Alfamatic Visual point vp2step1 User manual

Aug. 1, 2023

Visual Point

Version with VP2STEP1 card

Installation manual

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................4

1.1 Important installation notes ............................................................................................................4

1.2 Working principle ............................................................................................................................4

2 Mechanical assembly ..................................................................................................................6

2.1 Dimensions .......................................................................................................................................6

3 Implementation of the VISUAL POINT ....................................................................................7

3.1 Wiring instructions ..........................................................................................................................7

3.2 Connection examples .....................................................................................................................13

3.3 Instructions for assembling instrument with container .............................................................14

3.4 Commissioning ...............................................................................................................................14

3.5 Encoder alignment .........................................................................................................................14

3.6 Programmable output SETPOINT ..............................................................................................15

3.7 Job selection via inputs ..................................................................................................................15

3.8 Selection of special scraps .............................................................................................................16

1 Introduction

This manual describes the operations required to connect the VISUAL POINT to the machine and to

make it operational.

1.1 Important notes for installation

Please read these notes:

Always check the supply voltage required by the instrument before proceeding with the

wiring of the same.

This manual ONLY refers to the VP2 version with the VP2STEP1 board of the instrument.

The VP2 version is made up of three electronic boards: one on the front with the display,

one horizontal for interconnection and one vertical on the back with the terminal blocks.

This tool is not (and could not be) a safety device: the movement of the press must be

entrusted to external elements. The tool simply synchronizes the movement of the press for

its own operation.

It is very important that the unshielded end of the load cell cable be as short as possible

When the machine has electric motors, these must be equipped with an anti-interference

filter and must be controlled by means of semiconductor devices.

Always connect the instrument case to the earth conductor.

1.2 Principle of operation

Attention: the VISUAL POINT is not (and could not be) a safety device: the movement of the press

must be entrusted to external elements . The VISUAL POINT synchronizes the descent for its own

functioning. Typically, the GO unit enabling output is connected in series to the cylinder descent

chain. In other words, if the VISUAL POINT activates the GO output, the cylinder must not moving

if it is not in safety.

Operation occurs as follows: when the START input is activated by an external command, the

instrument, if ready, activates the protection descent output (PROTECTION), and enables cylinder

descent (GO). When the guard is closed a safety device must operate the cylinder. When the tool

removes the cylinder enable signal (GO) the press must go back. The VISUAL POINT, therefore,

commands the stop of the press by removing the GO signal. The VISUAL POINT continues to

control the curve until the force begins to decrease or the TDC input is activated. Only then does it

provide the pass or fail signal.

If the piece is good, the GOOD output is activated and the PROTECTION output is deactivated.

Conversely, if the piece is rejected, the REJECTED output is activated intermittently and the

PROTECTION output is left active. When the RESET input is activated or the operator presses the

RESET button on the keyboard, the instrument keeps the reject output fixed and deactivates

the protection output.

The RESET input can be connected directly to +24V to leave it always active so that the instrument

is always ready to perform a new cycle.

The START input must be kept active throughout the cycle, otherwise, "test interrupted" is signaled

and the piece is discarded.

The correct zeroing of the encoder takes place using its zero notch and the cylinder reverse signal

(TDC top dead center). Zeroing is performed by the instrument when the top dead center limit switch

is activated and at the same time the encoder zero mark appears. Therefore, for correct zeroing it is

necessary to ensure the presence of the zero notch in the interval in which the limit switch is active.

It is possible to connect a piece presence sensor (ENABLE) which enables the start only when the

relative input is active. To use this signal, it is necessary to activate the relevant option in the

instrument configuration.

By changing the configuration value (see user manual) it is possible to connect an acoustic signaler

instead of the protection descent command which signals each reject piece.

Again, changing the configuration value (see user manual) it is possible to set up a waste bin with a

sensor which, connected to the RESET input, re-enables the machine only when each waste piece is

binned.

There is a SETPOINT output which is activated when the start position is measured or when a pre-

set value is reached (see paragraph 3.6).

The job (or recipe, or program) that the instrument must use can be selected via some inputs: see

chapter 3.7. The selected job changes whenever the status of the selection inputs changes. After the

start signal, the selected job is maintained until the end of the cycle.

2 Mechanical assembly

There are two versions of VISUAL POINT: 24VDC and 115-230VAC.

Before connecting the instrument, check the supply voltage with maximum safety.

Figure1

2.1 Dimensions

Measurements in millimeters.

Version for external mounting

To the indicated depth it is necessary to add the

overall dimensions of the cables of at least 80mm.

3 Implementation of the VISUAL POINT

The VISUAL POINT is divided into two opto-isolated sections. The first section mounts the control

electronics and the conditioning and transducer interface electronics. The second section mounts the

electronics of the digital inputs and outputs.

The two sections have separate power supplies both at 24VDC.

The power supply of the two sections can be the same.

In the version with container and internal power supply ( Figure2), the power supply of the two

sections must be taken from the power supply itself which in turn must be powered by the mains

voltage interrupted by the switch on the rear panel. The internal power supply allows direct

connection of the instrument to the mains, accepting voltages from 100VAC up to 240VAC at both

50Hz and 60Hz.

Figure2

3.1 Wiring instructions

The VISUAL POINT has different input and output signals. The force and position transducers and

the command signals are connected at the input. At the output there are the signals to control the unit

descent enabling valve, the protection closing valve and the signalers.

The input signals to the instrument can be with clean contact or with positive logic at 24Vdc, ie with

PNP transistor output.

The VISUAL POINT outputs, when active, supply a voltage of 24Vdc. The maximum load of each

outlet is 15 watts. For higher loads it is necessary to use support relays. The total maximum load

supported by the instrument when it has the internal power supply is 50 watts.

The PLC must have positive logic at 24Vdc, therefore with PNP type inputs and outputs. The signals

indispensable for the functioning of the VISUAL POINT are the following: TDC, START, GO,

GOOD, REJECTED. The RESET signal can be connected directly to the positive if you don't want

the block of the instrument in case of rejected piece.

The wiring rests on various numbered removable terminal blocks (X1, X3, X4…). Each terminal of

each terminal block is also numbered. For example, when terminal X5.7 is indicated, reference is

made to the seventh terminal of terminal block X5.

3.1.1 Power terminal block (X1)

The electronics and transducers are powered via the three-pole terminal block X1.

First name

clamp

Function

0VDC

X1.1

Negative power supply

X1.2

Earth connection

+24VDC

X1.3

Positive feeding

If the internal power supply is present, the switch behind the instrument must interrupt the phase and

the neutral before reaching the power supply itself. The output of the power supply must be connected

to the X1 terminal block.

This terminal block does not power the input/output section which is separated by opto-isolators from

the instrument electronics. To power the input and output section, connect terminals X3.11 and X3.12

to the power supply.

3.1.2 Serial port terminal block (CONN1 )

Present only in the Visual Point version with container.

On the back of the Visual Point with container there is a D-Sub 9-pin male connector for the RS232

serial connection. The pinout of the connector is as follows:

Pin 2: RX incoming line of the Visual Point.

Pin 3: TX line outgoing from Visual Point.

Pin 5: GND signals mass

3.1.3 Serial port terminal block (X9 )

Present only in the Visual Point version for panel mounting.

On the back of the Visual Point for panel mounting there is the X9 terminal board for the RS232 and

RS485 serial connection. The pinout of the connector is as follows:

3.81mm pitch terminal block.

First

name

clamp

Description

X9.1

Do not use

X9.2

RS232 output - signal to computer RX: connect to pin 2 of computer D-SUB 9 male connector

X9.3

RS232 input - signal from computer TX: connect to pin 3 of computer D-SUB 9 male connector

A+

X9.4

RS485 positive signal

B-

x9.5

RS485 negative signal

X9.6

Ground –signal reference: connect to pin 5 of the computer's male D-SUB 9 connector

3.1.4 Input terminal block (X3)

Opto-isolated inputs for clean contact signals or with PNP 24VDC transistor output.

First

name

Function

clamp

Description

IN0

START

X3.1

IN1

CCT

X3.2

IN2

RESET

RED BASKETBALL

X3.3

IN3

ENABLE

JOB SELECTOR

X3.4