Vermes MFC universal User manual

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VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal |Introduction
Content
1Introduction ..............................................................................................4
1.1 Intended Use ............................................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... 5
2Main Functions..........................................................................................6
2.1 Heating ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Cooling...................................................................................................................................... 7
3Control Unit MFC universal........................................................................8
3.1 Technical Data .......................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Front Side ................................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Back Side ................................................................................................................................ 10
3.4 Function Keys ......................................................................................................................... 12
3.5 Beeper alarm .......................................................................................................................... 14
3.6 Setting up the MFC................................................................................................................. 14
3.7 Menu Structure ...................................................................................................................... 21
3.7.1 Top Menu (Information Level)................................................................................................ 21
3.7.2 Second Menu Level (Settings Level) ....................................................................................... 24
3.7.3 Channel Settings (Example: Ch1 Settings).............................................................................. 24
3.7.3.1 Digital Func.Set....................................................................................................................... 26
3.7.3.2 Analog Func.Set...................................................................................................................... 28
3.7.4 General Settings ..................................................................................................................... 29
3.7.4.1 Network Settings.................................................................................................................... 30
3.7.4.2 RS232 Settings ........................................................................................................................ 31
4Communication Interfaces....................................................................... 32
4.1 Serial Interface RS-232C: 9-Pin Sub-D .................................................................................... 32
4.2 Ethernet Interface .................................................................................................................. 33
4.3 Commands.............................................................................................................................. 33
4.3.1 Command Overview............................................................................................................... 35
4.3.2 Command Explanations.......................................................................................................... 36
4.4 7-Pin PCB Connector .............................................................................................................. 48
4.4.1 Explanation of the External Pin .............................................................................................. 48
4.4.1.1 Digital Function ...................................................................................................................... 48
4.4.1.2 Analog Function...................................................................................................................... 48
4.4.2 7-Pin PCB Connector – Pin Functions ..................................................................................... 50
5Error Messages........................................................................................51
5.1 Table of Error Messages......................................................................................................... 51
5.2 Explanations of Error Messages ............................................................................................. 53
6Safety Notes............................................................................................60
6.1 Obligations and Liability ......................................................................................................... 60
6.2 Residual Risks ......................................................................................................................... 60
6.3 Specification and Technical Notes.......................................................................................... 61
6.4 Warnings ................................................................................................................................ 61
6.5 Protective Equipment and Safety Clothing ............................................................................ 61
7Attachments............................................................................................62
7.1 Dimensional Drawing MFC universal...................................................................................... 62
7.2 Connection Diagram MFC (Example with One Heater and One Cooling Valve)..................... 63
7.3 Temperature Correction......................................................................................................... 64

VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal | Introduction
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7.3.1 Basics of the Temperature Correction ................................................................................... 64
7.3.2 Finding the Correction Parameters m and T .......................................................................... 66
7.3.3 Entering the Correction Parameters m and T......................................................................... 67
7.4 Firmware Update with the MFC_ Firmware_Loader.............................................................. 68
7.5 EC Declaration of Conformity................................................................................................. 71
8Index.......................................................................................................72

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VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal |Introduction
1INTRODUCTION
This User Manual explains the main properties and functions of the multifunctional controller MFC
universal (see Figure 1). You can use it to control up to four integrated heaters or valve cooling de-
vices (for a list of compatible devices, see chapter 1.1)connected with a microdispensing system.
The pictures in this manual might differ slightly from the final product.
In the case of further questions, consult our Technical Support.
Technical Support VERMES Microdispensing GmbH
Palnkamer Str. 18
83624 Otterfing
Tel.: [phone]
Fax.: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.vermes.com
Service hours Monday - Friday 9.00 to 17.00 (CET).
Figure
1: MFC universal

VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal | Introduction
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1.1 Intended Use
You can use the MFC universal for the following applications:
•Controlling the nozzle heater of your VERMES Microdispensing System
•Cooling a VERMES Microdispensing Valve
•Keeping a dispensing application stable at a constant temperature
•Using it in a hot melt application
The MFC universal can control heaters and compressed air valves working on an extra-low voltage
basis (24 V or 48 V). See the devices listed below.
Heater:
MDFH 48-CC (Order no. 1013967, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MDFH 48-CC right (Order no. 1014014, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MDFH 48-CC left (Order no. 1014145, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MDFH 48-CC-HC (Order no. 1014147, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MDFH 48-CH-TA (Order no. 1014052, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MDFH 48-CH-TA right (Order no. 1014059, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
MCH30-48 Cartridge Heater (Order no. 1013975, power consumption 100 W, maximum 175 °C)
Heater / MDH-48-BY (Order no. 1014231, power consumption 20 W, maximum 180 °C)
Heater-AC / MDH-48-AC-BY (Order no. 1014320, power consumption 20 W, maximum 100 °C)
Compressed air valve:
FCV Flow Control Valve (Order no. 1013971, power consumption 10 W, inlet pressure 6 bar)
FCV-BRT Flow Control Valve (Order no. 1014331, power consumption 4 W, inlet pressure 6 bar)
FCV-AC Flow Control Valve (Order no. 1014370, power consumption 4 W, inlet pressure 3.5 bar)
1.2 Abbreviations
Abbr.
Full name
FCV Flow Control Valve
FW Firmware
LED Light-emitting diode
MDC Controller (MicroDispensingControl unit)
MDF Fluid box (MicroDispensingFluid box)
MDS MicroDispensingSystem
MDV Valve (MicroDispensingValve)
MFC Multifunctional Controller
MV Mean value
PWM Pulse-width modulation
RTC Real Time Clock

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VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal |Main Functions
2MAIN FUNCTIONS
The MFC universal has two main functions: controlling heaters and controlling cooling valves. You
can control up to four devices (heaters or cooling valves) at the same time. This chapter describes
these two main functions.
2.1 Heating
VERMES MicroDispensing Systems can be fitted with a heater. With a heater, you can control the
dynamical viscosity of the fluid you want to dispense. For some fluids, dispensing without heating
is impossible. Heating may also be required to ensure a constant process temperature, or when the
dispensing has to take place above room temperature.
There are two main types of heater: nozzle heaters and cartridge heaters. With the MFC universal,
you can control those heaters. For some applications, e.g. hot melt dispensing, it works best to
combine both types of heaters. For a list of heaters compatible with the MFC universal, check
chapter 1.1.
Figure 2 shows one example, the MDFH 48-CC, connected with a MicroDispensing Valve.
The heater contains a heating element, to create the necessary warmth near the nozzle (see Figure
3, red part). To check the temperature, the heater also contains a Pt100 sensor (see Figure 3, blue
part). This allows the MFC universal to keep the target temperature near the nozzle.
Since there is a small but necessary distance between the sensor and the nozzle, in some applica-
tions might be a slight difference between the temperature measured at the Pt100 sensor and the
actual temperature at the nozzle. For those applications, you have the possibility to use a tempera-
ture correction. You can change the correction parameters for a channel in the menu of the MFC
universal (“Channel Settings -> Temp. Corr. Set.”, see chapter 3.7.3)or with the serial command
“CON:TCORR<channel no.>,<line of best fit gradient>,<line of best fit Y-axis intercept>,<save
YES/NO>” (see chapter 4.3.2). When the temperature correction is active, the display for the target
temperature will show additionally in brackets the value without correction.
We recommend you use the temperature correction only after you have fully understood the sys-
tem. You can find more information in the attachment 7.4.
Figure
2: MDV with MDFH 48-CC
Figure 3: MDFH 48-CC schematic with heating element (red) and Pt100 sensor (blue)

VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal | Main Functions
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2.2 Cooling
A VERMES Microdispensing Valve works best, if the temperature inside the valve stays below a cer-
tain limit. E.g. for the MDV 3250+this limit is at 80 °C for the actuator system and 39 °C at the out-
side of the valve body. For this reason, microdispensing valves can be fitted with an air-cooling
adapter (see Figure 4).
With the MFC universal, it is possible to control the airflow according to the temperature inside the
valve. This improves the dispensing accuracy and allows you to save compressed air costs.
To regulate the compressed air flow, the MFC universal controls a proportional compressed air
valve, the FCV Flow Control Valve (for an example see Figure 5). It regulates the airflow between
your compressed air supply and the microdispensing valve you want to cool.
At the same time, the MFC universal is connected with the sensor module of the microdispensing
valve via the Adapter Cable MFC, MDC and Sensor (see Figure 15)and receives the temperature
values from inside the valve. This grants the MFC universal the information needed to keep the
target temperature in the correct range by increasing or decreasing the cooling airflow as neces-
sary.
The compressed air connectors of the FCV Flow Control Valve are marked on one side, “1” is “IN” and
“2” is “OUT”. These connectors have 6 mm diameter. If you to want to connect the valve with a micro-
dispensing valve with 3 mm connectors, you need a 6 mm to 3 mm adapter.
Figure 4: Air cooled valve
Figure 5: FCV Flow Control Valve

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VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal |Control Unit MFC universal
3CONTROL UNIT MFC UNIVERSAL
This chapter describes the menu structure, keypad and the functions of the multifunctional control
unit MFC universal. It also explains how to set it up.
IMPORTANT NOTE! (No ON/OFF button)
The MFC universal has no separate ON/OFF button. Just connecting the power supply (48 V DC) will
turn it ON and disconnecting it will turn it OFF. After you have turned OFF the MFC by disconnect-
ing the power supply, wait at least a minute before you connect the power supply again.
3.1 Technical Data
Parameter Value
Dimensions 128 mm H x 102 mm W x 173 mm D (w/o cable)
3 RU x 20 HP
Weight ca. 1000 g
Supply Voltage 48 V DC
Power Consumption Max. 420 W (only with 4 cartridge heaters at-
tached, see chapter 1.1 for power consumption
of individual devices)
Current Consumption 8.75 A max.
During start-up, this value can increase by a fac-
tor of 5 (start-up peak).
Operating Temperature 0 °C to 50 °C
Air Humidity 35 % till 80 % rH
Casing Type Plug-in case for 19“ rack
Color of Casing Black, with blue/black front panel
Ventilation Convection
Display Lines 2 lines with 16 characters each
Display Color White with background lighting
Keypad 12 softkeys
Color of Keys Blue, white
Control Lamps (Front) 1 x System Status (red)
1 x System Status (blue)
4 x Channel (orange)
4 x Status (green)
Plug Contacts (Back) 1 x 4-pin PCB connector for power connection
(24/48 V DC)
1 x 9-pin Sub-D RS-232C
1 x Ethernet connector
1 x GPIO port (8 pins)
4 x 7-pin PCB connector
4 x Socket for Cable for Heater/Adapter Cable
MFC, MDC and Sensor

VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal | Control Unit MFC universal
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3.2 Front Side
LC display (two lines with sixteen characters each):
The illuminated LC display shows data and menu options in two lines. Each line has space for 16
digits.
Keypad with twelve softkeys:
You select menu options to control the system, change parameters or display values with these
twelve keys. When you press a key, the keypad alarm sounds (see chapter 3.4).
You can lock the keypad with the serial command “SYS:KLOCK1”. You can unlock the keypad with
the serial command “SYS:KLOCK0” or by switching OFF the MFC and then back ON.
Control lamps:
The MFC universal has ten control lamps. The System Status control lamps are for the whole sys-
tem. The Channel control lamps and Status control lamps are numbered left to right from “1” to
“4”, as they are for one specific channel each.
Control lamp System Status (red):
This red LED flashes to show when there is an error. It is turned OFF again, once you confirm the
error by pressing the [enter]-key or by sending the serial command „SYS:ERR:QUIT”. This LED also
flashes once, if you press an incorrect key (e.g. the [enter]-key in a purely informational menu item,
which has no further sublevels, or if menu items are blocked).
Mounting bore
LC-Display
Keypad
(12 softkeys)
Control lamps System Status
(left: 1 x red, right: 1 x blue)
Control lamps Channel (orange)
Control lamps Status (green)
Figure
6: Front side of the MFC universal

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VTK-VS-BA-043e-C | User Manual MFC universal |Control Unit MFC universal
Control lamp System Status (blue):
This blue LED is ON as long as the MFC universal is on. It always flashes quickly while pressing one
of the softkeys. It also flashes quickly, while a command is send via serial or LAN connection and
the MFC is in the top menu.
Control lamps Channel (orange):
These orange LEDs are ON to indicate the channel, which is selected in the menu. So only one of
these four LEDs can be ON at a time.
With service code 8310 (see chapter 3.7.2), you can also activate them to have a second function.
While you are in the top menu level, it will flash to indicate a channel is ON and using energy to
keep a temperature. The speed of flashing indicates the load percentage. You can deactivate this
function with service code 8300.
Control lamps Status (green):
These green LEDs have two different purposes, depending on your position in the menu:
1. While you are in the top menu level, they are ON while the device at their respective channel is
active (heating or cooling). Until the target temperature is reached, they flash (below the target
temperature with short flashes, above it with long flashes), then they are steady.
2. While you are in one of the channel settings menus, the LEDS are ON, if their channel is connect-
ed with a heater or a cooler.
3.3 Back Side
RS-232C interface (9-pin)
4-pin PCB connector
for power connection
Ethernet
connection
4 sockets for 7-
pin PCB connector
4 sockets for
heater/cooler
sensor cable
GPIO port
Figure
7: Back side of the MFC universal