Mettler Toledo e100, e5 Reference Manual

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Robotic Mass Comparator

Reference Manual

e100

1 Introduction 3

2 Safety Information 4

2.1 Definitions of signal warnings and warning symbols........................................................ 4

2.2 Product specific safety notes ......................................................................................... 4

2.3 Warning notices on the instrument................................................................................. 6

2.4 Stopping in case of emergency...................................................................................... 6

3 Design and Function 7

3.1 Overview instrument..................................................................................................... 7

3.2 Component descriptions ............................................................................................... 8

3.3 Wiring scheme ............................................................................................................ 12

3.4 Safety devices ............................................................................................................. 13

3.5 Status indication light................................................................................................... 13

4 Installation and Putting into Operation 14

4.1 Selecting the location ................................................................................................... 14

4.2 Scope of delivery ......................................................................................................... 14

4.3 Assembling the instrument............................................................................................ 15

4.4 Connecting and setting up the instrument ....................................................................... 15

4.5 Preparing the weight magazine ..................................................................................... 17

3.2.1 Overview AX106 balance ............................................................................... 8

3.2.2 Overview balance control unit......................................................................... 9

3.2.3 Overviw robot system .................................................................................... 10

3.2.4 Overview type plate ....................................................................................... 11

3.2.5 Overview robot system control unit.................................................................. 11

3.2.6 Control software............................................................................................ 11

4.5.1 Selecting a suitable weight carrier ................................................................... 17

4.5.2 Loading the weight magazine......................................................................... 20

5 Operation 22

5.1 Starting e100control..................................................................................................... 22

5.2 Entering and editing the weights data............................................................................. 23

5.2.1 Standards data ............................................................................................. 23

5.2.2 Test weights data .......................................................................................... 26

5.3 Allocating the weight magazine places........................................................................... 27

5.4 Determining the weighing process settings and series scheme .......................................... 28

5.4.1 Weighing process settings ............................................................................. 29

5.4.2 Series scheme .............................................................................................. 31

5.4.2.1 Series scheme in mode 'One-vs.-one comparisons' .................................... 32

5.4.2.2 Series scheme in mode 'Down-/upward calibration' .................................... 34

5.5 Choosing the report contents......................................................................................... 36

5.6 Adapting system settings .............................................................................................. 36

5.7 Starting and monitoring the weighing process ................................................................. 37

5.7.1 Starting the weighing process ......................................................................... 37

5.7.2 Monitoring the weighing process..................................................................... 38

5.8 Analyzing measurement data and report......................................................................... 40

5.8.1 Measurement report....................................................................................... 40

5.8.2 Calculations ................................................................................................. 45

5.9 Adjusting the balance................................................................................................... 49

5.10 Measuring the corner load error..................................................................................... 49

5.11 Upgrading e100control................................................................................................. 52

5.12 Remote-controlling the e100comparator......................................................................... 53

5.12.1 Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file .............................. 53

5.12.2 Importing an externally defined settings file into e100control.............................. 56

Table of Contents 1Robotic Mass Comparator

5.12.3 Communicating via the serial port................................................................... 58

5.13 Selecting the application mode...................................................................................... 60

5.13.1 Interface to ODBC climate data sources: Overview............................................. 61

5.13.2 Read data via ODBC from an Access database................................................. 62

5.13.3 Read data via ODBC from an Excel sheet......................................................... 63

5.13.4 Read data via ODBC from a .csv text file.......................................................... 65

5.13.5 Read data via ODBC from other database systems............................................ 66

5.14 Sending emails............................................................................................................ 66

5.15 Reduce pre-run/centering time using ‘Standard’s centering history’ .................................... 68

5.16 Transmit measurement report data to a TCP/IP server....................................................... 69

6 Maintenance 71

6.1 Maintenance table........................................................................................................ 71

6.2 Performing routine tests................................................................................................ 71

6.3 Maintaining robot system.............................................................................................. 71

6.4 Cleaning..................................................................................................................... 72

6.4.1 Cleaning agents............................................................................................ 72

6.4.2 Cleaning the components............................................................................... 73

7 Technical Data 75

7.1 General data ............................................................................................................... 75

7.2 Dimensions................................................................................................................. 77

8 Accessories 78

9 Disposal 81

Index 83

Table of Contents2 Robotic Mass Comparator

1 Introduction

In purchasing this automated mass comparator, you have chosen a talented, highly professional weighing machine. Combining METTLER TOLEDO's world-class weighing sensor technology and robotic expertise e100 comparator - automated 100 g mass comparator - sets new standards in the field of high-resolution weighing.

Performance and reliability on the one hand, productivity on the other are of concern to metrologists. These aspects were given great attention throughout the development of the e100 comparator. This product offers new ways with respect not only to direct comparison, but to down-/upward calibration as well. e100 comparator and its smart, versatile e100control software will become in no time indispensable to any mass standards laboratory.

To ensure that we can offer you personal service and provide you with the most efficient support, this product is accorded special treatment: not only the complete installation of the automated mass comparator, but also the instruction are handled by a specialist from Mettler-Toledo GmbH, Greifensee (Switzerland) or by a specialist from your country who has been specially trained.

Disclaimer for comparators

In this document "balance" is a terminology preamble and stands for comparators. Due to the high resolutions and differential weighing application, comparators are tested with differential

measurement only. Therefore the specification values defined are to be tested with differential methods only.

Software version

This document refers to the initially installed software version V 4.95.

Finding more information

u http://www.mt.com/lab-robotic-MC

Search for documents u www.mt.com/library

For further questions, please contact your authorized METTLER TOLEDO dealer or service representative.

u www.mt.com/contact

Conventions and symbols

Key and/or button designations and display texts are shown in graphic or bold text (e.g.

Refers to an external document.

Note

For useful information about the product.

, OK).

Elements of instructions

Prerequisites

1 Steps 2 ...

ð Intermediate results

ð Results

Introduction 3Robotic Mass Comparator

2 Safety Information

Two documents named "User Manual" and "Reference Manual" are available for this instrument.

• The User Manual is printed and delivered with the instrument.

• The electronic Reference Manual contains a full description of the instrument and its use.

• Keep both documents for future reference.

• Include both documents if you transfer the instrument to other parties.

Only use the instrument according to the User Manual and the Reference Manual. If you do not use the instrument according to these documents or if the instrument is modified, the safety of the instrument may be impaired and Mettler-Toledo GmbH assumes no liability.

2.1 Definitions of signal warnings and warning symbols

Safety notes contain important information on safety issues. Ignoring the safety notes may lead to personal injury, damage to the instrument, malfunctions and false results. Safety notes are marked with the following signal words and warning symbols:

Signal words

WARNING

A hazardous situation with medium risk, possibly resulting in death or severe injury if not avoided.

CAUTION

NOTICE

A hazardous situation with low risk, resulting in minor or moderate injury if not avoided.

A hazardous situation with low risk, resulting in damage to the instrument, other material damage, malfunctions and erroneous results, or loss of data.

Warning symbols

Electrical shock Heavy object Crushing hazard

General hazard: read the User Manual or the Reference Manual for information about the hazards and the resulting measures.

Personal protective equipment

Chemical resistant safety gloves are intended to protect hands against aggressive chemicals.

The protective goggles protect the eyes from flying parts and liquid splashes.

2.2 Product specific safety notes

Intended use

This instrument is designed to be used in laboratories by trained staff. The automated mass comparator is intended for measuring calibration weights using direct comparison or down-/upward calibration.

Any other type of use and operation beyond the limits of technical specifications without written consent from Mettler-Toledo GmbH is considered as not intended.

Responsibilities of the instrument owner

The instrument owner is the person holding the legal title to the instrument and who uses the instrument or authorizes any person to use it, or the person who is deemed by law to be the operator of the instrument. The instrument owner is responsible for the safety of all users of the instrument and third parties.

Safety Information4 Robotic Mass Comparator

METTLER TOLEDO assumes that the instrument owner trains users to safely use the instrument in their workplace and deal with potential hazards. METTLER TOLEDO assumes that the instrument owner provides the necessary protective gear.

Trained personnel

Persons performing weighing processes must fulfill the following basic knowledge requirements regarding the handling of METTLER TOLEDO instruments and associated software:

• Are able to complete the tasks entrusted to them and independently detect and avoid any possible dangers.

• Have expertise and experience as well as their familiarity with all applicable regulations.

• Able to prove that they have undergone training.

Safety notes

WARNING

Death or serious injury due to electric shock

Contact with parts that carry a live current can lead to death or injury. 1 Only use the approved METTLER TOLEDO power supply cable and AC/DC adapter with a

current-limited SELV output. 2 Connect the power cable to a grounded power outlet, ensure correct polarity. 3 Keep all electrical cables and connections away from liquids and moisture. 4 Check the cables and power plug for damage and replace damaged cables and power

plugs.

CAUTION

Freely accessible parts, which can move automatically

Injuries due to crushing are possible when reaching into the working area of the robot arm during adjustment procedures or during normal operation.

− Do not reach into the working area when the robot arm is moving.

CAUTION

Damage on instrument due to incorrect moving or unsuitable location site

Moving the instrument yourself might lead to injuries or might damage the instrument. 1 Contact a METTLER TOLEDO representative before changing the location of the instrument. 2 Do not carry the instrument yourself. It's total weight exceeds the acceptable limit in

accordance to the applicable regulations.

NOTICE

Damage due to inappropriate use

Inappropriate use of the instrument may lead to significant material damage. 1 Installation, adjustment and repair work shall be carried out exclusively by specialists

from METTLER TOLEDO. Never undertake any installation, adjustment or repair, unless

duly instructed by the above mentioned specialists. 2 Do not open the instrument, the control units or the robot system. They do not contain any

parts which can be maintained, repaired, or replaced by the user. If you ever have

problems with your instrument, contact your METTLER TOLEDO dealer. 3 Use only original parts supplied or approved by the manufacturer.

A listing of all parts can be found in the Reference Manual (RM).

Safety Information 5Robotic Mass Comparator

2.3 Warning notices on the instrument

The following symbols are attached to the instrument. They relate to the direct environment where they have been put up.

CAUTION

Illegible signage

Stickers and signs can get dirty or become illegible. The risks can no longer be recognized and necessary operating instructions can no longer be adhered to. This presents a risk of injury.

1 Always keep safety, warning and operating notices in good legible condition. 2 Immediately replace damaged signs or stickers.

Symbol Meaning

Indicates the possibility of personal injury due to crushing when the robot hand is moving up and down. Pay attention that the robot hand may move without any prior warning. Do not reach into the working area when parts of the instrument are moving.

2.4 Stopping in case of emergency

To stop the instrument in case of an emergency, proceed as follows: 1 Switch off the power supply by pulling out the power plug. 2 Secure the instrument against switching on again. 3 Have fault repair performed by expert personnel or personnel of METTLER TOLEDO. 4 Before starting up again, check the instrument and make sure that there is no risk of danger.

Safety Information6 Robotic Mass Comparator

3 Design and Function

3.1 Overview instrument

Legend overview instrument

Weighing chamber accessible through sliding

door Balance (AX106 mass comparator)

Robot system control unit

3-axis robot system

Weight magazine with 27 weight carriers

Balance control unit

Robot hand with light barrier

Design and Function 7Robotic Mass Comparator

3.2 Component descriptions

3.2.1 Overview AX106 balance

As balance the AX106 comparator is used.

For full information, always consult and download the Operating Instructions (OI).

u www.mt.com/ax-comparator-OI

Legend overview balance

Glass draft shield

Inner draft shield

Level indicator

Door handle

Door follower handle

Type name

Weighing pan

Door coupling element

Control knobs for dial weights

Leveling screw

Design and Function8 Robotic Mass Comparator

3.2.2 Overview balance control unit

For con

ectio

balan

onl

Powe

5 4

3 2

Legend overview balance control unit

Balance control unit

Terminal

Operating keys

Socket for AC/DC adapter

SmartSens sensors

Display

RS232C serial interface

Connecting socket for weighing cell

Note

No changes must be made on the terminal of the balance. During weighing, the terminal of the balance is disabled.

For full information, always consult and download the Operating Instructions (OI).

u www.mt.com/ax-comparator-OI

Design and Function 9Robotic Mass Comparator

3.2.3 Overviw robot system

Legend overview robot system

Status indication light

Light barrier

Manipulator

Robot arm Robot hand

Design and Function10 Robotic Mass Comparator

3.2.4 Overview type plate

1 2 3 4 5

The type plate of the robot system is located on the backside of the robot system next to the socket for the AC/ DC adapter.

Legend overview type plate

Model designation

Power supply

Serial number (SNR)

Year of manufacture

Manufacturer

3.2.5 Overview robot system control unit

Legend overview robot system control unit

RS232C (balance control unit)

Ethernet (not applicable)

Sockets for AC/DC adapter

3.2.6 Control software

All settings and the operation of the instrument are controlled with the software e100control. The software is installed on a notebook provided by METTLER TOLEDO.

The software is used to visualize the instrument data and measuring results and to interact with the instrument. The interaction encompasses starting and aborting weighing processes, configuring the instrument and defining process specific data (as comparison scheme etc.).

RS232C (PC with control software)

Socket for interface cable robot system

Design and Function 11Robotic Mass Comparator

The following illustration gives an overview about the main functions of the software. For further information see

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

RS 232

Cable load cell

Cable robot control

[Operation}Page22]:

Nr. Parameter Description

1 File

Contains file related commands like creating a new file, opening an existing file, importing a text file, saving current file, quitting program etc.

2 Edit

3 View

4 Weights

Contains various functions to edit the file (similar to Windows). Contains various functions to adapt the view (similar to Windows). Gives access to the weights database which contains all relevant data on

your standards and test weights.

5 Magazine

Opens the menu to identify and register the weights placed in the weight magazine.

6 Process

Opens the menu to set comparisons of which the weighing process shall consist, as well as its precise timing and sequence.

7 Report

8 Adjustment

Gives access to define the content of the report file. Allows you to start the adjustment procedure using the built-in balance

adjustment weights.

9 System

10 Start

11 Help

Contains various system settings. Hosts the command to start the measurement. Contains the help file and further information about the software.

3.3 Wiring scheme

The illustration below shows how the different components of the instrument are connected to each other:

Design and Function12 Robotic Mass Comparator

3.4 Safety devices

Light barrier

At the very beginning of the measurement each weight carrier is checked by means of the light barrier located on the robot hand (1). Should a unsuitable weight carrier be detected, the process aborts.

Balance position sensor

The position of the balance is monitored by means of the balance position sensor (1). To avoid crashes, the balance must stay in the position which was precisely defined during system installation. Therefore, never move or reposition the balance (e. g. while cleaning). Should a position error be detected, do contact a METTLER TOLEDO representative.

3.5 Status indication light

The robot arm is equipped with a status LED. The LED indicates whether the instrument is enabled or not.

Status LED Meaning

LED is off

When the LED is off, the robot arm is not in operating mode. No automatic movement of the robot arm is possible.

LED is on

When the LED is on, the robot arm is in operating mode. This means, that the robot arm may move automatically.

Proceed with caution when performing manual operations while the LED is on.

Design and Function 13Robotic Mass Comparator

4 Installation and Putting into Operation

4.1 Selecting the location

CAUTION

Damage on instrument due to incorrect moving or unsuitable location site

accordance to the applicable regulations.

Note

Ensure that at least 30 cm free space is available on the left side of the instrument to position the balance control unit and the robot system control unit. Its recommended to position the notebook on another table in order to avoid interferences due to vibrations.

A balance is a sensitive precision instrument. The location where it is placed will have a profound effect on the accuracy of the weighing results.

Requirements of the location

According to the environmental condition, see chapter "General data".

Ensure there is:

• indoor on

stable table

• with sufficient

distance (> 30 cm)

• in level • adequate lit

Avoid:

• direct sunlight • vibrations • strong drafts • temperature

4.2 Scope of delivery

• 3-axis robotic system with all electric components

• 1 Magazine with 27 positions

• 1 AX106 mass comparator

• 1 Draft shield

• 1 Controller (laptop)

• e100control software

• 16 Weight carriers design 1, e100

• 11 Weight carriers design 3, e100

fluctuations

Installation and Putting into Operation14 Robotic Mass Comparator

• 3 Weight carrier inserts diameter 26 mm

• 2 Weight carrier inserts diameter 24 mm

• 4 Weight carrier inserts diameter 22 mm

• 2 Weight carrier inserts diameter 20 mm

• 4 Weight carrier inserts diameter 18 mm

• 4 Weight carrier inserts diameter 14 mm

• 4 Weight carrier inserts diameter 10 mm

• 4 Weight carrier inserts diameter 6 mm

• 1 Tweezer for 1 mg to 50 g

• 1 Tweezer for 1 g to 200 g

• 1 Rubber air bellow

• 1 User Manual

• 1 Declaration of conformity

• 1 Production certificate

4.3 Assembling the instrument

CAUTION

Injury and property damage due to inappropriate assembling and commissioning of the instrument

Errors during the assembling and commissioning can cause life-threatening situations and significant property damage.

1 Only allow assembling and commissioning to be handled by employees of the

manufacturer or people authorized by the manufacturer. 2 Do not attempt to handle installation and location changes yourself. 3 Contact METTLER TOLEDO prior to perform any task not described in this manual.

4.4 Connecting and setting up the instrument

WARNING

Death or serious injury due to electric shock

Contact with parts that carry a live current can lead to death or injury. 1 Only use the approved METTLER TOLEDO power supply cable and AC/DC adapter with a

plugs.

NOTICE

Damage to the AC/DC adapter due to overheating

If the AC/DC adapter is covered or in a container, it is not sufficiently cooled and will overheat.

1 Do not cover the AC/DC adapter. 2 Do not put the AC/DC adapter in a container.

Installation and Putting into Operation 15Robotic Mass Comparator

Handling the AC/DC adapters

The balance is supplied with a universal AC/DC adapter or an AC/DC adapter with a country-specific power cable.

• Install the cables so that they cannot be damaged or interfere with operation.

• Insert the power cable in a grounded power outlet that is easily accessible.

Note

When the instrument is connected to the power grid, it starts automatically. To switch off the instrument and to disconnect it from the power supply, the power plug has to be plugged out.

Setting up the instrument

To power and set up the instrument proceed as follows:

NOTICE

Damaged balance because of weight or weight carriers on robot hand or balance

If the robot hand or the balance are not empty during the start up procedure, the balance can get damaged.

− Make sure to remove everything from the balance and the robot hand before powering on the balance.

The instrument is complete and fully cabled by the manufacturer. The balance and the robot system power

cables are not plugged in yet. The robot hand and the balance pan are empty.

1 Make sure both control knobs (2) on the balance are

on position 0. If not, turn them manually to position 0.

2 Place a 100g weight on the weighing pan (1).

1 Connect the power cable (3) to the balance and the

control unit. Plug in the balance power cable (3). ð The start-up procedure begins automatically. The

balance door opens and closes again.

2 Once the start-up procedure is completed, remove the

100g weight manually. ð The balance is now powered. 1 Ensure that the cable between the robot system and the

robot system control unit (4) is plugged in.

Installation and Putting into Operation16 Robotic Mass Comparator

2 Plug in the power cable at the robot system control unit (5).

ð The robot system is now powered. The start-up

procedure includes the following steps:

• The carriage of the balance opens and closes.

• The robot system initializes. Each axis of the robot

system is driven to its respective home position.

• The robot hand opens and closes the balance door.

• The robot arm moves to its home position.

The instrument is set up and the weights can be loaded on

the weight magazine, see [Preparing the weight

magazine}Page17]. Prior to start weighing, wait at

least 120 minutes after connecting the balance to the

power supply. This allows the components to get at room

temperature.

Note

• If any of the following situations is detected, each robot axis is driven to its respective home position but no

further action is taken: – Balance is turned off. – Interface connection is inactive. – Balance has been moved from its original position.

To ensure optimum weighing conditions, leave the robot system on all the time.

4.5 Preparing the weight magazine

Each test weight or standard used during the weighing process needs to be placed onto one weight carrier. The

selection of the adequate weight carrier type is determined by the weight geometry.

In order to ensure a trouble-free operation of the comparator and to minimize corner load errors, strict rules

must be followed when it comes to choose the right carrier type. Consult and follow the weight carrier selection

guide each time you load weights onto the magazine.

Pay attention to the following:

• Do not touch the weight carriers or the weights by hand. Use the delivered tweezers or powder free latex

gloves.

4.5.1 Selecting a suitable weight carrier

There are two designs of weight carriers available for this weight magazine.

Design nr. 1: small to medium weights

Installation and Putting into Operation 17Robotic Mass Comparator

Design nr. 3: medium to big weights

Legend

Nr. Description

Side view Front view Top view Sunken position for cylindrical weights Grey frame for design nr. 1 Red frame for design nr. 3 Interchangeable insert

Choosing the correct insert

Note

• Weights which do not fit in one of the categories listed below must not be loaded on the carriers.

• Weights must never be placed over the edge of the sunken position.

In the mode down-/upward calibration combinations of up to three weights can be weighed:

• Design nr. 1: up to three weights, placed each on its own carrier, can be weighed.

• Design nr. 1 in combination with design nr. 3: up to two weights, placed each on its own carrier, can be

weighed.

The weight dimensions are measured including the weight knob.

Design nr. 1

Weight dimension Figure Insert

dc = 6 mm hc ≤ 12 mm

Ø 6 mm

6 mm < dc ≤ 10 mm hc ≤ 20 mm

Installation and Putting into Operation18 Robotic Mass Comparator

Ø 10 mm

Weight dimension Figure Insert

10 mm < dc ≤ 14 mm

Ø 14 mm

hc ≤ 28 mm

14 mm < dc ≤ 18 mm

Ø 18 mm

hc ≤ 36 mm

Design nr. 3

Weight dimension Figure Insert

18 mm < dc ≤ 20 mm

Ø 20 mm

hc ≤ 40 mm

20 mm < dc ≤ 22 mm

Ø 22 mm

hc ≤ 44 mm

22 mm < dc ≤ 24 mm

Ø 24 mm

hc ≤ 48 mm

24 mm < dc ≤ 26 mm hc ≤ 50mm

Ø 26 mm

Installation and Putting into Operation 19Robotic Mass Comparator

4.5.2 Loading the weight magazine

To place the weights onto their respective weight carrier in the magazine proceed as follows:

The instrument has been started successfully, see Setting up the instrument.

1 Open the weighing chamber doors. 2 Insert the respective weight carriers design nr. 1 or design nr. 3 into the weight magazine. To position the

weight carriers correctly, pay attention to the following: 3 - The carriers must be centered within the sunken frame of the magazine position. 4 - Do not touch the weight carriers by hand. Use the delivered tweezers or powder free latex gloves.

Installation and Putting into Operation20 Robotic Mass Comparator

5 Place the weights on the respective weight carriers using the delivered tweezers. Do not touch the weights

by hand. Pay attention to place the weights the right way on the right carrier type.

6 Once the magazine is loaded, close the weighing chamber doors.

Installation and Putting into Operation 21Robotic Mass Comparator

5 Operation

This section describes the e100control software and refers to its version 4.95.

5.1 Starting e100control

Starting e100control

− Double click e100control icon (e100control.exe) to start e100control.

ð The program starts and a new, blank settings file named 'Untitled.e100’ opens.

Description of the commands

The e100control main menu comprises the following items:

e100control - main window

Edit, View and Help offer functions and options that are standard in common Windows® applications and therefore may not require further description. File lists the following commands:

e100control - File menu

Command Description

New

Open…

Import…

Save

Save As…

Operation22 Robotic Mass Comparator

Closes the current settings file and opens a new, blank file named ‘Untitled.e100’. If changes were made to the currently open file, you are prompted to save them.

Prompts you to select and open an existing file. Once a particular file is selected, the currently open settings file closes. If changes were made to it, you are prompted to save them.

Prompts you to select an existing text file (extension ‘.imp’ or ‘.txt’), generated by an external application according to a defined format, and converts it into a new standard settings file (extension: ‘.e100’). The new settings file will immediately be loaded. For details see [Remote-controlling the e100comparator}Page53].

Saves the changes made to the current settings file under the current file name (extension: '.e100').

Prompts you to enter a new file name and saves the current settings file under the name you just entered (extension: '.e100').

Command Description

Save as Text…

This command allows you to select and save, in the current directory but in a separate text file (current name with extension ‘.txt’), the settings which you may want to be printed out separately and archived in your record. By ticking the adjacent boxes, you may select the following options:

• Standards data for selected sets [Standards data}Page23]

• Test weights data [Test weights data}Page26]

• Magazine places allocation [Allocating the weight magazine places}Page27]

• Weighing process settings [Weighing process settings}Page29]

• Series scheme [Series scheme}Page31]

• Report heading [Starting the weighing process}Page37]

Exit Prompts you to save the unsaved changes you made and quits e100control.

5.2 Entering and editing the weights data

The Weights menu gives access to the weights database which contains all relevant data on your standards

and test weights. While the data on your test weights are, like other settings, specific to the process and, thus,

to the current settings file (extension .e100), the data on your standards are kept in a separate database

(‘MyStandards.st2’). These data are specific to your mass standards laboratory, not to the weighing process,

and, thus, need to be accessible from any settings file.

Noteworthy is the fact that ‘MyStandards.st2’ must be left in the same directory as your application file

(‘e100control.exe’) and your setting files. For safety purpose, you may want to keep a backup file of the

standards database.

e100control - Weights menu

5.2.1 Standards data

Entering standards data

To enter the standards data, proceed as follows:

1 Select Weights > Standards data….

ð The window shown below is displayed. A list box gives all standards which have been entered. All

entries are numbered (column Pos) and listed alphabetically by Set-ID (identification - limited to 8 characters - of the weight set to which this standard belongs) and by descending nominal values

Operation 23Robotic Mass Comparator

(Nom.value [g]) given in gram only. Besides, each record contains a Standard-ID (identification limited to 8 characters - of this particular standard) and the error (Error [mg]), given in mg only, as well as a field for some further information on this standard (Notes, limited to 35 characters).

Entering/editing standards data

2 Change the currently stored standards data by clicking either the Add…, Modify…, Delete or Delete all

command button. 3 Before allowing you to access the data and to modify them,

e100control prompts you to enter the password. The default

password is ‘’ (empty character string = no character).

Click Change… to change the password. Enter the current

password, the new one and, again, the new one as confirmation.

The password is limited to maximum 12 characters.

4 Once the password is accepted, you may proceed with the modifications (the access to the data remains

free until you close the Standards data window by clicking either OK or Cancel). For information

concerning the different commands, see the table below. 5 Once you are satisfied with the changes you have made, return to the main window by clicking OK. Should

you wish to ignore all the changes made, click Cancel. ð The standards data are stored in the file ‘MyStandards.st2’.

Operation24 Robotic Mass Comparator

Overview about the commands

Command Description Add… Opens the Add standards data window which allows you to enter a new record in the

standards database. Return to the Standards data window after confirming your new entry OK or ignoring it Cancel.

Modify… Opens the Modify standards data window which allows you to modify the error and the

notes. Return to the Standards data window after confirming the changes OK or ignoring them Cancel.

Default density…

Delete

Delete all

Save as text

Opens a window where the default density can be entered. This default density is used when a new standard is added.

The button is inactive, if standards and test weights have no density values, see [Selecting the application mode}Page60].

Deletes the record which is presently selected (to select a particular record from the list, simply click on it).

Deletes all database records. This command allows you to save, in the current directory but in a separate text file

(‘MyStandards.txt’) the standards data which you may want to be printed out separately and archived in your record.

Selecting a standards set

As above described, each standard belongs to a particular set, identifiable through its Set-ID. In your mass

standards laboratory, likely more than one set are available, so that you may wish to select only one (or more)

particular set to be used during the weighing process which you are preparing. To do so, proceed as follows:

1 Select Weights > Standards sets selection….

ð The window Standards sets selection is displayed.

2 Select in the Not selected list the set you want to use for this particular weighing process.

Operation 25Robotic Mass Comparator

3 Click «. ð The weights belonging to the non-selected sets will not appear in any of the windows in which e. g. the

magazine places are allocated, the series scheme is designed etc..

Selecting a standards set

5.2.2 Test weights data

Entering test weights data

To enter the test weights data, proceed as follows: 1 Select Weights > Test weights data….

ð A window entitled Test weights data is displayed. A list box gives all test weights which are to be

determined during this particular weighing process. All entries are numbered (column Pos) and listed alphabetically by Set-ID (identification - limited to 8 characters - of the weight set to which this test weight belongs) and by descending nominal values (Nom. Value [g]) given in gram only. Besides, each record contains a Weight-ID (identification - limited to 8 characters - of this test weight) and a field for some further information on this test weight (Notes), limited to 35 characters.

2 Following the procedure described in [Standards data}Page23], change the presently stored test weights

data by using one of the commands in the table below. 3 Once you are satisfied with the changes you have made, return to the main window by clicking OK. Should

you wish to ignore all the changes made, click Cancel.

Overview about the commands

Command Description Add… Opens the Add test weights data window which allows you to enter a new record in the

list of test weights. After entering a Set-ID and a nominal value, you may use the auto numbering button to create up to 100 test weights all having the same Set-ID and

nominal value, and consequent numbers as weight ID’s. Example: Entering ‘00145’ as first number and ‘00180’ as last number will create 36

test weights, with Weight-ID’s ‘00145’, ‘00146’, and so on, up to ‘00180’. Return to the Test weights data window after confirming your new entry OK or ignoring

it Cancel.

Modify… Opens the Modify test weights data window which allows you to modify the notes.

Return to the Test weights data window after confirming the changes OK or ignoring them Cancel.

Operation26 Robotic Mass Comparator

Command Description Change Set ID… Opens the Change Set ID window which allows you to change the Set ID of all test

weights belonging to one test weights set. This gives you an excellent possibility to adapt a saved settings file to a new measurement, just by changing the Set-ID of the test weights involved in the measurement.

Default density…

Delete

Delete all

Opens a window where the default density can be entered. This default density is used when a new test weight is added.

The command is inactive, if standards and test weights have no density values, see [Selecting the application mode}Page60].

Deletes the record which is presently selected in the list box (in order to select a particular record from the list, simply click on it).

Deletes all records.

5.3 Allocating the weight magazine places

Once the standards and test weights are defined in their respective database, their position on the weight

magazine needs to be identified and registered in e100control. For this purpose, proceed as follows:

− Select Magazine > Places allocation…. ð The window Allocation of weight magazine places is displayed.

Allocating magazine places

Operation 27Robotic Mass Comparator

The Allocation of weight magazine places window contains two list boxes:

• The upper one shows all defined weights - i. e. all standards which belong to the selected sets [Standards

data}Page23], identified by an ‘S’ in the ‘S/T’ column, and all test weights [Test weights data}Page26] identified by a ‘T’ in the ‘S/T’ column.

• The lower list box shows all available magazine places, identified by their number:

– from a1 (left) to a9 (right) for the most upper magazine row – from b1 (left) to b9 (right) for the 2nd magazine row

– from c1 (left) to c9 (right) for the lowest magazine row The allocation of one magazine place to one weight selected from the upper list is made as follows: 1 Select the weight by clicking on the proper record in the upper list box. 2 Select, by clicking on the proper line in the lower list box, the magazine place you want to be allocated to

the weight you just selected. 3 Click Place.

ð The selected weight is removed from the upper list box, and entered into the lower one, on the line

which carries the number of the magazine place which is now allocated to this particular weight (placing a weight whose nominal value exceeds 111 g is rejected).

4 Should a place be wrongly allocated, clear it again by

selecting it in the lower list box and clicking Clear.

Should all places have to be cleared, click simply

Clear all.

ð The weight data which were contained in the

cleared record are transferred back into the upper list box.

5 Once the allocation of the magazine places is

completed, click OK, if you wish the allocation to be

confirmed, or Cancel, to ignore it, and return to the

main window.

Magazine places allocation completed

Note

• An alternative to the above described procedure - which has to be repeated for each weight to be used

during the weighing process - is to place all weights by default. To do so, simply click Place all by default.

See also

2 Entering and editing the weights data}Page23

5.4 Determining the weighing process settings and series scheme

After defining standards and test weights and determining on which magazine place each of these weights is located, you need now to set the comparisons of which the weighing process shall consist, as well as their precise timing and sequence.

It might be useful at this point to clarify the terminology used to identify the main phases of any weighing process:

Operation28 Robotic Mass Comparator

Term Description

Comparison or (comparison)

Each single comparison between a weight (or a combination of weights) B, and a weight (or a combination of weights) A.

weighing

Group

Sequence of n identical and successive comparisons, whose results are statistically exploited.

Series

Sequence of all groups. The comparison (weight B vs. weight A) performed in each group and the sequence of all groups are defined in the series scheme (design).

(Weighing) process

Sequence of n identical and successive series, preceded by the following (if so requested):

• Centering phase: centering of all weight carriers on their respective magazine place

• Pre-run: check of the nominal value of each weight

• Waiting time: start delay

5.4.1 Weighing process settings

1 Select Process > Settings….

ð The window Weighing process settings is displayed.

Setting the process parameters

2 After opening the Weighing process settings window, you may determine the following parameters:

Operation 29Robotic Mass Comparator

Parameter Description

Weighing mode

Provided your system is equipped with the ‘professional’ software edition, i. e. e100control with option for down-/upward calibration, you can choose between the following options:

• One-vs.-one comparisons: direct comparisons between a single weight B and a

single weight A

• Down-/upward calibration: comparison between two combinations of up to three

weights each The ‘standard’ software allows One-vs.-one comparisons only. Default setting: One-vs.-one comparisons

Pre-run requested

By ticking the adjacent check box, the system carries out an initial check which basically consists in comparing the measured value of each weight with its defined nominal value. Any placing error is indicated in a message box and causes the process to abort.

It is strongly recommended to activate the Pre-run requested. Default setting: Pre-run requested: check

History-specific pause requested

By ticking the adjacent check box, the system makes certain that a minimum time elapses between the last measurement of the previous group and the first reported measurement of the current group, under the following circumstances only:

• At least one of the weights involved in the current group - but not all of them -,

whose nominal value equals or exceeds 10 g, was involved in the previous group

as well.

• The effective duration of the pause is determined as the duration of the 'history-

specific pause' (entered, in minutes, in the adjacent input box) minus the estimated

duration of the non-reported pre-weighings of the current group (should this

difference be negative, the effective duration of the pause is zero).

• This measure eliminates the drift affecting the weight difference between two weights

when one of them has reached a higher temperature than the other because of a

longer exposure to the environment of the balance weighing chamber which is

slightly warmer than the environment of the weight magazine. Recommended and default setting: History-specific pause requested: check 20 min

Start delay

Time, entered in hours and minutes, between the end of the initial check(s) (centering and, if requested, pre-run) and the start of the first series.

Default setting: 0 h 0 min; max.: 99 h 59 min

No. of nonreported preweighings per group (0-5)

In order to reduce the 'first weighing effect' (drift) noticeable in particular after a change of nominal value, you may want the system to carry out one or several pre-weighing(s) without getting the data reported. Each pre-weighing consists in the sequence A-B, regardless of the selected comparison scheme.

Recommended and default setting: ‘3'

No. of reported comparisons per

Number of statistically independent comparative weighings in each group. Default setting: '5'

group (1-20)

No. of series (1-20)

Number of series. Default setting: '1'

Stabilisation time (10-60 s)

Time in seconds between loading the balance pan and start of the reading period whose duration is determined under Integration time (0-60 s).

Default setting: '25' s

Integration time (0-60 s)

Time in seconds which runs after the stabilisation time has elapsed and during which the system records one measurement value every second. The average of the recorded values is given as result in the measurement report.

Default setting: '5' s

Operation30 Robotic Mass Comparator

Parameter Description Comparison scheme You may choose either the A-B-A or A-B-B-A scheme. For details see [Calcu-

Sensitivity check

Sensitivity check standard

Note

• The Weighing process (total) is an estimation of the total time needed to complete the weighing process.

To save a changed parameter, click Update.

5.4.2 Series scheme

As a next step, it remains to determine the series scheme (design), i. e. which comparisons shall be performed and in which sequence. For this purpose, proceed as follows:

− Select Process > Settings… > Series scheme…. ð The window Series scheme is displayed.

lations}Page45].

Default setting: A-B-A

Should you wish to monitor the balance 'sensitivity' (in its electrical weighing range)

during the weighing process, select Check after each series. The sensitivity check -

determination of the value of the check standard (see next item) - will be performed

before the first series starts and at the end of each series). Each sensitivity check

consists of the non-reported sequence 0-B (pre-check), followed by the reported

sequence 0-B-0.

Default setting: No check

Provided the sensitivity check was requested (see previous item), this list box shows all

standards whose nominal value does not exceed 11 g and to which a magazine place

is allocated. The check standard is chosen by clicking on one of the records.

Operation 31Robotic Mass Comparator

5.4.2.1 Series scheme in mode 'One-vs.-one comparisons'

If the mode One-vs.-one comparisons is selected, the following window is displayed:

Determining the series scheme in mode One-vs.-one comparisons

Before setting the series scheme, you need to consider the following three options:

• Comparisons between weights of different nominal values enabled: if so requested, tick it off by clicking

in the adjacent check box

• Comparisons between standards enabled: if so requested, tick it off

• Comparisons between test weights enabled: if so requested, tick it off

The upper left list box (Weight B:) contains all the weights which are available as weight B (“test weights”). This list contains either:

• All available test weights to which one magazine place is allocated, provided Comparisons between

standards enabled are not enabled (middle check box not ticked)

• All available test weights and all selected standards to which one magazine place is allocated , provided

Comparisons between standards enabled are enabled (middle check box ticked), see [Allocating the weight magazine places}Page27]

The upper right list box (Weight A:) contains all the weights which can be chosen as weight A (“standard”) for the presently selected (clicked) weight B (“test weight”), according to the values given to the above described check boxes. The series scheme consists of a list of comparisons between two single weights - weight B vs. weight A - which will be performed in the order of their entry (amendments can be made to the sequence as explained below).

Each comparison is entered as follows:

Operation32 Robotic Mass Comparator

1 Select first the weight B by clicking on the proper record in the Weight B: list box. 2 Select the weight A by clicking on the proper record in the Weight A: list box. 3 Click Add.

ð A new comparison - selected weight B vs. selected weight A - is entered in the Scheme: list box. 4 Repeat the above sequence until the new series scheme is fully determined. 5 Once the series scheme is completed, click OK to store it. By clicking Cancel, the modifications are ignored.

Further commands

Command Description

Default scheme

Delete

Delete all

Move last entry

See also

2 Weighing process settings}Page29

Instead of entering each comparison one after the other, you may prefer to let e100control propose its own scheme. By clicking the command e100control selects for each weight B a matching weight A.

The command is active only if none of all 3 options is enabled. To delete a wrong entry in the scheme. To delete all entries in the scheme. The sequence of comparisons can be changed by moving the last entry up: 1 Select the line up to which you want the last entry to move. 2 Click Move last entry. ð The record on the selected line and all records below it are consequently shifted

downward.

Operation 33Robotic Mass Comparator

5.4.2.2 Series scheme in mode 'Down-/upward calibration'

If the mode Down-/upward calibration is selected, the following window is displayed:

Determining the series scheme in mode Down-/upward calibration

The upper list boxes Weight B: and Weight A: both contain all available weights, i. e. all test weights and all standards to which one magazine place is allocated, see [Allocating the weight magazine places}Page27].

The series scheme, displayed in the lower list boxes (Scheme - Weight B: and Scheme - Weight A:), consists of a list of comparisons between two combinations of up to three weights each. These comparisons will be performed in the order of their entry (amendments can be made to the sequence as explained below).

Each comparison is entered as follows: 1 Select first the weight B by clicking on the proper record in the upper Weight B: list box. 2 Click Add B.

ð The selected weight B is entered in the Scheme - Weight B: list box.

3 If you wish to enter a combination of more than one weight, repeat the previous two steps (the symbol ‘+’

in the Scheme list boxes indicates that a combination is entered and the total nominal value of the combination is displayed on the top of the Scheme list boxes).

4 Once the (combination of) weight(s) B is entered, select the weight A by clicking on the proper record in the

upper Weight A: list box.

5 Click Add A.

ð The selected weight A is entered in the Scheme - Weight A: list box.

6 If you wish to enter a combination of more than one weight A, repeat the two previous steps. 7 Repeat the above sequence until the new series scheme is fully determined.

Operation34 Robotic Mass Comparator

8 Once the series scheme is completed, click OK to store it. By clicking Cancel, the modifications are ignored.

Note

• Should the nominal value of a weight combination exceed 111 g, the scheme entry is rejected.

Further commands

Command Description

Default scheme

Instead of entering each comparison one after the other, you may prefer to let e100control propose its own scheme. By clicking the command e100control selects for each weight B a matching weight A.

The command is active only if none of all 3 options is enabled.

Delete

Delete all

Move last entry

To delete a wrong entry in the scheme. To delete all entries in the scheme. The sequence of comparisons can be changed by moving the last entry up: 1 Select the line up to which you want the last entry to move. 2 Click Move last entry. ð The record on the selected line and all records below it are consequently shifted

downward.

Complete series scheme in mode Down-/upward calibration

See also

2 Weighing process settings}Page29

Operation 35Robotic Mass Comparator

5.5 Choosing the report contents

Before starting the weighing process, the contents of the report file can be defined. For this purpose, proceed as follows:

1 Select Report > Contents….

ð The window Report contents is displayed.

2 Enter a User name. 3 Enter some Notes (brief description of the process) which will help ensure an easy traceability of your

measurement reports.

4 Define of which information blocks the report, produced both in a text (Microsoft® Word® file: ‘.doc’

extension) and spreadsheet (Microsoft® Excel® file: ‘.xls’ extension) format, shall consist.

See an example of a report printout in [Measurement report}Page40].

Note

• The report file name itself is not yet entered at this point: e100control will prompt you to define it once the

Start command is given.

Defining the report contents

Note

• An efficient way of exploiting e100control’s flexibility is to define the settings file (.e100) as a template for a

particular measurement (e. g. ‘100g-10g.e100’: settings file for the determination of a 100 g - 10 g weight set) and to describe the job specifics (e. g. reference of the person/organization who is responsible for this particular weighing process, reference of the person/organization who placed the order for these services etc.) in the report under User name and Notes.

See also

2 Starting the weighing process}Page37 2 Measurement report}Page40

5.6 Adapting system settings

Before starting the weighing process, the serial communication needs to be established and the controller’s serial port properly set. Proceed as follows:

Operation36 Robotic Mass Comparator

1 Select System > Comparator serial port….

ð The window Serial port is displayed. 2 Activate the port to which the interface cable 1 is connected. The other menu points in the System menu are explained later in this Reference Manual:

Menu point Description Import/Export mode… See [Importing an externally defined settings file into

e100control}Page56]

Application mode… See [Selecting the application mode}Page60] Software upgrade… See [Upgrading e100control}Page52] Corner load error measurement… See [Measuring the corner load error}Page49]

Balance pan adjustment...

For METTLER TOLEDO service purposes only.

Email sender configuration… See [Sending emails}Page66]

ReportTransmitter configuration…

For information how to transmit measurement report data to a TCP/IP server using ReportTransmitter configuration… see [Transmit measurement report data to a TCP/IP server}Page69].

Standard’s centering history…

For information how to reduce pre-run/centering time using Standard’s centering history… see [Reduce pre-run/centering time using ‘Standard’s centering history’}Page68].

5.7 Starting and monitoring the weighing process

5.7.1 Starting the weighing process

Preconditions

Prior to start the weighing process, ensure the following:

• The needed weights are positioned on the respective weight carriers in the magazine,

see [Preparing the weight magazine}Page17].

• The weights data (test weights and standards data) are entered in e100control,

see [Entering and editing the weights data}Page23].

• The weight magazine places are allocated in e100control,

see [Allocating the weight magazine places}Page27].

• The weighing process settings and the series scheme are determined,

see [Determining the weighing process settings and series scheme}Page28].

• If needed, the content of the report is defined, see [Choosing the report contents}Page36].

• All system settings are adapted to the instrument, see [Adapting system settings}Page36].

Starting the weighing process

To start the weighing process, proceed as follows: 1 Select Start > Start measurement. 2 Once the process is started, enter the name and location of the measurement report file. 3 Confirm your entry by clicking Save (clicking Cancel would abort the process).

Operation 37Robotic Mass Comparator

4 After creating the report file, e100control displays a

message box which indicates the process timing, as well as the maximum balance load. Click OK to pursue the process (clicking Cancel would abort it).

5 Monitor the weighing process according to [Monitoring

the weighing process}Page38].

Entering the report file name

Weighing process information - Timing and maximum balance load

5.7.2 Monitoring the weighing process

Overview

Once the weighing process has been started, e100control displays the weighing process monitor which allows you to follow the process on-line, step by step. The two upper boxes Weight B: and Weight A: show which comparison weighing is currently being carried out - which weight B vs. which weight A. The large text box first reminds you of the process settings you defined; it records every single process step and displays the detailed measurement data, in a format which is similar to the report format. Furthermore, it provides in the ‘status field’ (area at the bottom left) useful information on the current action, as well as valuable advice with respect to troubleshooting, should an error be detected.

Operation38 Robotic Mass Comparator

Note

Should an error be detected, do pay careful attention to the information given in the process status field and proceed accordingly.

Weighing process monitor

Commands

The following command buttons are available:

Command Description Suspend and

Resume

The Suspend command interrupts temporarily the process and allows access to the weighing chamber.

Stop The Stop command aborts the process. You are prompted to chose between aborting

the process immediately, and aborting the process after the robot system has brought the weight(s), which is (are) being determined, back to the magazine. Should the process be aborted, the measurement results gathered up to this point as well as the summary table of the completed series are nevertheless documented in the report file.

Info… e100control indicates the estimated date and time of the completion of the

measurement process, as well as the time (in hours and minutes) remaining until completion. Please be aware that the process is suspended as long as this information window is open.

Exit

Closes the weighing process monitor and returns to the main window.

Initial checks

The process starts with a centering phase, during which each weight carrier is checked - by means of the light barrier located on the robot hand (1) - and centered on its magazine position. If the pre-run is requested, each weight is weighed and its nominal value checked, after its carrier has been centered.

The following initial checks are performed during centering/pre-run. Should a failure be detected, the process aborts (except for the dead load check):

• The serial communication is established.

• The authorization was duly given for Down-/upward calibration, if selected.

Operation 39Robotic Mass Comparator

• The authorization was duly given for Online climate data input, if selected.

• The robot hand is free of any weight carrier.

• The balance dead load - weight (force) generated by the electromagnetic balance sensor, when the balance

pan is free of any weight - has kept stable within an acceptable range since the last process start.

• Each allocated magazine place carries a weight carrier.

• If the mode Down-/upward calibration is chosen, no weight involved in a 3-weight combination is placed

on a weight carrier of design 3 (red frame, see [Selecting a suitable weight carrier}Page17]) - this check is performed during the centering phase.

• During pre-run only: the difference between measured and nominal weight value does not exceed 10% of

the nominal value.

Checks during each weighing

Beside these initial checks, further ones are performed during each weighing. Should a failure be detected, the process aborts:

• The carrier type (design) has not changed.

• The difference between measured and nominal weight (combination) value does not exceed 10% of the

(total) nominal value.

• The current group standard deviation, calculated after the second and each following comparison, does not

exceed 20 µg.

• The balance shows neither overload nor underload, once the robot hand has lowered the weight or weight

combination onto the balance pan.

Monitoring of sensors

Finally, the status of the balance position sensor is permanently monitored (see electrical drawing):

• The balance must stay in the position which was precisely defined during system installation - should a

position error be detected, do contact your supplier!

Before weighing, e100control sets the position of the four built-in tare weights in function of the nominal value of the weight or weights combination. The set of tare weights consists of two 10 g weights, whose position is set by means of a motor controlled via the balance interface, and two weights, 50g and 30 g, whose respective position is set by means of a knob controlled by the finger of the robot hand (1).

5.8 Analyzing measurement data and report

5.8.1 Measurement report

The following figures show a report generated by e100control after running a weighing process consisting of one series of 7 groups of 5 A-B-A comparison weighings. The selected weighing mode is Down-/upward calibration.

Operation40 Robotic Mass Comparator

Figure 'Report - Part 1' shows the report heading, comprising the following information:

• The report file name (‘.doc’)

• The name of the settings file (‘.e100’)

• The process start date and start time

• The duration of the process

• The user identification

• Some notes

• The weighing process settings

• The magazine places allocation

• The series scheme

• The balance settings

Note

• Be reminded that the report contents can be adapted to your needs, see [Choosing the report

contents}Page36]. Figure 'Report - Part 2' shows the measurement data. Each table line consists of the 8 following fields:

Field Description

Day/Time

Meas.no.

Measurement day and time recorded in day/hours:minutes:seconds. Measurement number which indicates the series number, the group number and the

weighing number. Example: ‘010203A’ stands for series no. 01, group no. 02, comparison no. 03 and

weight A. When a sensitivity check is carried out, the measurement number shows the series number and ‘sc’ (for sensitivity check).

Place(s)

Indicates the magazine place(s) of the weight(s). Noteworthy is the fact that, in case of a weight combination, the reported combination

(e. g. ‘a10 + b2 + b1’) differs from the combination entered in the series scheme (‘a10 + b1 + b2’): it indicates in which order the weights were put onto the balance pan. e100control chooses this order in such a way that the error due to corner load is minimized (see 'Indication of corner load error' further in the current section).

Value

Indicates the recorded weight(s) value in mg. This value is the calculated average of all values collected during the integration time [Weighing process settings}Page29] and shows therefore an extra decimal place.

Diff. (B-A)

Indicates for each comparison the calculated difference between weight B and weight A. The differences listed for a particular group are statistically independent [Calculations}Page45].

Diff.average

Indicates for each group the calculated average of all differences [Calculations}Page45].

WeightB-error

Indicates for each group the calculated error of the weight B, provided the error of the weight A is known - this applies to a single standard only [Calculations}Page45].

Std.dev.

Indicates for each group the calculated standard deviation of the difference average [Calculations}Page45].

If the climate data input source is online via serial port [Selecting the application mode}Page60], the program collects online climate data and the measurement data table consists of additional fields: Each sensor enabled to be reported has its own field.

Operation 41Robotic Mass Comparator

At last, figure 'Report - Part 3' presents the results summary table from which you get, at a glance, the essentials in a compact, but explicit format. Should the process consist of more than one series, the summary table indicates the average of the difference averages (Average:).

Report - Part 1: heading and process settings

Operation42 Robotic Mass Comparator

Report - Part 2: measurement data

Operation 43Robotic Mass Comparator

Report - Part 2: measurement data (cont’d)

Report - Part 3: summary of results

Indication of corner load error

As above mentioned, e100control automatically handles the comparison of two weight combinations in such a way (placing sequence) that the remaining corner load error is minimized. In the case of a comparison '20 g + 20 g + 10 g' vs. '50 g', the combination entered as '20 g + 20 g + 10 g' will be placed onto the balance pan in the sequence '20 g + 10 g + 20 g': the center of gravity of the weights combination is located on the same vertical axis as the 50 g weight and, consequently, the remaining corner load error equals zero. However, in certain cases, in particular when non OIML weights are involved in a combination (e.g. '30 g + 20 g' vs. '50 g'), a certain error due to corner load remains. Knowing the measured corner load error, e100control

Operation44 Robotic Mass Comparator

calculates for each comparison the remaining error due to corner load and, if not zero, indicates it under 'CrLd-

(Val_B

010101

- Val_A

010101

) + (Val_B

010101

- Val_A

010101’

)

Diff

010101

(Val_B

010102

- Val_A

010102

) + (Val_B

010102’

- Val_A

010102

)

Diff

010102

(Val_B

010103

- Val_A

010103

) + (Val_B

010103

- Val_A

010103’

)

Diff

010103

etc.

(Val_B

010101

+ Val_B

010101’

) - (Val_A

010101

+ Val_A

010101’

)

Diff

010101

(Val_B

010102

+ Val_B

010102’

) - (Val_A

010102

+ Val_A

010102’

)

Diff

010102

etc.

err' in the results summary table of the measurement report. The corrected difference average (not indicated in the report) equals 'Diff.average' minus 'CrLd-err'.

Indication of corner load error

See also

2 Measuring the corner load error}Page49

5.8.2 Calculations

The figure below schematically represents the reported measurement data and the differences B-A calculated during a weighing process, whose comparison scheme was set to A-B-A and A-B-B-A respectively. The calculations are given below for the series 1, group 01 as example.

The differences B-A are reported in the column Diff.(B-A) and, if the comparison scheme A-B-A was selected, calculated as follows (see the figure below, top diagram):

If the comparison scheme A-B-B-A was selected, the differences B-A, reported in the column Diff.(B-A), are calculated as follows (see the figure below, bottom diagram):

Operation 45Robotic Mass Comparator

The difference average is reported, for each group of n comparisons, in the column Diff.average, and

Diff.average

0101

= (1 / n) å Diff

0101 i

i=01

td.dev.

0101

= [1 / (n-1)] å (Diff

0101 i

– Diff.average

0101

)

i=01

WeightB-error

101

= WeightA-error

0101

+ Diff.average

0101

(Val_SC00- Val_000) + (Val_SC00- Val_0

00’

)

Diff_SC00= (initial check)

(Val_SC01- Val_001) + (Val_SC01- Val_0

01’

)

Diff_SC01= (check done after series 01)

etc.

calculated as follows (for both comparison schemes):

The standard deviation of the difference average is reported, for each group, in the column Std.dev., and calculated as follows (for both comparison schemes):

Provided the error of the weight A is known, the error of the weight B is reported, for each group, in the column WeightB-error, and calculated as follows (for both comparison schemes):

Finally, if a sensitivity check was requested, the value of the selected check standard is reported in the column Diff.(B-A), and calculated as follows (see the figure below, top and bottom diagram):

Val_SCi denotes the value measured after loading the check standard, Val_0i and Val_0i’ denote respectively the zero point before and after loading the check standard.

Operation46 Robotic Mass Comparator

The corner load error CrLd-err reported in the results summary table is calculated as follows (‘CrLd_err’ instead

CrLd_err = CrLd_errB- CrLd_err

1 ( M

A , B

)

CrLd_err

A , B

= × ( CrLd_err

measured, back

+ CrLd_err

measured, front

) ×

2 ( M

measured

)

1 M

A , B

+ × ( CrLd_err

measured, back

– CrLd_err

measured, front

) ×

2 M

measured

n-1 m

-1

with: MA= å ( weight_Ai× ecc_Ai) , MB= å ( weight_Bj× ecc_Bj) ,

i=0 j=0

and M

measured

= weight

measured

× ecc

measured

of ‘CrLd-err’, to avoid any confusion with the minus sign):

Key to above formulas

CrLd_err CrLd_err

measured, front

measured, back

Measured corner load error, front position Measured corner load error, back position

weight_A i , weight_BjNominal value in g of the weight i, resp. j, in the combination A of n weights, resp. B of

m weights

ecc_A i , ecc_B

Eccentricity of weight i, resp. j in the combination A, resp. B - i.e distance in mm

between the center of gravity of the weight and the vertical central axis of the balance

pan; this distance is positive for back position and negative for front position weight ecc

measured

Nominal value in g of the check weight used for the measurement of the corner error

Eccentricity of the check weight used for the measurement of the corner load error - i. e.

distance in mm between the center of gravity of the check weight and the vertical central

axis of the balance pan; this distance is positive for back position and negative for front

position

Operation 47Robotic Mass Comparator

The corner load error CrLd-err is not reported in the results summary table if its calculated value equals zero.

Displayed value comparison scheme A-B-A

Time

Val_0

Val_SC

iff_SC

Val_0

00’

Val_A

010103’

Val_A

010201

series 1, group 1

series 1, group 2

Val_B

01010

Val_A

010103

Diff

010103

initial sensitivity check

Displayed value comparison scheme A-B-B-A

Time

Val_0

Val_SC

Diff_SC

Val_0

00’

series 1, group 1

Val_A

010101

Val_B

010101

Val_A

010101’

Val_B

010102

Val_B

010102’

Val_A

010102

Val_A

010102

’

Diff

010102

Diff

010101

Val_B

01010

1’

Val_A

010101

Val_B

010101

Val_A

010101’

Diff

010101

Val_B

01010

Val_B

010102’

Val_A

010102

Diff

010102

Val_A

010201

’

Val_B

010201

Diff

010201

series 1, group 2

Val_A

010201

Val_B

010201

Diff

010201

Val_A

010201

’

Val_B

010201

’

Should the measurement of the corner load error not have been done and the calculated corner load error differ from zero, the results summary table indicates CrLd-err: unknown.

Weighing process and reported measurement data - top diagram: A-B-A, bottom diagram: A-B-B-A scheme

Operation48 Robotic Mass Comparator

See also

2 Measuring the corner load error}Page49

5.9 Adjusting the balance

The adjustment procedure has to be started from e100control, and not “manually”, i. e. not from the balance control unit. To trigger the adjustment, proceed as follows:

1 Select Adjustment > Internal....

ð The window Adjustment with internal weights is displayed. The date and time of the last adjustment

are displayed. Under Tare weight: the 100 g standard weights, to which a magazine place is allocated,

are listed. 2 Select one of the tare weights before starting the adjustment. 3 Click Start to trigger the adjustment (or Cancel to return to the main window without taking any action). ð From this point, the adjustment procedure runs automatically.

Starting the balance adjustment (with the internal weights)

5.10 Measuring the corner load error

Overview

As long as only direct comparisons are carried out and the selection of the weight carriers is made properly, the error due to corner load is negligible. When combinations of weights are determined, the above statement is not necessarily true; it is actually true only provided both weights combinations involved in the comparison can be arranged on the balance pan in such a way that the centers of gravity of both combinations are located on the same vertical axis (see Indication of corner load error, in [Measurement report}Page40]).

In the previously given example, i. e. '30 g + 20 g' vs. '50 g', the error due to corner load cannot be neglected. Therefore, it is indicated in the report, as presented under Indication of corner load error. The indicated corner load error is calculated from the so-called measured corner load error which is to be determined and updated (or at least checked) on a regular - monthly - basis. The measured corner load error (front, back) is the difference between the value of weight of a particular nominal value well centered on the balance pan and the value of the same weight moved 21 or 17 mm (weight carrier of design 1 or 3) forwards, respectively backwards from the vertical central axis of the balance pan.

Operation 49Robotic Mass Comparator

Since the corner load error does depend not only on the value and the eccentricity of the weight (or weights combination), but also on the distribution of the tare weights currently used, the corner load error values have to be measured for all nominal values involved in your regular weighing processes (nominal values between 10 and 100 g can be selected). Again, the measurement of the corner load error needs to be done only if combinations of weights with values which do not conform to the OIML recommendations are to be determined.

For each of these values, the date of the last corner load error measurement (or Not measured, if no measurement has been done yet), as well as the current measured error values and the type of weight carrier used for the measurement, are displayed. Besides, the Check weights list box displays all the standard weights, or all weights (according to the setting of the top option button Check weights to use:), which are appropriate for this particular measurement.

Measuring the corner load error

In order to determine or update the values saved as measured corner load error, proceed as follows: 1 Select System > Corner load error measurement….

ð The window Corner load error measurement is displayed.

Starting the measurement of the corner load error

2 Click on the appropriate list record in order to select the weight you wish to use.

Operation50 Robotic Mass Comparator

3 Click Start to trigger the corner load error measurement (or click Cancel to return to the main window

without taking any action).

ð From this point, the measurement procedure runs automatically. Its results can be viewed in the Corner

load error measurement - Report window.

Report on the measurement of the corner load error

4 Once the procedure is completed, click Exit to return to the previous window.

ð e100control displays the values which have just been determined for the measured corner load error,

back and front. 5 Accept these values and update the currently saved errors accordingly by clicking OK, or reject the new

values and keep the currently stored ones by clicking Cancel.

Operation 51Robotic Mass Comparator

Accepting OK or rejecting Cancel the new corner load error data

5.11 Upgrading e100control

If you acquired the ‘standard’ edition of e100control and now wish to upgrade it to the ‘professional’ one, or if you wish to enable online climate data input, proceed as follows:

1 Select System > Software upgrade….

ð The window Software upgrade is displayed.

2 Enter in the Handler ID box the last four characters of the serial number of your e100 comparator (see

sticker on rear panel).

3 Enter the 8-character password you received upon purchase of the software option. 4 Click OK. 5 Should e100control ‘professional’ need to be re-installed on a controller, Handler ID and Password have to

be re-entered.

ð Your e100 comparator is now upgraded.

Operation52 Robotic Mass Comparator

Upgrading the e100control software

5.12 Remote-controlling the e100comparator

The weighing process settings may need to be generated by a central laboratory information management system, such as for instance the ‘Automated Mass Measurement System’ (AMMS) supplied by Measurement Technology Laboratories (Minneapolis, USA), and imported from this system into e5control. Furthermore certain commands may need to be sent to e5control from this central system, in order to let this system “remote-control” the e5 comparator. e5control offers such an interface which fully meets these requirements.

5.12.1 Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file

As above mentioned, the ability of e100control to import a settings file generated by a central information management system is indispensable to certain laboratories. To achieve this, a text file needs to be produced by this central system according to well-defined format rules, so that it becomes convertible into a regular, e100control-compatible settings file.

Operation 53Robotic Mass Comparator

The figure below presents an example of such a text file, named ‘ImportDemo.imp’ and containing all necessary settings according to their description and values given earlier on [Determining the weighing process settings and series scheme}Page28].

Example of a text file convertible into a settings file by e100control

The format of this text file is defined in the figure below. The words written in upper case, bold letters (followed or not by ‘:’), such as for instance REPORT: and END REPORT, are fixed identifiers which indicate the beginning and the end of a parameter definition block. The other “words” are variables, i. e. parameters whose values numerical values or strings of characters - determine the information and settings specific to the weighing process. The value of the following variables or parameters are to be determined within their respective range. You may note that the prefix of their designation refers to their type:

• ‘str’ stands for ‘string’ (string of characters, without spaces unless otherwise specified)

• ‘bln’ for boolean (0 or 1)

• ‘int’ for ‘integer’ (exact whole number)

• ‘dec’ for decimal (number with decimal)

Operation54 Robotic Mass Comparator

Format of a text file convertible into an e100control settings file (<CR LF> means ‘carriage return linefeed’ and [ ] optional)

Parameters

Parameter designation Value (range) Description

strJobID <no limitation> string of characters used as job identification strAppName

‘e100control’

designation of control software used

intDocVersion 3 document version used as internal reference to the

settings definition and its history

strHeaderLine <no limitation> text appearing in a message box when loading the

imported and converted settings file

blnWeighingMode 0 | 1 ‘0’ = 1 vs. 1 comparisons, ‘1’ = down-/upward

calibration blnPrerun 0 | 1 ‘0’ = pre-run not requested, ‘1’ = pre-run requested intStartDelayHours 0 – 99 integer, number of hours in time requested as start

delay intStartDelayMinutes 0 – 59 integer, number of minutes in time requested as start

delay intNonReported-

Preweighings

0 – 5 integer, number of non-reported pre-weighings per

group intReportedComparisons 1 – 20 integer, number of reported comparisons per group intSeries 1 – 20 integer, number of series strComparisonScheme ‘A-B-A’ | ‘A-B-B-A’ comparison scheme intStabilisationTime 10 – 60 integer, stabilisation time in seconds intIntegrationTime 0 – 60 integer, integration time in seconds

Operation 55Robotic Mass Comparator

Parameter designation Value (range) Description

strSensitivityCheck strPosID | ‘NO’ mag. place of sens. check standard if check done,

‘NO’ if not intHistorySpecificPause 0 – 60 integer, duration of history-specific pause in minutes strPosID ‘a’ | ‘b’ | ‘c’ | & ‘1’ | ‘2’ |

…| ‘9’

magazine position number: a1 to a9, b1 to b9, c1 to

c9 strWeightType ‘S’ | ‘T’ ‘S’ = standard, ‘T’ = test weight strSetID <maximum 8 characters> string of maximum 8 characters, weight set identifi-

cation strWeightID <maximum 8 characters> string of maximum 8 characters, weight identification decNominal 0 – 111 number (with decimal), weight nominal value in g decError <no limitation, in

principle>

decDensity <no limitation, in

number (with decimal), error in mg given for

standards only (i.e. strWeightType = ‘S’)

number (with decimal), density in kg/m^3

principle>

strCombination strPosID[+strPosID

[+strPosID]]

strUserName <maximum 54

characters>

strFileName <file location path and

name>

string consisting of up to 3 different magazine

positions, separated by the ‘+’ sign

string of maximum 54 characters (including spaces),

user identification

name of report file, without extension, and its location

on disk

Meaning of the symbols used in the above table

• ‘< >’ delimits a comment on the value of a parameter

• ‘–’ means ‘up to’

• ‘ | ’ stands for ‘or’

• ‘[ ]’ delimits an optional block

• ‘&’ indicates the concatenation of two strings of characters

5.12.2 Importing an externally defined settings file into e100control

The file generated in the previous chapter (extension ‘.imp’) can now be imported into e100control and converted into a settings file (extension ‘.e100’).

Selecting import source

Before importing the file, you need to select the data import mode between importing from file (accessible locally on disk or via local area network) and importing via a serial communication port. Proceed as follows:

1 Select System > Import/Export mode… > Import source.

ð The window Import/Export mode is displayed. 2 Select the appropriate mode (File or Serial port). 3 Confirm with OK.

Note

• Should Serial port be selected, a second serial communication port has to be available - in addition to the

port used for communication to the e5 comparator weighing machine [Starting the weighing

process}Page37] - and selected as shown under Serial port.

Operation56 Robotic Mass Comparator

Selecting the import mode ‘import via the serial communication port COM2’

Importing the file

Once the appropriate import mode is selected, the previously produced text file ‘ImportDemo.imp’ can be

imported into e100control and converted into the setting file ‘ImportDemo.e100’. To achieve this, proceed as

follows:

1 Select File > Import….

ð The window Select import file is displayed. 2 Select the text file you wish to import (extension ‘.imp’ or ‘txt’). 3 Click [Open]. ð The selected text file is parsed and checked, syntax-wise (see to the rules given in [Generating a file

importable into e100control as settings file}Page53]) and consistency-wise, as follows:

• The value of each parameter must be within the allowed range.

• The document version is currently 3: the document version is an internal reference to the settings definition

and its history.

• Should the sensitivity check be requested, the indicated magazine position must be allocated to a particular

weight in the ‘MAGAZINE’ block.

• An error must be specified for all standard weights.

• The number of weights in each combination must not exceed 3 and the total nominal value of each combi-

nation must not exceed 111 g; besides, the combinations to be compared must be comparable, i. e. the

difference between their respective nominal value must not exceed 11 g (electrical weighing range of the

balance).

• All magazine positions mentioned in the scheme must be allocated to a particular weight in the ‘MAGAZINE’

block.

• The path given for the output file must exist on the e100 comparator’s controller.

Should the text file be error-free, it is converted into an e100control settings file (extension ‘.e100’); the window Save imported file opens and prompts you to enter the name under which this new settings file shall be saved.

It is important to note that the standards database ‘MyStandards.st2’ – data on standards locally defined – is not affected in any way when the weighing process settings are imported. The imported file contains all data relevant to the definition of the standards involved in this process.

The imported settings are immediately loaded into e100control. You are informed in a message box that the current weighing process settings are based on imported data, and that therefore these settings cannot be altered, except for the Notes, see [Choosing the report contents}Page36]. Besides, this message box displays the text defined in the ‘HEADER’ block of the source file, see [Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file}Page53].

Operation 57Robotic Mass Comparator

Everything is set, the weighing process can be started, see [Starting the weighing process}Page37]). The measurement will be documented in the output file defined in the source file.

See also

2 Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file}Page53

5.12.3 Communicating via the serial port

The ‘.imp’ text file generated by the laboratory information management system (LIMS) can be imported into e100control via a serial communication port. For this purpose, the option Import source: Serial port must be selected in the Import/Export mode window.

Importing jobs

1 Select File > Import….

ð The window Import from serial port is displayed.

2 Click Get job list to get from the LIMS the list of the

pending jobs (settings files).

3 Once the pending jobs are listed in the Jobs: list box, a

particular job can be imported (loaded) into e100control and converted into a settings file. For this purpose click Load job.

ð Before converting the job into a settings file,

e100control parses and checks the text file to be

converted. Should it be error-free, it is converted

into an e100control settings file and the window

Save imported file opens.

4 Enter the name under which this new settings file shall

be saved.

5 If needed, repeat the procedure to import further jobs. 6 When finished, close the Import from serial port

window by clicking Exit.

Getting the list of pending jobs from the LIMS and loading a particular job

Set of commands

The communication protocol is fixed: 2400 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, parity even; besides, a fixed time out of 3 seconds is defined during which the reply to a request for data must be sent. To ensure a smooth exchange of information between the LIMS and e100control, the following set of commands is available:

Task, description Command e100control --> LIMS Command LIMS --> e100control

Requesting list of pending jobs, clicking Get job list

Sending list of pending jobs (empty list if none available)

Requesting one particular job, clicking Load job

Sending one particular job <text file as described in

Accepting job (file syntax and consistency o.k.), saving job as settings file

Rejecting job (file syntax and consistency not o.k.)

JOB ?<CR LF>

JOB[ strJobID[ strJobID[…]]]<CR LF>

JOB strJobID<CR LF>

[Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file}Page53]>

JOB strJobID OK<CR LF>

JOB strJobID DENIED<CR LF>

Operation58 Robotic Mass Comparator

Task, description Command e100control --> LIMS Command LIMS --> e100control

23/19:38:49 00 sc 0 0.0130<CR LF> 23/19:40:05 00 sc a3 10000.0020<CR LF> 23/19:41:21 00 sc 0 0.0160<CR LF> 23/19:53:02 010101A a1 175.9270<CR

LF>

23/19:54:42 010101B a8 175.8134<CR

LF>

23/19:56:23 010101A a1 175.9288<CR

LF> … 24/00:56:02 01 sc 0 0.1440<CR

LF> 24/00:57:17 01 sc a3 10000.1320<CR

LF> 24/00:58:33 01 sc 0 0.1440<CR

LF>

Advising of job start and estimated duration, before pre-run/centering

JOB strJobID STARTS DURATION: intHours:intMinutes<CR LF>

starts Advising of job end, after job

successfully completed Advising of job end due to program

JOB strJobID SUCCESSFULLY ENDED<CR LF>

JOB strJobID ABORTED<CR LF>

failure, after program aborted Advising of job end due to ‘Abort’

command given by user

JOB strJobID ABORTED BY USER<CR LF>

The output data, i. e. the measurement results, can be sent out via the serial communication port and processed on line by the LIMS. To achieve this, the option Export mode - Online output via serial port needs to be selected in the Import/Export mode window and the serial communication port identified, as demonstrated in the figure below. (If the mode importing via a serial communication port is active, the same port is used for data in- and output.)

Activating the on-line data output via the serial communication port COM2

While the weighing process is running, and provided the Export mode - Online output via serial port is active, e100control sends on line the measurement data - without heading -, contained in the first four columns (‘Time’, ‘Measurement number’, ‘Place(s)’ and ‘Value’) of the measurement data block of the report presented in the figures below, for example:

After the weighing process is successfully completed, e100control sends out via the serial port a final data block containing the corner load error, in mg, calculated for each measurement group (see [Measurement report}Page40] and [Calculations}Page45]). The block format is as follows:

CORNERLOAD decCrLd_err1[ decCrLd_err2[ decCrLd_err3[ …]]]<CR LF>

Operation 59Robotic Mass Comparator

where ‘decCrLd_err1’ is the corner load error calculated for the first measurement group, ‘decCrLd_err2’ the corner load error calculated for the second measurement group etc. Should the error calculated for a particular group equal zero or not have been measured, the value indicated for the error is ‘NO’ or ‘UNKNOWN’ respectively. An example of a complete block is given below, advising of the following corner load errors: 0 for the first group, 0.0006 mg for the second group, -0.0005 mg for the third group and ‘unknown’ because not measured for the fourth and last group.

CORNERLOAD NO 0.0006 –0.0005 UNKNOWN<CR LF>

5.13 Selecting the application mode

To select the application mode, proceed as follows:

− Select System > Application mode…. ð The window Application mode is displayed.

Selections in the application mode

Operation60 Robotic Mass Comparator

Section Description

Weight densities

You can select if your standard and test weights have a density value or not. If you choose with density value, a valid density value must be entered for each standard and test weight.

Note

• If you select with density value and your standards and/or test weights database

already contains weights that have no density values specified, a warning is generated to inform you that the densities of these weights are automatically set to the value 8000kg/m3.

Climate data input

Here you can specify the climate data input source. Select between the following options:

• none: No climate data input

• manual at measurement start: The climate data can be entered manually in a

window at measurement start.

• online via serial port: A climate measurement instrument (Klimet A30 or

compatible) can be connected to a serial port and the climate data are collected online. Choose an available serial port from the Serial port list, and enable all sensors to be reported by ticking the adjacent boxes.

• online from database (ODBC): Data will be read from an ODBC data source. See

the next sections for further details. Enter the name of the ODBC data source, the name of the Table/Query and enable all sensors to be reported by ticking the adjacent boxes. If 'measurement time' is checked, select the appropriate date format, and enter the values for Correct measurement time and Maximum time difference. Click Check connection to make sure the ODBC data can be retrieved successfully.

Automatic postprocessing

If you choose weights with density value and Climate data input online via serial port, the generated measurement report will contain all information needed to perform a

buoyancy correction calculation for mass and conventional mass calibration. These calculations can be performed with a post-processing program (not included in the delivery).

Select Do automatic post-processing and click Browse... to select your post-processing program. After the weighing process is successfully completed, the report (either the ‘.Doc’-report in text format, or the ‘.XLS’-report in Excel-format) will be sent to the postprocessing program (more precise: The post-processing program is started, and the name of the report file is passed as a parameter).

− Click OK, if you wish the application mode selection to be confirmed, or Cancel to ignore any changes, and

return to the main window.

5.13.1 Interface to ODBC climate data sources: Overview

ODBC data sources can be installed on a PC to read data from various data sources like text files, Microsoft Excel data sheets, or any databases system like Microsoft Access, SQL-Server, Firebird, Oracle etc.

e100control implement an interface to receive climate data from any ODBC source. This interface has the following characteristics:

• Reads data of all sensors selected to be reported. The names of the data fields correspond to the names of

the sensors: T1, T2, T3, T4, P, RH.

• Data is read as text, not as numerical values. Therefore the data source can specify the number of decimal

places of the data. However, the data is checked to be numerical, and not more than 4 decimal places will be displayed.

• Additional data fields STATUSNO and STATUSTEXT allow to halt the control program (SATUSNO=1) when a

measurement group has ended, or abort it immediately (STATUSNO=2), displaying the STATUSTEXT to give additional information to the user about the reason of the halt or failure.

Operation 61Robotic Mass Comparator

• Optional measurement time checking: An additional data field MEASTIME can be read (either as date/time

value, or as float value indicating the expired days since 1.1.2000). The Maximum time difference input specifies the maximum time difference between the controller PC local time when the climate data was read, and the timestamp of the climate data which was imported from the ODBC data source. If the climate data is updated periodically, use the maximum time period as input here.

• Correction of time base shifts between controller PC and climate measurement system: Use the Correct

measurement time input to shift the measurement time from the ODBC source if the climate data database and the controller PC have different time bases.

5.13.2 Read data via ODBC from an Access database

Suppose your climate measurement system collects data periodically and saves the data to a Microsoft Access database. The sensors used for e100 comparator might be named T_A100, P_A100 and RH_A100. Each sensor is stored in an individual field of the database table tblClimate. The field name is equal to the sensors name. There is a timestamp generated whenever the data is stored, and this value is stored in the table field CURRENTTIME.

Example of the data table tblClimate in Access:

We want to read the current data from this Access database table and use it as climate data for e100control.

Step 1: Create a database query

We have to create a database query in the Access database to let the ODBC driver access the appropriate data. The ODBC driver reads the climate data of all sensors selected to be reported, which field names are ‘T1’, ‘T2’, ‘T3’, ‘T4’, ‘P’ and ‘RH’, and it furthermore reads the Fields ‘STATUSNO’, ‘STATUSTEXT’ and ‘MEASTIME’, see [Interface to ODBC climate data sources: Overview}Page61].

• The query in Access therefore has to rename all database fields and to add STATUSNO and STATUSTEXT

fields.

• The query should export only the latest data record. Use the ORDER BY clause to order the records

descending.

• The following SELECT query would perform all these tasks:

SELECT TOP 1 tblClimate.ID, tblClimate.T_A100 AS T1, tblClimate.P_A100 AS P, tblClimate.RH_A100 AS RH, 0 AS STATUSNO, "OK" AS STATUSTEXT, tblClimate.CURRENTTIME AS MEASTIME FROM tblClimate ORDER BY tblClimate.CURRENTTIME DESC;

1 Create a database query as mentioned above. 2 Name this query and store it in Access. We call it ‘qry_ClimateData’. 3 Save the database to a file like ClimateData.mdb.

Step 2: Create an ODBC data source to access the database

• This step depends on your Windows operating system as well as on your operation system language.

1 Open the control panel and go to administrative tools to find the ODBC data sources. 2 Add a System-DSN. 3 Select the appropriate driver (‘Driver for Microsoft access (.mdb)’).

Operation62 Robotic Mass Comparator

4 Select an appropriate name (like ‘ClimateServer’). 5 Select the database path and choose the database .mdb-file.

Step 3: Access the data in e100control

1 Start e100control. 2 Select System > Application mode…. 3 Select online from database (ODBC). 4 Enter the name of the ODBC data source as created above ('ClimateServer' in the example). 5 As Table/Query, enter the name of the Query in brackets: [qry_ClimateData] in the above example. 6 Select the sensors Temperature T1, Pressure and Relative Humidity to be reported. 7 Select Check ODBC measurement time = No and click Check connection to check the connection.

ð A message box will display the current values, or an appropriate error message.

8 If a MEASTIME value is exported, select Check ODBC measurement time. Choose the appropriate format of

the value. In the example above, choose Date/Time. If the connection fails, check the note below.

Note

ODBC drivers may have problems with the translation of Date/Time values on different platforms. If you have problems with checking measurement time in Date/Time format, you can translate the Date/Time value in your database to a float number and export/check this number instead. You have to calculate as follows:

• Convert the Date/Time value to a real number. In Microsoft Access, you can use the CDbl()-Function to

perform this task. Other database system will have similar functions.

• Subtract the corresponding function value of a fix date: 1.1.2000. In Access, you can use the function

CDbl(CDate(#2000.1.1#)) to calculate this value.

• The calculated difference is named MEASTIME.

Using this procedure, you get the MEASTIME value indicating the days (and fractions of a day) since the

1.1.2000. This value will be exported as a real value, which should be easier to read for the ODBC driver. If the problems remain, you must skip the measurement time checking, therefore setting Check ODBC

measurement time to No.

5.13.3 Read data via ODBC from an Excel sheet

You can enter climate data in an Excel sheet and import them via ODBC into e100control.

Step 1: Create the Excel sheet

1 Open a new Excel file.

Operation 63Robotic Mass Comparator

2 Create a new Excel sheet and name it ‘qry_ClimateData’.

ð The first row contains the name of the sensors as named in Application mode dialog in e100control. ð The second row contains the data.

Example of an appropriate Excel Workbook

3 Select Share Workbook. If you do not share the workbook, the ODBC driver will report an error when the

data is changed in the worksheet and the ODBC driver tries to retrieve the new data before the data is saved manually.

4 Save the file. Name it ‘Climatedata.xls’, for example.

Step 2: Create an ODBC data source to access the Excel file

• This step depends on your Windows operating system as well as on your operation system language.

1 Open the control panel and go to administrative tools to find the ODBC data sources. 2 Add a System-DSN. 3 Select the appropriate driver (‘Microsoft excel driver (.xls)’). 4 Select an appropriate name (like ‘ClimateServerFromExcel’). 5 Select the database path and choose the database (Climatedata.xls in the example above).

Step 3: Access the data in e100control

1 Start e100control. 2 Select System > Application mode…. 3 Select online from database (ODBC). 4 Enter the name of the ODBC data source as created above (ClimateServerFromExcel in the example above). 5 As Table/Query, enter the name of the Excel worksheet in Brackets, and add a $ at the end:

[qry_ClimateData$] in the example above.

6 Select the sensors Temperature T1, Pressure and Relative Humidity to be reported. 7 Select Check ODBC measurement time = No and click Check connection to check the connection.

ð A message box will display the current values, or an appropriate error message.

8 If a MEASTIME value is exported, select Check ODBC measurement time. Select the appropriate format of

the value. In the example above, choose Date/Time.

Note

If the connection fails, check the note at the end of [Read data via ODBC from an Access database}Page62].

See also

2 Read data via ODBC from an Access database}Page62

Operation64 Robotic Mass Comparator

5.13.4 Read data via ODBC from a .csv text file

Suppose your climate measurement system exports the current climate data into one .csv file for each comparator. These data can be imported to the control program.

Step 1: Manually create the .csv file

1 Use an editor to create a file looking like the following:

ð The first row contains the name of the sensors as named in Application mode dialog in e100control. ð The second row contains the data. Separate the values with ;.

2 Save the file. Choose an appropriate filename like ‘ClimateData.csv’.

Note

If your climate measurement system automatically updates the data in the file, it should do this as follows: 1 Create e new, temporary file. 2 Write the new data to this new temporary file, close the file. 3 Copy the temporary file (with Windows’ CopyFile command) to the original file (ClimateServer.csv), which

will be replaced. If the copy fails, wait 100msec and then retry to copy.

If you write directly to the ClimateData.csv file, you will temporary block the file for ODBC access. This could force the control program to stop due to ODBC read error.

Step 2: Create an ODBC data source to access the .csv file

• This step depends on your Windows operating system as well as on your operation system language.

1 Open the control panel and go to administrative tools to find the ODBC data sources. 2 Add a System-DSN. 3 Select the appropriate driver (‘Microsoft text driver (*.txt, *.csv)’). 4 Select an appropriate name (like ‘ClimateServerTest’). 5 Click Select directory and choose the directory where your .csv file is located. 6 Select Options. 7 Click Define format.

ð At the left hand side, you get a list with all tables (files) in the directory. 8 Select the file you have created before (ClimateData.csv). 9 Select Column Name Header. 10 As format choose Custom delimited, and enter ‘;’ as delimiter character. 11 Click the Guess-Button on the right hand side.

ð You should get the name of all fields in the right hand list. 12 Select the entry ‘T1’ in the list. 13 Select Data Type = Char. 14 Enter Width = 255. 15 Click the Change button. 16 Do the same for all climate values (if used): T2, T3, T4, P, RH.

Operation 65Robotic Mass Comparator

17 Check the format of the other parameters (they should be already correctly set):

ð STATUSNO must have Data Type = Integer ð STATUSText DataType = Char ð Width = 255 ð MEASTIME (if used) must have Data Type = Float

Note

• However, Microsoft text drivers do not support Date/Time values. Therefore, the MEASTIME must be

exported as a float value.

Step 3: Access the data in e100control

1 Start e100control. 2 Select System > Application mode…. 3 Select online from database (ODBC). 4 Enter the name of the ODBC data source as created above (ClimateServerTest in the example). 5 As Table/Query, enter the name of the CSV file: ClimateData.csv in the example above. 6 Select the sensors Temperature T1, Pressure and Relative Humidity to be reported. 7 Select Check ODBC measurement time = No and click [Check connection] to check the connection.

ð A message box will display the current values, or an appropriate error message.

8 If a MEASTIME value is exported, select Check ODBC measurement time. Select Days since 1.1.2000.

Note

If the connection fails, check the note at the end of [Read data via ODBC from an Access database}Page62].

5.13.5 Read data via ODBC from other database systems

Any other database system can be treated similar to an Access database system. See [Read data via ODBC from an Access database}Page62] for further details.

However, you must make sure to use the latest ODBC driver from your database vendor. For example, DO NOT use Microsoft’s ‘ODBC for Oracle’ driver to access an Oracle database. Always use Oracle’s ODBC driver for these purposes.

5.14 Sending emails

The program is able to send emails to inform the operator about measurement starts, successful measurement completions as well as measurement abortions.

1 Select System > Email sender configuration….

ð The window shown below is displayed.

2 Configure the shipping of emails. Refer to the table below for information concerning the different fields.

Operation66 Robotic Mass Comparator

Email sender configuration (typical entries)

Section Description

Send emails

Mail server settings

To globally enable/disable the shipping of emails. You need an email account on a mail server to send the emails from. Ask your IT

department to get the access information for an email account. The Mail server settings contain information about this email account:

• Smtp mail server for mails to be sent gives the address of the smtp mail server.

• Email account to send mails from is the email address of the account on the smtp

mail server.

• Email account’s display name: The receiver will see this display name in the header

of the mail message as the name of the email sender.

• Credentials to access the email account: Enter username and password to access

the email account on the smtp mail server.

Receivers email address(es)

Messages to send

The receivers addresses can be entered. If multiple addresses are used, separate the addresses with semicolon (‘;’).

Here you decide which event will generate an email message:

• Measurement start: After successful initialization, an email is sent, giving the

estimated measurement end time.

• Successful measurement completion: An email is sent if the measurement is

successfully completed. Additionally you can attach a report file to the email message. However, the report file will be sent before Automatic post-processing has been executed. Therefore, the report file attached to the email will not be postprocessed.

• Measurement abortion: The error message will be sent.

Email sender’s application window

• The email is sent with the help of a separate application: EmailSender.exe, which

must be installed separately on your controller pc.

• Per default, the EmailSender’s application window is hidden, i. e. the program runs

in the background.

Operation 67Robotic Mass Comparator

Sending testmails, troubleshooting

• Use the Send testmail button to try to send a testmail.

• The EmailSender’s application window (a console window) is shown. If an error occurs, you will see the

error message. However, after a few seconds, the application shuts down again. You can find error message details in the log-file of the EmailSender application. Typically, this is the file C:\Program Files \Mettler-Toledo\EmailSender\EmailSender_log.txt.

Important note on mail server settings

An email is sent as follows:

• The control program writes the email data, including all information about mail server settings and receivers

addresses, into the file ‘EmailSenderMessageToSend.txt’.

• The control program starts the application ‘EmailSender.exe’.

• ‘EmailSender.exe’ opens the file and sends the email to the email account on the smtp mail server.

• The smtp mail server sends the email to the receivers email addresses.

Note

The credentials to access the email account are stored in files and transferred to the smtp mail server in plain text! No encryption is applied!

Therefore we urgently recommend:

• Use an email account on a mail server which is accessible via intranet (in-house).

• Never use an email account which is accessible only via internet!

• Open a new account on the mail server, do not use an existing personal account.

See also

2 Selecting the application mode}Page60

5.15 Reduce pre-run/centering time using ‘Standard’s centering history’

The measurement starts with a centering/pre-run phase of all weights included in the weighing process. Generally, the standard weights included in the process are re-used for many measurements. Therefore the

centering/pre-run of these standard weights could be skipped. Whenever a standard weight is used in the measurement process, the program stores (in a separate centering

history database) date and time, magazine position, Set-ID, Standard-ID and nominal value of the standard weight. If the weight is re-used within a certain (maximum) period of days, the standard weight’s centering/prerun can be ignored.

1 Select System > Standard’s centering history….

ð The window shown below is displayed.

Standard’s centering history

2 Select Ignore centering/prerun of a standard weight to ignore the centering/pre-run of standard weights. 3 Select the maximum period of days under if the standard weight’s latest use is no more than … day(s)

ago.

The Clear centering history button clears all entries in the centering history database. This forces the program to redo the centering/pre-run of all standard weights.

Operation68 Robotic Mass Comparator

Note

By default, this feature is disabled (Ignore centering/prerun of a standard weight is not checked), and the maximum period of days is 1.

If you enable the feature, be sure to accept the consequences:

Never touch weight carriers of standard weights in the magazine!

If you occasionally touch a weight carrier of a standard weight, you must delete the centering history database by clicking Clear centering history. If you don’t, the measurement process might abort, as described below.

If the carriers are touched, and due to the fact that the carriers are not centered before the measurement starts, the program might detect wrong carrier types. This will abort the measurement process with one of the following error messages:

• ‘Error: Weight carrier changed. Type detected during pre-run different from currently detected one.’

• ‘Error: Use of weight carriers of design 3 (red handle) not allowed in case of 3-weight combinations.’

• ‘Error: A weight combination in the scheme cannot be loaded on the balance: The load exceeds the balance

maximum excentric load.’ If one of these errors occurs, the program will automatically delete the centering history database. You can

restart the measurement again. The standard weight(s) will be centered again and therefore the carrier type should now be detected correctly.

5.16 Transmit measurement report data to a TCP/IP server

The measurement report data can be sent continuously to a TCP/IP server using the special application called

ReportTransmitter. To enable this feature, proceed as follows:

Note

• However, if you want to make use of this feature, you must have installed the application ReportTrans-

mitter on your controller PC. 1 Select System > ReportTransmitter configuration.

ð The window shown below is displayed. 2 Select Enable TCP/IP transmission. 3 Click Configure ReportTransmitter.

ð This will launch application ReportTransmitter and

lets you enter the IP address and the IP port of the TCP/IP server to which you want to send the measurement report data.

4 You can use the Check connection button of the

ReportTransmitter configuration

program ReportTransmitter to check the connection to

the TCP/IP server. 5 Click OK in the program ReportTransmitter to save the configuration. 6 Click OK in the ReportTransmitter configuration window to save the selection. ð If Enable TCP/IP transmission is selected, the control program will launch application ReportTransmitter

automatically at measurement start, which is indicated by a small notify icon in the controller pc’s task bar

(see figure below). However, ReportTransmitter rests hidden and does not show its main window. If you

ever need to have access to program ReportTransmitter, right-click on the notify icon and select Show

ReportTransmitter from the context menu.

Taskbar shows ReportTransmitter’s notify icon

Operation 69Robotic Mass Comparator

Furthermore, the control program writes measurement data to a special new report file, CurrentReport.txt, located in an application specific folder. This file is regularly parsed by ReportTransmitter, and new report data is sent to the TCP/IP server. If ReportTransmitter detects the end of the measurement in the report file, it will automatically shut down itself.

Operation70 Robotic Mass Comparator

6 Maintenance

To guarantee the functionality of the balance and the accuracy of the weighing results, a number of maintenance actions must be performed by the user.

6.1 Maintenance table

Maintenance action Recommended interval Remarks

Performing an internal adjustment

Performing routine tests (eccentricity test, repeatability test, sensitivity test).

METTLER TOLEDO recommends to perform at least a sensitivity test.

Cleaning Depending on the degree of pollution or your

For full information, always consult and download the Operating Instructions (OI).

• Daily

• After cleaning

• After leveling

• After changing the location

• After cleaning

internal regulations (SOP), clean the instrument:

• After every use

• After change of sample

see chapter "Internal adjustment"

see below

see chapter "Cleaning the

balance"

u www.mt.com/ax-comparator-OI

6.2 Performing routine tests

There are several routine tests. Depending on your internal regulations, specific routine test must be performed by the user.

Mettler-Toledo GmbH recommend to perform a sensitivity test after cleaning and reassembling the balance or after updating the software.

Mettler Toledo can help you to define the routine tests to be performed based on your process requirements. Please contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for additional information.

For full information, always consult and download the Operating Instructions (OI).

u www.mt.com/ax-comparator-OI

6.3 Maintaining robot system

Apart from cleaning no regular maintenance is required by the instrument owner. Please contact your METTLER TOLEDO dealer for details of the available service options. Regular servicing by

an authorized service engineer ensures constant accuracy for years to come and prolongs the life of your instrument.

Maintenance 71Robotic Mass Comparator

6.4 Cleaning

6.4.1 Cleaning agents

In the following table, cleaning tool and cleaning agents recommended by Mettler-Toledo GmbH are listed.

Tools Cleaning agents

Around the balance

Balance terminal

Balance draft shield

Weighing area

Paper tissue

Lab bench or weighing table

Balance housing

Top housing (R) Bottom

housing Back

housing Feet R (R) Terminal Display Glass pans R (R) R (R) R R R R R Glass free

pans Non-

removable handles and frames

Weighing pan

Drip tray R (R) R

R (R)

Brush

(R) n.a. (R) (D) R (D) (D) (D)

(R)

— —

(R)

Dishwasher

—

Water

R R

R (R) (R) R R R

R (R) R R R R

Acetone

—

(R) (R) (R) R R R (R) R R R R R

—

Ethanol (70%)

Isopropanol

(70%)

Hydrochloric acid

(3-10 %)

Sodiumhydroxide

(0.2-1.0 M)

R R R R

R R R R R R R R

R R (R) R

R R R R

(R) (R)

— —

Peracetic acid

(2-3%)

Symbol descriptions:

: Best recommendation by Mettler-Toledo GmbH, can be used without limitation. R: Recommended by Mettler-Toledo GmbH, can be used without limitation (D): Depending on the material used: individual durability and resistance to acid and alkali must be evaluated. (R): Partially recommended by Mettler-Toledo GmbH (for selected balance line only, please check the

respective operating instructions, might also depend on your internal regulations). — Not recommend

Maintenance72 Robotic Mass Comparator

6.4.2 Cleaning the components

Overview

Periodically, clean the following parts of the instrument:

System part Task Tool Notes

Weighing chamber Free from dust. Soft cloth Balance:

• Weighing pan

• Drip tray

• Housing

• Terminal

Weight magazine:

• Weights

• Weight carriers

Robot system:

• Robot hand

• 3 carrier-centering

cones

• Robot hand light

barrier

Free from dust. Supplied brush Make sure the position of the balance

Free from dust. Soft brush Make sure the centering holes

Free from dust. Soft brush Do not use compressed air or

In case of a malfunction of the robot hand light barrier, clean light barrier.

remains absolutely unchanged.

underneath the carriers are clean as well.

Do not leave weight carriers, which are not in use in the weight magazine. Store them in a dust free environment.

petroleum-based solvents

Soft brush Do not use any solvent or ethanol!

WARNING

Death or serious injury due to electric shock

Contact with parts carrying a live current can lead to injury and death. 1 Disconnect the instrument from the power supply prior to cleaning and maintenance. 2 Prevent liquid from entering the instrument, terminal or AC/DC adapter.

NOTICE

Damage due to improper cleaning

Improper cleaning can damage the weighing cell or other essential parts. 1 Do not use any cleaning agents other than the ones specified in the Reference Manual or

Cleaning Guide.

2 Do not spray or pour liquids on the instrument. Always use a moistened lint-free cloth or

a tissue.

3 Always wipe out from inside to outside of the instrument.

Protective equipment:

• Gloves

• Goggles

The following procedures describe the cleaning of the weighing pan and all components.

Around the balance

− Remove any dirt or dust around the balance and avoid further contaminations.

Maintenance 73Robotic Mass Comparator

Cleaning the balance

1 Use a lint-free cloth moistened with a mild cleaning agent to clean the surface of the balance. 2 Remove powder or dust at first with a disposable tissue. 3 Remove sticky substances with a damp lint-free cloth and a mild solvent (e.g. isopropanol or ethanol

70%).

Cleaning all removable parts

− Clean all removed part with a damp cloth or a tissue and a mild cleaning agent or clean them in a

dishwasher up to 80°C.

Note

Useful details to avoid soiling are described in the METTLER TOLEDO "SOP for Cleaning a Balance".

Maintenance74 Robotic Mass Comparator

7 Technical Data

7.1 General data

Automated weight handler

Weight handler For automatic determination of test weights, by direct comparison

of one test weight with one standard, or, as an option, by down- / upward calibration - comparison between combinations of up to three weights, as described in Selecting a suitable weight carrier

Measuring time (typical) 15 min. for a series of 5 ‘one-vs.-one’ A-B-A comparative

weighing, 30 min. for a series of 5 ‘three-vs.-one’ A-B-A comparative weighing

Test weights / standards Cylindrical, knob-shaped weights with a nominal value of 1 g -

100 g and geometry as follows Selecting a suitable weight carrier:

• single weight and 2-weight combination: weight diameter ≥

6mm - ≤ 26 mm, height ≤ 50 mm

• 3-weight combination: weight diameter ≥ 6 - ≤ 18 mm,

height ≤ 36 mm Weight magazine 27 places Control software

Data interface RS232C to controller

Microsoft® Windows®-based e100control, compatible with WindowsXP®, Windows®7, Windows®8 and Windows®10

Balance - METTLER TOLEDO AX106 Comparator

Readability: 1 µg Maximum capacity: 111 g Electrical weighing range: 11 g Repeatability: Determined as standard deviation of 5 x A-B-A comparative

weighing:

s ≤ 1.6 µg - typical value: 1.3 µg Linearity: ± 8 µg Setting time (typical): 20 s Adjustment: Motorized adjustment of the electrical range at a keystroke (built-

in 2 x 10 g adjustment weights)

Power supply

Balance AC/DC adapter: Primary: 100 – 240VAC, -15%/+10%, 50/60 Hz

Secondary: 12VDC ±3%, 2.5A (with electronic overload

protection) Balance power consumption: 12 VDC ±3%, 2.25 A, maximum ripple: 80 mVpp Polarity:

output Robot system AC/DC adapter: Primary: 100 – 240 V AC, ±10%, 50/60 Hz

Secondary: 24 V DC, ±5%, 2.1 A (with electronic overload

protection) Robot power consumption: 24 V DC ±5%, 1.5 A Cable for AC/DC adapter: 3-core, with country-specific plug Power consumption robot system: 36 VA max. (24 V DC 1.5 A)

with a current limited SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage)

Technical Data 75Robotic Mass Comparator

Protection and standards

Overvoltage category: II Degree of pollution: 2 Protection: Protected against dust and water Standards for safety and EMC: See Declaration of Conformity Range of application: For use in closed interior rooms only

Environmental conditions

Height above mean sea level: Up to 2000m Ambient temperature: 17–27°C (± 0.5 °C / 12 hour) Relative air humidity: 45–60 %, non-condensing Vibrations: A set-up in a “vibration-free” room is required Warm-up time:

24 hours after connecting the balance to the power supply; when switched on from standby-mode, the balance is ready for operation immediately.

Dimensions

Instrument (robot system and

1280mm x 900mm x 760mm / 60kg

balance) (w x d x h / net weight)

Technical Data76 Robotic Mass Comparator

7.2 Dimensions

128

760

Technical Data 77Robotic Mass Comparator

8 Accessories

Mettler Toledo

Air bellow, for weight cleaning 11116548

Brush, suitable for all environments 158799

Micro fibre cloth, suitable for all environments 158798

Nylon gloves, pair, suitable for all environments 11123098

Software control professional (for dissemination / weight

11107519

combinations)

Software efficiency pack (calculation of True Mass and

11116875 Conventional Mass + execution of multiple weights sets sequentially)

Tweezers, bent tips, for weights 1 g – 1 kg, length 210 mm 15901

Weight carrier design 1, e100 11147610

Accessories78 Robotic Mass Comparator

Weight carrier design 3, e100 11147620

Weight carrier insert diameter 6 mm 11147614

Weight carrier insert diameter 10 mm 11147615

Weight carrier insert diameter 14 mm 11147616

Weight carrier insert diameter 18 mm 11147617

Weight carrier insert diameter 20 mm 11147624

Weight carrier insert diameter 22 mm 11147625

Weight carrier insert diameter 24 mm 11147626

Weight carrier insert diameter 26 mm 11147627

Accessories 79Robotic Mass Comparator

ClimaLog30 certified 30078423

DataLog30 certified with 2 temperature sensors 30078424

Weight set 1 mg – 200 g E1 wooden box - certified 159341

Accessories80 Robotic Mass Comparator

9 Disposal

In conformance with the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) this device may not be disposed of in domestic waste. This also applies to countries outside the EU, per their specific requirements.

Please dispose of this product in accordance with local regulations at the collecting point specified for electrical and electronic equipment. If you have any questions, please contact the responsible authority or the distributor from which you purchased this device. Should this device be passed on to other parties, the content of this regulation must also be related.

Disposal 81Robotic Mass Comparator

Disposal82 Robotic Mass Comparator

Index

Access database 62 Add standards data 25 Add test weights data 26 Adjusting the balance 49 Adjustment with internal weights 49 Allocating the weight magazine places 27 Application mode 60 Assembling 15 Automatic post-processing 61 AX106 mass comparator 8

Balance control unit 9 Balance position sensor 13

Cabeling 12 Calculations 45 Change password 24 Checks

before weighing 39

during weighing 40 Cleaning 73 Clear centering history 68 Climate data input 61 Commands

control software 22

serial port 58 Commissioning 15 Communicating via the serial port 58 Comparator serial port 36 Comparison 29 Comparison scheme 31 Comparisons 32, 34 Configure ReportTransmitter 69 Control software

overview 11

starting 22

upgrading 52 Conventions and symbols 3 Corner load error

calculation 47

indication in report 45

measuring 49

Default density 25 Design nr. 1 17 Design nr. 3 18 Designs weight carriers 17 Dimensions 76 Disposal 81 Down-/upward calibration 34

Email configuration 66 Emergency 6 Enter password 24 Entering standards date 23 Entering test weights data 26 Environmental conditions 76

File menu 22 Formulas 45

Generating a file to import 53 Group 29

History-specific pause requested 30

Ignoring centering/prerun 68 Import file 53 Import from serial port 58 Import/Export mode 56 Importing a settings file 56 Indication of corner load error 45 Initial checks 39 Inserts 17 Integration time 30 Internal adjustment 49

LED 13 Light barrier 13 Location 14

Mail server settings 67

Index 83Robotic Mass Comparator

Mails 66 Main window control software 22 Maintenance 73 Measurement report

analyzing 40 content 36 example 40

Measuring the corner load error 49 Menu

File 22 Magazine 27 Report 36 Start 37 System 37 Weights 23

Modify standards data 25 Modify test weights data 26 Monitoring the weighing process 38

No. of nonreported preweighings per group 30 No. of reported comparisons per group 30 No. of series 30

ODBC

.csv text file 65 Access database 62 Excel sheet 63 other database systems 66

One-vs.-one comparisons 32 Overview

balance 8 balance control unit 9 commands 22 instrument 7 robot system 10 robot system control unit 11

Password 24 Places allocation 27 Positioning weights 20 Power supply 75 Preconditions 37 Pre-run requested 30 Process 29 Process description 38

Professional version 52 Protection and standards 76

Read data via ODBC

.csv text file 65 Access database 62 Excel sheet 63 other database systems 66

Remote control

import file 53 importing a settings file 56 parameters 55

Report

analyzing 40 content 36

example 40 ReportTransmitter configuration 69 Robot system control unit 11

Safety devices

balance position sensor 13

light barrier 13 Safety information 4

Signal words 4

Warning symbols 4 Scope of delivery 14 Selecting a standards set 25 Selecting the application mode 60 Selecting the location 14 Selection guide weight carriers 17 Sending emails 66 Sensitivity check 31 Sensors 40 Serial port 36

commands 58

importing jobs 58 Series 29 Series scheme 31

Down-/upward calibration 34

One-vs.-one comparisons 32 Settings file import 56 Signal words 4 Software version 3 Stabilisation time 30 Standard’s centering history 68

Index84 Robotic Mass Comparator

Standards data 23 Standards set selection 25 Start delay 30 Start measurement 37 Starting

control software 22

weighing process 37 Status indication light 13 Stickers 6 Stopping in case of emergency 6 Stopping weighing process 39 Symbols 6 System checks 39

Technical data

AX106 Comparator 75

Dimensions 76

environmental conditions 76

power supply 75

robot system 75 Terminal 9 Test weights data 26 Testmail 68 Transmit measurement report data 69 Tweezers 20

selecting a weight carrier 17 Weights menu 23 Wiring scheme 12

Upgrading control software 52

Warning symbols 4, 6 Weighing mode 30 Weighing process 29

monitoring 38 preconditions 37 starting 37

stopping 39 Weighing process (total) 31 Weighing process settings 29 Weight carriers 17

Design nr. 1 17

Design nr. 3 18

positioning on weight magazine 20 Weight densities 61 Weight magazine

allocating places 27

loading 20

Index 85Robotic Mass Comparator

Index86 Robotic Mass Comparator

Mettler-Toledo GmbH

30385933

Im Langacher 44 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland www.mt.com/contact

www.mt.com/lab-robotic-MC

For more information

Mettler Toledo e100, e5 Reference Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Safety Information

2.1 Definitions of signal warnings and warning symbols

2.2 Product specific safety notes

2.3 Warning notices on the instrument

2.4 Stopping in case of emergency

3 Design and Function

3.1 Overview instrument

3.2 Component descriptions

3.2.1 Overview AX106 balance

3.2.2 Overview balance control unit

3.2.3 Overviw robot system

3.2.4 Overview type plate

3.2.5 Overview robot system control unit

3.2.6 Control software

3.3 Wiring scheme

3.4 Safety devices

3.5 Status indication light

4 Installation and Putting into Operation

4.1 Selecting the location

4.2 Scope of delivery

4.3 Assembling the instrument

4.4 Connecting and setting up the instrument

4.5 Preparing the weight magazine

4.5.1 Selecting a suitable weight carrier

4.5.2 Loading the weight magazine

5 Operation

5.1 Starting e100control

5.2 Entering and editing the weights data

5.2.1 Standards data

5.2.2 Test weights data

5.3 Allocating the weight magazine places

5.4 Determining the weighing process settings and series scheme

5.4.1 Weighing process settings

5.4.2 Series scheme

5.4.2.1 Series scheme in mode 'One-vs.-one comparisons'

5.4.2.2 Series scheme in mode 'Down-/upward calibration'

5.5 Choosing the report contents

5.6 Adapting system settings

5.7 Starting and monitoring the weighing process

5.7.1 Starting the weighing process

5.7.2 Monitoring the weighing process

5.8 Analyzing measurement data and report

5.8.1 Measurement report

5.8.2 Calculations

5.9 Adjusting the balance

5.10 Measuring the corner load error

5.11 Upgrading e100control

5.12 Remote-controlling the e100comparator

5.12.1 Generating a file importable into e100control as settings file

5.12.2 Importing an externally defined settings file into e100control

5.12.3 Communicating via the serial port

5.13 Selecting the application mode

5.13.1 Interface to ODBC climate data sources: Overview

5.13.2 Read data via ODBC from an Access database

5.13.3 Read data via ODBC from an Excel sheet

5.13.4 Read data via ODBC from a .csv text file

5.13.5 Read data via ODBC from other database systems

5.14 Sending emails

5.15 Reduce pre-run/centering time using ‘Standard’s centering history’

5.16 Transmit measurement report data to a TCP/IP server

6 Maintenance

6.1 Maintenance table

6.2 Performing routine tests

6.3 Maintaining robot system

6.4 Cleaning

6.4.1 Cleaning agents

6.4.2 Cleaning the components

7 Technical Data

7.1 General data

7.2 Dimensions

8 Accessories

9 Disposal

Index