Videojet DataFlex 6530 Service Manual - Rev AA 4-23
Installation
4.10 Working with Print Allocations
Some coding applications demand strict control of batch sizes for example controlled
pharmaceutical products.
To work in such production situations it is useful to set the coder so that it only prints a precise
number of codes before shutting down and waiting for the next batch instruction.
This is called a Print Allocation and it is administered by another computer or line controller.
When the production control PLC or PC authorises a new production batch, a special message can
be sent to the printer using the External Serial Interface. This message selects the Job to print, any
variable data in the job, and the allocation count, which is the production batch size. These
messages can be stored in a queue in the printer and the size of the permitted queue is
configurable.
The printer prints the current job until the number of products printed equals the allocation count
sent by the controller, at which point it stops. When one allocation batch has been completed, the
next job is automatically selected by the printer if there is a pending job in the queue. If there is no
pending job in the queue the printer will not execute any further printing operations until a new
allocation is sent to it.
Setup of the allocation operation for the printer is performed via the CLARiTY configuration
manager, where the following parameter can be set:
• Max Queue Length: Defines how many jobs are permitted to be in the Job queue.
The configurable inputs and outputs also can be setup to trigger on certain events
related to Print Allocations (refer “"Setting the End of Reel Detection" on page 4-22).
• Clear Print Queue (Input): Reset the print job queue and delete all jobs in the queue
• Job allocation has completed (Output): The current allocation of prints has been
completed
• Job Update queue is full (Output): The maximum permitted number of jobs in the
queue has been reached
• Job Update Queue is not full (Output): The maximum permitted number of jobs in
the queue has not been reached
• New Job allocation is received (Output): A new job allocation message has been
received by the printer
When allocations are enabled, it is possible to view the job queue at the CLARiTY panel in two
different ways.
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