Stacker Interface

Stacker machines are used by newspapers to stack papers into bundles for distribution to routes. Standard bundle sizes are entered in Circulation, and this information can be transferred to some stackers automatically.

The Stacker Interface option produces an ASCII file containing information necessary to the operation of the stacker. Circulation writes the ASCII file to in the directory /dti/exchange/cm, using the file name entered in Enter Bundle Info (see Enter Bundle Info). Business Rules define the type of stacker for which the interface file is created. If you do not use the stacker interface, this question must be set to “None”.

Supported formats include: Ferag, Hall, iDab, Kansa, Muller Martini, Quip, Winlincs, and (using file mapping) Wamac. Another format may be defined for your site using a file map with a Usage of “Stacker” (see File Map in the Setup Manual for more information).

To create the ASCII file:

1. Select Stacker Interface from the Distribution menu to display the Stacker Interface window.

   
2. Choose the product and edition for which you want to create the ASCII file by selecting the appropriate Process checkbox. Note that edition will be “*” unless you have separate publishing runs at the edition level (see A Note on Editions for details).

3. Click Continue to process and create the file. See Appendix B for the file format.

The ASCII file can then be transferred to the stacker machine.