The part queue is a concept that causes frustration for some operators that have difficulty understanding the need for it, especially if they switch from a line that is shear only to one that is not or the line they have run for years is suddenly equipped with a printer. They don't understand why they can't instantly switch from one part to another with incurring scrap or having to wait for several "unwanted" parts to be produced.

Over the years, whenever possible, there have been special cases added where we have been able to make a line that has mutliple presses function as if it was Shear Only when it comes to the Queue. The most prevalent special case is when part printing is enabled but the printer is asynchronous.

A new special case is being added. If a controller that is configured with Gags or Multiple Presses has only one tool record, assumed to be the shear tool, the controller will manage the queue as if the controller is configured to be Shear Only.

A customer can then use Tool Configurations to automatically configure the line for Shear Only operation on a Product Code change or manually, any time they wish.

This feature is being added in response to a customer with a tube mill who has enabled the open loop press option to trigger a non-integrated printer. On products that don't require printing they can turn the controller back into Shear Only.