This document describes workarounds for common problems milling slitmasks using the summit system.

Summary

Remill a Recent Mask

If less than 7 days have passed since the mask was scheduled for use, then the mask should still be listed on the MillMasks GUI. Follow these steps to remill it:
  1. Locate the mask in the GUI list.
  2. Click on the mask to select it.
  3. Write data to floppy.
  4. Insert floppy in mill.
  5. Mill the mask.
  6. Apply barcode.
  7. Select mask in GUI.
  8. Scan barcode twice.
  9. Verify that the barcode is read and posted on the GUI.

Remill an Old Mask

The preferred method to remill an old mask is to use the Remill option in the Slitmask Database Web Pages. This will cause the mask to appear in the Millmasks GUI at the summit by the next day. If the mask needs to be milled immediately, use the emergency remill script by following these steps:
  1. Use the Slitmask Database Web Pages to look up the name (or mill sequence code) for the mask to be remilled. Get the design id and blueprint id for the mask.
  2. Log onto a local machine as dmoseng and open an xterm window on slitmaskpc2: 
    ssh acct@slitmaskpc2 xterm
    where acct is the name of the special account for slitmask milling.
  3. Type the command: 
    reMill design_id blueprint_id
  4. Quit and restart the MillMasks GUI. You should find that the mask now appears in the list of NEW masks.
  5. Now mill the mask as you normally would by writing it to floppy, milling, and scanning.
Here is a sample run of the reMill script: 
    [532] kics@slitmaskpc2% /usr/local/ucolick/kroot/bin/mask/reMill 1237 1237
    argv len 2
    selected Design 1237 Blueprint 1237
    You propose to remill the following design:
    * Design Id 1237
    *  Named chambers0230id
    *  Made by Dsimulator: Ver 0.0b on Dec  2 2003  4:33PM
    *  For Project high z radio galaxies
    *  For DEIMOS
    *  Owner kenneth c. chambers (chambers@ifa.hawaii.edu)
    *           IfA
    *

    * ARE YOU SURE (yes/no)? yes
    blueprint 1237 (chambers0230id) 0230sm status: DONE
    Status code will be reset to 0 (NEW) and Use_Date will be
    reset to TOMORROW, for this/these blueprint(s).

Generate Millcode Manually

On rare occasions you may find it necessary to circumvent the MillMasks GUI and generate mill code on your own. For example, if the Sybase database server is having problems, you may not be able to generate millcode on slitmaskpc2...or slitmaskpc2 itself could go belly-up. Follow these steps to create a floppy disk with the appropriate data:
  1. Use the Slitmask Database Web Pages to call up the record for the mask(s) to be milled.
  2. Click the Mill File button to generate the mill code. Typical DEIMOS masks will require about 30 seconds; "megamasks" several times longer. When the file has been generated you will receive a new web page. Click on the look here link to view the directory of data products for this mask.
  3. Use the download capability of the browser (such as Shift + left mouse) to download the first file in the list (typically named YYMMDD??.dei or YYMMDD??.lrs) to your local machine.

    If your mask design does not have a two letter mill code following the date, you need to give it one (e.g. mv 141027\ \ .dei 141027ZY.dei).

  4. Repeat the previous steps for any additional masks to be milled.
  5. Verify with the summit tech which pc is in use. This could be either slitmaskpc (old) or slitmaskpc2 (new). If slitmaskpc is in use, substitute the appropriate machine name in the examples below.
  6. On any HQ machine, log in using the standard deimos engineering account. 
    ssh acct@localhost
    where acct is the standard deimos eng account name.
  7. From the xterm, use scp to transfer the files into the /tmp directory on slitmaskpc2: 
    scp *.dei acct@slitmaskpc2:/tmp
    where acct is the name of the special account for slitmask milling.
  8. Start an xterm on the slitmask PC using the deimos engineering account: 
    ssh acct@slitmaskpc2 xterm
    where acct is the name of the special account for slitmask milling.
  9. In the slitmaskpc2 xterm window, move the slitmask files into a single directory: 
    cd /tmp ; mkdir masks ; mv *.dei *.lrs masks
  10. Use the cd command to move to that directory: 
    cd masks
  11. Copy the file to the milling machine:

    if this step fails you will need to do the following (e.g. when cable between slitmaskpc2 and mill machine is busted):

    1. Have a summit tech install a floppy in the drive (you may only do this on slitmaskpc not slitmaskpc2 so you may have to repeat some steps above to copy the file to the correct machine).
    2. navigate to the /tmp/masks/ sub dir where you have your mask design.
    3. run mkMaskFloppy to transfer the file to the floppy disk. output will look like: 
      [107] mask@slitmaskpc% mkMaskFloppy 
Searching for any matching file in directory
Pre-existing contents of disk are as follows
 Volume in drive A has no label
 Volume Serial Number is 489D-FB14
Directory for A:/

50PERC~1 TXT     15317 2013-10-15  14:18  50PERCENT.txt
        1 file               15 317 bytes
                          1 442 304 bytes free

Floppy appears preformatted
Copy files to the floppy
Copying 140920AA.dei
Verify content of the floppy
 Volume in drive A has no label
 Volume Serial Number is 489D-FB14
Directory for A:/

140920AA dei     15977 2014-10-22  22:45  140920AA.dei
50PERC~1 TXT     15317 2013-10-15  14:18  50PERCENT.txt
        2 files              31 294 bytes
                          1 425 920 bytes free
  12. Now mill and scan masks as normal.
For more information on the Slitmask PC see the twiki at: http://www/twiki/bin/view/Operations/MillMaskGUISoftware