Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation is a server based application that is used to automate the retrieval, processing, storing, and publishing of NVH and durability data. Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation was released with Simcenter Testlab 2406.
The application has a web based interface where "jobs" for processing data can be defined and monitored (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation web interface.
This article covers how to setup, run, and use Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA): 1. Introduction to Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) 1.1 What is TWA? 1.2 Uses 2. Set up 2.1 Requirements 2.2 Setting up Listening Jobs 2.3 Publishing Results 3. Executing 3.1 Job Status 3.2 Downloading data
1. Introduction to Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA)
Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) is typically installed on a network server where it can access data for processing and analysis.
1.1 What is TWA?
Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) is a collection of services designed to automate data retrieval, processing, and storing or publishing results (Figure 2).
Figure 2: A Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation server (center) retrieves data from multiple sources (left side) and publishes processed results (right side).
The basic principle is files are placed on a network location that Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) can access. After placing the files on the network they are then uploaded automatically to TWA, where a specified Simcenter Testlab Neo process runs in the background. The processed results are available as a *.lms project file and can then be saved in a network location of choice. Other options for handling processed results include publishing to a ASAM-ODS data server (www.asam.net) or making the data available for download.
Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) has a web-based interface, so it can be accessed and run via a remote web browser on a PC, tablet, or phone that is on the same network.
1.2 Uses
The main benefits of TWA include:
Being able to see, and process live data from one location, such as an office, while test engineers and technicians are performing the tests live.
It also allows for automated data retrieval, processing and publishing, even from remote locations. For example, it can retrieve data remotely direct from Simcenter SCADAS RS hardware.
It can process multiple different data types that Simcenter Testlab Neo supports, which makes it ideal for organizations with different departments that measure data with different systems. TWA will be able to process all data in a central location for comparable results.
Retrieving data from months or years back for quick access and publishing.
Currently, Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation is a nontokenable, standalone application. To run, a user will need licenses for Simcenter Testlab and Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation.
2. Setup
Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) is a separate application that must first be downloaded and installed on a server location along with Simcenter Testlab Neo Version 2406 and higher.
To use Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA), the following preparations need to be met:
2.1 Requirements
To use Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA), the following preparations need to be met:
Dedicated computer with Simcenter Testlab Installed
Dedicated licenses for Simcenter Testlab and TWA available
Turn off Task viewer at Simcenter Testlab Neo startup
Verify no warnings or errors occur (Active pictures, project attachments warning, etc)
Turn on all Add-ins / Licenses for all possible processes
Exit Process Designer normally to save settings
2.2. Setting up Listening Jobs
Listening jobs are tasks which tell Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA) to monitor a specific location for any new and incoming data. It will point to a specific location and once data enters, processes the data for how it should be analyzed using a *.process file. It will also allow a user to annotate any results and then tells TWA where to store the data. Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation supports five listening jobs at one time in parallel.
Start by opening Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation in an internet browser using its login and password. This can be done by typing in the server location address that TWA is installed on, into the address bar.
When first opening, the main screen will display as follows (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Home screen of Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation.
The main menu of Simcenter Testlab Automation has the following options:
Process Library: The process library tab has all the saved Simcenter Testlab Neo processes in it for post processing calculations. For example, if a spectrum map calculation was desired, a process in Simcenter Testlab Neo could be made and then uploaded. TWA would then use that process to calculate spectrum maps of all new data it finds.
Templates Library: The annotations template library stores any descriptive template information required for post processing. Using descriptive templates is not mandatory for post processing.
Jobs Dashboard: The job dashboard tabs contains all active, paused, cancelled, and finished listening jobs. This tab is useful for checking on data and to directly download post processed data.
A "job" is used to define data retrieval and processing. To add a new listening job, ensure that the home menu page is up, and click the plus icon that says “Add Listening Job” as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Creating a new listening job from the home screen of Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation.
This should bring up a new page with editable fields to create the listening job as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Menu for creating a "listening job" in Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation. The job name can be specified as well as monitor locations, processes, and storage locations.
To configure a job:
Start by naming the job, and then select the location where the “listening” will be happening. This can be a network folder, where as soon as new data is uploaded, TWA will see it and begin to process it.
Select the type of post processing that it will be performing on the data for this listening job. Complex processes can be used as well as simple ones, but all processes must be built and saved in Simcenter Testlab Neo Process Designer. A user can select from the library of already uploaded processes or create a new one by selecting “Upload Definition”.
Finally, the location of the results can be stored in a specific location specific under the “Publish Results” tab.
Listening jobs also allow for files for processing to be identified in multiple different ways. Figure 6 shows the different methods that can be used.
Figure 6: By altering the filename filter and path, it will change how TWA accesses the data.
If using .*zip files, it is important for it to include the *.lms project file with the throughput folder or the job will fail.
If listen recursively is turned on, it will continue to repeat the process of listening for all subfolders. This is a good option if you drag and drop folders into a main folder directory after the fact. It should also be noted that if listen recursively is turned on and a folder with multiple subfolders is selected, one *.lms project will be created per data file. If this is not desired, a *.zip file can be used with a *.lms project file and throughtput folder which will produce a single project.
2.3 Publishing Results
To publish results to a report or saved file, the path location needs to be specified. This is where TWA will publish data to. If a user selects “Extract Results” underneath (Figure 7), it will publish the data as a *.lms project file.
Figure 7: Extract option in "Publish Results".
If this option is not turned on, TWA will save the data as *.zip file with the *.lms project file in it. The data can then be retrieved at either the saved network location, or downloaded directly from the jobs dash board.
3. Executing
A job will process data as it sees new data appear in a folder. These can be observed for status in the Job Status tab on Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation web page.
3.1 Job Status
Job status can allow a user to pause or run new listening jobs. Select the Job Status tab by navigating to the clock and arrow icon as shown in Figure 8 or go to the Jobs Dashboard from the Home page.
Figure 8: The "Job Status" tab in Simcenter Testlab Workflow Automation (TWA).
This tab can allow a user to pause certain listening jobs to allow others to run. To do this, select the status of the listening job under the “Listening Job” portion of list, and right click to pause. Jobs can also be cancelled. To see if a job has ran or is running, the job status tab located under the “Most Recent Run” will display the information. As mentioned earlier, the most a listening jobs possible at one time is five jobs in parallel.
3.2 Downloading Data
There are many ways to access data after it has been calculated. One way is to browse to the project folder that was created after data processing was done. This was specified in the publishing portion of the listening job setup.
Another quicker way is to select the job status icon, and then download the data (Figure 9).
Figure 9: Job dashboard with download button next to it, for quick access downloading of data.
The download arrow located next to each job will create a local copy of the data on the user’s computer for viewing or further processing. This can be done while data is taken live, to communicate to a test engineer or technician further testing requirements or changes.
