MicroLink
OPERATOR TERMINAL
SETUP AND OPERATION
MANUAL
(Revision 1.0)
LINK ELECTRIC & SAFETY CONTROL COMPANY
444 McNALLY DRIVE, NASHVILLE TN 37211
PH (615)-833-4168 FAX (615)-834-1984
www.linkelectric.com
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................1-1
2. BASIC MICROLINK INTERFACE.................................................2-1
2.1 Number Keys ............................................................2-1
2.2 Arrow Keys .............................................................2-1
2.3 CLEAR Key .............................................................2-1
2.4 ENTER Key ............................................................. 2-1
2.5 EXIT Key ...............................................................2-1
2.6 DOWN TIME CODE Key ..................................................2-1
2.7 HELP Key ..............................................................2-2
2.8 Contrast Key - ..........................................................2-2
2.9 RUN/PROG Key Switch ................................................... 2-2
2.10 Soft Keys ..............................................................2-2
2.11 Method of Editing Text ..................................................2-2
2.12 Menu Tree ............................................................ 2-3
3. INSTALLATION ...............................................................3-1
3.1 Mounting the MicroLink Unit ...............................................3-1
3.2. Wiring the MicroLink Unit .................................................3-3
4. CONFIGURATION.............................................................. 4-1
5. OPERATION...................................................................5-1
5.1 Counters ................................................................5-1
5.1.1 Part Counter .....................................................5-2
5.1.2 Batch Counter .................................................... 5-2
5.1.3 Quality Counter ...................................................5-2
5.1.4 Scrap Counter .................................................... 5-2
5.1.5 Stroke Counter ...................................................5-2
5.2 Job Storage and Recall .....................................................5-2
5.2.1 Store Job ........................................................ 5-3
5.2.2 Recall Job ....................................................... 5-3
5.2.3 Erase Job ........................................................5-3
5.2.4 LinkNet: Job Storage and Recall ..................................... 5-4
5.3 Auxiliary Equipment Support ...............................................5-4
6. ACCESS CODES ...............................................................6-1
6.1 Access Code Screen .......................................................6-1
6.2 Functional Modes of the RUN\PROG Key .....................................6-1
6.2.1 RUN/PROG Key Exclusive Mode .................................... 6-2
6.2.2 RUN/PROG Key Required Mode .....................................6-2
6.2.3 RUN/PROG Key Not Required Mode .................................6-2
6.2.4 RUN/PROG Key Accesses All Mode ..................................6-2
6.3 Access Timeout ..........................................................6-3
6.4 User Description ......................................................... 6-3
6.4.1 User Configuration: User ...........................................6-3
6.4.2 User Configuration: Code ........................................... 6-3
6.4.3 User Configuration: Used ..........................................6-3
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6.4.4 User Configuration: Permissions .....................................6-4
7. DIAGNOSTICS ................................................................. 7-1
APPENDIX A. INSTALLATION OF MICROLINK FIRMWARE.......................... A-1
APPENDIX B. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS ......................................B-1
B.1 MicroLink / MultiSet Enclosure .............................................B-1
B.2 801-1 MicroLink Logic Board ..............................................B-1
B.3 801-3 Air System Control Board ............................................B-1
B.4 801-4 Rotary Shut Height Control Board ......................................B-1
B.5 801-5 Linear Shut Height Control Board ......................................B-1
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List Of Figures
Figure 1.1: MicroLink Keypad and MultiSet Operational Screen ............................1-1
Figure 2.1: Editing Text on Job Storage Screen..........................................2-2
Figure 2.2: Menu-Tree of the MicroLink Operational Screens .............................. 2-3
Figure 3.1: Dimensional Drawing for Panel Mount of MicroLink Enclosure ...................3-1
Figure 3.2: Dimensional Drawing of Remote Mount Enclosure (Hinge on Lower Edge) ..........3-2
Figure 3.3: Wiring Connections Inside the MicroLink Unit ................................3-3
Figure 4.1: OIT Configuration Screen ................................................. 4-1
Figure 4.2: Communications Setup Screen..............................................4-2
Figure 5.1: Main Options Screen .....................................................5-1
Figure 5.2: MicroLink Counters Screen ................................................5-1
Figure 5.3: Job Setups Screen........................................................ 5-3
Figure 5.4: MicroLink Job Recall Screen...............................................5-3
Figure 5.5: MicroLink Job Erase Screen ............................................... 5-4
Figure 5.6: MicroLink Feed Interface Screen ............................................5-4
Figure 6.1: Access Code Screen......................................................6-1
Figure 6.2: Access Code Configuration Screen .......................................... 6-3
Figure 7.1: OIT Diagnostic Screen .................................................... 7-1
Figure A.1: Mounting Screws on Plug on Board ........................................ A-1
Figure A.2: Location and Orientation of Firmware ...................................... A-1
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MicroLink: Operator Interface Terminal
1. INTRODUCTION
The Link Systems MicroLink unit is a machine to
operator interface terminal that is used as a
convenient method of controlling some metal
forming press functions. The MicroLink system
can be used to interface with feeds, connect to the
LinkNet networking system, or perform
counterbalance/die cushion and slide adjust
control with the MultiSet module.
The MicroLink system consists of a 16 line, black
on white LCD (liquid crystal display), a numeric
keypad, along with the circuit boards and software
that form the core of the system. The MicroLink
system has the on-board memory for job storage
of up to 250 jobs. The system has built-in network
connections for the LinkNet press networking
system, which provides virtually unlimited job
storage, user defined downtime codes,
maintenance tracking, and other benefits.
to move through the different screens of the
MicroLink system easily. The HELP key on the
keyboard provides instant access to helpful
information tailored for most user screens. The
system also has a special diagnostics section with
information about the status of the hardware.
When the MicroLink system asserts a stop output,
a section of the screen shows that the stop is
active. This enables the user to quickly determine
if the MicroLink system has stopped the press, so
the problem can quickly be isolated and the press
can be returned to normal production.
The MicroLink system can utilize access codes
assigned by a supervisor to control the ability of
different users to make changes to set points,
configuration data, and other critical information.
If a user does not have the correct user code, then
no changes can be made. The access code system
can be bypassed in facilities that would not
benefit from this flexibility.
The software for the MicroLink system includes
counters for part, batch, quality, and stroke as
well as a method for counting scrap parts and
deducting them from the part count. The intuitive
screens use menus with soft keys that enable users
All of these features combine to make the
MicroLink system easy to use. The overall
advantage is more efficient use of press auxiliary
systems, which results in better press utilization.
Figure 1.1: MicroLink Keypad and MultiSet Operational Screen
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MicroLink: Operator Interface Terminal
2. BASIC MICROLINK INTERFACE
The MicroLink system is designed to facilitate the
operation of the press to which it is attached. The
operator terminal has the job of conveying
information to the user and providing a method of
entering information in the system. The operator
terminal has 25 keys that allow the user to enter
information. The 20 keys on the right side of the
MicroLink operator terminal are labeled and have
dedicated functions. The 5 keys next to the liquid
crystal display (LCD) are special keys that change
their functions for different screens. The functions
of these 5 keys are defined in software, instead of
hardware, so the keys are called soft keys.
Another central aspect of the MicroLink interface
is the usage of multiple screens. A screen consists
of the information displayed on the LCD for a
particular sub-system. For instance, the MultiSet
system has a screen that shows the current air
pressure and the current shut height, as well as
information about the system set points and
system faults. The screens are arranged in a menu
tree, which is described in more detail in Section
2.12. The keys on the MicroLink operator
terminal are described in the following sections.
The keypad layout is shown in Figure 1.1.
mode, so the arrow keys are only effective in edit
mode. The arrow keys will not change anything
when the cursor is not present unless they are
used with the CONTRAST key (Section 2.8).
2.3 CLEAR Key
The CLEAR key is used to erase an entered
number when an edit field is being modified. The
MicroLink system allows a user to change
numeric values using the number keys (see
Section 2.1). The CLEAR key enables the user to
erase incorrect numbers that were entered and
start again.
2.4 ENTER Key
The ENTER key is typically used to tell the
MicroLink system that an editing process is
complete. When a number is being changed, such
as the shut height set point, pressing the ENTER
key indicates that the changed number should be
the new set point. The ENTER key is also used to
select an option from a list of choices. Use the
arrow keys to position the cursor on the desired
option and press the ENTER key.
2.5 EXIT Key
2.1 Number Keys
The ten number keys on the keypad enable the
user to easily enter numeric values such as set
points, limits, and job numbers. The number keys
are only active when the system is in edit mode.
When the system is in edit mode there will be a
blinking cursor on the screen, which means that
the system is ready to accept data. If the item
being changed is a number, then a new value can
be entered by pressing the appropriate numbers on
the keypad. When the system is not in edit mode,
pressing the number keys will not change
anything.
2.2 Arrow Keys
The arrow keys are primarily used to move the
blinking cursor to different parts of the screen.
The cursor is only present when the user is in edit
The EXIT key is used for two primary functions.
One function is to leave an edit field, and the
other function is to leave a screen. Pressing the
EXIT key while changing a number, such as the
shut height set point, will end the edit process and
return the set point to the value that was there
before the edit process began. If the user is not
changing a value, then pressing the EXIT key will
cause the MicroLink system to leave that screen.
2.6 DOWN TIME CODE Key
DOWN TIME CODE key brings up a special
The
screen dedicated to entering down time codes
over a LinkNet connection. This special screen is
covered in full detail in the LinkNet manual. If the
LinkNet press networking system is not installed,
then pressing this key will bring up a message that
says “Network NOT on line”. Press the
to return to the previous screen.
EXIT key
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MicroLink: Operator Interface Terminal
2.7 HELP Key
The HELP key brings up a special screen that
explains some of the information about the
system. This information is tailored to match the
screen that the user is viewing when the
key is pressed. Press the EXIT key to return to the
normal user screen.
2.8 Contrast Key -
The contrast key is primarily used to adjust the
background intensity of the liquid crystal display
(LCD). In some situations the user may want to
make the background brighter. This is
accomplished by holding down the contrast key
and the up arrow key simultaneously. Conversely,
to make the background darker, hold down the
contrast key and the down arrow key
simultaneously.
The contrast key has a second function related to
access codes. Pressing the contrast key while in
an access protected mode will cause the system to
immediately leave the protected mode (log out).
This special function is explained in more detail
in the access code timeout section. (Section 6.3).
HELP
One usage of soft keys is for screen navigation. If
the text on the display next to a soft key is a
screen name, then pressing that soft key will pull
up that screen. For instance, pressing the soft key
next to the label that says Counter will bring up
the screen with the counter information.
Another usage of soft keys is for performing
certain screen related tasks, such as Change
Number, Store Job
cause the system to perform the action described
by the text beside the soft key. The action soft
keys are described in detail with each screen
description throughout the manuals.
2.11 Method of Editing Text
The MicroLink keypad is designed to maximize
ease of use while minimizing size and clutter, so
there are no letter keys on the keypad. The system
uses an on-screen letter selection window and the
5 soft keys to edit text. The primary usage of the
edit text system is creating descriptions for job
data before it is stored. The screen in Figure 2.1
shows the edit text system for editing a job
description.
, or Jog Up. These soft keys
2.9 RUN/PROG Key Switch
The RUN/PROG key switch located below the
keypad is used to limit the ability of unauthorized
personnel to change parameters. The key must be
in the program (PROG) position in order to make
most changes to the system. The exact
functionality of the RUN/PROG key switch can
be affected by Access Codes, which are covered
in detail in Chapter 6.
2.10 Soft Keys
The remaining 5 keys on the keypad are called
soft keys. The soft keys are solid grey and are
located in a single column beside the screen. The
function of a soft key is described by the text
written on the screen next to the soft key. If the
area of the screen next to a particular soft key is
blank, then that soft key does nothing on that
screen.
Figure 2.1: Editing Text on Job Storage Screen
The letters are selected by using the arrow keys
on the keypad to position the pointer arrow
beneath the desired letter. When the pointer arrow
is in position, press the Select Letter soft key. The
selected letter will be added to the text description
where the black cursor is located. The cursor in
the letter description automatically moves to the
next position after a letter has been selected.
Continue to select letters in the same manner. If
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MicroLink: Operator Interface Terminal
you need to leave a blank space in your
description, press the
Left
and Cursor Right soft keys can be used to
Space soft key. The Cursor
position the cursor in the letter description. This is
typically used to go into a description and change
a single letter without entering the entire sequence
of letters again. The Abort Edit soft key will exit
the edit text system without applying any changes.
2.12 Menu Tree
The operation and configuration screens are
arranged in a structure called a menu tree. This
name is used because the structure of the screens
is similar to a tree with a main trunk, large
branches, and smaller branches. The main trunk is
like the main screen of the MicroLink system,
which has screens that are reached when the
appropriate soft key is pressed. These secondary
screens are like the big branches off of the main
trunk in a real tree. Other screens are reached
from these secondary screens by pressing the soft
key that matches the screen name. The screens
branch out in this fashion until all of the relevant
screens for that branch are covered.
The menu-tree for the MicroLink system is shown
in Figure 2.2. Each of the boxes in the figure
represents one of the screens in the MicroLink
system. The lines connecting the boxes show how
the screens are linked. For instance, to bring up
the job recall screen if you are currently in the
MultiSet screen requires three steps. First, press
EXIT key to go up one level to the main
the
screen. Second, press the
Job Setups soft key to
go to the job memory screen. Finally, press the
Recall Job soft key on that screen to go to the job
recall screen.
The HELP screen and the DOWN TIME CODE
screen are not part of the menu-tree screen
structure. They can be accessed from any screen
by pressing the dedicated keys on the keypad. For
instance, press the
HELP key to get to the HELP
screen. The EXIT key returns the system to the
previous screen.
Figure 2.2: Menu-Tree of the MicroLink Operational Screens
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