AMS MP328OL User manual

Model
MP328OL
Gripper & Backguage Controller
Reference Manual
Page 1 ______________________________________ Introduction
Page 3 _______________________________ Interface Description
Page 4 _________________________Setup Mode and Parameters
Page 14 ______________________________________Referencing
Page 16 ___________________________________ Program Mode
Page 17 ___________________________________ Run Operation
Page 19 ____________________Configuration and I/O Definitions
Page 20 _____________________________________Specification
Page 22 _________________________________ Mounting Details
Page 23 ____________________________ Troubleshooting Guide
Page 27 ________________________ Electrical Interface Diagram

AMS Controls 1MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
MP328OL Gripper Controller
AMS Controls has been supplying length control systems to the
metal fabricating industry since 1978 and has built a reputation of
producing high quality and reliable controllers.
The MP328 Gripper controller is a cost effective controller designed
to perform multiple bends on a sheet of metal and will use a gripping
function to hold the metal and to sequence it through each bend..
The MP328 is housed in a compact 8.00” x 12.50” wide x 2.25” deep
enclosure and requires a single 24 VDC power supply for operation.
Copyright © 2006 by AMS Controls, Inc. All Rights Reserved

AMS Controls 2MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
MP328 Open Loop Version 13/14 Controller
Operation & Reference Manual
AMS Controls, Inc.
12180 Prichard Farm Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
!! WARNING !!
AMS CONTROLS, INC. reserves the right to change the contents of this manual without
customer notice or permission. Although every effort is made to insure the correctness
off this manual, it should be noted that AMS CONTROLS, INC. is not responsible for
personal or equipment damage caused by the contents of this manual. It is not the intent
of this manual to cover every possible revision or version of controller. For specific
controller questions contact AMS Controls, Inc.

AMS Controls 3MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
Front Panel Components and Description
The Model MP328 front panel has three push button switches, a 16
key keypad, and a two line 48 character liquid crystal display.
The three push buttons provide the following functions:
CYCLE
This push button will open the gripper jaws and
will reset the sequence
RUN
Press to initiate an automatic move sequence
HALT
Press to manually stop the guide movement
The keys provide the following functions:
SETUP
Press to enter the setup mode. The setup mode is used
to enter specific parameters about the Gripper.
∗
Press the asterisk key to exit the setup or programming
modes. Also known as the STATUS key to display current
position, etc.
PRG
Press to program a new set position. While in
the program mode, the new position will flash.
ENT
Press to store the values entered in the setup
and program modes.
CE
Press to clear an incorrect entry value before
the “ENT” key is pressed. Also used to clear any errors reported
by the controller.

AMS Controls 4MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
Setup Mode
Note: The following descriptions include all possible SETUP
PARAMETERS and there are some parameters that are not
used for every application. Only use the ones that apply for
your particular machine.
The SETUP mode is used when the MP328 is initially installed to
configure it to the particular characteristics of the Gripper. The
SETUP mode is entered by pressing the “Set Up” key and the mode
can be exited by pressing the “∗” key. When power is applied to the
controller, the built-in diagnostics check the memory for data
retention.
If an error is detected, the memory is automatically cleared and the
SETUP mode is entered to indicate that this data should be
reentered. The setup values are entered in the order shown below
and an explanation of each parameter is given. A form is provided in
the back of this manual for recording the setup parameters of your
machine. This form should be completed after your machine has
been installed and properly adjusted.
To enter the SETUP mode, press the “Set Up” key. The following
display will appear.
Selecting “1” will allow the operator to adjust the following
parameters:
1=Configure 2=In/Out
3=Loc/Remote 4=Reference

AMS Controls 5MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
Reference Mode
The REFERENCE MODE parameter tells the MP328 where the
reference switch is located. The reference point is the center of the
brake where the bend occurs. If the switch is close to the reference
point and most of the moves of the Gripper occur “behind” the
switch, the REFERENCE MODE is NEAR. If the switch is behind
the Gripper and most of the moves are in “front” of the switch, the
REFERENCE MODE is FAR. Use any number key to toggle the
choices.
Far Reference Mode
Motor
Lead Screw
Brake
Point
Reference
Far Reference
Switch, Normally
Open
Reference Position
Near Reference Mode
Motor
Lead Screw Brake
Reference
Position
Point
Reference
Near Reference
Switch, Normally
Open

AMS Controls 6MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
The switch for a NEAR REFERENCE MODE must be normally open
and remain closed as long as the Gripper is on the switch or closer
to the reference point than the switch. The switch for a FAR
REFERENCE MODE must be normally open and remain closed as
long as the Gripper is on the switch or farther away from the
reference point than the switch.
Ref. Pos.
The REFERENCE POSITION is the distance from the reference
point (typically the bend point on the brake) to the inside jaws of the
gripper at the point the “home” switch is detected (after being
referenced).
Metal Flow
This parameter specifies whether the metal is fed from one side of
the brake and the formed parts comes out of the other (NORMAL);
or if it is fed through the backside of the brake, (REVERSE). If this
parameter is set to NORMAL, the machine should move to the total
sheet length plus the CLEARANCE DISTANCE when there is a new
program. When REVERSE is selected, it will move to the new
CLEARANCE DISTANCE.
Ignore First Bend
When used in conjunction with an MP338 backgauge, the MP328
will need to ignore the first bend of the part. The first bend will be
controlled by the MP328 backgauge device (or “backstop”).
If “Yes is selected, the gripper will position itself the length of the part
minus the length of the first leg of the part. The gripper will position
itself for brake #2 and brake #3, ignoring the first brake.
If “No” is selected, the gripper will work normally, positioning itself
the full distance of the overall part length plus the overshoot
distance.
Enable Creep Mode
This defines what type of feedback the MP328 will be looking for
when it searches for the part. If the Enable Creep Mode is set to
“Yes”, it will look for a detector switch mounted on the gripping
device. This detector will signal that controller that it has found the
sheet.
If the mode is set to “No”, the controller uses only encoder feedback
to locate the sheet. This requires that the sheet be consistently in
the same location from one part to the next. This will be determined
by the backstop device.

AMS Controls 7MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
Eject Mode Speed
The MP328 controller can be put into an “Eject” mode that will
enable the gripper device to push the part past the brake so that it is
easily and safely available to the operator. After the last bend is
completed, the gripper device will be sent to position “0.00”, which is
directly under the brake. After reaching this point it will return to the
home position.
Clearance Dist
This parameter determines the point at which the gripper will move
to when a new program is entered or after completion of a
sequence. CLEARANCE DIST plus ACTUAL PART LENGTH will
determine the position of the guide between sequences.
Brake Dwell Dn
BRAKE DWELL DOWN is the time it takes for the brake to move
from the top of the stroke to the bottom of the stroke. The range of
time allowed is 0.001 to 9.999 seconds and can be set to the
nearest millisecond.
Brake Dwell Up
BRAKE DWELL UP is the time necessary for the brake to return
from the bottom to the top of its stroke
Speed Logic
If the controller is set up for two speed logic, the MP328 controller
has four outputs which control the speed and direction of the
machine. To accommodate more than one wiring possibility, the
controller may be run with one of two different SPEED LOGIC
settings: FORWARD/SLOW or FAST/SLOW. The controller
outputs are defined differently for each logic setting. The outputs,
their definitions, and their states in various conditions are shown in
tables 4-1 and 4-2. Any number key can be used to toggle between
FORWARD/SLOW and FAST/SLOW. Select the appropriate
SPEED LOGIC to match your machine wiring configuration.
Machine State
Run Fast
Run Slow
Jog Fwd
Halt
Jog Rev
Output 1 (FOR)
ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
Output 2 (SLOW)
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
Output 3 (REV)
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
Output 5 (RUN)
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
Table 4-1. Status of Outputs in Forward-Slow
Note: All Jogging and Referencing is performed at fast speed

AMS Controls 8MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
Machine State
Run Fast
Run Slow
Jog Fwd
Halt
Jog Rev
Output 1 (FOR)
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Output 2 (SLOW)
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
Output 3 (REV)
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
Output 5 (RUN)
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
Table 4-2. Status of Outputs in Fast-Slow
Note: All Jogging and Referencing is performed at fast speed
Min Slow Distance
This parameter is used to put the line into slow speed (if using two
speed logic). The controller will automatically calculate when to start
slowing down and then this distance is added to it (if the DECEL
MODE is set to AUTO). Increase this value for a longer slow
distance. Decrease this value for a shorter slow distance. A longer
slow distance can improve part accuracy but too long a value can
slow production. The distance should be set long enough that the
material fully reaches the slow speed before stopping.
A minimum amount of slow distance can be manually set by this
parameter. It is added to the calculated slow distance to extend the
time spent in slow speed (if the DECEL FACTOR is set to AUTO).
The MP328 controller calculates the distance from the programmed
position that the machine should shift into slow speed. This is based
on the speed of the material and the deceleration characteristics of
the machine.
When the DECEL FACTOR AUTO setting is used, it is best to set
this parameter to a few inches initially until the system has been
calibrated and the controller has had a chance to get accustomed to
the behavior of the machine. When the machine is running good
parts repeatedly, reduce the MINIMUM SLOW DISTANCE as much
as possible to increase the production rate.
This value should be set long enough that the material fully reaches
the slow speed before stopping.
Overshoot Dist
The MP328 will always move the backgauge toward the target in a
forward direction (toward the reference point). When moving away
from the reference point to make a bend, or a FAR REFERENCE,
the backgauge will overshoot the target by the OVERSHOOT
DISTANCE and approach the target in a forward direction. This is
done to keep any machine “slop” behind the backgauge.

AMS Controls 9MP328 Gripper Controller
03-15-06
The allowable range is 0.0 to 50.0 inches. The distance that is
entered should be large enough so that the backgauge can get up to
full speed before stopping. The default value is 10.0000 inches.
Tolerance
The controller can check for the backgauge to be within a specified
TOLERANCE. If the machine has not stopped within this
TOLERANCE, the controller will halt and an error will be displayed.
The TOLERANCE should be set small enough to get acceptable
parts but wide enough to avoid production interruptions. The
controller allows values from 0.0005 inches to 10.0000 inches. The
default value for TOLERANCE is 1.0000 inches.
Stopping Mode
The STOP REACTION time represents the time delay from the time
that the controller turns off the movement outputs until the
backgauge actually stops. The user has a choice of three
STOPPING MODES: AUTO, MANUAL, or OFF. Use any number
key to toggle through the choices.
AUTO: The controller turns off the movement outputs
prior to the actual brake point to allow for the
momentum and inertia of the machine. A new STOP
REACTION time is calculated after each stop based on
the average stopping time for several cycles. This
parameter may be overridden, but the value will be
modified on the next part that is run. The maximum
value is 9.9999 seconds.
MANUAL: The controller turns off the movement outputs
prior to the actual brake point as above. However,
when in MANUAL, the controller does not recalculate a
new STOP REACTION time after each stop. Whatever
value is manually entered remains constant. The
maximum value is again 9.9999 seconds.
OFF: A STOP REACTION time is not calculated and is
not used at all by the controller. The movement
outputs are turned off when the backgauge position is
equal to the programmed length of the bend. This
should cause bends to come out short due to the
momentum of the machine and material during