Axometrics, Inc.
103 Quality Circle, Suite 215
Huntsville, AL 35806
Phone: (256) 704-3332
Fax: (256) 971-2073
E-Mail:
Website:
Axometrics
General Production and QC Software
USER’S MANUAL
Software Version 4.0
©2015 Axometrics, Inc. All rights reserved.
AxoScan, AxoView, Axometrics and the Axometrics logo are trademarks of Axometrics, Inc.
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CONTENTS
1Introduction
2Basic Operation
2.1.1Log In/Log Out:
2.2Initialize System
2.3Calibrate System Screen
2.3.1Two Step Calibration
2.4Recipe Library
2.5Manual Measurement
2.6Other Functions
2.7System Status
2.7.1General Status
2.7.2Production Status
2.7.3Hardware Status.
2.7.4Multi Head Status.
2.7.5Alarm History:
2.7.6Event Log
2.8Edit Settings
2.8.1General Options
2.8.2Calibration Options
2.8.3Recipe Options
2.8.4Data File Options
2.8.5Filename format dialog
2.8.6Hardware Options
2.8.7Fixture Options:
2.8.8Turret 1 / Turret 2
2.8.9Calculation Options:
2.8.10Event Logging
2.8.11Sample Gauging Options
2.8.12Production Line
2.8.13Manage User Accounts
2.8.14Additional Sensors
2.8.15Sample Holder
3Setting Up a Measurement Recipe
3.1Sample Settings
3.1.1LCD Parameters
3.1.2Refractive Indices
3.1.3Fitting Options
3.1.4Compensation
3.1.5Parameter Limits
3.1.6Global Parameter Limits
3.1.7Launch LCDView
3.2Measurement Settings
3.3x,y Coordinates Setup
3.4Tilt, Rotation Angles
3.4.1APM Turrets
3.4.2FAA-Type Turrets
3.4.3FAF-Type Turrets
3.5Wavelengths.
4Production Mode
4.1On-Line Recipies
4.2Production Status
4.3System Control
4.4TCP Communication
4.4.1Command Format
4.4.2Response Messages
4.5Alarms and Warnings
4.5.1Alarm Log
4.6System States
4.6.1Using the Auxiliary DAQ Cable
5User Accounts
1Introduction
The Axometrics Production software package is the primary control software for the APM-20 Axometrics Production system. It interfaces seamlessly with hardware control programs such as the AxoScan Engine™. This software manual discusses the general operation of the Axometrics Production software and the steps necessary to perform an measurement. Section 2 discusses the basic steps performed when measuring an LCD panel, Section 3 discusses the details of setting up a measurement recipe, Section 4 discusses the details of setting up a calculation recipe, and Section 5 discusses the operation of the data viewer software.
2Basic Operation
Allaxometrics production machines are controlled entirely using the Axometrics Production software. Load the Axometrics Production software by double clicking on the icon on the front panel. The Main Menu for the production software is shown below.
There are 8 sub-menus that the user can access by pressing the buttons on the Main Menu, which will be discussed in this section. The On-Line measurement function will be discussed in a later chapter.
Because all Axometrics production systems use this software, it is necessarily highly configurable. The following describes the primary configurations for the production software.
- Operation Mode: The software can be configured to operate in either Manual Mode (fully operated by a person from the user station) or Automatic Mode (measurements and operations controlled remotely via TCP (such as using a CIM).
- Sensor Type: The production software can be used for AxoStep systems and AxoScan systems.
- Fixture Type: The production software can be configured for several different fixture types, such as:
- APM (Axometrics PanelMapper) Fixtures: Standard transmission tilt and rotation turrets
- FA.x (Fixed Angle) Fixtures: Multiple heads with or without rotation motors
- x.x.RF (Reflection –Type) Fixtures:
- Calculation Type: The production software can be configured to perform numerous different measurements by changing the data fitting subroutines. These calculation routines include (but are not limited to):
- AxoScan LCD panel measurements
- AxoStep LCD pixel measurements
- Ellipsometry measurements
- Optical Anisotropy Measurements.
2.1.1Log In/Log Out:
The Axometrics Production software can be configured to log user operation by setting up user accounts. If the software is configured to require an operator login, then no operations can be performed unless a user is logged in. Press the User Log In Button, and log on to the system with your User Name and Password. If the Panel Mapper is configured to use an ID card reader, the user can swipe their ID card to Log On.
2.2Initialize System
Pressing the Initialize System button opens the following window:
Initialize Sensors: Press this button to initialize the AxoScan (or AxoStep) Engine. The initialization sequence is configured in the System Settings-Hardware Options (Section 2.8.6). If the AxoScan Engine is running on startup the Initialize AxoScan Button will be green. If an error occurs or the initialization fails, the button will be red. Information about the initialization is shown in the box below the button
Initialize Optical Gauging Press this button to initialize the Panel Alignment System (if installed). The initialization sequence is configured in the System Settings-Panel Alignment Options (Section Error! Reference source not found.). If the Panel Alignment System is running on startup the Initialize Initialize Panel Alignment System will be green. If an error occurs or the initialization fails, the button will be red.
2.3Calibrate System Screen
The Calibration System Screen is displayed when the user presses the Calibration button on the Main Menu.
All controls on the Calibration System screen require that AxoScan has successfully initialized and that a user is logged on.
Perform Calibration Test Measurement: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, only a test measurement in air, as well as a measurement of the reference standard in the system (e.g. Cal-Vis-1) is performed, but no changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.
Recalibrate: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a baseline calibration and orientation calibration are performed and a test measurement is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.
Save Calibration as Default: Pressing this button will save the most recent calibration as the Default AxoScan Calibration.
2.3.1Two Step Calibration
In some cases it is desirable to perform the calibration steps separately (usually in cases where Axometrics software does not have direct control of an XY stage). In this case, the Axometrics Production software can be configured to perform the test measurements and calibrations as two separate steps. If the software is configured this way (See Section 2.8.2) the options on the calibration screen will be as follows:
In this configuration, the buttons operate as follows:
Test Air: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, a test measurement in air only is performed, and no changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.
Test Reference: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, a test measurement of the reference standard only is performed. No changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.
Recalibrate Air: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a baseline calibration in air onlyis performed and a test measurement in air is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.
Recalibrate Reference: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a orientation e calibration of the reference standard only is performed and a test measurement in of the reference standard is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.
2.4Recipe Library
Pressing the Recipe Library button, opens the recipe editor screen shown below (in production mode).
In Production Mode two recipe tables are used, one table is used for manual measurements, and a second table is used for On-Line recipies.
In Standard Mode, only the Manual Recipies Table is shown.
There are 9999 possible recipes that can be configures for both On-Line Recipies and Manual Recipies.
Add: Creates a new recipe. When the user presses the Add button the following dialog box appears allowing the user to select the desired recipe number from. Once a recipe is configured, its recipe number is no-longer available to be selected.
Copy: Copies the selected recipe into a new recipe number. The user can copy recipes between the Manual List, and the On-Line list.
Edit: Opens the current recipe for editing.
Delete: Removes the current recipe from the list. The deleted recipe number is now made available for newly added recipes.
Detailed information on creating a recipe is discussed in Chaper 3.
2.5Manual Measurement
Pressing the Manual Measurement button on the main menu opens the Measurement Screen shown below.
Optical Gauging: Enabled if Optical Gauging is properly initialized. Press this button to manually perform an optical gauging measurement.
Load Recipe: When the user presses this button, the following dialog box is displayed.
The user selects the desired recipe (and can enter a Glass ID number if desired), and presses Accept. Once the recipe is loaded, the Measure Sample button will be enabled.
Measure Sanple: Press this button to start the measurement. Once the measurement has started the button changes to Abort, until the measurement is completed.
Save Data: If the software is not configured to automatically save data (section 2.8.4) then the Save Data button will be red, indicating that there is unsaved data in memory.
2.6Other Functions
Pressing the Other Functions button on the Main Menu will open the following screen, allowing the user to access additional utilities.
The following options are available:
XY Table Control: Press this button to open the XY Stage control software. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)
Tip/Tilt Control: Press this button to open the Tip/Tilt Stage control. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)
Camera Stage Control: Press this button to open the Optical Gauging Camera Stage control. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)
Move to Load Position: Press this button to move the stage to the position for loading samples.
Query Optical Gauging: Press this button to report the latest Measurement from the Optical Gauging software
Reset Optical Gauging: Press this button to remove the latest Optical Gauging measurement
Move to Alignment Position: Press this button to move the stage to the position defined for performing Optical Gauging measurements.
Shut Down System: Press this button to shut down the production system.
Enable Diagnostic and Hardware Settings (Password Required): Check this box to put the software into diagnostic mode. Warning, when the software is in diagnostic mode, actions can change the software configuration in such a way that it prevents the software from functioning properly. Use with caution.
2.7System Status
Pressing the System Status button on the front panel opens the following screen that displays the current status of the system.
There are five tabs on the System Status screen.
2.7.1General Status
The general status shows the current state of the Axometrics Production Software. The general status is used by the software to determine which controls are enabled and disabled.
Also shown is the current index used when autosaving files. This number is usually included in the filename, in increments by one each time a new file is saved (See Section ???).
2.7.2Production Status
The production status tab shows information related to the production communications. The Production interface is discussed in section4.
2.7.3Hardware Status.
The Hardware Status tab shows information related to the physical hardware on the production system.
Sensors Monitor: This indicator shows the current state of all the PLC channels in the system.
Reconnect to Sensors: Press this button to reestablish a connection with the PLC in case communication between the production software and the PLC is lost.
PLC attached: This indicator shows whether a PLC is attached to the system.
AxoScan Status: This indicator shows the status of the AxoScan or AxoStep Sensors. For this indicator, when more than one sensor is used in the system (e.g. FAA systems). The status indicators from the individual sensors are combined using a logical OR operation.
Pin Lifter (If Installed): Shows the current state of the pin lifter
2.7.4Multi Head Status.
The operation on this tab is currently under development. Please ignore all controls on this tab.
2.7.5Alarm History:
This tab shows a recording of all production alarms and warnings that the system has experienced. Nothing is recorded when the “Production Line Communication” is not enabled on the system (see Section 2.8.12).
2.7.6Event Log
This tab shows a log of all software events that occur during operation.
The event log can be configured to automatically write to disk in the settings (See Section 2.8.10)
Clear: Press this button to clear the on-screen Event History.
Save: Press this button to save the Event History currently shown on-screen.
2.8Edit Settings
Pressing the Edit Settings button on the Main Menu opens the System Settings screen shown below.
Note: if user login is required, this button item will be disabled unless an Engineer-Level user is logged in.
When the setting window is open, notice that many of the controls are disabled. This is because many of the controls are used to configure the system hardware and changing them can render the system inoperable. Nevertheless all disabled features can be unlocked by checking the box Enable Diagnostic and Hardware Settings
An additional password is required to enable the Configuration Mode
The default password to enable the settings is 1234. Warning, when the software is in this configuration mode, actions can change the software configuration in such a way that it prevents the software from functioning properly. Use with caution.
2.8.1General Options
Use Customized Software Properties, Create Software Properties File and Software Properties File : These controls allow the user to customize the software appearance (button labels etc.) and access permissions. Contact Axometrics for information about customizing software properties.
Motherglass configuration program: For production line systems that measure un-diced motherglass samples, a customer specific configuration program for setting up measurement locations can be defined here.
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Allow User to Close Program: Enables the Close button (the × in the upper right hand corner of the window).
Connect on Startup: When this box is checked the production software will try to establish a connection with the hardware on startup.
Optimize Network Speed: Check this box to remove the network latency that occurs with remote computers. (Generally only used on FAA-3 systems).
Use Legacy XY commands: Checking this box causes the system to use the older three command XY movement (only necessary on old systems).
Force Engine to Set Connection Priority During Recipe: When this box is checked, a command is sent to the AxoScan engine during measurement that forces the engine to give priority to commands from the production software
2.8.2Calibration Options
Number of measurements to average for orientation baseline: Should be set to a number greater than 20, generally a value of 50 to 100 is recommended.
Calibration Wavelength: This is the wavelength that the calibration is performed at.
Calibration Program (Configuation Mode): This is the path to the program that is used for calibration.
Calibration ProgramT2 (Configuation Mode): When the production software is configured for independent turrets, this is the calibration program that is used for Turret 2.
Calibration Behavior: Use this control to select the behavior of the system calibration. There are two options available.
- Perform Calibration as a Single Step: This is the default setting and it configures the system to perform both a calibration (ot test) in air, followed by a calibration (or test) on the reference sample. The XY stage will move between steps.
- Perform Calibration in Two Steps: Use this setting when the Axometrics software does not have direct control of the XY stage. This allows the user to perform the calibration steps individually while performing a manual move
Automatically Calibrate System: When this box is checked the software will automatically perform a calibration at the intervals defined. The system will only calibrate when it is in ready mode (not measuring). Before an automatic calibration occurs, the following dialog box appears giving the user 30 seconds to postpone the calibration.
Calibration Log File: If a file is defined, information about every calibration will be logged to that file.
2.8.3Recipe Options
Recipe Options require Configuration Mode
Automatically Save Recipe Files (recommended): If this box is checked all recipe files will be automatically saved by the software. Otherwise, the user must manually save each recipe when it is created or edited.
Automation Recipe Index File: Location of the index file for the Automation recipes
Manual Recipe Index File: Location of the index file for Manual recipes.