The buttons on the main menu are:

1. The BENDER NUMBER button


This button is only present when Benderlink is in SERVER mode. In SERVER mode, Benderlink can address many benders. In CLIENT mode, Benderlink only addresses a single, preset, Bender.

2. The CHANNEL NUMBER button


KEINS and Chiyoda controls allow storage of up to 20 parts in memory at the same time. Each part is stored in what is called a "CHANNEL". Benderlink works with one part program at a time, so it is important to designate which channel Benderlink is to use for communication.
Benderlink can also be set to use a single channel only for automatic communications between the measuring center and the bender. This option eliminates potential confusion about which channel is being used for communication.

3. The GET button


This button is used to request a transfer from the bender to Benderlink immediately. Data that is received from the bender is permanently stored until the next transfer overwrites that data.
Whenever Benderlink communicates with the bender, this information is updated to the part shape being transferred through communications.

4. The SEND button


This button is used to request a transfer from the Benderlink computer to the bender immediately.

5. The DATA button


This button loads the DATA MENU. The DATA MENU loads other menus that control the display, editing, and file storage management of the bender data.

6. The UTILITIES button


This button loads the UTILITIES MENU. The UTILITIES MENU loads other menus that control the setup of Benderlink, and other miscellaneous features.

Status Box

The Status Box displays various setup information and the the current state of communication lines in Benderlink.

The first four lines show information about the bender connection.

The last three lines show information about the remote connection. This connection is often made with a measuring center, but can be made with any computer than can communicate using the measuring center protocols.

Activity Log

The Activity Log displays messages related to the communications. It is displays the various stages of communications so that you can be sure that reliable communication took place.

Mode Icons

The Mode Icons are a quick indicator of the communications mode in which Benderlink is operating. As shown above, the connection can be wireless or direct. There is also a SERVER MODE and a CLIENT MODE.

SERVER MODE

When in this mode, Benderlink can address multiple benders through one communications port. Using wireless, for example, it is possible to address an unlimited number of benders by placing a single wireless transceiver at each bender.

CLIENT MODE

When in this mode, Benderlink addresses only one bender through a single communications port. Using the Supravision Network protocol, Benderlink will ignore any request for communication from the measuring center that does not match its preset bender number.