HOW TO NAVIGATE THE HMI
The Main Page provides access to the following features:
- 1.- Current Box Size: Displays the dimensions of the most recently processed box.
- 2.- Buzzer Control: Allows the operator to enable or disable the machine's buzzer.
- 3.- Alarm Status: Displays the active alarm if the machine is in a jam or fault condition.
- 4.- User Login: Provides access to the machine’s configuration settings upon successful login.
LOGIN PAGE
On the Login Page, you will see two user accounts: one for BestPack agents and one for Supervisors. As the machine owner, you should log in using the Supervisor account. Select the Supervisor user, then enter the password when prompted. The default password is “1234”.
After entering the password, select "Enter." A new option labeled “Main Menu” will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. Use this option to access and navigate the machine’s configuration settings.
MAIN MENU PAGE
The Main Menu includes the following options:
- Manual Mode: Allows manual activation of key outputs, such as motors and cylinders, for functional testing.
- Parameter Settings: Provides access to machine configuration parameters. You can adjust operational timers and define the positions of the Folding and Sealing Areas based on the box size being processed.
- Alarm History: Displays the current alarm status in the event of a jam and allows review of previous fault messages in the alarm history log.
- Output Monitoring: Displays the status of the machine’s output signals as sent to the PLC, with corresponding labels.
- Input Monitoring: Displays the status of the machine’s input signals received by the PLC, along with their respective labels.
- Operation Log: Records access to the HMI configuration pages, including user identity, date, and time of access.
- Start-Up Page: Returns the user to the initial home screen.
MANUAL MODE
To activate any of the Manual Controls, first switch the machine to Manual Mode using the Auto/Manual toggle switch located on the operation panel. Ensure that the machine is not in run mode or actively processing boxes. To verify this, press the Stop button followed by Reset to bring the system to a safe and idle state.
Once the machine is confirmed to be in Manual Mode and not running, you may proceed to activate any of the available manual functions. Each control option is clearly labeled on the left side of the interface, indicating the specific output or component that will be engaged upon selection.
PARAMETER SETTINGS
Indexer Parameters: You can configure the retention time of the centering arms located in the indexer using the “INDEXER COMPRESSION TIMER” parameter. The value is set in milliseconds.
Folding Parameters: The activation time of the Major Flap Folders can be configured using the “MAJOR FLAP FOLDER TIMER” parameter. This value is set in milliseconds.
Sealing Parameters: The following settings can be adjusted on this page:
Tape Monitoring: This feature can be manually enabled or disabled. When disabled, the system will not verify if the machine has tape or if the Tape Head is properly cutting it. When enabled, the machine will stop automatically if no tape is detected or if the tape is not being cut correctly for the current box.
Wipe Delay ON/OFF: This option allows manual control of the Wipe Delay feature. When enabled, the motors in the Sealing Area briefly stop at the end of the taping process to improve tape application quality.
Wipe Delay Start: This timer defines the delay period before the Wipe Delay activates, starting after the box passes the Mid Sealing Area photo-eye. The value is set in milliseconds.
Wipe Delay Duration: This timer sets the duration for which the Sealing Area motors remain stopped during the Wipe Delay. The value is set in milliseconds.
Box Configuration: In this section, you can configure the machine’s settings based on the box size. Each configuration is specific to a particular box size and will not affect the settings for other sizes.
FA HEIGHT: The value that should be set in this section will be different depending If you have a CSEG or CSEGA unit.
If your machine is a CSEGA: This value sets the folding area height for the selected box using the servo motor that controls the Folding Area (FA) mechanism. The height is configured in millimeters (mm), with a minimum value of 105 mm and a maximum of 500 mm. To ensure accurate folding, measure the height of the box when it is closed at the top, and enter that value into the system. It is recommended to add an offset of 10 mm to the total measurement to optimize the folding process.
If your machine is a CSEG: This value determines the folding area height for the selected box using a system of multiple cylinders to set a fix height depending the value selected. You can select a value between 1 and 6, each corresponding to a predefined height, as shown in the following sheet.
| Position | Folding Area Height (in.) | Sealing Area Height (in.) |
| 1 | 5.88 | 5.25 |
| 2 | 9.13 | 8.25 |
| 3 | 11.75 | 11.25 |
| 4 | 12.25 | 14.50 |
| 5 | 15.25 | 17.50 |
| 6 | 17.63 | 20.25 |
FA FOLD VARIABLE: This setting can be either “0” or “1”. A value of “0” enables the Rear Kick cylinder and the major flap folders, meaning the flaps will be folded. A value of “1” disables this feature, which is typically used when running RPC crates.
SA POSITION VARIABLE: This value sets the initial height of the Sealing Area for the selected box. You can choose a value between 1 and 6, with each number corresponding to a predefined height—refer to the same sheet mentioned in the FA HEIGHT section for details.
SA FALL VARIABLE: After the box enters the Sealing Area, the system will move from the initial position to the "fall" position defined by this variable. You can select a value between 1 and 6, each corresponding to a predefined height. This setting determines how far the Sealing Area mast will descend.
SA FALL MECHANISM: This setting determines how the Sealing Area (SA) mast behaves when it reaches the top of the box. It can be set to either “0” or “1”.
“0” Gravity Activation: When the box is detected by the first photo-eye in the sealing section, the SA mast will lower using only gravity—no air pressure is applied. After processing the box, the mast will automatically return to its upper position.
“1” – Air Activation: The SA mast will descend until the paddle switch contacts the top of the box. At that point, a float valve is activated to apply controlled air pressure. You can adjust the pressure using the regulator located on the SA mast.
SA BOTTOM TH VARIABLE: This setting controls the cylinders that raise and lower the Bottom Tape Head. You can select a value between 0 and 2, each corresponding to a specific application.
“0” – No Bottom Tape Head: Used when the machine is configured for Top Seal Only applications. The Bottom Tape Head remains inactive.
“1” – Tape Application Required: Indicates that tape must be applied to the bottom of the box. The cylinders will raise or keep the Tape Head in the upper position for tape application.
“2” – No Tape Needed (e.g., RPC Crates): Used when running crates or boxes that do not require bottom tape. The system will lower or retain the Bottom Tape Head in the down position to keep it out of the way.
SA FLOAT VARIABLE: FLOAT PRESSURE SETTING: This setting controls the float activation and determines the level of air pressure applied. You can select a value between 0 and 3, each corresponding to a different float mode:
0” – Float Disabled: No float pressure is applied.
“1” – Strong Float: Applies high air pressure for firm contact.
“2” – Medium Float: Applies moderate air pressure.
“3” – Smooth Float: Applies low air pressure for gentle contact.
SA TAPE VARIABLE: This setting enables or disables the tape monitoring feature, which detects if there is no tape or if the machine failed to cut the tape. You can select a value between 0 and 3:
“0” – Disabled: Tape monitoring is turned off for both top and bottom heads.
“1” – Bottom Only: Tape monitoring is enabled only for the bottom tape head.
“2” – Top Only: Tape monitoring is enabled only for the top tape head.
“3” – Both Enabled: Tape monitoring is active for both top and bottom tape heads.
ALARM HISTORY PAGE
The active alarm will be displayed on the Alarm Main Page. If no message is shown, it indicates that there are no current faults present on the machine.
If a fault occurs and the red light on the machine’s stack light begins blinking, a message displaying the current fault will appear on the same screen. This feature is intended to help you quickly identify the specific issue, allowing for a more efficient resolution.
By selecting the 'Alarm History' option in the bottom right corner, you can access the fault history from the past week. This feature is commonly used to track issues that occurred during a specific shift, including the type of fault and the exact time it happened.
OUTPUT MONITORING PAGE
The Output Monitoring section contains two pages that display the labels for all outputs configured in the machine’s PLC. These pages are used to identify the output associated with each specific label, with a fixed description shown to the right of each one. When an output is active (high signal), its corresponding label changes color from grey (indicating a low signal) to green (indicating a high signal).
INPUT MONITORING PAGE
The Input Monitoring section consists of four pages that list all inputs configured in the machine’s PLC. These pages help identify which input corresponds to each label, with a fixed description displayed to the right. When an input becomes active (high signal), the label changes color from grey (representing a low signal) to green (representing a high signal).
OPERATION LOG PAGE
The Operation Log page displays detailed records of all HMI configuration logins over fix time intervals (hour and day). Each entry includes the user ID, timestamp, and the actions performed, enabling comprehensive audit trails and real‑time tracking of who has accessed or modified HMI settings.
START-UP PAGE
Selecting the “START-UP PAGE” option will log the current user out and redirect the screen to the initial startup page simultaneously.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.