LINK Systems Microlink - Manual (Page 5)

MicroLink: Operator Interface Terminal
Manual Revision 1.0 4/20/99 1-1
Figure 1.1: MicroLink Keypad and MultiSet Operational Screen
1. INTRODUCTION
The Link Systems MicroLink unit is a machine to
operator interface terminal that is used as a
convenient method of controlling some metal
forming press functions. The MicroLink system
can be used to interface with feeds, connect to the
LinkNet networking system, or perform
counterbalance/die cushion and slide adjust
control with the MultiSet module.
The MicroLink system consists of a 16 line, black
on white LCD (liquid crystal display), a numeric
keypad, along with the circuit boards and software
that form the core of the system. The MicroLink
system has the on-board memory for job storage
of up to 250 jobs. The system has built-in network
connections for the LinkNet press networking
system, which provides virtually unlimited job
storage, user defined downtime codes,
maintenance tracking, and other benefits.
The software for the MicroLink system includes
counters for part, batch, quality, and stroke as
well as a method for counting scrap parts and
deducting them from the part count. The intuitive
screens use menus with soft keys that enable users
to move through the different screens of the
MicroLink system easily. The
HELP key on the
keyboard provides instant access to helpful
information tailored for most user screens. The
system also has a special diagnostics section with
information about the status of the hardware.
When the MicroLink system asserts a stop output,
a section of the screen shows that the stop is
active. This enables the user to quickly determine
if the MicroLink system has stopped the press, so
the problem can quickly be isolated and the press
can be returned to normal production.
The MicroLink system can utilize access codes
assigned by a supervisor to control the ability of
different users to make changes to set points,
configuration data, and other critical information.
If a user does not have the correct user code, then
no changes can be made. The access code system
can be bypassed in facilities that would not
benefit from this flexibility.
All of these features combine to make the
MicroLink system easy to use. The overall
advantage is more efficient use of press auxiliary
systems, which results in better press utilization.