VTube Communication with AMOB

About this Page

This page describes the setup and use of the VTube to AMOB communications.

The Basics of How It Works

VTube sends data to the AMOB by exporting a ".VTL" file that the AMOB can read. Communications can be setup through a standard Windows network connection, or you can use a thumb drive. The communication is unidirectional toward the bender. It is not possible to RECALL data from the AMOB using this file. The AMOB control only reads this file data. The data that is included in the VTL file that the AMOB can read is the BENDER data (X axis, Y Axis, C Axis). The data also includes the diameter, wall thickness, and cut length.

Communications Setup at the SOCO Bender

Connect the AMOB bender to the network using a standard Ethernet cable. Setup a shared network location either in the AMOB windows control or in a network path on your network. If you share a folder on the AMOB control, then create a user with a username and password that can be used to login to the computer from the VTube-LASER computer.

Setup Benderlink at VTube-STEP or VTube-LASER

Entering Benderlink Setup

Enter the VTube System Options menu. Enter the Measure 2 tab menu. Enter the Setup Benderlink Network menu.

Setup the Benderlink Network Grid for the SOCO Bender

Choose an unused row in the grid for a new AMOB bender setup. (Click on the image at the right to see a zoomed image.) Assign a bender name that will help operators identify what this bender is. This text will be displayed at the top of the Bender Setup menu. Set the protocol to AMOB VTL Data. Enter the path to the shared drive or folder in the NetPath field. Use the same location as the AMOB setup. VTube accepts UNC names as well as regular paths with drive letters. Enter the IP address in the PING IP ADDRESS field if it is a fixed field. (This is not required. It allows VTube to ping the address to see if the network location is active before trying to open communications.) Press Close to save the settings. VTube will save these values to a persistent configuration file that will not change unless you change them in this grid.

How to SEND MASTER BENDER Data to the AMOB Control from VTube-STEP

You can import data into VTube-STEP then send the bender data calculated to the AMOB bender using the VTube Input/Export menu.

At the VTube-STEP Main Screen Move to the VTube-STEP computer and follow these steps to transfer the bender data to the AMOB. Press the Import/Export button in the navigation pane. Find and press the AMOB VTL Data button in the Export section.

At the AMOB Bender Data Export Window (inside VTube-STEP) Press the Export button to save a VTL file on the network at the shared path for the AMOB bender.

How to SEND CORRECTION Data to the AMOB Control from VTube-LASER

After Bending the Tube

Bend a tube then measure it with VTube-LASER.

Measure the tube with VTube-LASER Measure and align the tube to determine if it qualifies by falling within the envelope tolerance for the tube shape. In the VTube-LASER screen shot, you see the actual result of the first tube not qualifying in shape. The red cells in the tangent point grid on the lower left show that the measured tube centerline is out-of-tolerance.

Correct the AMOB with VTube-LASER - Enter BENDER SETUP Follow these steps in the VTube-LASER: Press the "BENDER SETUP button in the Navigation Pane.

INITIAL Setup of Bender Setup Window The first time in this window for a new part will require these steps before you can correct the AMOB bender. STEP 1 - Set the correct bender number at the top of the window. The AMOB bender should display if you have already setup the bender protocol in the Benderlink grid. STEP 2 - Click on the "Setup This Window" button. STEP 3 - Click on the "Copy Master LRA to Setup LRA" button.

Check the BLUE COLUMN Data The LRA blue column data is now filled with the MASTER LRA data. This data MUST match the X axis, Y axis, Z axis bender data at the bender - or the corrections will be incorrect.

Send the Corrections to the AMOB VTL File Save the Correction data to the file for the AMOB to import. STEP 1 - Click on Bidirectional Communication STEP 2 - Click on AUTO SEND. STEP 3 - Save the new VTL file to the network location.

Import the Correction Data At the AMOB Control Save the Correction data to the file for the AMOB to import. STEP 1 - Enter the Program Machine Configuration menu. STEP 2 - Press the FARO (or it may be "VTube") button STEP 3 - Open the VTL file.

AMOB Control Bender Data Updated The bender data will be updated with the new values. Bend the corrected part.

Synchronizing the VTube-LASER and AMOB Data Before Corrections

It is critical to be sure the blue columns contain the same data that the AMOB X Axis, Y Axis, Z axis values have before correction is applied. To make the data the value the same for the next correction, you can press the bottom button in the Bidirectional Communications menu on the right. Be sure you do this BEFORE you measure the next corrected part. The reason for this step is because the AMOB does not allow VTube to RECALL data in order to update the BLUE columns for the next correction. So this process must be performed manually.

Other Pages

• See VTube-LASER
• See VTube-STEP
• See SOCO for information on the SOCO benders
• See Video 62 - SOCO Communications Video to see an actual corrections loop with a SOCO bender.