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Introduction

This document provides instructions for setting up equipment interface programs.

Procedure

From the Optifacts main menu:

Select Option 3 – Editor Utilities and press Enter.

Select Option 6 – Configuration Editor and press Enter.

Select Option 20 – Add/Edit new equipment and press Enter.

A field for “Port name:” displays.

• Enter the name of the port to which your equipment cable connects.
• Answer the prompts which display. (explained below)
• Press Enter to save the change and start the interface.

Add/Edit Equipment Screen

The following entry is a typical example for most tracers, blockers, generators, and edgers that use the VCA – Data Communication Standard, or “DCS.”

Field Definitions

Port Name -  Be cautious of ports that are numbered “00” to “15” versus “01” to “16” and always begin with “/dev/”

OMA Comm - Usually “Y” but, older equipment might still require their proprietary communication method.  You should ask your equipment company if the device is OMA/VCA/DCS compatible.

Baud rate - Enter this value which will match how your equipment company configured the device.  Our three options are “9600”, “19200” or “38400.”

Equip type - Enter options shown on the bottom of the screen, i.e., “TRC,” “EDG,” “GEN,” etc.

Digital Calcs - Has normally been “N,” but for surfacing-type equipment that will be producing digital designs, answer “Y.”

“Variable fields” depending on Equip type:

• “TRC” Reread trace - Answer “Y” if EACH time you trace a frame, you want Optifacts to automatically Recall the job, re-calculate the layout numbers from the frame size, and re-print a new lab ticket.
• ”GEN” Cure time - Enter the number of minutes you want your blocks to cure BEFORE being able to request the tray at this generator.

Comment line - Enter any description you want to help identify this specific device and the port name it is on.  It could also contain a department area.  This description will display in Menu 10-2 Check/Restart Optifacts Programs

Tray Track - Usually, answer “Y” as this will automatically take you to Menu 7-12-2 Sub-Master Station Number Setup because this port name must be linked to a station number if you have the Optifacts Tray Track module.

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