Fluid Dispensing System Upgrades

GPD Global can field upgrade your current DS Series dispensing system or MAX Series fluid dispensing system with many newer and more capable dispenses technologies. We can also bring that older PC hardware up to current standards, including the addition of the latest version of FLOware Software so you’re getting the full benefits of your dispenser with all the new features we have to offer.

Typical upgrade includes:

• Completely updated computer hardware
• FLOware Software – currently released version
• Vision System hardware and software
• Programmable Zoom ClearVu Vision System
• Pump technology and control systems:
  • Precision Auger Pump
  • Volumetric PCD Pump
  • NCM5000 Jetting Pump
  • Time Pressure / Liquid Dispensing Pump
• Real Time Process Control (FPC – Fluid Process Control)
• Surface Sensor Technology
• Needle Cleaners (Grip Type, Vacuum Assist Type)
• UV Spot Curing
• ProcessView Camera and ProcessView Recorder
• Needle Calibration Station

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

USB Drive Compatibility with GPD’s Precision Dispensers

FLOware supports the use of USB devices for backups, transferring files, importing data, and exporting data. Most USB drives are compatible with FLOware. GPD Global provides USB drives known to work with FLOware with each precision dispenser. If you choose to use another USB drive with your dispenser, you should know the requirements for compatibility.

Compatible Partition Types

FLOware supports USB drive with the following partition types:

Checking Partition Type

You can determine the partition type using a command prompt in FLOware.

1. Access a shell.
2. Insert the USB drive into a USB port.
3. In the shell window, type the following command:

ls /dev/pd*

This should generate an output similar to the following:

/dev/pd0 /dev/pd0t11

The above sample shows a single USB drive is connected with a single FAT32 partition (ID 0Bh / 11).

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Dispenser Startup Hangs While Reading Database

During startup, the database is read to properly load the motion control hardware. A utility named readuniversals reads from the database. Three messages should appear when readuniversals loads shown below:

readuniv: DB Initialized OK
readuniv: Engine Found
readuniv: DB VER 2.9, SW VER 2.9 Is Acceptable

If the database is not loading correctly, you will only see the first message from readuniversals.

Dispenser Command Prompt Workaround

If may be possible to restart the database to finish booting. This workaround requires entering commands at the command prompt. To access the command prompt, press ctrl–C to stop the startup script. When the startup script is terminated, the following message displays:

DS9000 Startup Procedure Failed

After the startup failure message, you will see a command prompt (indicated by a line beginning with a dollar sign [$]). At this prompt, enter the following commands (these commands are case sensitive press enter after each line):

$ slay -9 dbsrv50
$ startup.sh; startx;

Permanent Solution to Dispenser Hanging During Startup

If your dispenser continues to hang during startup each time you boot, contact GPD Global support for a permanent solution.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Setting System Date and Time on Your Dispenser

A properly set system date and time are desirable for accurate data logging on your dispenser. A hardware clock on the CPU board maintains the current date and time even when the dispenser is powered off. The system date and time on your dispenser can be incorrect for many reasons including a reset of the CMOS, improper daylight savings settings, and more.

Update the System Date and Time on the Dispenser

To set the system date and time and save the changes to the hardware clock, use the following steps:

1. access a shell with root access
2. check the system initialization file
3. update the system date and time using the date command
4. set the hardware clock to the current system date and time using the rtc command

Checking the Dispenser’s System Initialization File

The way the system date and time are displayed depends on the system initialization file. Before changing the date and time, you must verify the current configuration by accessing a command prompt and enter the following command:

less /etc/config/sysinit.1 | grep rtc

Using the date Command on the Dispenser

The date command can be used to display or set the system date and time.

Use the following format when setting the date and time where CC is the century, YY is the year, MM is the month, DD is the day, hh is the hour, mm is the minute, and SS is the second; each number is always two (2) digits. Only the hour and minute are required.

Changing the date requires root access.

date [[[[CC]YY]MM]DD]hhmm[.SS]

For example, if the current date is 11/5/2020 and the current time is 2:36:51 PM, you could use one of the following commands to set the system date and time to the actual time.

Using the rtc Command on the Dispenser

The rtc (real-time clock) command allows the operating system date and time to interface with the hardware clock.

During startup (see Checking the System Initialization File above), the rtc command links the current hardware time to the system date and time. This is handled in the system initialization file with one of the following commands.

If the hardware clock is using UTC, the clock can update for daylight savings time automatically.

To write the system date and time to the hardware clock, the set command is used. The hardware clock must be set with the same local time option as the system initialization file.

The rtc command requires root access.

If the system initialization file indicates the hardware clock is set to local time, use this command to set the hardware clock:

rtc -ls hw

If the system initialization file indicates the hardware clock is set to UTC, use this command to set the hardware clock:

rtc -s hw

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Dispensing System Root Access

Some dispensing system commands require root access to execute. Root access is indicated by a change in the command prompt; normal access is indicated by a dollar sign ($), root access is indicated by a hash symbol (#).

Root Access

At a command prompt, enter the command su.

$ su
password:
#

* Characters are not shown while entering the password. Contact GPD Global for the root password.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

I/O Definitions for Fluid Dispensing Machines

I/O Definitions contain the digital input and output configuration parameters that control the way your fluid dispensing machine operates. Occasionally, you may want to change the configuration to accurately reflect hardware changes or to optimize your process.

To change the configuration:

1. Enter a password that allows access to the Configuration menu.
2. From the main menu bar, select Menu BarConfigurationI/O Definitions.
3. Two windows display: GPD – Edit I/O Configuration and GPD – I/O Configuration Definitions.

   IMPORTANT: DO NOT modify the GPD – I/O Configuration Definitions window. This window contains definitions of the configuration parameters; changes in this window do not affect dispenser configuration.

   IMPORTANT: ONLY modify the GPD – Edit I/O Configuration window.

4. In the GPD – Edit I/O Configuration window, locate the line to be edited.

   NOTE: You can press F2 to access a search dialog.

5. Edit the line as necessary.
6. Press ESC to access the ESCAPE MENU dialog.
7. In the ESCAPE MENU dialog, press X or select EXIT and press ENTER.
8. The Exit VEDIT dialog displays.
9. In the Exit VEDIT dialog, press Y or select YES and press ENTER.
10. Shutdown your fluid dispensing machine normally.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

FLOware Dispensing Software Doesn’t Load

If your dispenser stops booting after displaying the S16: Unable to start the Flasher: MISC message, you can manually start the required software so you can continue using your dispenser. You should still immediately notify GPD Global of the error.

The Flasher tool primarily handles the status tower light and is required by the other FLOware tools for safety. Since Flasher tool is required for safety, Flasher must start before any other tools. If Flasher fails to start for any reason, the remaining tools also fail to start.

NOTE:The S16: Unable to start the Flasher: MISC is typically followed by the ERROR: DSmain Cannot Communicate with DSmisc. Refer to Log File. and ERROR: DSedit Cannot Communicate with DSmisc. Refer to Log File. messages. These messages indicate the other interface tools are also unable to start.

As a workaround, you can manually start the dispensing software required for your dispenser to function.

1. Close all error messages by clicking the Abort button in each window.
2. Access a shell and enter the following commands.
3. After each command press enter and wait for the command to complete execution.

NOTE: Command completion is indicated by the appearance of the command prompt ($). If you do not see the command prompt after a few moments, press enter again and wait for the command prompt to appear.

DSflash &
DSmisc &After entering this command, the S07 message displays.
DSmain &

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Exporting a Program Tree

To successfully import a program, all the required items for the program must exist either on the dispenser or in the export file. To create an export file that includes all the required items, select the items.

Example Program

As an example, a program named Program to Export is created. The program includes a reference to two vision patterns: one is named Pattern to Export – 1 and is used; the other is named Pattern to Export – 2 and is not used (see Program Header image). The program includes a shape named Shp 2 Export in the detail lines (see Program Detail image). The Program Mounts Table includes a material named Material to Export and specifies a tool named Head to Export 1 and a needle named 25 (see Program Mount image).

The shape named Shp 2 Export includes a reference to two vision patterns: one is named Pattern to Export – 3 and is used; the other is named Pattern to Export – 4 and is not used (see Shape Header image).

The material named Material to Export specifies a tool named Head to Export 2 and a needle named 25 (see Material Library image).

Exporting Example Program

To create a complete export of the above example program that will import without any of the required items already created, each of the included items must be exported. All items required by the above example program can be exported together into a single file.

Open the Export Dialog

1. From the menu bar in the FLOware software, clickUtilitiesNew Export (see New Export Menu image). The Export Selection dialog displays (see New Export Dialog image).
2. In the Export Selection dialog, enter a file path in the Export File field. To export a file to the USB drive, be sure the file path starts with /dos/c/ (this is the root of the USB drive).

Select the Program to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Programs. The M20: Select any number of Program Names dialog displays.
2. In the M20: Select any number of Program Names dialog, locate and select Program to Export.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Program image).

Select the Shape to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Shapes. The M26: Select any number of Shape Names dialog displays.
2. In the M26: Select any number of Shape Names dialog, locate and select Shp 2 Export.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Shape image).

Select the Material to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Materials. The M24: Select any number of Material Names dialog appears.
2. In the M24: Select any number of Material Names dialog, locate and select Material to Export.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Material image).

Select the Tools to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Valve/Tools. The M22: Select any number of Material Names dialog displays.
2. In the M22: Select any number of Valve or Tool Names dialog, locate and select both Head to Export 1 and Head to Export 2.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Tools image).

   NOTE: Head to Export 1 is required by the program mounts table for the program named Program to Export (see Program Mount image).

   NOTE: Head to Export 2 is required by the material library entry for the material named Material to Export (see Material Library image).

Select the Vision Patterns to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Vision Patterns. The M21: Select any number of Vision Pattern Names dialog displays.
2. In the M21: Select any number of Vision Pattern Names dialog, locate and select Pattern to Export – 1, Pattern to Export – 2, Pattern to Export – 3, and Pattern to Export – 4.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Patterns image).

   NOTE: Pattern to Export – 1 is required by header for the program named Program to Export (see Program Header image).

   NOTE: Pattern to Export – 2 is required by header for the program named Program to Export (see Program Header image).

   NOTE: Pattern to Export – 3 is required by header for the shape named Shp 2 Export (see Shape Header image).

   NOTE: Pattern to Export – 4 is required by header for the shape named Shp 2 Export (see Shape Header image).

Select the Needle to Export

1. In the Export Selection dialog, click the button in the Name column left of Needles. The M23: Select any number of Needle Names dialog displays.
2. In the M23: Select any number of Needle Names dialog, locate and select Pattern to Export – 1, Pattern to Export – 2, Pattern to export – 3, and Pattern to Export – 4.
3. Click the Accept button (see Select Needles image).

Perform the Export

1. From the Export Selection dialog, click the Export button to perform the export.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Enabling Work Area Heaters Automatically During Startup

Question

Can I set the default startup condition for my fluid dispensing system to always turn on the work area heater?

Background

Work area heaters are useful in many applications when the product must maintain a certain temperature for proper dispensing (underfill applications, for instance). Work area heaters may take an extended amount of time to stabilize at the set point. Normally, the work area heaters are manually enabled and allowed to stabilize before an application requiring heat begins. Some fluid dispensing systems are only intended for heated applications and the work area heaters can be left on while the fluid dispensing system remains powered on. In this case, enabling the work area heaters during startup is advisable.

How To Enable Work Area Heaters Automatically During Startup

To enable work area heaters automatically during startup, modify the configuration of the fluid dispensing system to set EarlyHeat = True.

Requirements

• Password that allows access to the Configuration menu

Step-By-Step Procedure

1. Enter a password that allows Configuration access.
2. From the main menu, click ConfigurationDispenser Configuration.
3. The GPD – Edit Configuration window appears.
4. In the GPD – Edit Configuration window, press <F2> to display the Search dialog.
5. In the Search dialog, type HasSignal and press ENTER.
6. After the comment line, add a new line and enter EarlyHeat = True.

   NOTE: Comment lines start with “#”.

   

   IMPORTANT: If a line reading EarlyHeat = False already exists, change the existing line instead of adding a new line.

7. Press ESC to access the Escape Menu.
8. From the Escape Menu, select Exit.
9. From the Exit VEDIT dialog, select Yes to save the change.
10. Reboot your dispenser for the change to take effect and verify the heater(s) turn on.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Dispenser Configuration

Dispenser Configuration contains many configuration parameters that control the way your dispenser operates. Occasionally, you may want to change the configuration to optimize your process.

To change the configuration:

1. Enter a password that allows access to the Configuration menu.
2. From the main menu bar, select ConfigurationDispenser Configuration.
3. Two windows display: GPD – Edit Configuration and GPD – Configuration Definitions.

   IMPORTANT: DO NOT modify the GPD – Configuration Definitions window. This window contains definitions of the configuration parameters; changes in this window do not affect dispenser configuration.

   IMPORTANT: ONLY modify the GPD – Edit Configuration window.

4. In the GPD – Edit Configuration window, locate the line to edit.

   NOTE: You can press F2 to access a search dialog.

5. Edit the line as necessary.
6. Press ESC to access the ESCAPE MENU dialog.
7. In the ESCAPE MENU dialog, press X or select EXIT and press ENTER.
8. The Exit VEDIT dialog displays.
9. In the Exit VEDIT dialog, press Y or select YES and press ENTER.
10. Shutdown your dispenser normally.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Disk Boot Failure

DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

IMPORTANT: This message indicates a problem has occurred during dispenser boot up. The primary hard drive is unavailable or not selected as the first boot device.

To resolve this error:

1. Inspect both the floppy disk drive and the USB port(s). They should be empty. Based on your findings, take the appropriate action:
   • If a floppy disk is present in the floppy disk drive or a device is present in a USB port, remove them and press ENTER to continue the boot process. Then continue with step 2.
   • If the drive and port(s) are empty, verify the Hard Disk Boot Priority is properly set according to the CMOS Set Up Procedure for P/N 2025-0064. Correct any errors and reboot the dispenser. Continue with step 2.
2. If the disk boot failure message continues to display after taking the proper steps above, perform the Restore from Backup (Slave) Hard Drive procedure.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.

Accessing Shell

Some system commands are not available directly from the FLOware menus.

IMPORTANT: All system commands are case sensitive and space sensitive.

NOTE: Execute system commands by pressing ENTER.

Accessing Shell Window from FLOware Software

When FLOware is Operational

If FLOware is fully booted and the dispenser is homed, an XWindows Shell window is accessible using the menus:

1. Enter a password that allows system access.
2. From the main menu bar, select System FunctionsShell. A GPD – XWindows Shell window displays.

When FLOware is Not Fully Operational

If FLOware is unable to finish loading or the dispenser cannot be homed, an XWindows Shell window is accessible from the background:

1. Access the GPD Global background logo.
   

   NOTE: If the background logo is not accessiblable, enter a password that allows system access. System access reveals a very small (2 pixels tall) part of the background at the bottom of the sceen.

2. Using the right trackball button, click on the background logo to access the Root Menu.
3. From the Root Menu, select Shell. A GPD – XWindows Shell window displays.

Accessing a Shell without FLOware

If FLOware cannot be started, a shell is available during the boot sequence:

1. During the boot sequence, watch for the message Automatic Dispenser Login followed by a message beginning Last Login.
2. Press CTRL–C immediately after the message beginning Last Login displays.
3. A message DS9000 Startup Procedure Failed displays.
4. A $ prompt appears. This is the Shell window.

For a service upgrade proposal that fits your needs, use the New Support Ticket form or submit your request via email.