General Virtual Station

In General Virtual Station, different specific result reporting and tightening settings can be saved. Different filters can be created, filtering out specific results. In the tightening settings, characteristics like the tool unlocking behavior can be set. These configurations can then be assigned to virtual stations.

Adding and editing a configuration

  1. In the Configurations menu, select the General Virtual Station tab, and then select the plus icon in the top right corner.

  2. Give the new configuration a name and select Edit.

  3. In the Result filter for reporting window, set the switch to On for those parameters you want to include in the results. By default, all parameters are set to On.

    Turning on a result filter prevents the respective result from being sent, but the result is still shown on the controller.

    The following parameters can be set in the Result filter for reporting section:

    • Loosening

    • Batch increment

    • Batch decrement

    • Reset batch

    • Bypass Tightening Program

    • Abort sequence

    • Abort not started sequence

    • Reset batch sequence

  4. In the Tightening Settings window, set a value for any of the parameters listed. By default, all parameters are set to Off.

    The following parameters can be set in the Tightening Settings section:

    • Unlock tool on loosening - makes sure that the tool is locked after a NOK tightening.

    • Disable loosening - makes sure that an operator is not loosening a bolt that their processes do not allow to be loosened.

    • Disable tightening - makes sure that an operator is not tightening a bolt that their processes do not allow to be tightened.

Unlock tool on loosening options

Setting

Description

Off

A disabled tool will remain disabled regardless of the loosening status.

On OK

A disabled tool will be unlocked after an OK loosening has been performed.

Always

A disabled tool will be unlocked as soon as a loosening has been performed, regardless of the loosening status.

Disable loosening settings

To ensure that a bolt cannot be loosened by mistake, use the disable loosening function. There are four disable loosening settings:

Setting

Description

Off

Loosening is always enabled. It is always possible to loosen a bolt.

On OK tightening

Loosening is disabled after an OK tightening. It is not possible to loosen a correct tightened bolt.

On NOK tightening

Loosening is disabled after an NOK tightening. It is not possible to loosen a not correct tightened bolt.

Always

Loosening is always disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

These settings are valid during the execution of a task. Loosening enables and disables depending on the setting and the status of the last tightening. For a new task the start state for disable loosening is set as follows:

Setting

Description

Off

Loosening enabled. It is possible to loosen a bolt.

On OK tightening

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

On NOK tightening

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

After every tightening

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

The start state applies whenever a new task is assigned to a Virtual station or when a task starts again. The start state can differ depending on the type of task, described as follows.

Setting

Start state for new task

Off

Loosening enabled. It is possible to loosen a bolt.

On OK Tightening

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

On NOK Tightening

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

Always

Loosening disabled. It is not possible to loosen a bolt.

The start state applies whenever a new task is assigned to a Virtual station or when a task starts again. The start state can differ depending on the type of task, described as follows.

Tightening program and Sync mode

Enable and disable of loosening follows the disable loosening setting and is set to the status of the last tightening.

Batch Sequence

During a batch sequence the enable or disable of loosening follows the disable loosening setting and is set to the status of the last tightening. This also applies when a batch goes to the next one within a batch sequence. If a batch sequence starts again, the loosening is enabled or disabled according to the start state for a new task.

Source Batch

Enable and disable of loosening follow the same procedure as described in Batch sequence. If an ongoing source batch starts again or if a new one is selected, the loosening is enabled or disabled according to the start state for new task.

Source Tightening (No batch control)

During a batch, enable and disable is set according to the status of the last tightening. If another program is selected, enable and disable is set according to the start state for new task. If any change of program, tool or socket is done, enable and disable is set according to the start state for new task.

Multispindle tightening

Enable and disable of loosening always follows the status of the last tightening. This is also applicable for a new sync mode.

Disable tightening settings

To make sure that an operator does not tighten a bolt by mistake there is a function called disable tightening. There are four disable tightening settings:

Setting

Description

Off

Tightening is always enabled. It is always possible to tighten a bolt.

On OK tightening

Tightening is disabled after an OK tightening. It is not possible to tighten a correct tightened bolt.

On NOK tightening

Tightening is disabled after an NOK tightening. It is not possible to tighten a not correct tightened bolt.

Always

Tightening is always disabled. It is not possible to tighten a bolt.

These settings are valid during the execution of a task. Tightening enables and disables depending on the setting and the status of the last tightening. For a new task the start state for disable tightening is set as follows:

Setting

Start state for new task

Off

Tightening enabled

On OK Tightening

Tightening enabled

On NOK Tightening

Tightening enabled

Always

Tightening disabled

The start state applies whenever a new task is assigned to a Virtual station or when the task starts again. The start state can differ depending on the type of task, as described in the Disable Loosening settings section.

Allowing a disabled tool to unlock after loosening

  • In the general virtual station configuration assigned to the virtual station to which the tool is connected, set the Unlock tool on loosening to On OK or Always.

To enable the setting above, the following conditions need to be met:

  • The Disable loosening parameter cannot be set to Off or Always.

  • The Disable loosening parameter cannot be set to the same value as Disable tightening.

  • The tightening program used must have loosening enabled.

When the tool is locked for either tightening or loosening due to a disable state, it can be unlocked by any of the following input signals:

It is not possible to unlock a disabled tool with the input signals ifLock tool on loosening is set to Always.

Assigning a configuration to a virtual station

Each virtual station can have its own configuration and multiple virtual stations can share the same configuration. A configuration must be assigned to a virtual station to become active.

  1. Go to the Virtual Station menu and select the Virtual Station to which you want to assign the configuration.

  2. Under General, the first configuration is selected by default. Select the configuration name.

  3. In the pop-up window, select a configuration from the list. The pop-up window closes upon selection.