2400 Simulated Lug Pulse Screen

Owned by Bernard Elvin (Deactivated)
Last updated: Jan 03, 2023 by Scott Schneider
3 min read

Use a simulated lug pulse when the site doesn't have physical lugs. This triggers a ‘lug pulse’ every few seconds to simulate a transverse system with lugs.

Step-by-step guide

Automatic references

There are two modes for taking the reference reading. 

  1. The first is by using a planer running signal wired in to input 4 (lug Pulse) And turning on the setting to use planer running contact in the software. . When the line is moving then we take a reference every time the timeout counter reaches its max. The timeout counter is reset every time either a photo-eye on a sensor, or the infeed photo-eye is blocked. This timer should be set to the time it takes a board to run from the infeed photo-eye until just past the sensors. It is ok if the timer is a few seconds longer. This timer will only count up when the planer running contact is high. When the system takes a reference you will see an empty lug displayed.   

  2. The second mode is without a planer running contact. if the planer running contact selection in the software is off then the system attempts to keep track of the number of pieces between the infeed PE and the sensors by counting up one each time the infeed PE is blocked, and then down one each time a board is detected. the maximum board count is set in the Max count variable in the setup.

Setup when NOT using Planer Running Contact

  1. The counter must be zero and the timer timed out for a reference. 

    1. Once these conditions are met there will be an empty lug generated.

    2. If a reference is required at that point then a reference will be generated (If its outside the range in the reference delta setup).

  2. As soon as the infeed photo-eye is blocked the counter will increment so no reference will be taken.

  3. If the running contact is wired in and selected the timer only counts when its high.

  4. The lug pulse is generated once the sensor PE becomes unblocked and the lug delay timer times out. This is to prevent a distance sensor error in case it still sees the piece after the PE becomes unblocked.

  5. The timeout clock should be set to the maximum amount of time it would take a board to travel from the leading edge of the infeed photo-eye until it is well clear of the sensor. This to be a few seconds longer than it actually takes so that we can be sure there is not a piece on the way between sensors. The longer this timer the less chance for errors. You will also see less empty lugs with it higher.

  6. The frequency of the empty lugs is governed by the timeout counter.

  7. As soon as the infeed sees a new board the counter becomes non-zero and will not generate a reference or empty lug.

  8. The max count should be set to 1 less than the number of pieces between the infeed and the sensor. If there is only room for 1 however, set it to 1.

Temperature

If using the second mode, the temperature setup must be set so that it is using the coldest temp (assumes that the lumber is colder than the ambient ). If using the planer running contact the system can run with the Use Coldest off.

Lug Input Polarity

The Lug Input Polarity MUST be inverted to obtain the correct simulated lug pulse.