Manual

5-4 Programming
5.4.1 Main Pattern
When you create a new product program, the Main Pattern is automatically created. When you run a
product program, the Main Pattern is executed. Each program must have a Main Pattern, and each Main
Pattern must have at least one instruction. To execute other patterns in the program, insert Place Pattern
instructions in the Main Pattern. See 5.9.6 Placing Patterns.
5.5 Mask Regions
Mask Regions are areas on the board that should not be coated. Mask Regions simplify the programming
process. For example, if the entire surface of a board except for two small connectors is to be coated, you
can create one Area Coat instruction to coat the board and two Mask Regions to skip the connectors,
instead of programming numerous passes that avoid the connectors.
A Mask Region is a rectangle, defined by two points at opposite corners. The width of the current fan
pattern is used to calculate when the dispenser will turn off and on. If any part of the fan pattern will coat
the Mask Region, the dispenser will turn off. For this reason, the uncoated area may be larger than the
Mask Region. The areas skipped may require additional passes. Use the Create Mask Region button
on the ECNT Edit Screen Toolbar to create a Mask Region.
5.5.1 Coating an Area Inside a Mask Region
You can use an instruction to coat an area inside a Mask Region by teaching the coordinates inside the
Mask Region and then setting the instruction's Ignore Mask property to True (Yes). See 5.8 Properties.
5.5.2 Inherited Mask Regions
Nested patterns inherit any Mask Regions created by the parent pattern. For example, a Mask Region in
the Main Pattern will be inherited by all other patterns in the program. If you want an instruction in a
nested pattern to coat inside a parent pattern's Mask Region, you must set the instruction's Ignore Mask
property to True (Yes). See 5.8 Properties.
5.6 Procedures
Procedures are useful for common operations such as purging and nozzle cleaning, or for coating
operations that are common across a wide range of products. Procedures can be placed within a product
program or in a macro program. If you want a procedure to be available to more than one product
program, place it in a macro program. Procedures that contain product-specific instructions should be
placed in the product program. To execute a procedure, insert a Call Procedure instruction in a pattern.
See 5.9.7 Calling Procedures.
" NOTE A product program can only execute a procedure in a macro program if the macro
program is loaded. You must stop production and open the Edit Screen to load a new
macro program.
5.6.1 Reserved Procedures
ECNT includes a number of reserved procedures, used for routine tasks during idle times, on a periodic
basis, during startup, or as aids to programming. Reserved procedures include:
• Begin Idle • Startup
• During Idle • Go to Front
• End Idle • Z Home
• Periodic1 to PeriodicN