PC as a

Servicetool
PRELIMINARY

ABB Welding Systems AB

Date of revision: 96-02-20 12.41
Created by: Peter O. Eliasson
File: PC00001.DOC
1.1 Purpose...

The purpose of this, is to use the pc as a printer and be able to store the printout
directly as a text file. This makes it possible to connect the pc directly on the
RS232 port on the front of the S4 computerboard. This gives you the upportunity
to receive errormessages and warnings during reboot, startup and normal
operation. This information is very important when troubleshooting and
investigating system faults.
For S3 system the pc can be used instead of a printer connected to the printer
port on the backplane. This makes it possible to save all printouts as textfiles
instead of saving them on paper. I can also connect the pc to the sensor port on
the backplane and receive the startup log from the S3 computer.(The printer port
and sensor ports needs different connections.)

1.2 Hardware and software needed...

To be able to receive information from the Robotsystems we need to have the

following equipment:

- PC with a free RS232 comport.

- Windows 3.1, 3.11 or NT.(Windows 95 has the same type of

functionality but is not used within the ABB organisation.)

- RS232 communication cables.(See chapter 1.3 for diagrams.)

1.3 Connection diagrams...

0-modem cable for use between pc and S4 computerboard.(Can also be used for
communication between 2 pc´s.)

9 Pin D-Sub 9 Pin D-

Sub
Sleeve Sleeve

Extra connector to be used when using the 0-modem cable to S3 printer port.
9 Pin D-Sub 10 Pin
Pin
BackPlane

Connector
Extra connector to be used when using the 0-modem cable to S3 sensor port.

9 Pin D- Sub 10 Pin

Pin
BackPlane

Connector

2.1 Software setup...

The software functionality that we can use for this purpose is the Windows
Terminal. The Terminal icon will be found under the Accessories programgroup.

Open the Accessories programgroup and startup the Terminal program.

First we have to set the communication modes for the terminal in the correct
settings for our purpouse. The adjustments are made under Settings and
Communications...
2.2 S4 adjustments for use of the com-port on the front of the
computerboard...

Baude Rate 9600

Data Bits 8
Stop Bits 1
Parity None
Flow Control Xon/Xoff
Connector COMX (The ComPort that is available on Your PC)

2.3 S3 for use on the Printer port X7 for printouts or on the

Sensor -port X8 for Sartup test.

Baude Rate 300/1200 (Depends on Your systemparameters settings,

for use on the Sensor port the Baude Rate
must be set to 1200.)
Data Bits 8
Stop Bits 1
Parity None
Flow Control Xon/Xoff
Connector COMX (The ComPort that is available on Your PC)
2.3 Saving the terminal settings...

After adjusting the communication settings I can save them as a terminal setup
file. Open the File menu and Save as... now You can save your settings with the
filename of your choice and the extension .trm. Example IRB_9600.TRM for a
communication setup with baud rate 9600, the only difference between the S3
and S4 settings are the transmission speed.
3.1 Open an already defined terminal setting...

Open the File menu and Open.., select the Drive and Directory where your
terminal is stored and open your terminal file XXXXXXXX.TRM.
4.1 Saving the received information as a buffer...

When the correct terminal is open, and the cable connected between the pc and
the robotsystem the pc is ready to receive information in the buffer. The limitation
of the buffer is a maximum of 400 lines, if it is necessery to save all information it
is recomended to save it directly as a text file.(Chapter 4.3)

4.2 Moving the buffer information to a text file...

When You have received the information needed you can save the part of the
information that you want to keep to a text file. If You want to save all information
in buffer open the Edit menu and Select ark all...

Use the Edit function Copy to store the information in the pc´s copy/paste
memory. Open a text editor, for example Write or Word and create a new
document, use the Edit function Paste tp copy the information to your document.
Now save the document by using the File menu and the Save as... function, give
the document a name of your choice.
4.3 Saving the received information as a text file...

When you have opened your terminal select Transfers and Receive Text File...
Select the Drive, Directory and File Name XXXXXXXX.TXT, where you want to
store the received information and press OK.
This is how the window looks like when receiving the information on the com-
port. The information on the bottom is the size of the file Bytes:X and
Receiving:XXXXXXXX.TXT.

When the work is ready press Stop and the system will cloose the file. Now you
can open an Editor and the file to make a print out or edit information.