7 Multi-head setups This article content is from the Coloreel Full Operator Manual, version 5971 Rev. D 2023-12-20. 7.1 Multi-head setup overview 7.2 To operate a multi-head group It is possible to operate more than one ITCU simultaneously. To manage several ITCUs, you have to set one ITCU as a Host and the other ITCUs as Clients. The host ITCU will share the embroideries with the connected clients. When the clients are connected and ready to print, the print job will start on them. 7.1 Multi-head setup overview 1. Multi-head setup. 2. Add/Pair a new client. 3. The added clients. 4. The ITCU host unit. 5. Edit the selected ITCU. 6. Select to view the host, the client, or the multi-head group. 7.1.1 To set up a multi-head group If no hosts or clients are added to the multi-head group, you must start by selecting whether this ITCU will be the host or client. Select Host (A) to make the ITCU to a host. Select Client (B) to make the ITCU to a client. Note: To set a name to an ITCU, refer to 9.9.1. 7.1.1.1 To add a host An ITCU host sends data and instructions to all ITCU clients. 1. Select Host. Refer to 7.1.1. 2. Make sure that the ITCU now has the status Host unit. 7.1.1.2 To add a client from the host unit Note: All ITCUs in the multi-head group must have the same software version to be operatable. An ITCU client gets data and instructions from the ITCU host. 1. Make sure that you have set an ITCU as the host. Refer to 7.1.1.1. 2. Select Add/Pair a new client unit. The ITCUs available on the network are shown (A). 3. Select Add this unit to group (B) to add one of the ITCUs. 4. If you have not already logged in to the ITCU client on a web browser, click the link (C) to log in. 5. Select Click here to generate and copy the key (D). 6. The key (E) is generated and copied to the clipboard. You can also copy the key manually. 7. Paste the copied key into the key field (F). 8. Select Add Client. The ITCU client becomes part of the multi-head group. 7.1.2 To manage the ITCUs in the multi-head group 1. Click on the Storage menu button (A). a. Select Remove multi-head group to remove a group. The multi-head group is permanently removed. b. Select Disable group to disable a group. The multi-head group is temporarily disabled until you select Enable group. You can also disable a single client by clicking on the button on the client card. c. Select the Embroideries screen right/left to shift the order of the clients. d. Select Edit view to change the order of the clients or remove a client. You can drag and drop to change the order of the ITCUs. To remove an ITCU, select X (B). 7.1.3 To use the active setup in a multi-head group The active setup you select on the host will automatically be transferred to all clients, and the model will be trained on all ITCUs. 1. Select the active setup (A) you want to use on the multi-head host. 7.1.4 To view the status of hosts and clients During operation, a short status report can be viewed for both the host and clients in the multihead group. Refer to 7.1.4.1 for more information on the status colors. The status of a host or a client shows on each host or client card (A). The frame of a host or a client card has the color of the status (B). The progress of a host or a client is shown in the lower bar (C) for each host or client. Click on a host or a client to see more information. 7.1.4.1 The ITCU status in a multi-head group Five different status levels can occur on the ITCU in a multi-head group. Status Description Active/Dispensing (Green) An ITCU that is active, ready to print, and free from error notifications. Deactivated (Dark Grey) An ITCU that has manually been deactivated from the multi-head group. Maintenance (Blue) An ITCU that performs maintenance tasks or is in service mode. Error (Red) An ITCU that has error notifications and needs attention. Disconnected (Light Grey) An ITCU that is included in the multi-head group but not connected to the local network or is powered off. 7.1.4.2 To see detailed information, notifications, and errors on the host and the clients Click on a host or client for which you want to see detailed information. A list of active notifications will appear (A). If you try to start a print job with unresolved notifications, a pop-up window with the notifications will show up. We recommend resolving all notifications with an exclamation mark (!) before you start a print job. a. A list of notifications (B) for the selected ITCU. b. Click/tap on the ITCU (C) number to see the notifications of the selected ITCU. c. The number of notifications for each ITCU shows adjacent to the ITCU number (D). For more information on notifications, refer to the Troubleshooting chapter. 7.2 To operate a multi-head group Note: Use only Firefox or Chrome browsers to operate the ITCU from a web browser. 7.2.1 To start a multi-head print job 1. Log in to the operator panel on one of the ITCUs in the multi-head group. 2. Select Embroideries in the operator panel. Refer to 3.8. 3. Follow the instructions 5.6.2. To start a print job, upload and select a print design. 4. Click/tap on the Host view button (A) to manage the multi-head group. 5. Review the Pattern and the other ITCUs in the multi-head group. The print job is ready to startwhen all the clients have reached the status of Dispensing. 6. Click on the Start button (B). 7. Pull the thread to the start marker on the host and all the clients. For instructions, refer to 5.6.3. 7.2.2 To manually pause and continue a multi-head print job 1. Select Embroideries in the operator panel. Refer to 7.2.4. 2. Click/tap on the Host view button to manage the multi-head group. 3. Click/tap on the Pause button to pause the multi-head group. 4. Click/tap on the Continue button to continue the print job on the multi-head group. 7.2.3 To manage a client in a multi-head group Click/tap on the Client button (A) to manage the client separately. a. Click/tap on the Start button (B) to start the client. b. Click/tap on the Pause button (C) to pause the client. c. Click/tap the Start-at-stitch button (D) to start at a specific stitch; refer to 5.6.6. d. Click/tap the Active button (E) to activate or deactivate this client. 7.2.4 Autopause in a multi-head group All connected ITCUs use the same autopause timer in a multi-head group. All the connected ITCUs in a multi-head group go to pause or continue the print job at the same time. 7.2.5 To stop the multi-head group 1. Select the Stop button to stop the coloring on all the connected ITCUs. Note: You can only stop the print job when the first client has reached status dispensing.