SYMPTOM
My parts are inspected on a Micro-Vu Inspec system and I followed your instructions for sending non-measurement data (Trace Fields). However, the plastic molded parts are made in an 8 cavity mold and I need to tag each part (QC-CALC data record) with a cavity number. I followed your instructions for sending non-measurement data (Trace Fields) but I want the values to automatically increment from 1 to 8 for each fixture of parts and then start over again. Can QC-CALC do this for me?
RESOLUTION
There is a feature called Incrementing Persistent Factors that solves this exact issue. This feature is needed when you want to count an item and send that value to QC-CALC but the inspection software cannot count for you. For example, let’s say you have a fixture holding 8 parts made in an 8-cavity mold. You want the cavity numbers saved with each measured part but you do not want to enter these 8 numbers by hand for each cavity.
Using the Prompt Feature Export with a label with +++ as the first 3 characters turns on this feature. When QC-CALC receives any Factor label starting with +++ it assumes you want the LABEL to be persistent and its VALUE is to be incremented. This means when QC-CALC receives this special label it will retain the Factor label in memory and increment the VALUE for each part inspected. It continues counting until a new value is received, the part program is changed, or QC-CALC Real-Time is stopped and restarted. Note: the +++ is stripped from the label and stored with just the label text.
MORE INFORMATION
Please download the latest QC-CALC manual for Micro-Vu InSpec and review the selection of Incrementing Persistent Factors (Trace Fields or non-measurement values).