Download File Format for the F6 Spacer Bender
The customer is responsible for generating production files in the following ASCII file format:
-1 Beginning of file marker.
12 Field 1= Glass A
24 Field 2= Glass B
.5 Field 3= Sight line
0 Field 4= Glass C (for trapezoids and triangles)
1 Field 5= Bend die marker (reference BEND DIE MARKER TABLE)
1 Field 6= Configuration marker (ref. CONFIG. MARKER TABLE)
0 Field 7= Quantity bent counter (always zero)
10 Field 8= Quantity desired
2 Field 9= Muntin drill switch (reference Muntin Drill Table)
2 Field 10= Muntin width lites
3 Field 11= Muntin height lites
0 Field 12= Gas drill switch
2 Field 13= Gas hole offset
0 Field 14= Glass D (for pentagons)
0 Field 15= N/A
0 Field 16= N/A
abcd Field 17= ASCII message (35 character for printer message)
0 Field 18= Drill 1st hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 1st leg length
0 Field 19= Drill 2nd hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 2nd leg length
0 Field 20= Drill 3rd hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 3rd leg length
0 Field 21= Drill 4th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 4th leg length
0 Field 22= Drill 5th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 5th leg length
0 Field 23= Drill 6th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 6th leg length
0 Field 24= Drill 7th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 7th leg length
0 Field 25= Drill 8th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 8th leg length
0 Field 26= Drill 9th hole "A"--OR-- 350 shapes 9th leg length
0 Field 27= Drill 10th hole "A"--OR--Nothing for 350 shapes
0 Field 28= Drill 1st hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 1st Angle
0 Field 29= Drill 2nd hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 2nd Angle
0 Field 30= Drill 3rd hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 3rd Angle
0 Field 31= Drill 4th hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 4th Angle
0 Field 32= Drill 5th hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 5th Angle
0 Field 33= Drill 6th hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 6th Angle
0 Field 34= Drill 7th hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 7th Angle
0 Field 35= Drill 8th hole "B"--OR-- 350 shapes 8th Angle
0 Field 36= Drill 9th hole "B"--OR---Nothing for 350 shapes
0 Field 37= Drill 10th hole "B"--OR---Nothing for 350 shapes
-1 End of file marker
If you are creating part files for the first time, I suggest that you write a part number generated from the touch screen of the F5 to floppy diskette on the F6, then load the diskette on your PC. If you have Win 95 you can use Note Pad as the text editor or if you prefer DOS , use the DOS editor. The file format must be the same as this first file that you loaded from the machine. Be careful to save the file as an ASCII text file, and don't have any extraneous remarks or notes as the example format on page 16 has. The files you create for downloading must have a number as the filename followed by a "DAT" extension ie... "4.DAT". The filename range is from 4.DAT to 65534.DAT. Refer to the following list to make certain that the production file fields are within specification.
Frame Data Size Limitations
Minimum inside to inside frame size:"A" glass 2.75" or 2 3/4" x "B"glass 9.00" or 9 0/0"
Maximum " " " " " "A or B 200"
Minimum Sight line dimension: 0" or zero"
Maximum " " " must maintain minimum A & B Glass size
Range of bend die markers 1 through 30 inclusive
Range of Quantity to bend 1 through 32767 inclusive
Range of Muntin drill switch 0 threw 5 inclusive
If your machine doesn't have a drill use 0 or zero
Range of muntin lites "B" glass or horizontal 1 threw 10
Range of muntin lites "A" glass or vertical 1 threw 10
Range of gas drill switch 0 = OFF & 1 = ON
Minimum Gas hole offset: 2.000"
Maximum " " " : 4.000"
Minimum Glass "D" length: ????
Maximum " " ": ????
Maximum number of parts for downloading : 950
Other Limitations not in download files
Minimum dimension to cut: 10.5"
Maximum " " " N/A
Minimum bend angle: 1 degree
Maximum " " ": 160 degrees over bend inclusive
Minimum distance to the first drilled hole: 7.00"
Maximum muntin two prong keeper center dimension: 1"
Maximum spacer width: 1"
Minimum Key length for connects mode: .1"
Maximum Key length for connects mode: 10.00"
Maximum time value: 10 seconds
Maximum stock length: 1000"
Maximum number of stock lengths for connects mode: 4
Bend Die Marker Table
The Bend Die Marker corresponds to the Bend Die Library that is found in SET UP or in Program from the Master Menu. The die library function is to store information unique to different spacer material. Different spacers react differently when moved with the drive wheels or bent.
This database allows the machine to instantaneously be configuring to totally different spacer properties when the appointed die marker is called on. An unprogramed library will show a list of thirty different markers when selected from setup or program. When entering the die library the operator selects a marker and creates a label for it. The label can be up to 8 characters long and should give clues as to what size dies are and what spacer to run. Aluminum, steel, plastic backed ext. It also can be used to configure between what drive wheels are on the machine, standard or Rocklinized. The second step to programming the die library is to enter the radius of the bend die. The operator is prompted for the radius when he enters the die label. The radii for standard TFB bend dies are .156 for 3/8" and smaller spacer and .093 for wider than 3/8" spacer. The proper radius is in the library is a must for accurate frames.
The Bend Die Library will vary depending on the customers' needs. Listed below is a sample
| Sample Die Library |
| Marker |
Label |
|
Marker |
Label |
| 1 |
3/16 ALU |
|
16 |
3/16 STL |
| 2 |
1/4 ALU |
|
17 |
1/4 STL |
| 3 |
5/16 ALU |
|
18 |
5/16 stan |
| 4 |
3/8 |
|
19 |
3/8 BAY |
| 5 |
7/16 |
|
20 |
12mm ALU |
| 6 |
? |
|
21 |
10.5 ALU |
| 7 |
9/16 |
|
22 |
|
| 8 |
5/8 |
|
23 |
|
| 9 |
11/16 |
|
24 |
All labels 8 characters maximum |
| 10 |
3/4 |
|
25 |
| 11 |
13/16 |
|
26 |
|
| 12 |
7/8 |
|
27 |
|
| 13 |
15/16 |
|
28 |
|
| 14 |
1 |
|
29 |
|
| 15 |
|
|
30 |
|
| When selecting a bend die marker from PROGRAM , enter program then select spacer from the listing, the touch screen will load the die library allowing the operator to select the appropriate spacer and die data. |
Configuration Table
The Configuration Marker refers to the different shapes that can be bent. From the MASTER MENU, select PROGRAM, then select a part number, then select CONFIG.The configurations may vary depending on the customers' needs. The abbreviation (3B) means (3 bends), (SPL) means (SPLIT), TRI means TRIANGLE, TRAP means TRAPEZOID, PENT means PENTAGON, PARALL means PARALLELOGRAM, OBL means OBLIQUE, REG means REGULAR, and RT means RIGHT.
| Marker |
Bend Configuration |
|
Marker |
Bend Configuration |
| 1 |
RECT (3B) |
|
11 |
HEXAGON (5B) |
| 2 |
L (1B) |
|
12 |
OCTAGON (7B) |
| 3 |
RECT (4B) |
|
13 |
OBL TRI (SPL) |
| 4 |
J (2B) |
|
14 |
RT TRAP (SPL) |
| 5 |
OBL TRI (2B) |
|
15 |
REG TRAP (SPL) |
| 6 |
RT TRAP (3B) |
|
16 |
PARALL (SPL) |
| 7 |
REG TRAP (4B) |
|
17 |
PENT#1 (SPL) |
| 8 |
PARALL (3B) |
|
18 |
PENT#2 (SPL) |
| 9 |
PENT#1 (4B) |
|
19 |
350 (explanation) |
| 10 |
PENT#2 (4B) |
|
20 |
Lineal |
In the list above, '350' refers to the 350 shapes package.This package allows customized
configurations. You can program 9 different legs and 8 different angles. This option can
be programmed manually or downloaded with the new 6020 ISA CPU.Lineal is another new option
allowing straight lengths to be cut and drilled with no bends. |
MUNTIN DRILL TABLE
This table lists the various muntin hole patterns. From the MASTER MENU, select PROGRAM, select a part number, select [] DRILL MUN.
MUNTIN MODE
[] #0 (SWITCH OFF)
[] #1 (CENTERED)
[] #2 (OFFSET WIDTH + HEIGHT)
[] #3 (OFFSET WIDTH ONLY)
[] #4 (OFFSET HEIGHT ONLY)
[] #5 (RANDOM HOLES)
Muntin modes 2,3 & 4 set the touch screen menus to receive light offset values for balancing light sizes to different sized glass units. There are no Fields in the down load format pertaining to offset values. They can be set manually in the SETUP menu. Select Config Options in setup and then enter Muntin W Offset or Muntin H Offset. If mixing download and manual programming is offensive to your methods, use the Random Holes mode or config #5.
RANDOM HOLES & 350 SHAPES programming for download
This option allows the operator or programmer to select 10 different hole locations along the "A" glass dimension and 10 along the "B" glass dimension for muntin keepers. The last 20 fields in the file format refer to #5 RANDOM HOLES, of the muntin mode or 350 Shapes of the bend config. mode. If the Bend config. markers are set at 1,2,3 or 4 witch are all rectangular or square configurations that can lend to muntin bars, then download fields 18 through 37 can hold part data for random muntin hole location. Fields 18 through 27 can be used to set 10 different hole locations all measuring from the bottom of the frame to the top. Fields 28 through 37 lend to holes from the right side of the unit to the left. All measurements must be listed in decimal form, ie 1/4" =.250 ,1 9/16" = 1.562 ext. The download will not take metric measure or fractional measure. If metric measureis needed at the touch screen display selecting mm as units in the setup menu will translate the data to metric at the display.350 Shapes Up to 9 leg lengths and 8 angles can be programmed to make a custom shape. The format for down load, page 16, shows where to put what information for programming. From the touch screen Master Menu, Program and then Bend Config. will get the operator to the 350 option at the touch screen. Once selected add what leg & angle data is needed.
Downloading is practical only in those situations where several different line items or frame
sizes need to be produced on a daily basis. Downloading production files into the bender's memory is much faster and much more accurate than manually entering sizes via the touch screen.
The F6 bender can be automatically downloaded via a direct wire link from another computer or via its resident 3 ?" floppy disk drive.
DOWNLOAD FROM OTHER COMPUTER OPTION:
A 3-conductor wire can be used to transmit files to the bender via serial RS232 communications as follows:
F5 DB25 REMOTE COMPUTER'S MALE CONNECTOR
SERIAL PORT
SIGNAL PIN# SIGNAL
RECEIVE 2-------------------TRANSMIT
TRANSMIT 3-------------------RECEIVE
SIGNAL GROUND 7-------------------SIGNAL GROUND
The required serial parameters are as follows:
If the distance between the sending computer and the bender is 500 feet or less, an 'extended distance' cable should be used. If the distance is greater than 500 feet, a short haul modem option can be implemented. Once both machines are connected, the following sequence of events must occur for proper data transmission:
1) From the MASTER MENU, select SET-UP, then select FILE OPTIONS, then select DOWNLOAD FROM OTHER COMPUTER.
2) The F6 will send a message to the sending computer to acknowledge that it is ready to receive a file. At this time the F6 screen will flash "READY TO RECEIVE FILE...". The F6 will standby to receive the file.
3) The sending computer must now transmit the file to the F6 in the previous TFB file format. While the file is being transmitted, the operator can see part numbers being incremented on the F5 screen.
4) If the file is successfully transmitted, the F6 will send an acknowledgment message to the sending computer confirming how many part numbers it has received. This will also be indicated on the F6 touch screen. The maximum number of parts that can be downloaded into the F6 memory at one time is 950. This means that 950 different frame configurations or shapes, each with a maximum quantity of 32,000. It takes the bender 5 minutes to receive 950 part numbers.
DOWNLOAD FROM BENDER'S DISK DRIVE OPTION:
The F6 spacer bender has a 3 .5" floppy disk drive on board for the main purpose of reading production files generated by another computer. The file must be in accordance with TFB's required file format as previously documented.
The standard disk drive capacity is 1.44 Mbytes and the standard format is the IBM format. As stated earlier, the maximum number of parts or line items the F5 can store in memory at one time is 950. However, with the disk drive in use, it is possible to store up to 20,000 different part numbers on each diskette. The operator could then simply download files from diskette as required. Once you have inserted the diskette into the drive, which is located in the main Electrical Enclosure, perform the following steps:
1) From the MASTER MENU, select SET-UP, then select FILE OPTIONS, and then select DOWNLOAD FROM BENDER'S DISKETTE.
2) You must then select a file number. The valid range is 4-65534.
3) The F6 will then read the disk file and display each Part number on the touch screen. When the file is completely read, the F6 will display the total part numbers and ask the operator to push an acknowledgment button. The F5 can read 950 part numbers from disk in less than 6 minutes. Downloading files from the disk drive is slightly faster than downloading files from a remote computer.
SAVING/LOADING SET-UP INFORMATION TO DISK:
Once the F6 is calibrated, it is possible to save the information to the bender's floppy disk drive. It is a good idea to make two copies, one disk can be stored at the bender and the other disk can be placed in an office. If the machine ever loses memory, and the calibrations are lost, it is possible to retrieve the information from diskette.
