Axometrics, Inc.

103 Quality Circle, Suite 215

Huntsville, AL 35806

Phone: (256) 704-3332

Fax: (256) 971-2073

E-Mail:

Website: http://www.axometrics.com

Axometrics

General Production and QC Software

USER’S MANUAL

Software Version 4.0

©2015 Axometrics, Inc. All rights reserved.

AxoScan, AxoView, Axometrics and the Axometrics logo are trademarks of Axometrics, Inc.

1

CONTENTS

1 Introduction 3

2 Basic Operation 4

2.1.1 Log In/Log Out: 5

2.2 Initialize System 5

2.3 Calibrate System Screen 6

2.3.1 Two Step Calibration 7

2.4 Recipe Library 8

2.5 Manual Measurement 10

2.6 Other Functions 11

2.7 System Status 12

2.7.1 General Status 12

2.7.2 Production Status 13

2.7.3 Hardware Status. 13

2.7.4 Multi Head Status. 14

2.7.5 Alarm History: 14

2.7.6 Event Log 15

2.8 Edit Settings 15

2.8.1 General Options 17

2.8.2 Calibration Options 18

2.8.3 Recipe Options 19

2.8.4 Data File Options 19

2.8.5 Filename format dialog 20

2.8.6 Hardware Options 21

2.8.7 Fixture Options: 23

2.8.8 Turret 1 / Turret 2 24

2.8.9 Calculation Options: 25

2.8.10 Event Logging 27

2.8.11 Sample Gauging Options 27

2.8.12 Production Line 29

2.8.13 Manage User Accounts 30

2.8.14 Additional Sensors 32

2.8.15 Sample Holder 33

3 Setting Up a Measurement Recipe 35

3.1 Sample Settings 37

3.1.1 LCD Parameters 38

3.1.2 Refractive Indices 39

3.1.3 Fitting Options 40

3.1.4 Compensation 41

3.1.5 Parameter Limits 42

3.1.6 Global Parameter Limits 42

3.1.7 Launch LCDView 43

3.2 Measurement Settings 43

3.3 x,y Coordinates Setup 44

3.4 Tilt, Rotation Angles 47

3.4.1 APM Turrets 47

3.4.2 FAA-Type Turrets 49

3.4.3 FAF-Type Turrets 50

3.5 Wavelengths. 50

4 Production Mode 52

4.1 On-Line Recipies 52

4.2 Production Status 53

4.3 System Control 55

4.4 TCP Communication 55

4.4.1 Command Format 56

4.4.2 Response Messages 56

4.5 Alarms and Warnings 57

4.5.1 Alarm Log 59

4.6 System States 59

4.6.1 Using the Auxiliary DAQ Cable 60

5 User Accounts 62

1  Introduction

The Axometrics Production software package is the primary control software for the APM-20 Axometrics Production system. It interfaces seamlessly with hardware control programs such as the AxoScan Engine™. This software manual discusses the general operation of the Axometrics Production software and the steps necessary to perform an measurement. Section 2 discusses the basic steps performed when measuring an LCD panel, Section 3 discusses the details of setting up a measurement recipe, Section 4 discusses the details of setting up a calculation recipe, and Section 5 discusses the operation of the data viewer software.

2  Basic Operation

All axometrics production machines are controlled entirely using the Axometrics Production software. Load the Axometrics Production software by double clicking on the icon on the front panel. The Main Menu for the production software is shown below.

There are 8 sub-menus that the user can access by pressing the buttons on the Main Menu, which will be discussed in this section. The On-Line measurement function will be discussed in a later chapter.

Because all Axometrics production systems use this software, it is necessarily highly configurable. The following describes the primary configurations for the production software.

1.  Operation Mode: The software can be configured to operate in either Manual Mode (fully operated by a person from the user station) or Automatic Mode (measurements and operations controlled remotely via TCP (such as using a CIM).

2.  Sensor Type: The production software can be used for AxoStep systems and AxoScan systems.

3.  Fixture Type: The production software can be configured for several different fixture types, such as:

  1. APM (Axometrics PanelMapper) Fixtures: Standard transmission tilt and rotation turrets
  2. FA.x (Fixed Angle) Fixtures: Multiple heads with or without rotation motors
  3. x.x.RF (Reflection –Type) Fixtures:

4.  Calculation Type: The production software can be configured to perform numerous different measurements by changing the data fitting subroutines. These calculation routines include (but are not limited to):

  1. AxoScan LCD panel measurements
  2. AxoStep LCD pixel measurements
  3. Ellipsometry measurements
  4. Optical Anisotropy Measurements.

2.1.1  Log In/Log Out:

The Axometrics Production software can be configured to log user operation by setting up user accounts. If the software is configured to require an operator login, then no operations can be performed unless a user is logged in. Press the User Log In Button, and log on to the system with your User Name and Password. If the Panel Mapper is configured to use an ID card reader, the user can swipe their ID card to Log On.

2.2  Initialize System

Pressing the Initialize System button opens the following window:

Initialize Sensors: Press this button to initialize the AxoScan (or AxoStep) Engine. The initialization sequence is configured in the System Settings-Hardware Options (Section 2.8.6). If the AxoScan Engine is running on startup the Initialize AxoScan Button will be green. If an error occurs or the initialization fails, the button will be red. Information about the initialization is shown in the box below the button

Initialize Optical Gauging Press this button to initialize the Panel Alignment System (if installed). The initialization sequence is configured in the System Settings-Panel Alignment Options (Section Error! Reference source not found.). If the Panel Alignment System is running on startup the Initialize Initialize Panel Alignment System will be green. If an error occurs or the initialization fails, the button will be red.

2.3  Calibrate System Screen

The Calibration System Screen is displayed when the user presses the Calibration button on the Main Menu.

All controls on the Calibration System screen require that AxoScan has successfully initialized and that a user is logged on.

Perform Calibration Test Measurement: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, only a test measurement in air, as well as a measurement of the reference standard in the system (e.g. Cal-Vis-1) is performed, but no changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.

Recalibrate: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a baseline calibration and orientation calibration are performed and a test measurement is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.

Save Calibration as Default: Pressing this button will save the most recent calibration as the Default AxoScan Calibration.

2.3.1  Two Step Calibration

In some cases it is desirable to perform the calibration steps separately (usually in cases where Axometrics software does not have direct control of an XY stage). In this case, the Axometrics Production software can be configured to perform the test measurements and calibrations as two separate steps. If the software is configured this way (See Section 2.8.2) the options on the calibration screen will be as follows:

In this configuration, the buttons operate as follows:

Test Air: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, a test measurement in air only is performed, and no changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.

Test Reference: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in “measurement only” mode. In this mode, a test measurement of the reference standard only is performed. No changes to the system calibration are made. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table. This is used only to verify the current calibration is within spec.

Recalibrate Air: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a baseline calibration in air only is performed and a test measurement in air is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.

Recalibrate Reference: Launches the Calibration Program that is specified in the System Settings-Calibration Options (Section 2.8.2) in calibration mode. In this mode, a orientation e calibration of the reference standard only is performed and a test measurement in of the reference standard is performed. The results of this measurement are shown in the Calibration Results Table.

2.4  Recipe Library

Pressing the Recipe Library button, opens the recipe editor screen shown below (in production mode).

In Production Mode two recipe tables are used, one table is used for manual measurements, and a second table is used for On-Line recipies.

In Standard Mode, only the Manual Recipies Table is shown.

There are 9999 possible recipes that can be configures for both On-Line Recipies and Manual Recipies.

Add: Creates a new recipe. When the user presses the Add button the following dialog box appears allowing the user to select the desired recipe number from. Once a recipe is configured, its recipe number is no-longer available to be selected.

Copy: Copies the selected recipe into a new recipe number. The user can copy recipes between the Manual List, and the On-Line list.

Edit: Opens the current recipe for editing.

Delete: Removes the current recipe from the list. The deleted recipe number is now made available for newly added recipes.

Detailed information on creating a recipe is discussed in Chaper 3.

2.5  Manual Measurement

Pressing the Manual Measurement button on the main menu opens the Measurement Screen shown below.

Optical Gauging: Enabled if Optical Gauging is properly initialized. Press this button to manually perform an optical gauging measurement.

Load Recipe: When the user presses this button, the following dialog box is displayed.

The user selects the desired recipe (and can enter a Glass ID number if desired), and presses Accept. Once the recipe is loaded, the Measure Sample button will be enabled.

Measure Sanple: Press this button to start the measurement. Once the measurement has started the button changes to Abort, until the measurement is completed.

Save Data: If the software is not configured to automatically save data (section 2.8.4) then the Save Data button will be red, indicating that there is unsaved data in memory.

2.6  Other Functions

Pressing the Other Functions button on the Main Menu will open the following screen, allowing the user to access additional utilities.

The following options are available:

XY Table Control: Press this button to open the XY Stage control software. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)

Tip/Tilt Control: Press this button to open the Tip/Tilt Stage control. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)

Camera Stage Control: Press this button to open the Optical Gauging Camera Stage control. This will open a separate executable that is configured in the settings (See Section 2.8.6)

Move to Load Position: Press this button to move the stage to the position for loading samples.

Query Optical Gauging: Press this button to report the latest Measurement from the Optical Gauging software

Reset Optical Gauging: Press this button to remove the latest Optical Gauging measurement

Move to Alignment Position: Press this button to move the stage to the position defined for performing Optical Gauging measurements.

Shut Down System: Press this button to shut down the production system.

Enable Diagnostic and Hardware Settings (Password Required): Check this box to put the software into diagnostic mode. Warning, when the software is in diagnostic mode, actions can change the software configuration in such a way that it prevents the software from functioning properly. Use with caution.

2.7  System Status

Pressing the System Status button on the front panel opens the following screen that displays the current status of the system.

There are five tabs on the System Status screen.

2.7.1  General Status

The general status shows the current state of the Axometrics Production Software. The general status is used by the software to determine which controls are enabled and disabled.

Also shown is the current index used when autosaving files. This number is usually included in the filename, in increments by one each time a new file is saved (See Section ???).

2.7.2  Production Status

The production status tab shows information related to the production communications. The Production interface is discussed in section 4.

2.7.3  Hardware Status.

The Hardware Status tab shows information related to the physical hardware on the production system.

Sensors Monitor: This indicator shows the current state of all the PLC channels in the system.

Reconnect to Sensors: Press this button to reestablish a connection with the PLC in case communication between the production software and the PLC is lost.

PLC attached: This indicator shows whether a PLC is attached to the system.

AxoScan Status: This indicator shows the status of the AxoScan or AxoStep Sensors. For this indicator, when more than one sensor is used in the system (e.g. FAA systems). The status indicators from the individual sensors are combined using a logical OR operation.

Pin Lifter (If Installed): Shows the current state of the pin lifter

2.7.4  Multi Head Status.

The operation on this tab is currently under development. Please ignore all controls on this tab.

2.7.5  Alarm History:

This tab shows a recording of all production alarms and warnings that the system has experienced. Nothing is recorded when the “Production Line Communication” is not enabled on the system (see Section 2.8.12).