How does Miltrac™ work?

For an automated laundry system to work, all system devices (ex. CBW, press, shuttle, dryers and conveyors)  need to communicate.

It makes logical sense to believe that the devices communicate from one to another, but, this is not true in Miltrac systems. In a Miltrac system, each device communicates with Miltrac and in turn Miltrac commands two devices to coordinate a transfer. Imagine a traffic cop who directs when and where traffic goes.  

Miltrac has been around since 1985. The older versions of Miltrac can be found as a standalone processor board, whereas versions released after 2000 are Windows based programs and reside on a Multitrac™ PC.  Earlier versions of Miltrac were know as Milnet.  Milnet functioned in the same way but with a smaller (2x20 digit) display.  

Miltrac and the devices share a common language of commands and statuses  that sequence two devices through a transfer.  Devices have a status and Miltrac gives commands.  

So, when you see a Milnor automated laundry system in action, know that Miltrac is talking to all the devices you see moving goods.     

Over the years there were changes in the amount of data that Miltrac passed to and from a device.  There have also been additions to the command structure.  We call the structure of this data a "protocol" since everyone on the network needs to comply.  This also implies that device software and Miltrac software must be compatible to work properly.  There are multiple protocols for Miltrac since 1985.  

All of the decisions about routing goods to one location or another are made by Miltrac.  Miltrac handles all transfers within a system.  When Miltrac does not work, nothing transfers. 

In PC based Miltrac:
The State Page allows users to monitor the commands and responses.
The Main Page shows a configurable display of the laundry to show layout, loads and associated data.
Pc based Miltrac shows information on each device in the laundry during its continuous communication with every device.  The Miltrac software runs TracComm which is the Miltrac communication subroutine.  TracComm does the talking while PC Miltrac state and cake pages show the data.