Tip of the Day 30: STOP at Sensor Locations

This is a little pause in the “eDART Sequencing” series and a bit of a repeat of Tip #7. It seems that it needs to be reinforced from time to time. To wit:

We find that a huge percentage (90% + ?) of sequencing problems between eDARTs and machines is simply the naming of the signals. So stop at Sensor Locations and check to be sure that the signals operate as they should.

Here are the steps.

  1. After starting the job the Sensor Locations window appears.
  1. Do NOT press “Accept” until you have finished steps 3 through 5.
  1. Focus on the Seq Module Input rows.
  1. Cycle the machine in manual so that you can see all of the sequence signals operating. The should all function in Manual mode.
    • Before you do anything you should see the Machine in Manual light on. Switch to Semi and Auto modes on the machine and the light should go off.
    • Back in manual again: Clamp the mold. The Mold Clamped light should come on.
    • Open the mold. The Mold Opening light should come on while the mold is traversing to open (not while it is open).
    • Manually inject. The Injection Forward light should come on.
    • The First Stage light should come on at the start of injection. It may be hard to differentiate between Injection Forward and First Stage at this point because the machine may not reach hold when in manual. You can put First Stage up on the cycle graph later to double check it.
    • Run the screw. The Screw Run light should come on only while the motor is turning. You could add some pre and post decompress (“suck-back”) in order to be sure.
  1. Important Next Step:

    Any lights that go on and off at the wrong time need to have their names changed. Click the box under the “Location” column next to the light and change to the name that it should be. If none of the names listed fit what is supposed to be happening then select Not Used (or Unknown if you want to check it later).

    See the REDI kit documents for the official word on what the signals should do. Contact RJG Customer Support or Inside Sales to get a copy.

  1. Important Last Step:

For any rows on which the light never comes on the location must be changed to Not Used.

If you follow these steps you will eliminate a huge percentage of problems in sequencing. The sequencer will take care of most of the rest of them. Even if you have had to call some of your desired signals Not Used (or Unknown) the system will still run. It may not compute all of the desired data or it may require some hand entry of settings. But it will operate.

Tomorrow (I hope): How to Deal with No Injection Forward Signal

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