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Technical Support
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- A Case for Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
- Basic Methods of Length Control
- Benefits of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) - Deutsch
- Coil Handling
- Continuous Improvement - Tube & Pipe Journal
- Continuous Improvement in Roll Forming
- Encoder Tracking and Mounting
- Improving Roll Forming Operations
- Part Marking
- Roll Forming and Industry 4.0
- Roll Forming: The Four Basic Machine Types
- Servo Control for Improving Roll Formed Production
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XL200 Series Support
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- Battery Replacement
- Calibrating the Touchscreen of an XL200 Controller
- Extending XL200 Controls with PLC Integration
- Solving Memory Loss and Computer Lockup Problems
- Using Product Codes for Machine Positioning in the XL200 Series Controller
- Using Setup Configurations in the XL200 Series Controller
- Using Tool Configurations in the XL200 Series Controller
- XL200 Direct Ethernet Communication with Eclipse Classic
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- Bar Code Scanners
- Bar Code Scanners for Data Entry
- Boosted Dies
- Calculating Press Reaction
- Checking Press Consistency with Oscilloscopes
- DIP Switch Configuration
- Punch Programming on the XL200
- Sending Saved Parameters or Tool Libraries from Eclipse Classic to XL Controller
- Understanding the XL200 Part Queue
- Using Product Codes for Machine Positioning in the XL200 Series Controller
- Using Setup Configurations in the XL200 Series Controller
- Using the Stitching Feature
- Using Tool Configurations in the XL200 Series Controller
- XL200 Error Codes
- XL200 Parameters
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- BOSS Shear
- Brake & Hump - XL200CLU
- Calculating Press Reaction
- Checking Press Consistency with Oscilloscopes
- Closed Loop Flying Die / Die Accelerator
- Closed Loop Stopping
- Coil End Point
- Extending XL200 Controls with PLC Integration
- Open Loop Flying Die
- Open Loop Stopping / Feed-to-Stop
- Tailout Sensor
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Eclipse Support
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- A Case for Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
- Benefits of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) - Deutsch
- Coil Inventory Management with CIM
- Improving Production Capacity with Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
- Mistakes Happen! CIM for Mistake Prevention in Roll Forming
- Roll Forming and Industry 4.0
- The Quality Gap
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- Automatically Starting Eclipse Classic
- Cable Specifications for RS Communication
- Coil Validation
- Creating an Eclipse Classic Package File
- Deleting Done Orders in Eclipse Classic
- Eclipse Classic Hardware Requirements
- Eclipse Classic Permissions - XLSecurity.exe
- Eclipse Connections
- Eclipse Data Exchange Options
- Establishing Communication with Eclipse
- Implementing Scrap, Delay, and Employee Codes in Eclipse Classic
- Interfacing Eclipse to External Data Systems - Importing and Exporting
- Material Code Query
- Missing Snapshot or Dates for Reports in Eclipse Classic
- Order Downloading Options in Eclipse Classic
- Performing Eclipse Classic Automatic Backups
- Performing Eclipse Classic Manual Backups
- Preventative Maintenance Made Easy
- Replacing a Controller / Recovery from a Memory Clear
- Reporting from Archived Data
- Reporting from Archived Data
- Requesting Eclipse Classic Support
- Sending Saved Parameters or Tool Libraries from Eclipse Classic to XL Controller
- Using a Proxy Server
- VLINX ESR901 Converter Installation and Configuration
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Pathfinder Support
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- Calibrating the Backgauge - Pathfinder v2
- Calibrating the Machine - Pathfinder v2
- Calibrating the Touchscreen - Pathfinder v2
- Cleaning Controller Screens
- Extracting the Pathfinder SDF from a 5XXX/6XXX Machine
- Installing TeamViewer
- Pathfinder PC Backup/Restore/Import Procedure - Pathfinder v2
- Pathfinder PC BIOS Configuration - 5X00
- Pathfinder PC BIOS Configuration - 6X00
- Solving Memory Loss and Computer Lockup Problems
- XL250BB Backup/Restore Function
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- FoldGuard Alignment Guide
- FoldGuard Alignment Guide - LZS-2-FG
- FoldGuard Brochure
- FoldGuard Encoder Installation Manual 1-02
- FoldGuard Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- FoldGuard Operation Manual
- FoldGuard System Installation Manual 1-06
- FoldGuard System Installation Manual 1-07
- Laser Distortion Causes and Solutions Manual 1-02
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MP Series Support
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- MP300 Series Controller Manual
- MP300CL Series Controller Manual
- MP325 Manual
- MP328 Gripper Manual
- MP328CL Gripper Manual
- MP338 Backgauge Manual
- MP338DH Dual Backgauge Manual
- MP342 Manual
- MP343 Manual
- MP350PFD Manual
- MP450S Installation Guide
- MP465 Installation Guide
- MP465 Operator Manual
- MP465N Operator Manual NTM
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Pathfinder Edge Support
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- Accessing Pathfinder Edge
- Installing TeamViewer
- Logging into Pathfinder Edge
- Pathfinder Edge - Profile Object Format
- Pathfinder Edge Published API
- Print an Approval or Production Sheet - Edge
- Understanding Settings - Edge
- Using Categories and Subcategories - Edge
- Using the Profile Editor - Edge
- Using the Profile Library - Edge
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Eclipse Pro Support
- Alert: Eclipse-COMM may be offline
- Alert: Material code XXXXXXXX does not correspond to a known material
- Checking the Status of Eclipse Pro Services
- Connect to Eclipse Pro from a Network Connected Device
- Eclipse Pro Hardware Requirements
- Eclipse Pro Product Sheet
- Eclipse Pro Product Sheet - Spanish
- Eclipse Pro Release Notes
- Eclipse Pro Scheduler
- Eclipse Pro Wallboard Andon App Setup
- Error: "Duplicate material codes. MATERIAL =..."
- Machine Performance Standards
- Nucor Case Study
- Requesting Eclipse Pro Support
- Schedule Sync Table Definition
- Updating Eclipse Pro
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Accessories Support
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- 4805-XX and 3805-XX Encoder Cable Comparison
- BRKT-2 Assembly STEP File
- Encoder 10-Turn Test
- Encoder Bracket BRKT-1 Dimensional Drawing
- Encoder Bracket BRKT-2 Assembly Dimensional Drawing
- Encoder Bracket BRKT-2 Dimensional Drawing
- Encoder Brochure
- Encoder Sell Sheet
- Encoder Splitter 6390 Electrical Block Diagram
- Encoder Splitter 6390 Sell Sheet
- Encoder Splitter 6390 Shell STEP File
- Encoder Splitter Module 6390 Guide
- Encoder STEP File
- Encoder Tracking and Mounting
- Encoder Wheel KMW Dimensional Drawing
- Encoder Wheel PMW Dimensional Drawing
- KMW-12 Knurled Encoder Wheel STEP File
- NXXXX Encoder Assembly STEP File
- Scrap Reduction Using Two Encoders
- Troubleshooting Encoder Alignment
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Legacy Product Support
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- About the MP401
- Cleaning Controller Screens
- CMP1000 Reference Manual
- CMP11-10 Reference Manual
- CMP12 Reference Manual
- MP100 Reference Manual
- MP101 Reference Manual
- MP101 v2 Reference Manual
- MP103 Reference Manual
- MP103 v3 Reference Manual
- MP237 Reference Manual
- MP257 Reference Manual
- MP37 Reference Manual
- MP38 Reference Manual
- MP39 Reference Manual
- MP401 User Manual
- MP43 Reference Manual
- MP44 Reference Manual
- MP450 Installation Guide
- MP450 Operator Manual
- MP450S Installation and Technical Reference Manual
- MP450S Installation Guide
- MP450S Operator Manual
- MP450Z Operator Manual
- MP46 Reference Manual
- MP465N Operator Manual NTM
- MP54 Reference Manual
- MP55 Reference Manual
- MP550 Operator Manual
- MP56 Reference Manual
- MP57 Reference Manual
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Order Downloading Options in Eclipse Classic
One of the key features that helps manufacturers prevent mistakes is the ability to download production orders directly to the machine controls. This eliminates the possibility that the operator might mis-enter data and reduces the machine downtime that can also result.
The Eclipse production management system, in conjunction with the XL200 machine controller, provides a number of different ways to download order data. These different methods have been developed in response to customer requests. Not all manufacturers operate the same way. Some have several days to plan production while others must respond to customer demands in a matter of hours. In some cases, the machine operators are determining the production schedule and in others there is a dedicated production scheduler. Eclipse has solutions to handle each of these environments.
Push Features
The following methods are initiated from the Eclipse system:
- Manual – The scheduler selects an order or group of orders and hits the “Send” button. The order(s) are immediately sent to the machine.
- Auto-download on receipt – In cases where order data is being downloaded from an ERP or other production system, it is possible to have the order be immediately sent to the specified machine as soon as Eclipse receives the order.
- Date and time – Orders can be scheduled to download to the machine at a specified date and time.
Pull Features
The following methods are initiated from the machine:
- Order number request – The machine operator can request that a specific order be downloaded. If the material and profile codes are not also specified, then everything for the order (that is allowed to run on the machine) will be immediately downloaded. In some cases, this feature is used by manufacturers that are still on a paper-based system. The operator gets a stack of order sheets and must type the order number to request the cut-list. Other customers use this feature as part of a just-in-time flow. For example, a producer of industrial air conditioning units has a roll forming machine that makes frame parts. When a cart containing side panels reaches the machine (from other manufacturing processes), the operator scans a bar- code on the cart and the production order for frames for that particular (and typically custom) air conditioner is downloaded and run. These parts are added to the cart which then goes on to final assembly.
- Kit request – Kits are reusable orders. If the operator requests a kit number, Eclipse will create a temporary order (a copy of the kit) and immediately download it. One customer is using this feature to manufacture floors for grain bins. The floors are round, so the floor pieces are produced in increasing lengths up to the center of the floor then decreasing to the other side of the floor. They have defined a kit for each grain bin diameter. The operator simply requests the kit name for the needed floor size.
- Part request – The operator can request a specific part number from the controller. When Eclipse sees this request, it creates a temporary order and item for the specified part number. This order is immediately downloaded. The initial quantity for the item is one, but this can be changed at the controller. This feature is often used in cases where the operator needs to remake a part with a customer punch pattern that was damaged. If the part is being used to make up for scrap, the bundle number should be set to the appropriate scrap code (Eclipse will then treat this part as scrap and the coil and scrap accounting will be properly updated).
- Manual next in sequence request – For this feature, the sequence of orders run at the machine is set from the office by the production scheduler or MRP. The machine operator simply requests the next order in the production schedule in Eclipse.
- Automatic next in sequence request – This also works from the sequence of orders as set in Eclipse, but the controller makes the requests automatically as needed. Whenever the remaining orders at the XL200 controller drop below a specified threshold (in feet/meters), the controller automatically requests the next order. Multiple orders may be sent if needed to get back over the threshold. The threshold is set by the XL200 parameter, “653: Auto-Request Order Footage”.
The last method is probably the most useful when scheduling is done from the office. The operator does not need to worry about requesting orders and only needs to see the next few orders that will be run in the schedule (enough to plan for coil or tooling changes). The production scheduler has total flexibility and can rearrange the production schedule easily and often.
Eclipse and the XL200s also support a relatively new feature that gives the operator a powerful tool to request orders. The Query List feature gives you the ability to define custom order requests. Here are a few examples of these requests: Orders by truck schedule, by customer, by promised date, orders for the current machine configuration, etc. The query lists are all customer-defined and can be multiple levels deep. Because of the power and flexibility offered by this feature, we will have a full article explaining how it works in a subsequent newsletter issue.