Measurement Type**: `length`, `angle`, `diameter`, etc. - **Nominal**: Target value - **UTL**: Upper Tolerance Limit (hard limit) - **UWL**: Upper Warning Limit (warning zone) - **LWL**: Lower Warning Limit (warning zone) - **LTL**: Lower Tolerance Limit (hard limit) - **Unit**: `mm`, `inch`, `degree`, etc. **Tolerance Example:** ``` LTL: 9.5 mm (FAIL below this) LWL: 9.8 mm (WARNING below this) Nominal: 10.0 mm UWL: 10.2 mm (WARNING above this) UTL: 10.5 mm (FAIL above this) ``` ### Add Annotations & Images 1. Open a task 2. Click **Upload Image** to add reference photo 3. Click **Annotate** to add visual markers 4. In the annotation editor: - **Marker Tool**: Click to place numbered points - **Text Tool**: Add labels - **Draw Tool**: Add circles/lines 5. Save annotations ### Manage Versions When you edit a recipe (add/remove tasks, change tolerances), a **new version** is created automatically. This ensures: - Measurements remain linked to the version they were recorded against - You can compare results across versions - Historical record is preserved **Version Management:** 1. Open recipe 2. Click **Versions** tab 3. View all versions with: - Version number and date - Who made changes - Change notes - Measurement count 4. Click version to view its structure **Warning:** If a version has existing measurements, you cannot edit it directly. Create a new version to make changes. --- ## MeasurementTec Workflow ### Select a Recipe **Method 1: Search** 1. Navigate to **Measure** → **Select Recipe** 2. Type recipe name or code in search box 3. Click recipe from results **Method 2: Barcode Scan** 1. Navigate to **Measure** → **Select Recipe** 2. Scan recipe barcode 3. Recipe loads automatically ### Enter Lot & Serial Information After selecting recipe: 1. **Lot Number**: Scan or type batch identifier 2. **Serial Number**: Scan or type part identifier 3. Click **Continue** This information is recorded with every measurement for traceability. ### Perform Measurements For each task: 1. **Read Instructions** - Display shows task directive and reference image 2. **Locate Measurement Points** - Find marked positions on the part 3. **Record Measurement**: **Option A: USB Caliper** - Connect USB caliper to tablet/computer - Place part in caliper - Press measurement button on caliper - System automatically records value - Move to next measurement point **Option B: Manual Entry** - Type measured value in input field - Value field accepts decimals and negative numbers - Press Enter or click Next 4. **Monitor Pass/Fail Status**: - **GREEN/Pass**: Value within LWL-UWL - **YELLOW/Warning**: Value within LTL-LWL or UWL-UTL - **RED/Fail**: Value outside LTL or UTL 5. **Submit Measurements** - Click Submit when all tasks complete ### Keyboard Shortcuts | Shortcut | Action | |----------|--------| | `Tab` | Move to next measurement field | | `Shift+Tab` | Move to previous field | | `Enter` | Submit measurement and move to next | | `Esc` | Cancel current task | | `Ctrl+Z` | Undo last measurement | ### USB Caliper Auto-Detection TieMeasureFlow automatically detects USB caliper input. To use: 1. Connect caliper via USB 2. Open measurement form 3. Focus on measurement input field 4. Press measurement button on caliper 5. Value appears in field automatically **Note:** System distinguishes caliper input (rapid <30ms intervals, 3+ keystrokes) from human typing (>100ms intervals). --- ## Metrologist Workflow ### Access SPC Dashboard 1. Navigate to **Statistics** → **SPC Dashboard** 2. Dashboard loads with recipe list ### Select Data to Analyze 1. **Recipe**: Select from dropdown (required) 2. **Version**: Leave blank for all versions, or select specific version 3. **Subtask**: Select specific measurement point, or leave blank for summary 4. **Date Range**: Optional - filter by measurement date 5. **Operator**: Optional - filter by who performed measurement 6. **Lot/Serial**: Optional - filter by part traceability Click **Apply Filters** ### View Summary Statistics Card displays: - **Total Measurements**: Count - **Pass %**: Percentage passing all limits - **Warning %**: Percentage in warning zone - **Fail %**: Percentage outside limits Use for quick quality assessment. ### Analyze Control Chart The **control chart** displays: - **Individual Points**: Each measurement value - **Center Line**: Mean (average) value - **UCL/LCL**: Upper/Lower Control Limits - **Red Markers**: Out-of-control points **What to Look For:** - Points outside UCL or LCL → Process out of control - Trend (6+ consecutive rising/falling) → Process drift - All points on one side of center → Bias - Regular oscillation → Calibration problem ### Check Process Capability **Capability Indices** tell you if the process can consistently meet specifications: | Index | What It Means | Target | |-------|---------------|--------| | **Cp** | Process capability (theoretical) | > 1.33 | | **Cpk** | Process capability (actual, accounting for centering) | > 1.33 | | **Pp** | Process performance (single sample) | > 1.67 | | **Ppk** | Process performance (accounting for centering) | > 1.67 | **Interpretation:** - **Cpk > 1.67**: Excellent - process is capable - **Cpk 1.33-1.67**: Good - process is acceptable - **Cpk < 1.33**: Poor - process needs improvement ### View Histogram The **histogram** shows: - **Bars**: Distribution of measured values across bins - **Curve**: Theoretical normal distribution overlay - **Limits**: Vertical lines for LTL/LWL/UWL/UTL **What to Look For:** - Normal bell curve → Process is well-behaved - Bimodal (two peaks) → Two different populations mixing - Skewed distribution → Process bias - Values outside limits → Specification violations ### Generate Reports #### SPC Report (PDF) 1. Select filters (recipe, subtask, date range) 2. Click **Export SPC Report** 3. PDF downloads with: - Control chart graph - Histogram with curve - Capability statistics - Summary table #### Measurements Report (PDF) 1. Select filters (optional subtask filter) 2. Click **Export Measurements Report** 3. PDF downloads with: - Complete measurement table - Pass/fail status - Lot/serial information - Operator name and date #### CSV Export 1. Click **Export Data** button 2. CSV downloads with all filtered measurements 3. Columns: ID, subtask, version, operator, value, pass/fail, deviation, lot, serial, date 4. Delimiter and decimal format per system settings --- ## Admin Workflow ### User Management #### Create User 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **User Management** 2. Click **Add User** 3. Enter: - **Username**: Login identifier (must be unique) - **Password**: Initial password (user can change after login) - **Display Name**: Full name for display - **Email**: Contact email - **Roles**: Check one or more: - Maker - MeasurementTec - Metrologist - **Admin**: Check if user manages other users 4. Click **Create User** 5. Confirm user was created and notify them to change password #### Edit User 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **User Management** 2. Click user row to edit 3. Update fields (all optional): - Display name - Email - Roles - Admin status - Active status 4. Click **Save** #### Deactivate User 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **User Management** 2. Click user row 3. Click **Deactivate User** 4. Confirm - user is soft-deleted (can be reactivated) 5. User's API key is cleared, login no longer works #### Reset API Key If user loses their API key: 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **User Management** 2. Click user row 3. Click **Regenerate API Key** 4. New key is generated and displayed 5. Provide new key to user (display once only) ### System Settings #### Configure CSV Export 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **Settings** 2. Update: - **CSV Delimiter**: `,` (comma) or `;` (semicolon) - **CSV Decimal Separator**: `.` (period) or `,` (comma) 3. Click **Save** 4. All future CSV exports use these settings **Example:** - European format: Delimiter `;`, Decimal `,` - US/UK format: Delimiter `,`, Decimal `.` #### Upload Company Logo 1. Navigate to **Admin** → **Settings** 2. Click **Upload Logo** 3. Select image file (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG, max 50 MB) 4. Click **Upload** 5. Logo appears in header of all pages --- ## UI Features ### Navigation **Top Navigation Bar:** - Logo/company branding (left) - Main menu: Measure, Maker, Statistics, Admin (center) - Language selector, Theme toggle, User menu (right) **Breadcrumbs:** Show current page hierarchy **Search:** Available on list pages to filter by name/code ### Responsive Design - **Desktop (1024px+)**: Full layout with sidebar - **Tablet (768px+)**: Sidebar collapses to hamburger menu - **Mobile (< 768px)**: Touch-optimized layout ### Data Tables - **Sortable columns**: Click header to sort ascending/descending - **Pagination**: Navigate between pages - **Filters**: Narrow results by multiple criteria - **Export**: Download as CSV ### Forms - **Auto-save**: Some fields auto-save when you leave the field - **Validation**: Error messages shown inline - **Tooltips**: Hover over `?` icons for field help - **Progress indicators**: Multi-step forms show progress ### Modal Dialogs - Confirmation for destructive actions - Forms for data entry - Information displays - Close with X button or Cancel --- ## Tips & Tricks ### Maker Best Practices 1. **Use Clear Naming**: Task and subtask names should describe exactly what is measured 2. **Document Units**: Always specify units (mm, inches, degrees) in subtask description 3. **Set Realistic Tolerances**: Ensure UTL/LTL are achievable with your equipment 4. **Version Control**: Add meaningful change notes when creating new versions 5. **Use Annotations**: Visual markers help operators find exact measurement points 6. **Test First**: Do a test measurement before rollout to ensure tolerances are reasonable ### MeasurementTec Best Practices 1. **Barcode Scanning**: Scan lot/serial barcodes rather than typing to avoid errors 2. **Consistent Operator**: Use consistent technique - caliper orientation, pressure, etc. 3. **Check Zero**: Zero your caliper at start of shift 4. **Monitor Warnings**: Watch for warning zone measurements - may indicate drift 5. **Document Deviations**: If you encounter fails, note the cause in observations 6. **Batch Together**: Group measurements from same lot for statistical significance ### Metrologist Best Practices 1. **Regular Reviews**: Check control charts daily for out-of-control conditions 2. **Trend Analysis**: Look beyond individual points - watch for sustained trends 3. **Root Cause**: When investigating failures, cross-reference by operator and time 4. **Baseline**: Establish baseline capability when process starts 5. **Update Limits**: Periodically review if specification limits are appropriate 6. **Archive Reports**: Keep dated PDF reports for audit trail ### Performance Tips 1. **Filter Early**: Use date range and version filters to speed up statistics queries 2. **Batch Operations**: Enter multiple measurements at once rather than one-by-one 3. **Cache Data**: Browser caches filter selections - reuse recent filters 4. **Offline Mode**: Some tablet deployments support offline measurement entry, synced later 5. **Export Over Display**: For large datasets (>1000 measurements), export to CSV and analyze in Excel ### Troubleshooting **"Recipe not found" when scanning barcode** - Verify barcode matches recipe code - Check recipe is active (not deactivated) - Try searching by name instead **USB Caliper not working** - Check USB cable connection - Try removing and re-inserting caliper - Check browser console for permission errors - Use manual entry as backup **Measurements seem wrong** - Verify subtask is correct marker number - Check caliper zero before starting - Look for outliers - may indicate operator error - Export data and check in spreadsheet **Cannot edit recipe** - Recipe may have existing measurements - Create new version first - Check if you have Maker role **Export file encoding issues** - If Excel shows garbled characters, check CSV settings - Try semicolon delimiter with comma decimal separator for European locales - File is UTF-8 encoded; ensure Excel opens with UTF-8 encoding --- ## Getting Help ### Online Resources - **API Documentation**: `http://localhost:8000/docs` - **Project Guide**: See `DEPLOYMENT.md` and `API.md` - **Database Structure**: See schema in Alembic migrations ### Contact Support - **System Admin**: For user account issues - **Maker Manager**: For recipe structure and tolerance questions - **Quality Engineer**: For SPC interpretation and reporting --- ## Keyboard & Accessibility ### Keyboard Navigation - `Tab`: Navigate between fields - `Shift+Tab`: Navigate backwards - `Enter`: Submit forms - `Escape`: Close modals/cancel operations - `Alt+M`: Jump to main menu - `Alt+S`: Jump to search ### Screen Reader Support - All UI elements have proper ARIA labels - Forms announce validation errors - Tables have accessible headers - Images have alt text ### High Contrast Mode Enabled automatically for operating systems with high contrast settings --- ## Version History **TieMeasureFlow v0.1.0** Released: February 2025 **Features:** - Recipe versioning with copy-on-write - USB caliper integration - SPC statistics and control charts - PDF report generation - Multi-language support (IT/EN) - Light/Dark theme