MKS AX346 User manual

control – motion – interface
Ax34601a_e_A5.doc / Feb-06 Page 1 / 20
AX 346
Versatile Process Indicator
With Two Analogue Inputs and
Adjustable Analogue Output
•Two analogue inputs, each +/- 10V oder 0/4 – 20 mA with individual scaling
•Operation modes to display input A, input B or combined values A+B, A-B, AxB and A:B
•Selectable linearisation function with 16 interpolation points
•Adjustable analogue output, +/-10 V or 0/4 – 20 mA, proportional to the display
•Power supply 115/230 VAC and 17 – 30 VDC in one unit
•Auxiliary output 24 VDC / 100 mA for sensor supply
Operating Instructions

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Safety Instructions
•This manual is an essential part of the unit and contains important hints about
function, correct handling and commissioning. Non-observance can result in
damage to the unit or the machine, or even in injury to persons using the
equipment !
•The unit must only be installed, connected and activated by a qualified electrician
•It is a must to observe all general and also all country-specific and application-
specific safety standards
•When this unit is used with applications where failure or maloperation could cause
damage to a machine or hazard to the operating staff, it is indispensible to meet
effective precautions in order to avoid such consequences
•Regarding installation, wiring, environmental conditions, screening of cables and
earthing, you must follow the general standards of industrial automation industy
•- Errors and omissions excepted –
Version: Description:
AX34601a_e_A5/Feb06/HK/KK Original edition

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Table of contents
1. Introduction....................................................................................................4
2. Electrical Connections....................................................................................5
2.1. Power Supply ..............................................................................................................5
2.2. Auxiliary Power Output ...............................................................................................5
2.3. Analogue Inputs A and B ............................................................................................6
2.4. Adjustable Analogue Output.......................................................................................6
2.5. GND Potential Considerations ....................................................................................6
3. Configuration of the Analogue Inputs............................................................7
4. How to Operate the Front Keys......................................................................9
5. Basic Set-Up and Operational Parameters ..................................................10
5.1. Basic Set-Up ............................................................................................................. 10
5.2. Operational Parameters ............................................................................................ 11
5.2.1. Operational parameters with single channel mode .............................................. 11
5.2.2. Operational parameters with dual channel mode ................................................. 12
5.2.3. Operational parameters for the combined modes ( A+B, A-B, AxB, A:B )............. 13
5.2.4. Parameters for scaling of the analogue output ..................................................... 14
5.2.5. Parameters for generation of a linearisation curve............................................... 15
6. Technical Appendix......................................................................................17
6.1. Compendium of the Operator Menu ......................................................................... 17
6.2. Dimensions ............................................................................................................... 18
6.3. Technical Specifications ........................................................................................... 19
6.4. Parameter Table........................................................................................................ 20

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1. Introduction
The AX346 process indicator has been designed for applications requiring superior measuring
technology. The unit provides two separate analogue inputs with individual scaling parameters,
a 6-decade LED display and an adjustable analogue output.
Because of the possibilities to calculate combined values like difference or ratio of the two
inputs, and by the in-built facility of programmable linearisation, this unit is also suitable to
operate as a signal converter (e.g. to convert the ratio of two analogue signals into a
programmable curve and to form a new analogue signal from the result again).
The unit is easy to set-up by means of the front keys and a clear menu structure.
AX346 is built into a standard DIN housing, designed for front panel mounting.

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2. Electrical Connections
*) This grounding terminal is internally connected to the GND potential. Grounding of this
terminal is not necessary, neither for safety nor for EMC reasons. With some applications
however it may be desirable to connect the measuring GND to another ground or earth
potential.
Please note that earthing of this terminal will tie to earth all internal analogue and digital GND
potentials. Multiple earthing should be avoided (e.g. if the minus pole of your DC power supply
should already be earthed externally)
2.1. Power Supply
Terminals 1 and 2 provide DC supply from a 17 to 30 volts DC power unit. The current
consumption depends on the level of the input voltage and is typically 130 mA with 17 volts
and 80 mA with 30 volts (sensor current taken from the aux. output not included).
Terminals 0 VAC, 115 VAC and 230 VAC provide supply of the unit directly from the mains. The
total AC power rating is 7.5 VA.
2.2. Auxiliary Power Output
Terminal 7 provides a 24 volts DC output (max. 100 mA) for supply of transducers or sensors.
This output is available with AC power supply and DC power supply as well.
1
GND ( 0V )
2
+17...30 VCD
34567 8910
GND
230 VAC 115 VAC
0 VAC
Input A
Input B
GND anal.
+24V D C
optional, see*)
GND ( 0V )
GND anal.
+/- 10 V
0 / 4 - 20 mA
DC po wer supply Inputs +/- 10 V or 0 /4 - 20 mA aux. power output Analogue output AC po wer supply

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2.3. Analogue Inputs A and B
The unit provides two analogue inputs with a common GND potential (input A and input B)
Both input signals refer to the „Analogue GND“ potential of terminal 5, which internally is
connected to the other GND terminals 1, 6 and GND. Both inputs are individually adjustable as
voltage inputs (+/-10 volts) or current inputs (0/4 – 20 mA), by means of internal jumpers
(see 3.)
Ex factory all jumpers are set to current inputs
2.4. Adjustable Analogue Output
The unit provides a voltage output with ranges 0 – 10 volts or -10 to + 10 volts (output current
max. 2 mA), and a current output 0/4 – 20 mA (external load 0 – 300 Ohms). The resolution of
the output is 14 bits and the update time of the output is approx. 7 milliseconds.
2.5. GND Potential Considerations
Internally, the GND terminals of the analogue inputs and the anlogue outputs are all connected
to the negative terminal of the DC power input. For this reason it is not possible to loop
analogue current signals through several units, except these units are supplied by the AC
terminals, or by means of separate and isolated DC power units.

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3. Configuration of the Analogue Inputs
Depending on the application of the analogue inputs it may be necessary to set the internal
jumpers correspondingly.
Where your input signals are current signals (0-20 mA or 4-20 mA), there is no need to change
any jumper settings and you may skip this section.
Where however one or both inputs should be used for voltage, it is necessary to set the
jumpers as shown below.
To access the jumpers, please disconnect all screw terminal strips first, then remove the back
panel of the unit and pull out the PCB.
Remove the back plane
Location and function of the jumpers
Input A = voltage, Input B = voltage Input A = voltage, Input B = current

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Input A = current, Input B = voltage
Default factory setting:
Input A = current, Input B = current
•Current inputs are automatically set to an input signal range of 0 to 20 mA or
4 to 20 mA
•Voltage inputs are set to an input signal range of -10 volts to +10 volts.
Where your application needs a different voltage range, you can modify the corresponding
input to accept voltages up to 120 volts, by adding a serial resistor to the input terminal (please
observe safety standards!)
The subsequent formula shows how to calculate the serial resistor.
Rx [ kΩ] = 3 x Ux [ V ] - 30
Rx = Wert des Vorwiderstandes
Ux = Maximale Eingangsspannung
Example: If your input range should be 100 volts: Rx = 300 – 30 (kΩ) = 270 kΩ
When afterwards you set the scaling of the diplay, your individual input range will be treated
like a 10 volts input signal without an external resistor.

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4. How to Operate the Front Keys
All settings are done by means of two front keys. A third key on the utmost right side of the
panel is reserved for special key operations, but not in use with standard AX346 units.
ENTER key: scrolls through the menu headlines.
SET key: selects the actual menu and allows to choose the desired setting or to adjust
the desired numeric value of the actual parameter.
ENTER key: confirms and stores the actual parameter choice and changes over to the
next menu item.
Key reserved for spezial operations (not in use with standard AX346 units)
To start the menu dialogue, please keep ENTER down for at least 3 seconds.
With numerical entries, at first the lowest digit will blink. When keeping the SET key down, the
highlighted digit will scroll in a continuous loop from 0 … 9 … 0 … 9. When you release the
SET key, the actual digit will remain and the next digit will be highlighted (blink). This
procedure allows to set all digits to the desired values. After the most significant digit has been
set, the low order digit will blink again and you can do corrections if necessary. With signed
parameters, the high order digit will only scroll between the values “0” (positive) and “-“
(negative) To store the actual setting, press the ENTER key, which will also automatically scroll
forward the menu.
The unit changes from programming mode to normal operation when you keep down the ENTER
key again for at least 3 seconds.
Furthermore a “time-out” function will automatically conclude every menu level, when for a
break period of 10 seconds no key has been touched. In this case, any entry which has not been
confirmed by ENTER yet would remain unconsidered.
At any time it is possible to Reset all parameters to the Factory Default Settings
To do this, power the unit down, and keep the ENTER key down while you power the unit up
again. This will set the unit to the factory default state. See the parameter default values from
the parameter list at the end of this manual.
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5. Basic Set-Up and Operational Parameters
5.1. Basic Set-Up
The basic settings described below are in general non-recurring and must only be done upon
the very first commissioning of the unit. The basic menu includes the selection of the desired
operation mode and the desired brightness of the LED display.
To start the basic set-up procedure, keep down both front keys at a time for at least 3 seconds.
Menu Selection Text Description
Mode Operating mode of the unit
Single Single channel (input A only)
Dual Dual channel (input A and input B separately)
A u B Summing mode (input A + input B)
A – B Differential mode (input A – input B)
A d B Ratio mode (input A : input B)
A m B Multiply mode (input A x input B)
Bright Brightness of display ( 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 % )
Update Update time
Updates the display every x.xxx seconds.
Code Access code for the programming keys
no Keys are open for programming
ALL Keys are locked for all operations
Linear Linearisation mode
no Linearisation is off, all linearisation parameters
are irrelevant
1-qua Linearisation in the range 0 – 99999.
4-qua Linearisation in the range –99999 bis +99999.
A-CHAr Analogue output characteristics
-10_10 Full voltage range, -10V bis +10V
0 _ 10 Positive voltage range only, 0 – 10V
0 _ 20 Current range 0 – 20 mA
4 _ 20 Current range 4 – 20 mA

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Menu Selection Text Description
GAin Maximum output swing of the analogue output
Setting 1000 results in an output swing of 10 volts
or 20 mA.
Setting 200 reduces the swing to 2 volts or 4mA
OFFSEt Zero output of the analogue output
Setting 0.000: Output generates 0 volts
respectively 0 mA with zero in display.
Setting 5.000: Output generates already 5 volts
respectively 10 mA with zero in display
5.2. Operational Parameters
After completion of the basic set-up we are ready to set the operational parameters.
To start the menu, keep the ENTER key down for at least 3 seconds.
The operational menu will now appear in the display.
Parameters to set the analogue output appear at the end of every menu and are absolutely
identical with all modes. Therefore these parameters are described only once and separately
under section 5.2.4.
To exit the parameter menu you can either press the ENTER key for 3 another seconds again, or
just wait for automatic exit via time-out function.
Where your keypad is locked by the access code locking, every key action will first display
If this is true, you can unlock the keys by pressing the keys in the sequence
within 10 seconds. If not, the unit would automatically return to the normal display function.
5.2.1. Operational parameters with single channel mode
Menu Selection Text Description
Input A Input range A
in U Voltage input 0 - +/-10 V
in i0 Current input 0 – 20 mA
in i4 Current input 4 – 20 mA
Start A
Start value which the unit will display with a zero
input signal of 0 volts or 0/4 mA
End A
End value which the unit will display with a full
scale input of 10 volts or 20 mA
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Menu Selection Text Description
Filt A Digital filter to smooth unsteady display caused by
ripple or fluctuation of the input signal.
OFF Filtering off
2, 4, 8, 16 Filter with 2, 4, 8 or 16 floating average
determinations
dPoiA Decimal point position of channel A display
Choose from the formats shown in the display
5.2.2. Operational parameters with dual channel mode
With this mode the SET key provides a toggle function between channel A and channel B.
Both channels can be scaled fully separately.
A LED bar in the most significant decade of the display indicates if your actual reading is
channel A or channel B.
Menu Selection Text Description
Input A Input range channel A
in U Voltage input 0 - +/-10 V
in i0 Current input 0 – 20 mA
in i4 Current input 4 – 20 mA
Start A
Start value which the unit will display with a zero
input signal of 0 volts or 0/4 mA
End A
End value which the unit will display with a full
scale input of 10 volts or 20 mA
Filt A Digital filter to smooth unsteady display caused by
ripple or fluctuation of the input signal.
OFF Filtering off
2, 4, 8, 16 Filter with 2, 4, 8 or 16 floating average
determinations
dPoiA Decimal point position of channel A display
Choose from the formats shown in the display

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Menu Selection Text Description
Input B Input range channel B
in U Voltage input 0 - +/-10 V
in i0 Current input 0 – 20 mA
in i4 Current input 4 – 20 mA
Start B
Start value which the unit will display with a zero
input signal of 0 volts or 0/4 mA
End B
End value which the unit will display with a full
scale input of 10 volts or 20 mA
Filt B Digital filter to smooth unsteady display caused by
ripple or fluctuation of the input signal.
OFF Filtering off
2, 4, 8, 16 Filter with 2, 4, 8 or 16 floating average
determinations
dPoiB Decimal point position of channel B display
Choose from the formats shown in the display
5.2.3. Operational parameters for the combined modes ( A+B, A-B, AxB, A:B )
This mode provides the possibility to display the single channel
results A or B, or the result of the selected combination <AB>.
You can toggle between these three display modes by means of the
SET key.
The upper bar on the display indicates that you are watching
channel A.
The lower bar on the display indicates that you are watching
channel B.
Where no bar appears, you are watching the calculated result from
the combination <AB>
A
B
<AB>
When you use one of the combined modes, the same parameters as shown under „Dual Mode“
will first appear, in order to scale both channels A and B (see 5.2.2) The combined result will
then be calculated from both inputs according to this scaling.

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The result of the calculation <AB> can then have a final scaling to receive user-friendly
engineering units, by means of the following scaling factors:
Menu Selection Text Description
m_Fac Proportional Factor
Multiplies the result by this setting
d_Fac Reciprocal Factor
Divides the result by this setting.
P_Fac Additive Factor
Adds this setting to the result, under consideration
of the sign
dPoint Decimal Point
Sets the decimal point to the final display
Final Display Value
=
Result from combination <AB>
x
m_Fac
d_Fac
+/-
P_Fac
5.2.4. Parameters for scaling of the analogue output
The analogue output depends only from the value shown in the display of the unit, and from the
scaling parameters shown below. Therefore the analogue signal would also contain possible
combinations and calculations, and potential linearisation as well.
Total output swing and zero output have already been defined by the basic setup parameters.
The operating range or window of the output can be set by means of the following parameters:
Menu Selection Text Description
AnAbeG
AnAEnd
Analogue beginning
Analogue end
These parameters will map a user-defined window
of the total display range onto the selected
analogue output range.
Example: Anabeg = „-1500“ and Anaend = „2100“
will generate the analogue zero output signal at a
display of „-1500“ (see Offset), and the analogue
full scale output signal at a display of „2100“
(see Gain)

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5.2.5. Parameters for generation of a linearisation curve
Parameters described under this section will not appear in the menu when the linearisation has
been switched off by setting „Linearisation Mode“ to „no“.
„Linearisation Mode“ has to be set to either „1-quA“ or „4-quA“ to enable the linearisation
function. This will change the linear measuring results into a non-linear display and a
corresponding analogue output.
There are 16 interpolation points available, which can be freely arranged over the whole
measuring range in any distance. Between two points the unit automatically will interpolate
straight lines. For this reason it is advisable to set many points into areas with strong bending,
and to use only a few points in areas with little bending.
Parameters P01_x to P16_x select 16 x- coordinates, representing the display values which the
unit would normally show in the display.
With parameters P01_y to P16_y you can specify now, which values you would like to display
instead of the corresponding _x values.
This means e.g. that the unit will replace the previous P02_x value by the new P02_y value.
x- registers have to use continuously increasing values, e.g. the lowest display value
must be set to register P01_x, and the highest display value must be set to P16_x
Independent of the selected linearisation mode, the possible setting range of all
registers P01_x, P01_y,…, P16_x, P16_y is always -99999 … 99999.
1. Linearisation-Mode = no
All linearisation is switched off and the linearisation parameters do not appear in the menu
2. Linearisation-Mode = 1_quA
Linearisation is defined for positive values only, e.g. for display values 0, …, 99999.
Negative display values will appear as a mirror of the positive settings.
To avoid discontinuity it is advisable to set the (P01_x, P01_y) coordinates to the zero point of the
measuring range. Negative settings are allowed for y-coordinates only, but not for x-coordinates.
3. Linearisation-Mode = 4_quA
Linearisation is defined over the full numeric range (i.e. -99999, …, 99999)
4. For measuring values outside of the defined linearisation range, please note:
If the measuring value is lower than P01_x, the linearisation result will always be P01_y.
If the measuring value is higher than P16_x, the linearisation result will always be P16_y.

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The following picture explains the difference between the linearisation modes
1_quA“ und „4_quA“.
x
y
P1(x)= 0
P1(y)= 0
Linearisation Mode = 1_quA
x
y
Linearisation Mode = 4_quA
P1(x)= -1000
P1(y)= 900
P8(x)= 0
P8(y)= 750
P16(x)= +1000
P16(y)= - 600
*)
P16(x)= 1000
P16(y)= 800

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6. Technical Appendix
6.1. Compendium of the Operator Menu
Menu
Basic parameters
Menu
Operational parameters
Single mode Dual mode Combined modes Linearisation
"modE " "inPutA" "inPutA" "inPutA"
"briGht" "StArtA" "StArtA" "StArtA"
"UPdAt” "End A" "End A" "End A"
"CodE " "dPoi A" "dPoi A" "dPoi A"
"LinEAr" "FiLt A" "FiLt A" "FiLt A"
"A-CHAr" "inPutb" "inPutb"
"GAin " "StArtb" "StArtb"
"OFFSEt" "End b" "End b"
"dPoi b" "dPoi b"
"FiLt b" "FiLt b"
"n) FAc"
"d FAc"
"P FAc"
"dPoint"
"An-bEG"
"An-End"
"P01_H "
"P01_Y "
"P02_H "
..
..
"P15_Y "
"P16_H "
"P16_Y "

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6.2. Dimensions
96,0
110,0
44,0
10,08,0
91,0
1234
10912345678
48,0
9,0
21,0 129,0
140,5
Panel
cut-out
91 x 44 mm

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6.3. Technical Specifications
AC power supply : 115/230 V (+/- 12,5 %), 7,5 VA
DC power supply : 24V (17 – 30V), approx. 100 mA (without sensor)
Aux. output for sensor : 24V DC, +/- 15%, 100mA (with AC and DC power)
Inputs : 2 analogue inputs (+/-10V, 0..20mA, 4..20mA)
Input impedance : Current: Ri = 100 Ohms, voltage: Ri = 30 kOhms
Resolution :
14 bits (13 bit + sign)
Accuracy :
+/- 0.1%, +/- 1 digit
Analogue outputs : 0/4...20mA (max.300 Ohms)
0…+/- 10V (max. 2 mA)
Ambient temperature : 0° - 45° (operation), -25° - +70° (storage)
Housing : Norly UL94 – V-0
Display : 6 digit, LED, high- efficiency red, 15mm size
Protection class : IP65 on the front side, IP20 on the back
Terminal strips : Signals max. 1.5 mm²,
AC supply max. 2.5 mm²
Conformity and standards:
EMC 89/336/EEC: EN 61000-6-2
EN 61000-6-3
LV73/23/EEC: EN 61010-1
Sampling time :
25 msec (alternating channels 1 and 2)

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6.4. Parameter Table
Bezeichnung Text Min-Wert Max-Wert Default Stellen Ser. Code
Operation mode 0 5 0 1 00
Brightness 0 4 0 1 01
Display update 40 9999 300 4 28
Keypad lock 0 1 0 1 20
Linearisation 0 2 0 1 D2
Input Mode A 0 2 1 1 06
Start value A -99999 99999 0 +/- 5 07
End value A -99999 99999 1000 +/- 5 08
Decimal point A 0 5 1 1 10
Average Filter A 0 4 1 1 09
Input Mode B 0 2 1 1 11
Start value B -99999 +99999 0 +/- 5 12
End value B. -99999 [phone] +/- 5 13
Decimal point B 0 5 0 1 15
Average filter B 0 4 0 1 14
Proportional Factor -10000 10000 1000 +/- 5 03
Reciprocal Factor 1 99999 1000 5 04
Additive Factor -99999 99999 0 +/- 5 05
Decimal point 0 5 0 1 02
Analogue out mode
0 3 0 1 23
Analogue out begin
-99999 99999 0 +/- 5 24
Analogue out end
-99999 99999 0 +/- 5 25
Analogue out Gain
0 1000 1000 4 26
Analogue out Offset
-9999 9999 0 +/-4 27
P01_x – P16_x -99999 +99999 +99999 +/- 5 A0, A2,
A4, …D0
P01_y - P16_y -99.999 +99.999 +99999 +/- 5 A1, A3,
A5, …D1