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Pathfinder v2 Release Notes

v2.06.05

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Edge-sourced radius bend profiles did not sync correctly. The Arc and Radius fields were not being mapped properly. They are now.
  • UI Controls accessed directly from non-UI thread caused unhandled exceptions.

v2.06.04

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • FileNotFoundException thrown when backing up logs.

v2.06.03

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Unhandled exception error when creating a manual sequence.

v2.06.02

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Unhandled exception error when navigating to clock and calendar view.
  • Unhandled exception error on application exit.
  • Unhandled exception error when initializing non-graphical operation parameter.
  • Other unhandled exception errors.

v2.06.01

Swap shear job button parameter. A new parameter was added to allow the shear jog buttons (forward and reverse) to be swapped to reflect the real-world home position of the shear. The user is able to select whether the shear’s home position is at the left side or the right side of the machine using Parameter 468, and the shear job buttons will then correspond to the real-world movement of the shear when jogging.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Firmware updating not working in V2 on new PC.
  • Errors when importing profiles with mis-matched Category field.

v2.06.00

Automatic backup to USB drive. Upon start up, Pathfinder will attempt to make a complete backup of its application directory to a USB drive, should one be plugged in. Pathfinder detects all USB drives available that contain a directory named “pf_backup” in the root folder, confirms there is enough space, and will then make a complete copy of itself in a time-stamped directory on that drive.

If there is not enough space, it will compute if adequate space could be made by deleting some of the oldest backups (however, the five most recent backups are always left intact). If so, then it will do so and proceed with the backup.

Support for Windows 10 write filter.

New FoldGuard input function. Added a new input function for use with FoldGuard that will enable to controller to know when it has a FoldGuard system attached and behave correctly.

Disable sending new parameters to XL250. New parameters added to Pathfinder are incompatible with the XL250 hardware, but were not blocked from being sent to the XL250. This prevented machines with an XL250 controller from running the latest Pathfinder v2 software. These parameters have now been blocked from being sent to an XL250 controller, enabling the XL250 to be run with the latest Pathfinder v2 software.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Hard shutdown method left files vulnerable to corruption.

v2.05.20

Disable backgauge. Added option to disable backgauge when part is secured.

Outside hem close position. Changed default value for outside hem close position.

Clamping beam slow speed limit. Added input for clamping beam slow speed limit.

v2.05.19

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issue with Quick Search ID.
  • Added parameter 347 Open Hem Closing Mode.

v2.05.16

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issue with WireframeManager Race Condition bug.

v2.05.15

Jouanel. Added special Jouanel geometry.

Machine geometry check. Added check for machine geometry file.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issue with PressureControl Object Disposed bug.
  • UI formatting improved for translated text display.

v2.05.14

Safety – Two-Man pedal in One-Man mode. Added an error for two-man pedal in one-man mode.

Updated black box firmware. Updated versions: 5225 – 1.05.53; 5223 – 2.08.35.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issues with user profiles failing to update.

v2.05.13

FoldGuard (Lazer Safe). Added FoldGuard laser option to Thalmann models.

v2.05.12

Language. Added Polish language translations.

Safety Stop Height. Modified limits on Safety Stop Height.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issue with QueueManager Race Condition.

v2.05.10

SAS HKS. Updaed SAS HKS machine geometry.

Pathfinder Edge. Implemented warning for Pathfinder Edge profile sequences that have been invalidated.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Multiple issues resolved with exception errors.

v2.05.09

Schechtl. Updated Schechtl machine geometry files.

v2.05.08

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issues with Machine Wizard.

v2.05.07

Schechtl. Added multi-transition Safety Stop Input Function to Schechtl models.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issues with upgrading or importing from pre-v2.5 SDFs.

v2.05.03

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issues causing crashes when importing settings.

v2.05.01

Updated black box firmware. Updated versions: 5223 – 2.08.27; 5225 – 1.08.45.

Sucorema Stefa. Added support for current-feedback version of Sucorema Stefa machine.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved issues with backups to ensure use in older installations.

v2.05.00

Pathfinder Edge compatibility. Added Pathfinder Edge compatibility with file-based config. Pathfinder Edge is a web-based application that allows users to enter profile information anywhere they have an internet connection.

Removed Order Desk compatibility.

v2.01.21

Updated black box firmware. Updated versions 5223 –  2.08.26; 5225 – 1.08.44

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved crash when opening Machine Wizard.

v2.01.20

Language. Added Polish to available language options.

New firmware now available only through new Pathfinder releases. This version was released with the latest black box firmware (5223: 2.08.25; 5225: 1.08.43; XL250BB: 3.11.06; XL250BB_RevD: 4.02.06).

Lazer Safe for Pathfinder compatibility. Jorns machines now have the option to use Lazer Safe for Pathfinder (FoldGuard) safety system.

NLog added. New logging capabilities added with NLog.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with selecting SERCOS option.
  • Resolved null reference exceptions.

Machine-specific changes. Removed Parameter 127 (Backguage Min Slow) from Schechtl machines.

v2.01.19

Language. Added Portuguese to available language options.

New Model. SucoremaSTEFA

Machine-specific changes. Added input 13 (Shear Enable Button) to Premel.

v2.01.18

Machine-specific changes. Removed SERCOS option from Vector. Added Shear Laser Input to Jorns (full). Removed Parameter 218 from Jorns.

v2.01.11

New Model. Schechtl (MAE)

v2.01.10

Language. Updated German translations.

Custom Users. You can now add individual Users with their own passwords and roles. Existing users (Administrator, Operator, Demo) can be renamed, hidden, and their passwords can be changed. The AMS Controls user cannot be modified.

v2.01.09

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved exception issues when completing Shared Profiles.
  • Resolved Profile Material and Thickness editing issues while on the Machine Operations tab.

v2.01.08

Jouanel hydraulic shear. A new fast speed parameter in Shear settings determines proportional speed.

“CLAMP LASER” option for Thalmann ZR machines. Checked by default, this option determines whether to enable the Clamp Laser input on the black box. Unchecking this option will turn off the input and therefore turn off the clamp laser functionality.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with Advanced Settings on machines with Shear/Radius Adjustment.

v2.01.07

Profile Sketching “Auto Panning” parameter added. The default position is “off,” so to use Auto Panning, users will need to turn this parameter on.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with the Job List button and Shared database connections.
  • Resolve an issue with the CLAMPED indicator and One-Step view.
  • Resolved an issue with Pathfinder communications with the black box when displaying messages.
  • Resolved several drawing issues.

v2.01.06

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with Blank Width calculation and Open Hems.

v2.01.05

Languages. Updated Spanish language translations for Pathfinder v2.01.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with New Material and Edited Material Changes.

v2.01.04

Languages. Added additional French translations.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with the Splash Screen and error message dialogs.

v2.01.03

Profile sketching. Users can now “sketch” profiles directly onto the touch screen. This is a more natural way to draw profiles, an alternative to typing in angles and segment lengths. Pathfinder has various pre-set “snap-to” points for angles and segments to make this new feature even more intuitive.

One-Step production. One-Step functions like graphical or non-graphical profile screens, with pre-set angles added for convenience. With One-Step, you can easily make individual bends without all of the extra steps of creating a new profile.

Languages. Added Spanish to available languages and updated French translations.

Known issues resolved with this release include:

  • Resolved an issue with a crash that would occur when trying to connect to a Shared Database with a user name that existed, but was not set up properly in SQL Server.
  • Resolved an issue with the “Shared Profiles Editable” parameter not working as it did in v1.23.00 and previous. This function was broken in v2.00.00.
  • Resolved auto-sequencing issues with drawing and progress bar.

v2.00.00

Enhanced Automatic Sequencing. Automatic sequencing is now faster and provides even better solutions than before. Users can customize how the automatic sequencer works to ensure ideal bend sequences, like preferring outside hems first or avoiding flips or rotates. Partial bends are also available, creating even better solutions than in previous versions.

Increased performance. Pathfinder is now faster and more responsive, making profile creation even more efficient.

Hard steel solutions. With the addition of parameters for double hem closes and extra bends on inside hems for hard steel profiles, users can finally take advantage of the graphical programming features that Pathfinder offers.

More supported folding machines.

Simplified user interface. Pathfinder’s enhanced user interface makes it even easier to create, edit and search for profiles.

v1.23.XX

Automatic Sequencing Improvements. Automatic sequencing settings are now configurable by the Operator.

Encoder referencing added to calibration screens.

Added machine-specific options.> Some machines have toggle selections for Sustained Pedal, Disable Jog, etc.

Double-close hems and double bend inside hems added.

v1.22.XX

Connectivity changes. Ethernet connection changed from TCP to UDP.

Z-hems. Added manual sequencer support for Z-hems.

v1.21.XX

Shared database. Profiles are now stored in a shared database, which can be accessed from multiple Pathfinder-controlled folding machines. The shared database saves time by creating one central location for Profile storage.

Quick Launch bar. Added a quick launch bar to the main screen for easier navigation.

Modal window. Pathfinder can now become modal, allowing the Operator to decrease the size of the window so other parts of the screen can be seen.
Springback / bend compensation.

Profile library filters. Operators can now filter the shared profile library by “Shared”, “Local”, or “Both”.

v1.20.XX

Inside and outside angles. Operators can now define whether they are entering inside or outside angles when defining Profiles.

Touch selection. Selecting a segment of the Profile drawing on the touchscreen allows the user to edit the segment.

Backgauge tolerance parameters.

Jog buttons added to foot pedals. Jog SLOW and Jog FAST buttons are now tied to the folding machine’s foot pedal for easy use.

5225 Black Box.

Languages. Added French translations.

v1.19.XX

One-Step Mode. One-step mode allows operators to quickly make parts without defining a profile by simply entering the backgauge position and bending angle.

v1.18.XX

Improved calibration. This release improved calibration and interpolation for the Clamping Beam, Bending Beam, Radius Adjustment, and Clamp Pressure.

v1.17.52

Support for multiple languages.

Introduction of Batch Stops. Batch stops allow the operator to perform a series of material handling steps and stop at a point where a batch of material can be turned, flipped, or rotated to eliminate wasted steps and effort.

Non-Graphical Profiles. Parts can now be created using both graphical and non-graphical methods.

Introduction of Painted Side Indicator. This informs operators whether the material should be inserted into the machine with the painted side up or down.

v1.16.XX

Introduction of Profiles. Defined parts as Profiles, independent of machine specifics.

Introduction of Automatic Sequencing.

Introduction of machine geometries specific to machine type.

v1.15.XX

First non-beta release. Earliest version of Pathfinder. Since this version was released early in the software’s development, it has very rudimentary abilities. It defined parts as a series of backgauge positions and bending angles, as opposed to later releases of Pathfinder, which define parts as Profiles, independent of machine specifics.

No upgrade path to later releases of Pathfinder.

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