Operator Control Panel -- Main Web Page

The Operator Control Panel is displayed when the "Operator" tab in the Navigation bar is clicked.  This panel is used to select, start, stop and control the execution of a dispensing Process.   It is normally the first web page that is displayed when this software package begins execution.

This panel is divided into three major sections (System Messages, Robot Status, Select Process). 

The "System Messages" section at the top of the panel contains a scrolling list of informational and error messages that have been automatically generated. This section contains the following fields and buttons.

System Message

Description

Message box

A read only text box that displays all system and application messages.  The most recent message is displayed on the top line.  Please see the Trouble Shooting Chapter of this manual for a description of common error messages and output generated by Guidance Dispense.   Please see the Precise Documentation Library > Controller Software > Software Reference > System Error Codes for a description of the complete list of error messages that can be generated by the robot control system.

Clear message Clears all messages displayed in the "Message box".  This is convenient for deleting old messages that can be confusing if attention is not paid to the message time stamp.

The "Robot Status" section in the middle of the panel contains items for controlling motor power and robot homing.

Robot Status

Description

System State

Please see the section on Enabling Motor Power and Homing the Robot for a description of these buttons and fields.

Robot Homed
Enable
Disable
Home Robot

The "Select Process" section at the bottom of the panel permits the operator to select the dispensing Process that they wish to execute and to start and stop its execution.  This panel also includes aids for debugging and testing a Process.

Select Process

Description

<Process list>

Displays a list of Processes that are currently defined.  Before the "Start" button is pressed, a Process must be selected in this window.

Start

Begins execution of the Process selected in the <Process List>.  Before execution can commence, robot motor power must be enabled and the robot must be homed.

Stop Immediately stops any process currently being executed.  The dispense output control signals will be turned off to prevent unintentional dispensing.
Purge Displays a pop-up window that can move the robot to the designated "Purge" position and turn on the specified dispense head(s).  This is used to verify that the heads are working or to clear the needles. Please see Purge Setup for additional information.
[] Disable Outputs

If checked, disables the operation of the dispenser syringes when a Process is executed.  The dispenser output signal is re-directed to the "Free" teach button light on the Air Dispenser.  This mode is useful for test running an entire dispense Process without dispensing any fluid.

System Speed Reduces the speed of all robot motions to allow a Process to be run slowly for diagnostic and debugging purposes.  Normally, this speed should be set to 100% for normal operation.