Manual

Operation 27
4 Operation
Overview
Before operating your DispenseMate 550 Series Dispensing System, it may be helpful to familiarize
yourself with the basics of how the system works. This section covers the following topics:
• Theory of Operation
 Safe Z-Height
• FmNT Programming and Use
 Adjusting the Height Sensor Probe
• System Startup
 Adjusting Air Pressure
• Starting Fluidmove for Windows (FmNT)
 Starting a Production Run
• Positioning the Dispensing Head
 System Shutdown
Theory of Operation
Basic System Operation
The DispenseMate 550 Series Dispensing System consists of a positioning system and a Computer. It is a
three-axis (X, Y, Z) motion system used to carry a fluid Dispensing Valve and position it at a precise
location over the workpiece in the dispensing area.
The type of fluid deposit (dot, line, circle, arc, or fill), the amount of fluid, and the placement of the fluid
are programmed into the system with an input device, such as a personal computer. Once these
parameters are set, fluid can be automatically applied in the correct amount and location every time,
without operator intervention.
The Z-Axis of the Dispenser typically carries the following specialized components:
• Dispensing Valve
• Height Sensor (standard)
• Camera and Lighting
FmNT Programming and Use
Before the dispensing process can begin, the FmNT software must be programmed to perform the
necessary steps, including:
• Where to dispense the fluid
• How much fluid to dispense
• When to dispense the fluid
Dispensing Valve/Height Sensor/Camera Offsets
There is an important relationship between the location of the tip of the Dispensing Valve, the Height
Sensor Probe, and the Camera relative to the work area (the total area on the tooling plate where you
place your workpiece). A minimum of two offsets is used for most applications (Height Sensor to
dispensing tip in both the Y-axis and the Z-axis). There may be several other offsets depending upon the
options installed. When using these options, the dispensing work area is reduced by the area of the offset.
For additional information, refer to “Safe Z-Height” and “Adjusting the Height Sensor Probe” later in
this section.