| Benderlink IV Tech Document #1: Benderlink Modification History Document For: Beginner through Advanced Users Software Version:
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Benderlink IV Revision 16a
Version 1.2 - November 24, 1997
1. Added Block load/save capability
2. Repaired data save bug in ini: file load and save used same
data. Changed so that they each saved unique data.
3. Made FormFileChannelToLoad and FormFileChannelToSave into
FormFileToLoad and FormFileToSave in order to use this menu
for multiple file types:
Channel
Block
To add:
TCD, TCA, $$$, FIF
etc.
Future versions:
1. Allow basic edit of data
2. Add communications capability for Laservision
Version 1.3 - December 2, 1997
1. Enhanced Message window
2. Added UI and logic to handle placing radius in
proper place in bend die stack.
3. Added ability to not monitor the Remote port for
applications with no measuring center.
Version 1.4 - December 18, 1997
1. Added a splash window
2. Added code to disable multiple instances
Revision 6
Added menu to allow file utility functions
Revision 7 - January 15, 1997
1. Added logic for translating radii from Measuring center to
bender.
(Supravision ignores incoming radii, so no translation made in the
other direction.)
2. Repaired View menu so that its MQ85 object is set to the proper
bender type.
3. Added F_Loading to this form so that can unload if no hardware key
found without requiring password to unload.
Revision 8 - January 20, 1997
1. Added capability of editing bender data from within Benderlink.
2. Added FPBbendDie[process] array to the MQ85 object for displaying
and editing which bend die is to be used.
Revision 9 - May 21, 1998
1. Added the password adjustment in the INI file for system administrators
- Password 1 for Exit
- Password 2 for Options
- Password 3 for Parameters
2. Fixed Drawing number problem when switching channels
When Benderlink changes channels, it will no longer also change the
the drawing number in memory. This was done by keeping a new
data file that stores the current drawing file, not just all 20.
3. Added TubeCalc Import
Revision 10 - June 26, 1998
Debugged Rev 9 at One-Way
Revision 11 - July 09, 1998
1. Fixed MQ combine so would save data to file even if NOTES data not found.
2. Benderlink now transfers SV radii to bender die number
3. Benderlink now assigns bend die radii to SV data
4. Added Shutdown in main screen. (Complete system shutdown)
5. Changed Recombine split bend rotation value from +/- 0.2 to +/- 1.0 degree
for Lennox (They were getting .4 degrees in a 180 degree bend.
Revision 13 - Sept. 23, 1998
1. Changed over to IGBXA hardware key and enabled ProgramID feature
Benderlink is program ID 306
This feature allows multiple programs to run from one key.
2. Now always include OVERBEND Calculator with Benderlink. Integrated
to Benderlink. Install overbend to /overbend directory under benderlink
3. Add the Supravision Network communications feature
(Sept 23 rev, not complete - rushed for INLINE)
4. Repaired Drawing number handling so that Blink now properly handles
individual drawing numbers, even when switching channels.
5. Added standard numerical edit boxes to the BENDER DATA EDIT menu.
6. Added the third radius for KEINS triple radius.
7. Repaired NOTE reset so that NOTES are cleared before new files load.
Revision 14 - Nov. 26, 1998
1. Completed Supravision Network communications feature
2. GUI reorganized so that is more logical.
3. Can now exit from Windowed interface without entering password
4. Re-worked Channel selection dialog so that is more logical.
5. Added Teletronics wireless modem support.
6. Allow multiple benders using multiplexing wireless modem support.
7. Allow Benderlink to operate in either SERVER mode or CLIENT mode.
SERVER mode is for calling out to multiple benders.
CLIENT mode is for connection to one bender.
Wireless can be used for either. In both modes, wireless is used
between the bender and BENDERLINK.
Wireless for SERVER calls out to any number of addresses based upon
the Form_BenderNumber.Bender value. Multiple benders can be addressed
with a single BENDERLINK.
Wireless for CLIENT uses only the first wireless address for
communication between Benderlink and the bender. One bender is addressed
and it has a unique Client Mode Bender Number that is used to filter
calls from Supravision when in Network mode.
Revision 14 - Nov. 15, 1998
1. Bender Data Edit menu can load TubeCalc for entry of new XYZ data.
Also, Benderlink can transfer the current memory data to TubeCalc.
Benderlink sends recall01.b2s when it wants new data.
Benderlink sends svfile01.b2s when it sends existing data and then
waits for the modified data to be returned.
2. Benderlink now always builds companion Supravision files in the same
directory as the Benderlink data file. This allows external programs
to have easy access to any Benderlink data that has been saved to the
disk.
3. The UnitConvert unit was added for easy Conversion between SV and MQ85 objects.
4. The Bender Data Edit Menu has a second new tab that allows import of
Supravision files.
5. Now always include TubeCalc with every copy of Benderlink.
Revision 15 - Nov. 19, 1998
1. Added Bender Communication Retry Loop. Benderlink now allows users to set
the number of retries for communications (See the Benderlink Bender Setup Port
menu.)
2. Bender wait time for time-out is now programmable. The number of seconds
that Benderlink will wait is now programmable.
3. Added HELP support. (Press F1 or right click on the main menu.)
Revision 15a - Nov. 24, 1998
1. Now File Menu always asks for Channel number when the operater is
asking the bender for the current drawing number.
Revision 15b - ****, 1998
1. The Retry label disappears in a timely basis (uses refresh)
2. The Save and Load Parameters buttons are not used, so they are now invisible
3. TubeCalc 2.6 D1 has been created to allow mirror imaging.
4. Changed Backup so that can backup with several uniquely named archive files
in the same directory
5. Changed Restore so that it can selectively restore.
6. Added Primary Set Point adjustment in Bender Data Edit menu.
7. Added Clear All Data command in Bender Data Edit menu.
Revision 15c - Dec 8, 1998
1. Bender Data Edit Menu asks if you want to reset data when importing
TubeCalc data
2. Bender Data Edit Menu asks if you want to reset data when importing
Supravision data
3. TubeCalc 2.6 D2 has been created with an SV Save As Toolbar button.
4. Bender Data Edit CLEAR ALL DATA no longer changes the bending method to GP
5. Bender Data Edit will no longer try to change the Primary Set Point at SHOW
6. Bender Data Edit will no longer change PSP when CLEAR ALL DATA
7. Bender Data Edit will no longer change PSP when switching units.
8. TubeCalc 2.6 D2 now negates the incoming and outgoing end offset values when
importing and exporting SV files. Supravision values are the
opposite of TubeCalcs.
Revision 15e - Jan 27, 1999
1. Benderlink now allows short filenames for saving data on remote LANS that
require 8.3 filename conventions
2. Can now print View Data contents.
3. SV Serial Protocol adjusted slightly.
4. The Radii are now converted depending on the unit. (They were not beforehand.)
5. The Supravision Import feature uses the Benderlink Load menu.
Revision 16 - Jan 30, 1999
1. Benderlink now saves the diameter also.
2. Repaired the transfer to TubeCalc unit error
3. Adjusted the comparison for the PSP adjustment routine
4. Re-worked the Bender Edit Screens so that the FPB data is easier to read
5. Added a close button on the main screen.
6. Changed the EXIT buttons so that they either read Cancel or Previous
Revision 16b - March 24, 1999
1. Benderlink now features a FIND NEXT feature in all the file menus. This
feature allows the oper to find the next file that matches a set of
characters used in searching.
2. Benderlink allows the operater to set the TubeCalc path in the Options
menu. This value are stored in the INI file.
Revision 16d
- Changed the main screen so that there are no system or window buttons
in the caption.
- The main screen does not flash and resize in full interface mode
when other modal windows load on top of it. (This was because of some
code in the Activate event was unnecessary.
- Password protected the File Utilities menu.
- Repaired the report of machine length so that works with Chiyoda too.
The machine length from the Chiyoda parameters is always millimeters
(unlike other data, which can be in Inches or Millimeters.)
- Put some graphics in the data source/target menu to make the
request more clear to operators.
-UpDown buttons will not work on some Windows 95 computers with
the increment set to a negative number. Reworked code so that
increment is always 1 in lists like Bender Data Edit, etc.
Revision 17
- Now supports MQ41 Chiyoda (smart translation for avoidance moves)
- Now supports Smart Switch technology for up to 64 benders
- File Load menu shows current bender number and type
- File Load menu shows current file bender type
Revision 17a May 9, 1999
- Slowed SV Monitor to 2000 milliseconds less demand on system
- During SV Recall, MQ85 bender now controls UNITS
- Did not implement for MQ41 - look into
- Main Screen displays bender type of KEINS and [MM] or [IN]
- Added Keins Unit button in Measuring Center conversion page
- Fixed Keins Display Unit Window so the buttons work properly.
- When sending data from the bender to the measuring center, the
bender now governs which unit the measuring center receives.
(See UnitConversion for details.)
This is important because when it performs only a recall, it
always assumes to receive the data in whatever unit the bender
data is sent in. The SV recall function in no way requests the
data to be handed to SV in any particular unit. (Request Foad
to change this if makes better sense.)
The current SVdata file on the Benderlink folder may have no
relationship to the current Supravision part in either the bender
or the measuring center, therefore, it should not govern the unit.
This is especially true when the measuring center does not first SEND
data, but just RECALLs it only.
- The AddtoLog routine no longer locks the system when the activity
log is not visible. This especially occurred when RECALL was in
progress.
- The SKIP RADIUS SEND feature was added so that Benderlink can be
set to not ever change the RADIUS data in conversions from the
measuring center.
This is very important for multiple bend dies that are the same
radius. This could occur, for example, when multiple custom
compound bend dies are used with the same radius.
If the radius is converted from the measuring center in the example
case stated above, then all radii will show "1" in the FPB data, even
if it were originally programmed in the FPB data.
- When loading Benderlink the first time, it now defaults to the Windowed
interface. This interface is used more often than the full screen mode.
Revision 17b July 12, 1999
- Disabled Main Menu buttons until Smart Switch had time to change
and reopen ports
Revision 17c - July 20, 1999
- Correct dwg numbers copy from bender to bender without overwriting
the drawing numbers on the target bender with all of the drawing
numbers on the source bender
- Fixed Backup so will run when Benderlink is moved to another drive.
- Fixed the way Benderlink handled the Chiyoda machine length. It now
converts the value properly when the Chiyoda unit is changed to INCH.
Revision 17d - July 29, 1999
- From SV to MQ85 now transfers the diameter into Benderlink
Revision 18 - September 6, 1999
- Added ATQ1 to put Teletronics Transceiver in Quiet Mode at this end
so that Benderlink does not waste time examining the return codes
when it is really just watching for responses from the bender
Note: ATQ0 turns quiet mode OFF.
- Teletronics Note: The bender transceivers always power on in
non-quiet mode. This is OK because Benderlink systems do not
require the bender to every initiate communication. If they
ever do, then non-quiet mode may confuse the bender.
- Teletronics Note: Setting the transceiver channel is not
before communicating is not important. The transceiver will
find the best channel automatically.
- Added Eagle-Eaton Leonard P2 support.
- Changed the library for Choose Folder Dialogs so that they allow
folder create and delete while selecting folders.
- Removed 2 lines that brought the main screen to front
The problem was that it did so without unloading the secondary screens.
The main screens would be visible, but non of the controls would respond
because the secondary screen would still have control.
//if F_SentDataToBenderOK then Show; // Bring Benderlink to the front of SV
Revision 19 - November, 1999
- Updated the look of the screens.
- Added and refined Eagle-Eaton Leonard ATT protocol support.
No longer support P2
- Repaired the screen sizing in View and Bender Data Edit so that
the panel resizes correctly. Reason for problem is unknown.
- Enabled sound for transfer events and splash
----------------
Controls the channel from the measuring center
Search for $IFDEF SVSwitchChannelEnable
----------------
Revision 19a - November 29, 1999
- Benderlink no longer opens and closes the Bender COM ports
when opening the program. This is not necessary. Any errors
can be generated when the use attempts to open and communicate with
the KEINS or CHIYODA benders.
Revision 20 - December 1999
1. We modified the Benderlink so that it can operate in
UniPort or MultiPort modes. UniPort mode assumes that
Benderlink will communicate with one or many benders through
a single COM port. In the new MultiPort mode, each bender is
assigned a unique COM port. This feature was added to support
hardware like Digiboard's Multiport serial boards.
2. Benderlink has an updated user interface that includes sound.
Benderlink emits a slight blip sound during tranmission.
When transmission is complete, another sound indicates that
transmission is complete. This alerts the user that he can
begin working with the data either at the measuring center
or at the bender.
3. Benderlink no longer opens and closes the COM ports when the
program is loaded into Windows. This fixes a problem where the
open/close event would apparently confuse the KEINS and CHIYODA
benders with garbage characters, causing the benders to not
respond to future communications events until they were switched
off, on, and re-originated.
Revision 22 - February 10, 2000
- Benderlink now allows the operator to select individual files
when loading a block file to the bender.
- MQ85data objects no longer allow process row count to be set to
zero
- MQ41data objects no longer allow process row count to be set to
zero
- Revised SAVE FILE menus so that they are more logical:
1. Placed SAVE toward the bottom, where it belongs in the
sequence of buttons to press. It uses all caps SAVE now.
2. Renamed Use Name button as Use List Name.
3. Added Use Memory for setting the name to the current MQ85 or MQ41 drawing number
4. Renamed Edit to Type Name
5. Grouped Type Name, Ask Bender, Use List Name and Use Memory buttons
together at the top.
- Found a situation where a KEINS machine length was being divided by 25.4
like the Chiyoda machine length. This logic has been changed.
- Made the Mac.Len parameter controls invisible in the Bender Type menu
as it is not being used by Bender Data Edit anymore.
- Use the computer exclamation sound for the transcomplete.wav file.
- Make wav files play in all places that a transfer could occur.
- Changed the standard wav files.
- Updated the Hkey routines to recognize a TimeHasp-4
Revision 23 - March 16, 2000
- Benderlink adjusted so that multiple GETs from a VECTOR will
work properly. The F_RemoteDataString now clears before
a new preamble is presented from the VECTOR. (The notice of
receipt from the VECTOR was not previously cleared.)
- Benderlink adjusted so that the correct bender # is displayed in
the activity log the first time. Rather than look at the VecData
bender number, we have to look at the F_VectorBenderNumber which is
changed first.
- Repaired the D value conversion from Yasakawa compressed data to
actual data.
- Changed logic for handling values of zero in start and end lengths
on the bender control during correction from the measuring centers.
- Changed the way Chiyoda machine length is reported in the logs.
(The new code assumes that the value needs no further conversion.)
Revision 25a - August 1, 2000
- Benderlink adjusted so that TubeCalc's location by default is
in the Application.ExeName + \tcalcw
- Benderlink adjusted so that attcalc32 location by default is
in the Application.ExeName + \attcalc
Revision 26 - April 9, 2001
- Benderlink now requires a password for the SAVE menu if the
integer password is not equal to 0
- Benderlink INI now has a new entry that allows control
of that setting
- Benderlink can now save a completely empty MQ41 data file
without giving the Range Error Check error.
- Benderlink now disallows BLOCK saves and loads for
MQ41 benders
Revision 27 - May 16, 2001
- Benderlink now requires a password for the STARTING the program if the
integer password is not equal to 0
- Benderlink INI now has a new entry that allows control
of that setting
Revision 28 - August 09, 2001
- Benderlink now performs a checksum OK check on incoming MQ85 data.
The following data is checked:
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_DrawingNumbers;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_NumberCounter;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_Parameters;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_MotorParameters;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_WorkSpecs;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_XYZ;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_FPB;
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_Options;
Not
Procedure GetDataFromMQ85_RunAppointment; - Never use
and not currently MQ41 - but we can add later
- Retry only occurs with checksum error. All other errors
cause communication to stop.
- Added Integrity Check in Utilities page - uses
procedure TForm_Main_Benderlink.DataFileCheckSum(fn: string);
in FormMain
Revision 29 & 30 - August 31, 2001 (MBP)
- Ported Benderlink from Delphi 3 to Delphi 5
- Changed Comm driver to a modified TComm class
- Replaced CalcEdit component with a custom modified LMD calculator combo box
- Replaced File Browser components with TPBFolderDialog class
- Made assorted changes in I/O sections to work with strings rather than characters.
- Remmed Supravision II protocol sections, Advanced Tubular officially no longer supports this
protocol.
Revision 31 - Diagnostic Mode Capability
- Programmed so that Benderlink will return detailed diagnostic messages
if an IGBXA key is programmed with
Revision 32 - January 03, 2002
- Allow the KEINS to send the parameters so that Benderlink can know the
machine length.
Revision 33 - February 12, 2002
- Matt repaired COMMINT.PAS file. Intercept invalid character number size
- Allow the software to run in offline mode.
For mods, see approximate line numbers
See lines 1555 - 1556, See lines 2037 - 2045,
See lines 5845 - 5867, also allowed Hkey to accept three IDs
- This program now examines the contents of a TIME-LIMITED hardware
key for the correct ProgID
Revision 34 - September 25, 2002
- Completely replaced TComm component with the new TVaComm component
- Replaced the timer functions that called out to OOMISC.pas file.
These were causing huge problems during communication.
Replaced with standard GetTickCount logic
- Fixed the logic around the ESCAPE button. It now functions properly.
- Reworked the Bender Data Edit screen so that the EDIT buttons are no longer
present. They are not needed.
- Reworked the Bender Data Edit FPB2 screen so that it is more intuitive and
easier to use.
- Replaced the integer boxes in Bender Data Edit with Spin Edit boxes.
- Enhanced Split-Bend logic so that Benderlink now uses three values to perform
this logic: >=bend angle, <=rotation angle, <=straight length
This data is saved in the configuration file
- Added a conversion switch to allow Benderlink to ignore adjusting the
Primary Set Point on MQ85 benders and the first straight on older benders
- Added a conversion switch to allow Benderlink to ignore adjusting the
Primary Set Point on MQ85 benders and the first straight on older benders
- Added a path configuration for ATTCalc in Main Options page.
Default is now c:\program files\attcalc5
- Added a path configuration for FIFtrans in the Main Options page.
Default is now c:\program files\FIFtrans
- Changed default for TubeCalc to c:\program files\tcalcw
- Added FIF Translator button in Form Utilities to load FIF Translator
Revision 35 - November 13, 2002
- Changed logic in SelectBBSwitchPort(cPort: cardinal);
FALSE in Delphi 5 always:
if not Form_SetupBendPort.SmartSwitch > 0 then exit;
Changed to make TRUE or FALSE appropriately:
if not (Form_SetupBendPort.SmartSwitch > 0) then exit;
Now BBSwitch works again
- Added Smart Switch Exclusive Com Port Enable in the
bend setup menu in order to allow the Smart Switch
to be enabled ONLY if the current bender is
communicating through the Smart Switch COM port
This allows operators to use a Serial Hub on the
same system that uses a Smart Switch
Revision 36 - November 16, 2002
- Added automatic data corruption detection and restore with the
Form_Artifact form. This form contains several edit boxes that
contain template Benderlink data files.
- If Benderlink finds an internal error during log display,
then it offers to reinitialize the data with artifact data
that is hard-coded into the Benderlink form.
- When reinitializing, Benderlink always asks if it should
initialize to millimeter or inch unit data.
- Three sets of internal bender data are stored in Benderlink.
1. KEINS
2. Chiyoda MQ85
3. Chiyoda MQ41
If any of these three sets are corrupted when they are used
in the main form, Benderlink will notify the user of the problem
and offer the initialization of data.
Written by Michael Cone
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