Importing Machines and Tools

Machines can be imported and exported. Individual tools can also be imported, providing a means to copy tools between machines.

It is important to note that each machine and tool has a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)- this enables the uniqueness of the controllers and tools to be maintained; and these GUIDs are what the processes applied to parts and plates in the database reference. For that reason a machine or tool is never completely deleted, only marked as such, in case its GUID is referenced by other items in the database.

GUIDs are also used when importing to identify whether we are replacing an existing machine (if the imported GUID matches one already in the database), or adding a new one (a new GUID is created).

When importing does post already have same controller GUID?

YES: Are we replacing the exiting Post?
     Replace Existing: Are the tool GUIDs compatible? (ie are all existing tool GUIDs covered by the imported contrioller tool GUIDS?)
        Add not found existing tools into the imported controller, then Reassign the new controller to the existing  controller
     Add Distinct Copy (New GUID): Adding a Copy, so ClearIDs (makes new GUIDs)
NO: Are we naturalizing the post (making a distinct copy)?
    Add Distinct Copy (New GUID): ClearIDs (makes new GUIDs)
    Add Related Copy (Same GUID):  Do not clearIDS, just add.  The added machine is still GUID-linked to wherever it was exported from, changes can be made and the machine exported back.

Notes for Kinetic Technicians
Use Add Distinct Copy (New GUID) when creating copies of new machines from a .ppr template, eg when a customer has purchased a new machine, or when a new post has been installed for 3rd party equipment.
Use Add Related Copy (Same GUID) to install a copy of a customer's machine to work on locally, then Replace Existing when putting the modified machine back in to the customer's database.