
5
User Mode
We recommend that new users familiarize themselves by operating the S-4 in
User mode, thereby gaining a fuller understanding of how all of the machine’s
parameters work together. When using the Logical Controller II in User mode,
the operator must input all of the job parameters.
The Weigh Process
In User mode, the Logical Controller II fills a major portion of the target
weight at a high speed (Bulk Speed) until it reaches a specific weight
(Bulk Cutoff). Then it operates at a slower speed (Dribble Speed)
until it reaches a terminal weight (Dribble Cutoff). The terminal weight is
usually a bit less than the target weight because a small amount of material
is in free-fall.
For example, if an operator was filling bags with 5 pounds of rice, they might
program the Controller to fill the first 4.75 pounds at a high vibrator motor
speed. The Bulk Cutoff would be 4.75 pounds and the Bulk Speed might
be 70% of full motor speed. The remaining 0.25 pounds of material might
then get filled at a lower vibrator motor speed. The operator might program a
Dribble Speed of 40% and a Dribble Cutoff of 4.98 pounds guessing that the
final 0.02 pounds will fall into the Weigh Hopper after the controller turns off
the vibrator motor.
The following is a step-by-step description of operating the S-4 in User
mode.
Turn on the Logical Controller II
Every time the Logical Controller II is turned on, the LCD screen displays a
short “splash” screen (fig. 3) that indicates the machine model number
and software revision number. You should see a line like “S4 Rev 2.10”. In
this example, “S4” tells you that the Controller is setup for the Model S-4
machine. If this first part shows “S5”, “S6” or “S7”, refer to the Glossary
section at the end of the manual to change it to “S4”. The “Rev 2.10”
indicates the software revision in the Controller (2.10 in this example). Write
this down so that if you need to call Logical Machines with a question, we
will know which machine and software revision you have.
Once the “splash” screen has passed, the Home screen (fig. 4) will show
a short menu, a “Job Number”, an indication of whether the current job is
Automatic or User, and the weight indicated by the scale.
A “Job” is a set of parameters that tell the Controller how to fill a specific
container with a particular amount of material. The “Job Number” is the job
currently being used. The Controller can store several Jobs that the operator
has setup and saved in its memory. The operator can recall these jobs later
on. All saved Jobs are retained when the power is removed.
There are 2 characters after the job number. They will either be “Au”
indicating that the currently loaded Job is an Automatic mode job or “Us”
indicating the current job is a User mode job. An Automatic Job means
the Controller will constantly adjust the job parameters during operation and
a User Job will use fixed operator supplied parameters and will make no
adjustmemts.
Logical Machines
S4 Rev 2.10
Fig. 3: Startup “splash”
screen showing controller
software version number
Target Weight.......... 1.25 lb
Bulk Cutoff.............. 0.95 lb
Bulk Speed .............. 65%
Dribble Cutoff.......... 1.23 lb
Dribble Speed .......... 40%
You can use these ratios as a starting point for most products
Example Starting Parameters:
1.Tare
2.Setup
3.Utilities
Job:0Us- 0.000
Fig. 4: “Home” screen
showing Job Number,
Automatic or User modes,
and weight of material
currently on scale
Job Number Mode Indicator Current Weight
Bulk Speed, Bulk Cutoff, Dribble Speed, Dribble
Cutoff—these can be confusing terms! You can think of it
this way:
Imagine that you’re piloting a motor boat across a big lake
with a load of stuff. As you’re crossing the lake to your
destination, you want to go quickly so your boat’s throttle is
opened up and you’re going fast (your Bulk Speed). As you
approach the dock, you have to start slowing down (so you
don’t crash!) so you pull back on the throttle to get to a safe
speed as you near the dock (your Dribble Speed).
Bulk Cutoff simply refers to the weight at which the
machine will go from Bulk Speed to its Dribble Speed (you’re
approaching the dock...) Dribble Cutoff is the weight at
which the motor shuts off (you’re at the dock...) allowing
the last of the material in the feed pan to fall into the Scale/
Weigh Hopper.