Issue
I need to setup a high-speed magnetic encoder. That is, the writer to write, the reader to read.
How do I do it ?
The type
The MIC can run Magtek and 509 high-speed magnetic encoders.
From the controller point of view, the only difference between both types is that the Magtek needs only 1 RS232 (serial interface) for the magnetic writer, and 1 RS232 for the magnetic reader; whereas, the 509 needs 1 RS232 per track for the magnetic writer, and 1 RS232 for the magnetic reader.
That means, that the MIC sends to the Magtek the information for all 3 tracks through the same RS232. To the 509, one needs 3 RS232, one for each track.
Cabling
Magtek serial cable:
Dflex-side Magtek (works for both writer and reader)
DB25-female DB9-male
2 ————————— 2
3 ————————— 3
7 ————————— 5
Multifeeder serial cable:
Dflex-side Multifeeder (goes into J4-RS232)
DB25-female DB9-female
2 ————————— 2
3 ————————— 3
7 ————————— 5
Axode serial cable:
Dflex-side Axode (memio)
DB25-female DB9-female
2 ————————— 2
3 ————————— 3
7 ————————— 5
Define the Data
In the fileview, define the data for magnetic track1 as Match Key 1, track2 as Match Key 2, and for example the printed pin number as Match key 3.
Below you see that track1 is 55 long and track 2 is 32 long. See also figure 2 for limits
Data to the Magnetic Writer
A magnetic writer is not really an inkjet but we treat it as an inkjet. It gets information through a serial interface and it gets shaft encoder pulses and it gets a trigger. In fact, there are customers that trigger the magnetic encoder directly from the controller by using the high-precision tracking feature.
Do not cut corners, measure the right distance.
It is important that the reference encoder and photocell are right.
Below you see the trigger assignment, the default serial parameters and the port it is connected to.
Define the data that you want to send to the magnetic writer.
Data to be read back and matched against original file
Track1 and track2 are compared back with their correct lengths 55 and 32.
Max. errors in Sequence is your choice, you can enter zero tolerance or you can enter like here, up to 3 errors in sequence to stop the feeder. The same with Max. match errors.
For the timing, the most important value is the trigger position. For systems that trigger the magnetic encoder directly, it is the position where the front of the card hits the read magnetic head. For systems that use its own photocell, it can be later on the card.
Important is to know that you can set a time between the moment a card passes under the read head and the time when the controller gets the data from the magnetic reader. The Max. time should be set to 100 mS or less (at install time, feel free to set it at say 5000 ms). The average time during production should be around 40 mS.
Timing right ?
Set the position so that the time shown here is around 40 mS.
It is also good practice, when setting up or to check how fast you can run, to drag up all other objects in the job and run just the magnetic writer and reader. Usually, the bottleneck is the speed you can run the belt and still get cards in ISO standards. In no case it should be the controller, provided you time it right as explained below..
Pass one card and check the timing with the reader operation icon on the right. Below is just an example and the time is way off at 400 mS. If the time is bigger than 40 mS, for example 80 mS, move the trigger position higher, say from 507 to 580 and pass another card, you should see the time going down. If the time is lower than 40 mS, for example 20 mS or even no-read, move the trigger position lower, say from 507 to 450 and pass another card, you should see the time going up.
