Skip to main content

Search

Welcome to our Support

DAS Human Machine Interface (HMI) Screen Navigation and Descriptions for A-series and R-series Machines

Michael Tan
  • Updated

Related to: A-series (AS/AQ) and R-series machines with DAS

Introduction

Fig 5.jpeg

The DAS HMI (Human-Machine Interface) allows users to:

  • Adjust machine functions and variables
  • Connect the DAS system to WiFi for DAS-Cloud compatibility
  • Modify HMI behavior and settings
  • Access diagnostic tools

Screen Navigation

Home

  • Main Menu
  • Settings
    • WiFi
      • Access Point
      • Station (STA)
    • Variables
      • Machine-specific Variables (refer to the Variables section more information)
    • Functions
      • Machine-specific Functions (refer to the Functions section more information)
  • Screen Saver
  • Screen Lock
  • Reset Settings
  • IoT Status
  • Mileage
  • Machine Info
  • Diagnostic
    • Output Test Mode
    • Sensor Test Mode
    • GPIO Input
    • GPIO Output
    • Mast Move Test (for R-series only)

Screen Descriptions
Screen Name Description 
Home

Displays the machine's lifetime box count, current uptime since boot, selected tape monitoring mode, and current machine status or process. Press ENTER to navigate to the Main Menu.
Settings Machine and HMI Settings
Access Point

Enable or disable the Machine Access Point and connect to the configuration dashboard.

 

Enabling the Machine Access Point will create a local WiFi network that you must join via your computer or mobile device to access the configuration dashboard. Once you are connected to the access point, use the displayed IP address (most likely 192.168.4.1) as the URL.
Station (STA) View the current WiFi connection status for the machine.
Variables List available variables for the machine. Refer to the machine manual for detailed information.
Functions List available functions for the machine. Refer to the machine manual for detailed information.
Screen Saver

Enable or disable DAS Screen Saver Animation. If your machine remains idle for long periods of time, it is recommended that you leave the screen saver animation enabled. 
Screen Lock Enable or disable Screen Lock to prevent unwanted HMI button presses.
Reset Settings Restore machine settings back to default factory settings.
IoT Status View IoT connection status to DAS-Cloud. WiFi must be enabled.
Mileage The lifetime mileages of the machine including the number of boxes and tape dispensed per tapehead. 
Machine Info View information about the machine, including model, serial number, and current software versions.
Diagnostic Access diagnostic tools to test and fine-tune the machine.
Output Test Mode

Enable or disable output toggling test mode on the machine. Used to verify output components.

(See GPIO Output screen for current output toggle)
Sensor Test Mode Enable or disable input read-mode on the machine to verify sensor operation. (See GPIO Input screen for current sensor status.)
GPIO Input Current status of inputs for the machine (sensors)
GPIO Output Current status of output pins on the machine. 
Mast Move Test (R-Series Only) Only available on R-series machines. Used to dial in air pressure. 

 

Navigation

Navigate between HMI screens using the membrane buttons directly below the screen.

  • Use the ENTER button to move to any screen below the current one (refer to the Screen Overview).
  • Use the ESC button to go back to the previous screen.
  • Use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons to move the selection cursor on menu screens.
  • Toggle between different Tape Monitoring Modes using the TME (Tape Monitor Enable) button or via the Tape Monitoring Function screen.

Modifying Functions or Variables

Machine functions and variables can be adjusted to help improve machine performance or disable/enable certain features. These configuration options can be modified directly on the HMI or via the Configuration dashboard, which will require launching and connecting to the machine's local access point.

To access Functions and Variable options on the HMI, press ENTER to bring up the Main Menu screen, and then navigate to Settings. Select between Functions or Variables menus using the DOWN button to move the cursor. 

 

Function Screens

IMG_0949.jpeg

On function screens, the ENTER button will toggle the current state. For example:

  • Enable or disable the screen saver animation by pressing ENTER on the Screen Saver page.
  • Cycle between different monitoring modes by pressing ENTER on the Tape Monitoring Function screen.
  • Hit ESC to exit the function screen

Available Functions for A-series Machines (v4 Software or greater)

Function Name Default Setting Description
Tape Monitoring Both Toggle Low Tape/No Tape/No Cut monitoring for each tape head. Disabling Tape Monitoring will disable box and tape usage tracking. Use Jam Fault Disable to ignore box jams.
Wipe Enable Disabled

Briefly stop the belt motors while the rear tab is taped to improve seal. Control the pause delay under Wipe Delay.

 

This feature is meant to be
enabled for high-speed applications where belt speed is over 150 feet per minute or a VFD is installed. It is not necessary to enable Wipe on most applications.
Pause for Kick Disabled Briefly stop the belts while the rear minor is being closed. May be helpful in high-speed applications with large boxes.
Upstream Conveyor Enabled Cycles the upstream interlock for every carton. Disabling will let the upstream run continuously
Kick Disable Disabled Disables the kicker from actuating upon box entry.
Exit Photo Eye Select Disabled Legacy function for 3 Photo Eye systems, where
the third PE is located at the very end of the machine
Motor Timeout Disabled Stops the motors upon box exit and will restart upon box entry. Only recommended for production lines with low or intermittent cartons per minute.
Jam Fault Disable Disabled Disable Jam Fault tracking. Useful as a temporary solution for troublesome or old zone photo eyes. 

 

Available Functions for R-series Machines (v4 Software or greater)

Function Name Default Setting Description
Tape Monitoring Both Toggle Low Tape/No Tape/No Cut monitoring for each tape head. Disabling Tape Monitoring will disable box and tape usage tracking.
Wipe Enable Disabled

Briefly stop the belt motors while the rear tab is
taped to improve seal. Control the pause delay under Wipe Delay.

 

This feature is meant to be
enabled for high-speed applications where belt
speed is over 150 feet per minute, or a VFD is installed. It is not necessary to enable Wipe on most applications.
Upstream Conveyor Enabled Cycles the upstream interlock for every carton. Disabling will let the upstream run continuously
Preposition Disabled

Improves machine cycle time and allows higher throughput by limiting the travel of the top mast between boxes. Requires preposition kit to work correctly. Control the preposition height using Preposition Delay.
Bypass Enable Disabled Enables bypassing cartons by pressing the foot pedal switch while boxes enter the machine.
Tape Change Enable Disabled Lower the mast when the machine is stopped and the foot pedal is pressed to support easier tape changes. 
Jam Fault Disable Disabled Disable Jam Fault tracking. Useful as a temporary solution for troublesome or old zone photo eyes. 

Variable Screens

IMG_0950.jpeg

Modifying a Variable value:

  • Hold the UP or DOWN buttons to increase or decrease a variable value. An * marks that the value has been adjusted.
  • Press ENTER to save the new value
  • Hit ESC to exit the variable screen

Available Variables for A-series Machines (v4 Software or greater)

Function Name Default Setting Description
Wipe Delay

330 ms

 Duration of the belt motor pause during Wipe. Wipe must be enabled under settings.
Box to Roller 1

600 ms

 Time for box to travel from Photo Eye 2 to the end
of the knife harness when the tape gets cut (bottom
tape head zone).
Box to Roller 2

600 ms

 Time for box to travel from Photo Eye 3 to the end
of the knife harness when the tape gets cut top tape
head zone).
Carton Spacing 550 ms Duration for the upstream conveyor interlock to provide minimum carton spacing of 14” between cartons.
Box Jam Timer 5000 ms Timer for detecting box jams in the machine. Entry Photo Eye starts timer; exit photo eye clears it.
Downstream Jam Timer 3000 ms Duration that the downstream sensor can be blocked before the upstream conveyor is stopped and a JAM fault is signaled. 
Kick Timer 350 ms Duration of Kick/Rear minor closure
Exit Restart Delay 550 ms Duration after box exits before Motor Timeout activates (must be enabled)

 

Available Variables for R-series Machines (v4 Software or greater)

Function Name Default Setting Description
Wipe Delay

330 ms

 Duration of the belt motor pause during Wipe. Wipe must be enabled under settings.
Box to Roller

1600 ms

 Time for box to travel from Photo Eye 1 to rear wipe down roller.
Carton Spacing 550 ms Duration for the upstream conveyor interlock to provide minimum carton spacing of 14” between cartons.
Box Jam Timer 6000 ms Timer for detecting box jams in the machine. Entry
Photo Eye starts timer; exit photo eye clears it.
Downstream Jam Timer 3000 ms Duration that the downstream sensor can be blocked before the upstream conveyor is stopped and a JAM fault is flagged.
Preposition Timer 750 ms Controls the preposition distance of the top tape head from the top of the box. Decreasing this value will decrease the distance. Preposition must be enabled.
Descent Delay Timer 350 ms

Duration between the start of side compression and the top mast descent. The timer helps to equalize the pressure in the cylinder to ‘soften’ the initial drop descent and reduce hard movements.

 

For tall, skinny boxes, the timer can allow the side drives to come in before the top drops.
Motor Start Delay Timer 350 ms Delays the motors from starting until the side drives have centered the box. Adjust for tall boxes.
Exit Restart Delay 100 ms Duration after box exits before resetting mast, side drives, and stopping motors.

 

Related to

Comments

0 comments

Article is closed for comments.