The Tool Characterisation GUI is a JAVA™ utility that allows rapid implementation of automated equipment interfaces.

The GUI provides a number of features:

• The ability to rapidly build a driver used for implementation in an automation environment
• The ability to quickly characterise a SECS-II compliant tool
• The ability to ‘listen’ to tool messages within a running scenario to automatically build up the SECS-II driver
• A preconfigured SECS-II compliant stream and function library to be used as a template for developing your own drivers

Additionally, since no XML standard currently exists for tool integration , a customer specific or indeed Ascari's own integration schema can be integrated into the GUI for tools using XML as the communication protocol.

The GUI is usually purchased together with Ascari's Java Equipment Manager but can also be purchased seperately if required.