Automatic Bin

Switching
COMMANDbatch V1.7.5.0 & Later
4/8/13

Command Alkon Inc.

5168 Blazer Parkway
Dublin, Ohio 43017
1.800.624.1872
Fax: 614.793.0608
Part Number: 24999
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 Contents

Contents ........................................................................................ 3

Introduction .................................................................................. 4
Purpose ................................................................................................ 4
Audience ............................................................................................... 4
Revision Summary ................................................................................. 4

Automatic Bin Switching ................................................................ 5

Setting Up Auto Bin Switching .................................................................. 5
Operation of Auto Bin Switching ............................................................... 6

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 Introduction

Topics in This Section

Purpose
Audience
Revision Summary

Purpose
This document explains how to configure the system to automatically select
an alternate feed source without operator intervention when a feed timeout
occurs.

Audience
This guide is intended to be used by Command Alkon installation and service
personnel, as well as plant personnel specifically authorized to install and
configure COMMANDbatch.

Revision Summary

CMDbatch
Date Version Revision
Mar. 8, 2005 1.03 Document created.
Mar. 17, 2005 1.03 Final draft released for COMMANDbatch V1.03.
Mar. 8, 2007 1.06 Improved Notes, Tips, Cautions, and Warnings with
better icons and formatting.
Sept. 4, 2007 1.06 Formatting changes.
Oct. 14, 2008 Corrected this revision summary.
Nov. 18, 2008 1.7.5.0 Added a note about auto bin switching when two
bins are active.
Apr. 8, 2013 1.8.5.4 Added scale/metered feed setups to this document.

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 Automatic Bin Switching

When Auto Bin Switching is enabled and a feed timeout occurs, the system
checks for an alternate source for the material. If an alternate source is
available, the remaining required material is fed from the alternate bin. Auto
Bin Switching can be set up so that no operator intervention is needed.

Note: In a 2-bin setup where both bins are active, Auto Bin Switching
allows feeding to switch to the second (or Fast Feed) bin if the
primary bin runs out of material.

Topics
Setting Up Auto Bin Switching
Operation of Auto Bin Switching

Setting Up Auto Bin Switching

1. On the Batching tab of the Plants form, check the “Allow Auto Bin
Switch” and “Bin Switch Automatic” boxes.
2. It is recommended that the “Bin Switch Permanent” box also be
checked so that the secondary bin becomes the primary bin after
bin switching has occurred.
Plants form - Alt Bin setup

3. Save your changes.

4. On the Flow tab of the Scales and Metered Feeds forms for the
appropriate scales/meters:

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 — (Scales): Enter a “Switch to Alt. Bin Below” flow rate and an “After
Delay” time.
— (Metered Feeds): Enter a “Switch to Alt. Source Below” flow rate
and an “After Delay” time.

Note: When the flow rate falls below the “Switch to Alt. Bin/Source
Below” rate for the number of seconds entered in the “After Delay”
field, the system switches to the alternate bin/source.

Scales form - Alt Bin setup

5. Save your changes.

Operation of Auto Bin Switching

When a feed timeout occurs, the system checks for an alternate source for the
material. If an alternate source is available, the remaining required material is
fed from the alternate bin. This happens without operator intervention.
However, if a feed timeout occurs and there are no remaining alternate feed
sources, the following message appears so that the operator can take action
the same way he would for manual bin switching.
No Alternate Bin Notification

Note: In a 2-bin setup where both bins are active, Auto Bin Switching
allows feeding to switch to the second (or Fast Feed) bin if the
primary bin runs out of material.

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