Instruction manual
FlowTune
Doc. no .: 9.17.04 6H Date: 20-0 2- 2014
Please read this instruction manual carefully before installing and operating the instrument.
Not following the guidelines could result in personal injury and/or damage to the equipment.
ATTENTION
BRONKHORST
Making changes in FlowTune will affect the current settings of the instrument. Unless you are fully
Neglecting these considerations may cause serious damage or personal injury.
Disclaimer
Even though care has been taken in the preparation and publication of the contents of this manual, we do not assume
legal or other liability for any inaccuracy, mistake, mis‐statement or any other error of whatsoever nature contained
herein. The material in this manual is for information purposes only, and is subject to change without notice.
Bronkhorst High‐Tech B.V.
July 2011
Symbols
Important information. Discarding this information could cause injuries to people or damage to the
Instrument or installation.
Helpful information. This information will facilitate the use of this instrument.
Additional info available on the internet or from your local sales representative.
aware of the effect of the changes you are going to make, we recommend you do NOT use FlowTune.
Be aware that values can be entered outside of the specifications of the instrument. Make sure that the
instrument will not be used outside the specificied limits.
Special (but not only) attention should be given to:
- General compatibility of the instrument for the selected gas (e.g. degreased for O2 use)
- Sealing material
- Maximum pressure tested
- Leak integrity
- Valve orifice size.
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Table of contents
1 GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 4
1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS ..................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Manuals and user guides ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.2 Technical drawings ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 SUPPORTED INSTRUMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 4
1.4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.5 INSTALLATION AND START UP .............................................................................................................................. 5
2 INTERFACES..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 RS232/FLOW-BUS INTERFACE ......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.1 D-connector for RS232 ................................................................................................................................ 6
2.2 RS232 ON MULTIBUS INSTRUMENT ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.1 Applications, e.g. EL-FLOW ......................................................................................................................... 7
3 OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 BASIC ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
3.1.1 Open communication .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.2 Close communication .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.3 Change the fieldbus address ....................................................................................................................... 9
3.1.4 Activate a fluidset ....................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 MODIFY A FLUIDSET .......................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2.1 Edit or add a fluidset ................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2.2 Remove a fluidset ...................................................................................................................................... 10
4 SERVICE ........................................................................................................................................ 11
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Processor
x86 or x64 700 MHz or higher
Memory (RAM)
64 MB
Hard disk
20 MB available disk space
Display
800 x 600 or higher resolution, 256 colors or more
1 GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This manual will explain the operation of the software tool FlowTune. It has been written based on FlowTune V1.23,
but should be suited for former (and future) versions as well, although functionality may differ from what is described.
FlowTune is an offline instrument configuration software program for digital instruments of the MASS‐FLOW Select
series to select the fluidset, to change the full scale flow (capacity), to change the engineering units and to change or
add a fluid (gas).
FlowTune is designed for digital Bronkhorst
of 10 bar (a) or less and temperatures between 0 °C and 70 °C. It is not advised to use the software to configure
instruments which will be used in an environment exceeding these conditions.
1)
Bronkhorst: This includes Bronkhorst High-Tech B.V., Bronkhorst Cori-Tech B.V. and M+W Instruments GmbH.
1.2 REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
Manuals and guides for digital instruments are modular. General instructions give information about the functioning
and installation of instruments. Operational instructions explain the use of the digital instruments features and
parameters. Fieldbus specific information explains the installation and use of the fieldbus installed on the instrument.
1)
instruments to be operated in an environment with pressure conditions
1.2.1 Manuals and user guides
Operation instructions digital instruments (document nr. 9.17.023)
FLOW‐BUS interface (document nr. 9.17.024)
Profibus‐DP interface (document nr. 9.17.025)
DeviceNet interface (document nr. 9.17.026)
Modbus slave interface (document nr. 9.17.035)
EtherCAT slave interface (document nr. 9.17.063)
RS232 interface with FLOW‐BUS protocol (document nr. 9.17.027)
1.2.2 Technical drawings
Hook‐up diagram laboratory‐style MBC RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.062)
Hook‐up diagram industrial style MBC‐II RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.051)
Hook‐up diagram CORI‐FLOW RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.044)
Hook‐up diagram LIQUI‐FLOW L30 digital RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.073)
Manuals and Software tooling can be found at:
http://www.bronkhorst.com/en/downloads
1.3 SUPPORTED INSTRUMENTS
Digital mass flow meters/controllers (best from versions V8.00, minimum V7.32)
1.4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
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Connections
RS232 port with FIFO buffers
Operating system
Windows XP or 7 (x86 or x64)
The digit grouping symbol of currency must always differ from the number’s decimal symbol. Having
other problems as well. See Microsoft’s KB198098.
Issues may arise with certain Regional and Language Options on Windows XP when the system
supported by Jet 4.0 (see Microsoft’s KB913296).
equal symbols is not valid (not just in this situation, but also in other situations) and will probably cause
language, as set under Control Panel >> Regional and Language Options, is set to a language not
To avoid communication errors, it is advised to use a serial (RS232) port with hardware buffer overrun
detection. Few USB-RS232 converters have this feature, but e.g. the Digitus part no. DA-70156 has.
1.5 INSTALLATION AND START UP
Follow on‐screen instructions when installing FlowTune.
FlowTune will be installed in C:\Program Files\Bronkhorst\FlowTune.
Start FlowTune through the Start menu: Start >> (All) Programs >> Bronkhorst >> FlowTune.
There is no need to start the FlowDDE server.
C:\Program Files is a system folder and is followed by (x86) on 64-bit Windows versions and may differ
on non-English Windows versions.
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Pin number
Description
1
9
not connected
Shield
2 INTERFACES
2.1 RS232/FLOW-BUS INTERFACE
The RS232/FLOW‐BUS interface is an interface between the FLOW‐BUS and the RS232 V24 serial (computer) port. It
will either be supplied as a separate enclosed unit with a FLOW‐BUS connector and a RS232 connector or as an
integral 14TE module of your E‐7000 readout and control system. The converter offers communication with a baud
rate up to 38400 baud. Communication software support is available. Communication settings are: 38400, n, 8, 1.
2.1.1 D-connector for RS232
The female RS232 (x) (sub miniature 9‐pin) D‐connector has the following pin configuration:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TXD
RXD
not connected
0 Vd
DTR
CTS
RTS
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FLOW
EL-FLOW
®
Select
mass flow meter
/controller
Power
Supply
Instrument powered through the D‐sub DB‐9 connector
FLOW
EL-FLOW
®
Select
mass flow meter/controller
DeviceNet
/ FLOW‐BUS instrument powered through the bus connector
FLOW
EL-FLOW
®
Select
mass flow meter/controller
Power
Supply
Profibus instrument powered through the D‐sub DB‐
9 connector
2.2 RS232 ON MULTIBUS INSTRUMENT
The RS232 interface on a multibus instrument can be connected to any RS232 V24 serial (computer) port. Make sure
to respect the hook‐up diagram. Bronkhorst offers special cables for communication, separating the RS232 lines from
the power and analog in‐ and output. On the 9‐pin male D‐sub connector of the instrument RX and TX are available on
pin 6 and pin 1.
RS232 communication is possible by:
• 9‐pin Sub D‐connector (non‐IP65 instruments, e.g. EL‐FLOW)
• 8‐pin DIN connector (IP65 instruments, e.g. CORI‐FLOW)
For the exact connections please advise your hook‐up diagram.
2.2.1 Applications, e.g. EL-FLOW
For proper cable installation please consult the applicable hook-up diagram mentioned in paragraph
1.2.2
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By default, the interface offers communication at a baud rate of 38400 baud. On instruments that offer
the possibility to change the RS232 baud rate, the baud rate may be configured differently.
BRONKHORST
It is advised to use FlowTune only on instruments in a safe environment, i.e. not operating. FlowTune
communication properly to restore the instrument to its operating state.
3 OPERATION
3.1 BASIC
For all digital mass flow meters/controllers several basic operations are possible.
3.1.1 Open communication
After startup, the FlowTune main window is displayed. Before using FlowTune, please be fully aware of the effect of
the changes you are going to make. Click the Details button in the information bar at the top for some attention
points.
The upper part of the window is used to set the connection to the instrument and view the connected instruments
identification parameters.
Using the information of chapter 2 and/or the hook‐up diagram, physically connect the instrument to the COM port of
the PC. At Interface, the COM‐port interface can be selected. After selecting an interface, press Press to Connect to
open the communication to the instrument. While the connection is open, the green bar of the button is lit and the
button shows Press to disconnect.
Upon connection, FlowTune will read several settings from the instrument and basic information from the fluidsets.
Be aware that reading the data from the fluidsets implies that the active fluidset is changed temporarily. FlowTune will
warn the user about the instrument changing its state. While FlowTune is connected, the instruments output signals
may fluctuate and for controllers the valve will be set to its safe state. For normally open valves, the valve will fully
open, whereas for normally closed valves, the valve will fully close. After the user has accepted, FlowTune will read
the fluidset data. The reading actions may take some time; the current action is mentioned in the status bar. After
reading is finished, the serial number, device type, model key, the fieldbus name and its address is displayed at
Instrument.
will force the instrument to its safe state when the connection is made. Be sure to close the
3.1.2 Close communication
The communication can be closed by pressing Press to disconnect or via the menu option Communication >> Close
communication. Prior to closing the communication, the instrument is restored to its normal operating state.
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3.1.3 Change the fieldbus address
The fieldbus address can be changed by Communication >> Change fieldbus address.
3.1.4 Activate a fluidset
In the lower part of the main window, the fluidsets field contains a table showing basic information about the
available fluidsets in the instrument. It is filled after FlowTune has read the data from the instrument. Each line
represents one fluidset. The table consists of six columns: capacity, unit, fluidname, pressure inlet, pressure outlet and
temperature. The Capacity field shows the full scale flow in the unit shown in the Unit field. The fluidset is filled for
the fluid in the Fluidname field at the Pressure inlet, -outlet and Temperature in their fields.
Whenever a fluidset is filled by Bronkhorst High‐Tech, a Bronkhorst logo is shown in the fluidname field. The logo can
also contain a small certificate image; this means that the fluidset is an actual fluid calibration. The meaning of the
logos is explained in the small legend below the fluidsets table.
Each instrument can contain up to eight different fluidsets, however, in the instrument only one fluidset is active at a
time. The currently active fluidset is bolded in the table. To activate another fluidset, select the desired fluidset and
click the Activate button.
3.2 MODIFY A FLUIDSET
For digital instrument in the MASS‐FLOW Select series, fluidsets can be changed, added or removed.
3.2.1 Edit or add a fluidset
Properties of a fluidset can be changed in the Edit fluidset window, which can be opened from the main window by
selecting the fluidset to be changed followed by clicking Edit. To add a new fluidset to the instrument, click the Add
button.
In this window, detailed information about the fluidset is shown. The Unit type determines the conditions used to
express the capacity. For gas flow devices, four different unit types are available: Mass Flow, Normal Volume Flow,
Standard Volume Flow and Custom Volume Flow, whereas for liquid instruments only Mass Flow and Volume Flow are
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Changes have no effect on the instrument settings until confirmed by the OK button. On OK, the new
instrument.
available. The unit type determines the unit list at Unit. The text field and slider at the right both represent the Full
scale capacity of the fluidset in the instrument expressed in the selected unit, i.e. the capacity at which the instrument
points 100% measure. The fluid structure formula is shown at Fluid.
To change the full scale capacity, edit the value in the text field or move the slider. The minimum and maximum
allowed full scale capacity is indicated at the slider. The unit in which the capacities are expressed can be changed at
Unit, after which the capacity in the previous unit is converted to the capacity in the new unit. For instrument
operation, this action has no effect other than changing the real output value and unit.
In addition to the capacity and the unit, the fluid and fluid conditions can be changed for fluidsets which are not
factory set. The fluid pull‐down is enabled in this case. Also enabled are the Actual conditions, i.e. the operating
Pressure inlet, Pressure outlet and Temperature. One or more of these conditions can be changed after which the full
scale capacity range can be recalculated. The pressure conditions must be entered in bar (a) with a maximum of 10
bar (a). The allowed temperature range is 0 to 70 °C. Changes which are not yet calculated are highlighted in yellow
and the Calculate range button is enabled.
Once a new fluid is selected from the list or the Calculate Range button is pressed, FlowTune calculates the fluid
properties, converts the calibration curve, calculates the new capacity range and a new controller gain (Kp). These
calculations are performed based on properties from the instrument and the FlowTune databases. Conversion is
based on fluid properties, sensor and restriction properties, valve properties and the original calibration curve. This
ensures the conversion and the new ranges to be calculated correctly. The result of these calculations is visualized in
the indicators in the right part of the window. One or two indicators (depending on the type of instrument) show a
capacity range, the upper one for the sensor and the lower one for the valve (available for controllers only). A valid
capacity range is indicated in blue, whereas an invalid capacity range is indicated in red. Both capacity ranges are
calculated based on the properties of the instrument, the selected fluid and the actual conditions. The full scale
capacity can be scaled in the area where the two ranges overlap. Dotted lines at the minimum and the maximum
allowed full scale capacity point out the resulting full scale capacity range as shown in the slider.
For some applications, it may be needed to adjust the controller speed. This can be done by moving the Speed slider
at the Controller settings section to faster or slower. The speed slider represents a multiplier for the controller gain.
The value 1 is marked by nominal, at which the controller gain calculated by FlowTune is used.
After the desired changes have been made, the changed or new fluid can be accepted and written to the instrument
by clicking OK. Note that the calibration curve of that fluidset is overwritten in case a fluid conversion has been
perfomed. On Cancel no changes are made to the instrument.
settings are written to the instrument and the window is closed. On Cancel no changes are made to the
3.2.2 Remove a fluidset
Fluidsets added by FlowTune can also be removed from the instrument. The Remove button in the main window
removes the selected fluidset from the instrument. The active fluidset or factory set fluidsets cannot be removed.
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4 SERVICE
For current information on Bronkhorst and service addresses please visit our website:
Do you have any questions about our products? Our Sales Department will gladly assist you selecting the right product
for your application. Contact sales by e‐mail:
For after‐sales questions, our Customer Service Department is available with help and guidance. To contact CSD by e‐
mail:
No matter the time zone, our experts within the Support Group are available to answer your request immediately or
ensure appropriate further action. Our experts can be reached at:
http://www.bronkhorst.com
sales@bronkhorst.com
support@bronkhorst.com
+31 573 45 88 39
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