Workflow Automation

Reduce manual work and increase throughput with AutoPrintFarm’s powerful automation features.

Automation Overview

AutoPrintFarm can automate:

• Job queuing and assignment
• Printer selection
• Material management
• Post-processing workflows
• Quality control checks
• Reporting and analytics

Job Queue Automation

Auto-Queue from File Drops

Monitor folders for new G-code files:

1. Configure watched folders
2. Set up file naming rules
3. Define priority mapping
4. Enable auto-queue

Files dropped into watched folders are automatically:

• Validated for errors
• Assigned appropriate priority
• Queued to available printers
• Tracked throughout production

API-Based Queuing

Integrate with your existing systems:

// Example: Queue job via API
POST /api/v1/jobs
{
  "file_url": "https://your-cdn.com/model.gcode",
  "priority": "high",
  "material": "PLA",
  "copies": 5,
  "tags": ["production", "order-123"]
}

Printer Assignment Rules

Rule-Based Assignment

Create rules to assign jobs automatically:

By Material:

Rule: PLA to Enclosed Printers
If: job.material == "PLA"
Then: assign_to_group("enclosed-printers")
Priority: high

By Size:

Rule: Large Parts to Large Format
If: job.dimensions.any > 250mm
Then: assign_to_group("large-format")
Priority: high

By Priority:

Rule: Rush Orders to Fastest Printers
If: job.priority == "urgent"
Then: assign_to_tag("high-speed")
Priority: critical

Smart Assignment

Enable AI-powered assignment that learns from:

• Historical success rates
• Printer reliability
• Job complexity
• Material compatibility
• Current queue depth

Material Management

Auto-Reorder

Set up automatic material reordering:

1. Define minimum stock levels
2. Configure reorder quantities
3. Set up supplier integrations
4. Enable auto-purchase (optional)

Material Tracking

Automatically track:

• Material consumption per job
• Remaining spool weight
• Cost per print
• Inventory levels

Spool Changes

Automate spool change workflows:

1. Detect low material
2. Pause print at safe point
3. Notify operator
4. Resume after confirmation
5. Update inventory

Post-Processing Workflows

Print Completion Actions

Automatic Actions:

• Send completion notification
• Generate quality report
• Archive job data
• Update inventory
• Trigger next job in batch

Custom Actions:

// Webhook on completion
{
  "event": "print_completed",
  "actions": [
    "notify_operator",
    "move_to_post_processing_queue",
    "update_erp_system",
    "generate_label"
  ]
}

Batch Processing

Automate batch jobs:

1. Define batch parameters (quantity, material)
2. Auto-queue copies across fleet
3. Track batch progress
4. Generate batch report on completion

Quality Control

Automated QC Checks

First Layer Inspection:

• Camera-based ML analysis
• Auto-pause if issues detected
• Notify operator for review
• Resume or cancel based on feedback

Mid-Print Monitoring:

• Detect layer shifts
• Identify stringing or warping
• Check temperature stability
• Alert on anomalies

Statistical Process Control

• Track quality metrics over time
• Identify trends and drift
• Auto-adjust parameters
• Flag printers needing calibration

Maintenance Automation

Preventive Maintenance

Schedule automated maintenance:

Maintenance Schedule:
  - Task: Bed leveling
    Interval: 100 print hours
    Auto-schedule: true
    Notification: 24h advance

  - Task: Nozzle replacement
    Interval: 500 print hours
    Auto-schedule: false
    Notification: 1 week advance

Calibration Routines

Automate calibration workflows:

1. Schedule during off-peak hours
2. Run calibration print
3. Analyze results
4. Apply corrections
5. Verify and document

Scheduling & Timing

Smart Scheduling

Optimize job scheduling based on:

• Printer availability
• Energy costs (off-peak hours)
• Operator schedules
• Delivery deadlines

Time-Based Rules

Rule: Energy Optimization
Schedule: Large jobs during off-peak
Hours: 10 PM - 6 AM weekdays
Condition: job.duration > 4 hours
Action: delay_until_off_peak

Reporting Automation

Scheduled Reports

Generate automatic reports:

Daily:

• Fleet utilization
• Jobs completed
• Material consumed
• Issues encountered

Weekly:

• Success rate trends
• Printer performance
• Maintenance summary
• Cost analysis

Monthly:

• Executive summary
• ROI analysis
• Capacity planning
• Recommendations

Custom Reports

Build custom reports with:

• Drag-and-drop builder
• SQL query interface
• Chart and graph options
• Export formats (PDF, CSV, Excel)

Integration Workflows

ERP Integration

Connect with enterprise systems:

• Import orders automatically
• Update order status
• Sync inventory levels
• Generate invoices

CAD/Slicing Integration

Streamline file preparation:

1. Upload STL from CAD
2. Auto-slice with saved profiles
3. Generate G-code
4. Queue automatically

Shipping Integration

Automate fulfillment:

1. Print completes
2. Generate shipping label
3. Create packing slip
4. Update tracking info
5. Notify customer

Advanced Automation

Conditional Logic

Create complex automation rules:

If: job.priority == "urgent" AND
    time_of_day between 8am-6pm AND
    available_printers.count > 3
Then:
  - assign_to: "fastest_available"
  - notify: ["operator", "manager"]
  - set_monitoring: "high_frequency"
Else:
  - assign_to: "standard_queue"
  - notify: ["operator"]

Workflow Templates

Create reusable workflow templates:

• New product onboarding
• Rush order handling
• Quality issue investigation
• Equipment commissioning

API Automation

Webhooks

React to events in real-time:

// Webhook configuration
{
  "events": ["print_started", "print_completed", "print_failed"],
  "url": "https://your-system.com/webhook",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
  },
  "retry_policy": {
    "max_attempts": 3,
    "backoff": "exponential"
  }
}

Programmatic Control

Build custom automation with the API:

from autoprintfarm import Client

client = Client(api_key="your_key")

# Check queue depth
queue_depth = client.jobs.count(status="queued")

# If queue is low, generate more jobs
if queue_depth < 5:
    for model in pending_models:
        client.jobs.create(
            file=model.gcode_url,
            priority="normal",
            tags=["auto-generated"]
        )

Best Practices

Start Simple

• Begin with basic automation
• Add complexity gradually
• Test thoroughly before full deployment
• Monitor automation performance

Error Handling

• Always include failure cases
• Set up fallback rules
• Log all automation actions
• Review automation logs regularly

Documentation

• Document all automation rules
• Maintain rule change history
• Share knowledge with team
• Review and update quarterly

Testing

• Test rules in staging environment
• Use dry-run mode when available
• Monitor closely after changes
• Have manual override procedures

Troubleshooting

Rules Not Triggering

1. Check rule conditions
2. Verify rule is enabled
3. Review priority/order of rules
4. Check event logs
5. Test with simple conditions first

Incorrect Assignments

1. Review assignment logic
2. Check printer tags/groups
3. Verify printer availability
4. Test with single printer first
5. Review historical assignments

Webhook Failures

1. Verify endpoint is reachable
2. Check authentication
3. Review payload format
4. Check for rate limiting
5. Enable retry logic

Next Steps

• Review the API documentation
• Start with basic job auto-assignment
• Gradually add more automation
• Share your automation stories with the community!