After reading the two previous tips you can see that the “sequencer function” in the middle is the brains behind knowing what the machine is doing. But the old saw “Garbage In – Garbage Out” applies here. In spades! (sorry Denis: you’ll need to look it up in the American slang sayings somewhere).

Specifically: The names given to the sequence signals must match what they do. So here is a list of important points.

1. Always name sequence signals by what they are wired to. If one is ON while the mold is opening, call it Mold Opening, not Mold Open (in Sensor Locations).

2. On a first wiring (or when someone has been messing with the machine) always check the little green lights on the Sensor Locations page before you hit “Accept”. Be sure they go on and off at the right times by actuating each of the functions (i.e. cycle the clamp, inject, run the screw motor etc.)

3. Any signals that never go on must be named “Not Used”, even if they are wired.

4. If a signal does go on and off but you do not know what it is then name it Unknown and look at it later (with the Cycle Graph or Sequence Lights).

The short list of the four most important Seq. Module Inputs is as follows (all of which should operate when the machine is in Manual):

• Injection Forward: Comes on when the ram starts injecting and goes off at the end of hold

• Screw Run: On only while the screw motor is turning, not during suck-back or other decompress cycles.

• Mold Clamped: On when the mold is clamped (not closing, opening etc).

• Machine in Manual: On whenever the machine is in manual; off when in semi-automatic or automatic.

If these signals are wired and named right then the “sequencer function” easily produces good Machine signals. If they do not exist it can produce some Machine Sequence signals but these may require the user to set something. If they are mis-named or do not go on and off as specified then some Machine Sequence signals will probably be incorrect as will the data calculated from them.

For complete details refer to the eDART REDI Kit documents (Hydraulic or Electric).

The next tips in the series will focus on each sequence signal in turn: where it comes from and what it is for.