MICRO-EPSILON ILD1700 User manual

User manual for
the ILD1700 Tool
Version 1.4

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1 Table of Contents
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................2
2 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION .........................................................................4
2.1 System requirements .........................................................................4
2.2 Software installation ...........................................................................4
2.3 Start the a lication ..........................................................................4
3 MAIN MENU .............................................................................................5
3.1 Show Sensor Manual..........................................................................5
3.2 Start Sensor Configuration..................................................................5
3.3 Start Data Acquisition.........................................................................5
3.4 Menu bar...........................................................................................6
3.4.1 F ILE ........................................................................................................6
3.4.2 P ROGRAM ................................................................................................6
3.4.3 L ANGUAGE ...............................................................................................6
3.4.4 ? ...........................................................................................................6
4 SENSOR CONFI URATION........................................................................7
4.1 Configuration.....................................................................................7
4.1.1 C ONNECTION S ETTING .................................................................................7
4.1.2 S ENSOR P ARAMETERS ..................................................................................8
4.1.3 C ALIBRATION .............................................................................................8
4.1.4 A DDITIONAL P ARAMETERS .............................................................................9
4.1.5 S WITCH O UTPUT – P ROPERTIES .......................................................................9
4.1.6 S ENSOR I NFORMATION ...............................................................................10
4.1.7 C ONFIGURATION M ANAGEMENT ..................................................................10
4.1.8 T RANSFER C ONFIGURATION .........................................................................10
4.1.9 S ENSOR F ALLBACK ....................................................................................11
5 DATA ACQUISITION PRO RAM...............................................................12
5.1 Configuration...................................................................................12
5.1.1 C ONNECTION S ETTINGS .............................................................................12
5.1.2 Y-A XIS S CALING P ROPERTIES .......................................................................13
5.2 Data Acquisition ..............................................................................13
5.2.1 M EASUREMENT P ROPERTIES .........................................................................13
5.2.2 A
UTO Z ERO P ROPERTIES ..............................................................................13

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5.3 Data Storage ...................................................................................14
5.3.1 D ATA E XPORT P ROPERTIES ...........................................................................14
5.4 Distance View ..................................................................................14
5.4.1 D ISTANCE ...............................................................................................14
5.4.2 S TATISTICS ...............................................................................................14
5.4.3 L IMIT O UTPUT P ROPERTIES ............................................................................14
5.4.4 F REEZE M ODE N AVIGATION ........................................................................15
5.4.5 F1/F2 U PPER LIMIT ...................................................................................16
5.4.6 F2/F1 L OWER LIMIT ..................................................................................16

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2 Software Installation
2.1 System requirements
The a lication has the following minimum requirements:
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP
- Pentium III
- 256MB RAM
- Dis lay resolution of 1024x768
- Sensor/controller firmware version 1.7 or higher
- IEEE422 (RS422) to RS232 converter (USB to Serial Port) driver version
1.00.2154 (FTSER2K.SYS) or higher.
2.2 Software installation
Start the executable ILD1700 Tool Setu V1.40.exe and follow the instructions
(see Fig. 1 Software Installation).
Fig. 1 Software Installation
2.3 Start the application
To start the ILD1700 Tool double click on the deskto icon ILD1700 Tool or use
the ILD1700 Tool icon of the start menu.

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3 Main Menu
The ILD1700 Tool starts with the main age (see Fig. 2 Main Menu). The
button Start Sensor Configuration switches to the ILD1700 set-u age, the
button Start Data Acquisition switches to a age for ILD1700 data acquisition
and storage. These ages can also be started using the corres onding items
of the menu bar. The language can only be selected using the menu bar,
which offers English, German or Ja anese. Ja anese will work on com uters
with the a ro riate regional settings, only.
Fig. 2 Main Menu
3.1 Show Sensor Manual
If you have a PDF-viewer installed on your com uter the documentation of
the ILD1700 Sensor/Controller is shown. Since the documentation is available
in German and English only, you get the English version if you do not select
German in the language menu.
3.2 Start Sensor Configuration
Starts a sub- rogram that offers to read out the current sensor configuration,
store it to a file, load redefined configuration files and set-u the
sensor/controller.
3.3 Start Data Acquisition
Measures the distance to an object. This measurement a lication buffers
u to 60 seconds of the measured data for storing and to take closer look at.
This buffer can be reviewed online using the zoom buttons and the scrollbar.

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It also offers a way to set u the switch mode by simulating the limit
monitoring of the sensor.
3.4 Menu bar
3.4.1 File
3.4.1.1 Print Preview
Shows a rint review of the current age. It is recommended to rint the
ages in landsca e mode.
3.4.1.2 COM-Refresh
Scans the first 256 COM-Ports for availability and offers the existing and
unoccu ied orts for selection, only.
3.4.1.3 Quit
Closes the occu ied COM interface, sto s all sub rograms and exits the
a lication.
3.4.2 Program
Contains menu items that start the sub rograms.
3.4.2.1 Sensor Configuration
Switches to the controller/sensor configuration rogram.
3.4.2.2 Data Acquisition
Switches to the data acquisition and storage rogram.
3.4.2.3 Main Menu
Shows the main age again.
3.4.3 Language
Determines the language of the descri tions and the fonts of the user
interface.
3.4.3.1 English
Sets the user interface to English, which is default.
3.4.3.2 erman
Sets the user interface to German. If the user interface language is German,
the sensor manual will be o ened in German, too.
3.4.3.3 Japanese
Sets the user interface to Ja anese. This o tion requires an o eration system
with the Ja anese language su ort installed, because the a lication
need to change its font, too.
3.4.4 ?
3.4.4.1 Show Sensor Manual
O ens the sensor/controller o eration manual. That manual usually is
available in English and German and will be dis layed according to the
currently selected a lication language.
3.4.4.2 About ILD1700 Tool…
Shows a icture with the version Information of this a lication on it.

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3.4.4.3 Help (F1)
O ens this document.
4 Sensor Configuration
4.1 Configuration
Shows the arameters that affect the sensor/controller (see Fig. 3 ILD1700
Sensor Configuration).
Fig. 3 ILD1700 Sensor Configuration
4.1.1 Connection Setting
The COM ort the ILD1700 controller is connected to. Su orted ort
numbers are COM1 to COM16. The sensor uses a RS422 to USB interface that
is ma ed to a COM ort, which can be viewed in the device manager. For
the exact ort number see the device called ‘USB to Serial Port’. On a
German OS, that item is located in ‘Anschlüsse (COM und LPT)’.
4.1.1.1 Baud Rate
The baud rate, which the controller is currently using to transfer arameters
and data.

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4.1.1.2 COM Port
The ort that should be used to communicate with. Available orts are
COM1 to COM16. The device manager shows which orts are installed and
eventually which devices are using them.
4.1.2 Sensor Parameters
4.1.2.1 Baud Rate
This arameter determines the communication baud rate of the controller.
When writing the arameters to the controller (see button ‘Write Configuration
To Sensor’) first all others arameters are written and at last, the baud rate is
changed. A different baud rate requires disconnecting and reconnecting to
the controller, which is executed automatically. All subsequent
communication will use that new baud rate.
4.1.2.2 Measurement Frequency
Determines the maximal ossible ex osure time (e.g. at 2.5kHz the max.
ex osure time is 0.4 ms). Available sam ling rates are: 2.5kHz, 1.25kHz,
625Hz, and 312.5Hz. However, these sam ling rates do not always match
the data rate, because the baud rate, the transfer mode and the
synchronization do have some effect on it. The effective data rate can be
viewed in the section ‘Sensor Information’ after executing the ‘Read Sensor
Info’ button (see Sensor Information). The sensor manual contains a table that
shows more on that.
4.1.2.3 Output Type
The mode ‘RS422’ activates the digital data out ut. The items ‘4 20mA’ and
‘0 10V’ activate the analog data out ut ( in 13). The limit out uts ( in 7 and
8) work in analog mode only.
4.1.2.4 Synchronization
Determines the synchronization method with other ILD1700 sensors. The
modes ‘Slave’ and ‘Master Sync Alt ’ affect the data rate. See the sensor
manual for more on that.
4.1.2.5 Average Type
Available averaging modes are: Recursive, Moving, Median.
4.1.2.6 Average Number
The higher the averaging number the smoother the signal will look, but a high
averaging number may im air the measured signal.
4.1.3 Calibration
Dis lays whether the sensor was mastered or set to mid- oint. Both actions
can be executed only by the ‘Zero’ button on the sensor.
Mid-point: When the sensor is in Error Mode the Zero button on the housing
commands the sensor to use the current distance as mid- oint (5V or 12mA)
of the measurement range which only affects the analog data out ut.
(This works similar to the ‘Set Zero’ function in the included Data Acquisition
rogram, which just calculates an offset on the digital measurement values.)
Mastering: When the sensor is in Switch Mode (also called Limit Mode) the
Zero button commands the sensor to set the currently measured value to the
Master Value. The master value can be set in the ‘Sensor Configuration’

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rogram, see section ‘Switch Output’ arameter ‘Master Value’. This has an
effect on the analog and digital data out uts.
Mastering works much as common calibration does. A reference target of
known distance is measured by the sensor (that distance is sent to the sensor
as arameter ‘Master Value’). Next triggering the Zero button on the sensor
calibrates the sensor distance for that reference target.
4.1.4 Additional Parameters
4.1.4.1 Error Handling
‘Hold Last Valid Value’ makes the sensor ut out the last measured value after
the sensor ‘looses’ its target. To loose a target means no valid target is in
range or the sensor cannot see the laser oint.
‘Set Error Value’ commands the sensor to ut out an error value as indication
that no valid target is recognized.
4.1.4.2 Transfer Mode
The ‘Binary’ mode is faster and eventually delivers more measurement
values, es ecially when connecting with slower baud rates. Therefore, the
included data acquisition rogram switches the sensor into binary mode
when started.
The ‘ASCII’ mode may be more suitable when using the Hy erTerminal or
other diagnostic tools to communicate with the sensor.
4.1.4.3 Laser
Turns the laser diode on or off.
4.1.4.4 Sensor Keys
Disables/enables the buttons on the sensor housing to revent unintended
changes.
4.1.5 Switch Output – Properties
Exce t for the ‘Master Value’, this section is useful for the analog out ut
modes only.
4.1.5.1 Monitoring
Sets the sensor and the limit/error out uts F1 and F2 into limit or error mode.
Error Mode: Indicates an error on either error out ut F1 or F2 ( in7 or in8)
when no valid target is recognized. (The arameter Limit Assignment
determines which).
Limit Mode: Uses the limit out uts F1 and F2 to indicate limit violations
(which is es ecially useful for roduction surveillance). In case of an error,
both limit out uts are activated.
4.1.5.2 Limit Assignment
Either assigns the limit out ut F1 or F2 to the Upper Limit. The other of the two
indicates a limit violation of the Lower Limit.
4.1.5.3 Upper Limit
A threshold for the analog surveillance of the measurement values.
Determines the furthest distance from the sensor head a measured object
may have, before a limit violation error is indicated on the out ut F2 (or F1 if
the arameter Limit Assignment is set to that).

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4.1.5.4 Upper Hysteresis
If the measurement value falls below this threshold the limit out ut F2 (or F1)
is reset to normal state; i.e. no longer indicates a limit violation.
4.1.5.5 Master Value
Value that is used by the sensor if the Zero button on the sensor housing is
ressed. The sensor then uses its current measurement value as reference
oint, sets it to zero, and adds the master value. This method can be used to
calibrate the senor osition by using a reference target of known
distance/thickness (see 4.1.3).
4.1.5.6 Lower Hysteresis
If the measurement value rises again above this threshold the limit out ut F1
(or F2) is reset to normal state; i.e. no longer indicates a lower limit violation.
4.1.5.7 Lower Limit
A threshold for the analog surveillance of the measurement. The closest
distance a measured object may have from the sensor head before an error
is indicated on the out ut F1 (or F2, which de ends on the arameter Limit
Assignment).
4.1.6 Sensor Information
Dis lays some general information about the sensor.
4.1.6.1 Sensor Range
Measurement range of the sensor.
4.1.6.2 Read Sensor Info
This button requests the sensor to ut out its arameters, e.g.: firmware
version, serial number, article number and some additional information.
4.1.7 Configuration Management
This section su orts the storage of arameter sets in files. Can be used to
build a database of resets for different tasks, back u controller settings, or
sim ly to transfer setting from one sensor to another.
The edit field shows the file name of the most recently accessed arameter
set.
Save to file…: O ens a ‘save as’ dialog to browse to a storage destination
and select or enter a filename.
Load from file…: Shows a dialog to browse to a stored file.
4.1.8 Transfer Configuration
Load Configuration From Sensor:
Reads the current settings from the sensor, e.g. sam le rate, switch mode…
and shows them in the ILD1700 Sensor Configuration dialog.
Write Configuration To Sensor:
The arameters of the sensor can be either set u by using the enabled
in ut fields or loaded from a configuration file (see 4.1.7). This button writes
these arameters to the sensor/controller.

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4.1.9 Sensor Fallback
Reset To Factory Settings: Overwrites the arameters stored in the sensor with
the default arameters. For exam le sets the baud rate to 115200.
Reboot Sensor: Kee s the arameters but restarts the sensor as if it was
turned off and on again.

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5 Data Acquisition Program
This rogram can be used to acquire, evaluate and store data from an
ILD1700 sensor.
Fig. 4 Data Acquisition
5.1 Configuration
5.1.1 Connection Settings
This measurement rogram requires a COM ort with settings: 115200, 8, n,
1.
5.1.1.1 COM
Number of the COM ort the ILD1700 sensor is connected to (see 4.1.1).
5.1.1.2 Block size
Determines the number of values to read at once. A smaller block size
reduces the reaction time (here: dis lay refresh) but increases the system
load. The number of u dates er second = Sample_rate/Block_size. If the
dis lay is delayed or measurement values get lost, a higher block size is
required.
5.1.1.3 Measurement Frequency
Dis lays the number of sam les that are taken er second.
5.1.1.4 Sensor Range
Measurement range of the connected sensor.

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5.1.2 Y-Axis Scaling Properties
This mode automatically adjusts the y-scale of the dis lay to zoom in on the
measured values as close as ossible.
In manual mode the value range can be set by entering the min. and max.
limits of the y-axis.
5.1.2.1 Flip Y axis
Turns the measured signal u side down. Can be used for exam le to dis lay
the surface of a measurement target.
5.1.2.2 Y-Scaling Type
The scaling of the y-axis can be set to one of the following methods.
• Manual Y range:
Enables the edit fields for the user can enter the u er and lower limit
of the y–axis.
• Autoscale Y range:
The rogram searches the smallest and greatest value in the visible x-
range and sets the y-limits to those values.
• Y center on data:
This scaling mode requires the arameter Range(mm), here called
Y_range.
The rogram calculates the average of the measurement values in
the visible x-range. Then it sets the u er limit of the y-axis to
average+Y_range and the lower limit to average- Y_range.
5.1.2.3 Range (mm)
This arameter determines the area of interest around the mean value of the
measurement signal.
5.2 Data Acquisition
The ur ose of this age is to acquire data, only. It does not change any of
the sensor’s arameters. There is one exce tion: it sets the transfer mode
from ASCII to binary.
This data acquisition module requires a baud rate of 115200. Also the laser
diode must be turned on.
5.2.1 Measurement Properties
5.2.1.1 Data Acquisition
The button shows ‘Start DAQ’ if no connection to a sensor was established. To
connect to a sensor and to start the measurement ress the button once. If
the connection was successful, the button shows ‘Stop DAQ’. Another click on
the button sto s the measurement.
5.2.1.2 Hold last valid value
If no valid target can be recognized the last valid value is ke t and ut out,
otherwise an error value is ut out to indicate that the sensor has ‘lost’ its
target.
5.2.2 AutoZero Properties
This section offers a software distance calibration of the sensor osition.

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5.2.2.1 Set Zero
Takes the current measurement value as reference oint and sets it to zero;
i.e. subtracts the value that was measured as the button was ressed from
the subsequent measurements.
5.2.2.2 Reset
Undoes the set zero o eration and shows the value the sensor uts out.
5.3 Data Storage
5.3.1 Data Export Properties
The name in the storage file is se arated into two edit fields: The u er field
shows the ath, the lower the name of the file. It is recommended to use the
browse button to select/create a file, which assures that the ath is valid and
accessible.
5.3.1.1 Store displayed samples
After an object was measured, the measurement values can be zoomed
and moved to the interesting art. It is im ortant that the interesting values
are dis layed in the lot gra h, because only the dis layed values are
stored when using the button ‘Store displayed samples’.
5.4 Distance View
This view dis lays the currently acquired or buffered measurement values. It
also shows the thresholds for the limit surveillance (switch mode).
5.4.1 Distance
In live mode this field shows the latest measurement value, in freeze mode it
shows the rightmost value.
5.4.2 Statistics
The statistical values are calculated on the measurement values currently
dis layed in the lot gra h.
5.4.2.1 Mean
Average over all dis layed sam les.
5.4.2.2 Min
Shows the lowest measurement value within the visible x-range.
5.4.2.3 Max
Shows the highest measurement value within the visible x-range.
5.4.2.4 P-P
Peak to eak value. Difference between minimum and maximum value.
5.4.3 Limit Output Properties
The limit mode of the sensor is available for the analog out uts, only.
Therefore, this a lication contains a limit simulation, which can be used to
adjust the sensor’s limit ro erties. All arameters set here will be co ied to

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the configuration sub rogram, where they can be stored and transferred to
the sensor.
5.4.3.1 Activate switch sim.
Enables the in ut elements for the switch limits and shows the two LEDs,
which indicate the state of the limit out uts F1 and F2.
5.4.3.2 Upper limit
All limits are dis layed in mm. This limit is dis layed in the lot gra h as a red
line. All measurement values above this threshold are drawn red to indicate
a limit violation. This limit violation is also shown by the red color of the u er
LED. This LED indicates the state of the u er limit out ut.
5.4.3.3 Upper hysteresis
If the measurement value falls below this threshold, the u er LED is set to
green again. This threshold is dis layed in orange.
5.4.3.4 Master value
Although this value is not used for the limit monitoring, but for calibration
ur oses, it is laced here.
If this value (in the controller) is set to zero, then the controller’s Zero button
does the equivalent as the ‘Set Zero’ button in this a lication does. This
value is dis layed in the lot gra h as blue line.
5.4.3.5 Lower hysteresis
If the measurement value rises above this threshold, the lower LED is set to
green. This threshold is dis layed in orange.
5.4.3.6 Lower limit
If the measurement value falls below this limit the lower LED turns red. This
threshold is dis layed in the lot gra h as a red line.
5.4.4 Freeze Mode Navigation
This a lication continuously acquires data as long as the button ‘Data
acquisition’ is checked. The last 60 seconds since the ‘DAQ Start’ or ‘Clear
Buffer’ are stored in an internal buffer and can be examined any time.
5.4.4.1 Position
This scrollbar can be used to navigate through the internal data buffer.
5.4.4.2 Zoom +
Selects a smaller section of the x-axis; i.e. closes in on the data. Can be used
to minimize the number of values stored in a file.
5.4.4.3 Zoom –
The o osite of zoom+. Shows more measurement values at once.
5.4.4.4 Show All
Dis lays all values of the internal data buffer at once.
5.4.4.5 Freeze
As long as this button is unchecked, the dis lay is in live mode, that is, the
currently acquired sam les are charted on the lot dis lay. If you check the
‘Freeze’ button, the a lication creates a co y of the internal data buffer.
This co y can be zoomed and scrolled through to take a closer look at the
measurement. To end the freeze mode uncheck the ‘Freeze’ button. That
action removes the co y of the data buffer and switches into live mode
again.

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5.4.4.6 Clear buffer
This button can be used to em ty all data buffers and switch into live mode.
5.4.5 F1/F2 Upper limit
This LED dis lays the state of the out ut for the u er limit. A red LED
indicates the u er limit is violated and the corres onding limit out ut is set
to high. A green LED shows the limit out ut is set to low.
5.4.6 F2/F1 Lower limit
The same as the u er limit exce t that it indicates when the lower limit is
violated.

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