Articles from May 2016

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Help! My Scan-A-Line system quit working

Help! My Scan-A-Line System has quit working

When a working Scan-A-Line system quits working there is a better than even chance that you have a damaged cable or connector. The sequence of tests that needs to be performed is important so that more damage to the system doesn’t result from your the attempts to repair it.

    1. Look for proper power supply outputs. Most Scan-A-Line systems use LED indicators to show proper power supply operation. Generally there will be an indicator for +12V,-12V and on some systems a +5V indicator as well. These indicators are generally visible when the enclosure door is opened and line power is supplied. If you have a digital voltmeter you can verify the proper voltage levels. Grey wires are circuit ground. Measure from one of the Grey wires to a solid Red wire to measure the +12Volt buss. The -12Volt lines are solid Black and the +5Volt lines are Red & White striped. Actual voltages should be within 0.5Volts in most cases. If one of the Voltage indicators does not light or lights only very dimly, this indicates a possible short circuit in the system.
    2. To locate an external short circuit, try removing all of the cable connectors from the processing unit. When cables are not connected does the voltage indicator return to normal? If this restores proper voltages then try connecting one cable at a time until one of the indicators does not light or is again very dim. The offending cable or the module or sensor connected to it will have a short circuit.
    3. Try disconnecting the remote end of this cable from the Sensor or module it is connected to. If this doesn’t restore power there is a problem in the module or Sensor you just disconnected. It is best to return the defective Sensor or Module for factory repairs. Please call Harris Instrument for a Return Authorization.
    4. If the problem appears to be in the cable you can verify cable integrity with an Ohmmeter continuity test. Scan-A-Line cables are usually Male to Female. Pin(a) male should be connected to Pin(a) female and so forth. There should never be a cross connection between (a) and any other connection terminal and so forth. Examine your cable for a deformed cross section that could indicate that it has been crushed. This sort of damage may test OK until the cable is twisted or bent. Because damaged cables and cable connectors cause at least 50% of Scan-A-Line failures, it pays to have spare cables on standby to keep your system in operation.
    5. WARNING! Under no conditions should you substitute spare Receivers, Emitters or Processing units before these trouble shooting steps have been taken. Plugging a good module into a shorted cable usually causes damage to the spare module thus making it impossible to repair your system without help from field service.
    6. Other possible causes of system failure are improper receiver alignment or interference from an external light source, especially strobe lights. Pay special attention to any new lighting source that may be modulated at a high frequency. Poor grounding on line transportation drive and synchronizing controllers can also cause interference. Is there any part of the system that seems to cause the problem? Shut down systems one at a time to see which might be a problem. The important question to answer is “What could have changed since the system last worked properly?” Use this blog to describe your problem or give us a call at 740-369-3580.

      By sharing our problems and solutions we can build a strong Scan-A-Line Community with this blog. Please comment or contribute to help get this effort underway.

      Many Thanks,

      Dave Harris

Harris Instrument has announced the New Universal Guide Controller, Model GPX
Published

Harris Instrument has announced the New Universal Guide Controller, Model GPX

Harris Instrument Scan-A-Line has established a position of leadership in web guiding and strip guiding applications.  The diversity of these applications has created a demand for a more versatile guide controller to interface with a wide variety of position sensors and many different control actuators.  Versatility often comes with increased complexity that make a product difficult to configure.  The Scan-A-Line Model GPX overcomes this difficulty with a simple Windows Based GUI that permits easy selection from a wide list of possible configurations.  Once the setup is used to select Sensor type and size and the configuration as a single or dual sensor guide system, this information is stored in non-volatile RAM and will remain with the GPX as it is moved from one location to another.  There are no more jumpers to set, pre-processor boards to install, or internal re-wiring as we move from one application to another.  The Windows PC can be disconnected from the GPX until such time when the configuration must be changed for a new application.  With this software configuration ability, one GPX unit can be used as a spare for many different units in an installation site.

GPX_Color

The GPX Operator interface includes an LED Bar-graph that displays actual web or strip position.  The bar-graph also displays a flashing segment when excess errors are seen, and a fault indicator when the measurement data may be compromised.  Under the Bar-Graph display there is a series of Mode Indicators behind a sealed touch panel.  From this interface the operator can select the operation modes for the GPX.  In the MANUAL Mode the JOG IN and JOG OUT switch will permit moving of the mandrel or guide rolls.  If the AUTO-CENTER Mode is selected while in MANUAL, the Mandrel or Guide Roll will move to the center of its range as soon as the AUTO mode is selected.  Also from MANUAL the AUTO ZERO button can be pushed to establish the present strip position as the target when the AUTO MODE is again selected.  The GUIDE MODE selector toggles when pressed to select CENTER GUIDE, EDGE GUIDE LEFT, or EDGE GUIDE RIGHT modes.  Guide mode must be selected while in MANUAL and will take effect as soon as AUTO is selected.  Of course the GUIDE MODE selector will only operate when two sensors are installed but the GPX can guide with a single sensor when that is how it is configured in the set-up GUI.  The ability to select one edge of the strip or web for guiding permits good control when one of the strip edges is damaged.

The Model GPX can supply control signals to a variety of actuators.  The primary output mode as a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) control signal that can be used to control proportional hydraulic steering valves.  In this mode the control signal looks to the valve like a +/-10 Volt analog control with plenty of reserve current available.  This same signal can be boosted with an optional built in power supply to supply +/-24 Volts to directly drive an electric actuator.  In the case where the proportional control valve must drive an external amplifier, a digital to analog converter is included to eliminate the PWM feature which will confuse the servo amplifier.

The following is a list of some of the common web guide or strip guide application appropriate for the Scan-A-Line Model GPX.

  1.   Single Sensor Edge Guide or Center Guide from an analog (Level 1) or digital (Level 2) position sensor.  The Scan-A-Mizer and Model EG-30 analog sensors from Scan-A-Line are compatible with Model GPX,  as are analog sensors from some 3rd party suppliers.  The Digital sensors include the Scan-A-Line 10X-AS Series and 10X-BR Series.
  2.    Dual Sensor systems can be Analog (Level 1) or Digital (Level 2) position sensors.  The Digital Scan-A-Line 10X-AS series and 10X-BR series will both work with the Level 2 Model GPX.  The 10X-BR series sensors are pass-line independent and can be used to edge guide or center guide a strip with a wavy edge or moving pass-line.