User guide

AccuMeter Controller Chapter 11: Configuring a new PLC 69

CALIBRATE FEEDER Tab

• MOTOR SPEED FOR CALIBRATION. This is the speed at which the motor will be

ran during the feeder calibration. Ideally it should be set at a value close to what the

motor will be running during blender operation. In some cases this is too slow and

causes the feed calibration to take significant time.

• DISPENSE WEIGHT FOR CALIBRATION. This is the amount of weight that the

system will dispense during the feeder calibration. If set too small then the

MEASURED FEED FACTOR will be erroneous. If too large then it will take too long

to run the feeder calibration. This should be set according to the rate and hopper size.

• MEASURED FEED FACTOR. This is the value that is determined by the feeder

calibration procedure. This value is literally LBS/HR per MOTOR SPEED (or

KGS/HR per MOTOR SPEED). This value in conjunction with MIN/MAX SPEED %

(Feeder Setup Tab) is used to calculate the CALCULATEED RANGE of the feeder.

• CALCULATED RANGE. This is the acceptable metering range of the feeder with the

given material. This is used in determining whether a recipe can be ran or not.

• NOTE ON FEEDER CALIBRATION. The feeder calibration is the learned

relationship between speed and weighed output of the feeder. It is dependent on the

material, auger size, and the gearbox ratio. This value is constantly updated by the

system as the blender runs through the FIFO algorithm. The time required for the

blender while running to develop this relationship initially is dependent on the hopper

size and the target rate of the feeder. If the rate is low then the initial update may take

considerable time and therefore you may be making bad product until the relationship

has been learned. If you switch materials that have significantly different bulk density

then you should perform a feeder calibration or if you know it you can simply enter in

the MEASURED FEED FACTOR. To perform a feed calibration you just touch

PRESS HERE TO BEGIN. First it fills the hopper and primes the feeder by running

the feeder at the max speed for a few seconds. After which the speed drops to the

MOTOR SPEED FOR CALIBRATION and a weight snapshot is taken. When the

DISPENSE WEIGHT FOR CALIBRATION passes then it shuts off and calculates the

MEASURED FEED FACTOR.