====Shear Tracking Module====

The **Shear Tracking** [[analytic_modules|module]] is targeted specifically at longwall mining applications, where it is used to monitor the movement of the //shearer// and convert that into a list of cutting passes, known as //shears//.

===Starting Out===

When you first create a new Shear Tracking analytic, you'll see the graph below...

{{sheartrack_start.png}}

The node on the right is the [[sheartrack_tracking|Tracking]] node.

It needs to be set up to match your wall. There are a few key steps involved.

Note that the three parameters of the Tracking node are specified in terms of //roof supports//. 

  * Set the **mg** option to a small number of supports in from the support #1 (the Maingate). We usually suggest 6 or 7.
  * Set the **tg** property to the same at the Tailgate end. For example, in a 155-support-wide longwall, we'd suggest using 148.
  * Set the **tolerance** to be equal to the largest expected distance from either the TG or MG during a double-cut.

Once that's set up, you need to provide inputs.

   * Set the **value** to the current shearer position, in roof supports. If you only have shearer //odometry// instead of support number. you can usually use a [[math_div|Division]] node.
   * Set **mgcut** and **tgcut** to appropriate values if you're shearing in that direction. For example, if you cut bi-directionally, both should be **true**. If you're cutting uni-di from maingate to tailgate, **tgcut** should be //true// and **mgcut** should be //false//.
   
===Module-Specific Nodes===

[[sheartrack_tracking|Tracking]] \\

===Output===

The output of the module is a single **shear** event for every shearer pass. 

The shear information includes...

^Property^Description^
|ID Number|A unique ID number for the shear|
|Start|Start Time|
|End|End Time|
|Duration|Total seconds of duration|
|Direction|The cut direction (MG to TG or TG to MG)|
|Mode|The cutting mode of the shearer (BIDI, MG-TG, TG-MG, TRAVERSAL)|
|Cutting|//1// if this is a cutting pass, //0// if it's a traversal pass|
|Complete|//1// if the shear is complete, //0// if it's incomplete|

===Double Cuts===

By default, the //last// entry into the gate-end is treated as the //start// of the next shear. This means that if your shears include a **double-cut**, they'll always be at the **end** of the shear rather than at the start.