Packing Station Scale Setup

Additional Info (in this topic)
Triner PC 150
Mettler Toledo
Troubleshooting PS11 & Scale

Packing Station is designed to work with the Triner PC 150 digital Bench Scale and the Mettler Toledo PS60 Shipping Scale. Due to firmware differences on older models of these scales, a firmware upgrade maybe required or the scale may not work with Packing Station. Reasonable attempts will be made by Tecsys (SMB) staff to assist with making the scales work but you may need to purchase new scales if your old models do not work.

 
Triner PC 150:

The scale must be configured to run in Triner Technology Format with the baud rate set at 9600 baud, 8 data bits with no parity, demand mode for serial transmission and the lb/kg key enabled.

Name Code Description Value
Baud Rate A1 Serial port transmission Rate 9600
Data bits and parity A2 Data bits and parity of serial transmission 8n
Mode of serial Transmission A3 When serial ports sends data to computer (d=demand) d
Serial Data Format A4 Data format to be transmitted (3=Triner Technology Format) 3
Lb/kg key A5 1=enabled 1

These settings can be accessed on the scale by holding down the lb/kg key when you power up the scale. When the display shows "A1" the unit is in User Menu Mode.

  1. Press the ZERO key to display the current value for the code displayed.
  2. Press the TARE or PRINT key to cycle the values.
  3. Press the NET/GROSS key to set and save the selected value.
  4. Press the lb/kg key to go back to the code display.
  5. Use the TARE and PRINT keys to cycle the Codes.
  6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to check and set each of the codes.

When all codes are verified and set to the required values, turn the scale off and back on. You are now ready to use the scale with Packing Station. Please refer to the manual to calibrate the scale.

 
Mettler Toledo:

Note: If your scale was purchased from Tecsys Inc. the scale is already configured and ready for use.

Instructions on how to change the Com port settings of the Mettler Toledo scale:

  • Program Block Access
    The PS’s operational parameters are configured in setup mode through a series of program blocks. The program blocks are accessed as follows:

    1. Press and hold the UNITS key for up to eight seconds until the message Setup? is displayed. Release the UNITS key. When released, the PS displays either the Pb 0 or Alt prompt indicating the first program block.

  • Baud Program Block
    This program block lets you set the baud rate (the speed at which data is transmitted in bits-per-second). To configure the program block:

    1. Press UNITS to display the bAud prompt, and then press ZERO.
    2. Press ZERO to display the desired baud rate. Options include:
      • 300
      • 1200
      • 2400
      • 4800
      • 9600
      • 19200
      Select 9600.

    3. Press UNITS to accept the displayed baud rate option. The PS continues to the ASCII program block.

  • ASCII Program Block
    The ASCII program block lets you select the number of bits that make up an ASCII character. To configure the program block:

    1. Press UNITS to display the ASCii prompt, then press ZERO.
    2. Press ZERO to display the desired bit selection. Options include:
      • Seven (7)
      • Eight (8)
      Choose Eight(8).

    3. Press UNITS to accept the displayed option. The PS continues to the Parity program block.

  • Parity Program Block
    The Parity program block lets you select the parity option for data transmission. Parity is an error checking mechanism. To configure the program block:

    1. Press UNITS to display the PAr prompt, and then press ZERO.
    2. Press ZERO to display the desired parity option. Options include:
      • Space
      • Mark
      • Odd
      • Even
      • None
      Choose None.

    3. Press UNITS to accept the parity option. The PS continues to the Stop program block.

    Note: Options will depend on the ASCII bits selection.

  • Stop Program Block
    The Stop program block lets you select the number of stop bits to be transmitted for each ASCII character. To configure the program block:

    1. Press UNITS to display the StoP prompt, and then press ZERO.

    2. Press ZERO to display 1 stop bits, and then press UNITS to accept the displayed selection. The PS continues to the Protocol program block.

  • Exit Setup
    Exit setup mode as follows:

    1. Press UNITS to display the End prompt.
    2. Press ZERO to display the desired exit option. Exit options include:
      • No—Do not exit setup mode at this time.
      • Save—Save all changes program block parameters then exit setup mode.
      • Abort—Exit setup mode but do not save any changes made in this session.
      • Various Defaults—Reset all program block parameters to a pre-specified set of values, then exit setup mode.
      Choose Save.

    3. Press UNITS to carry out the displayed option. The PS automatically exits setup mode and returns to normal operating mode unless No is selected.

Please refer to your scale manual for a more details.

 
Troubleshooting PS11 and the Scale:

The scales communicate through the workstations serial port. Steps:

  1. Run PS11 and make sure that the operator is setup with a scale.
  2. Make sure the scale and COM port are correct.
  3. Hit the Test Scale button, if the test is not successful then continue on to step 4.
  4. Run Hyper Terminal from Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications.
  5. Set the connection to the proper COM port and set the port settings to 9600, 8, None, 1 and no flow control.
  6. Put something on the scale.
  7. Type a ‘W’.
  8. If there is no response hit the Enter key.
  9. If there is no response type a ‘P’.
  10. If there is no response hit the Enter key.
  11. If there is still no response verify that the serial cable being used is not defective.
  12. Verify that the computers serial port is working.
  13. Try a different serial port.
  14. Try a different workstation.
  15. Verify the scale is not defective.
  16. Try a different scale if available.

 
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