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Programming Digital Controller

Bartlett 3K series with Rmpate software, controller programming details. The following were written by Karen, and they are not too technical for most users.

I use fibre blanket to line the kiln.  (One time, I was using 1/4" mandrels.   the kiln was in a different place than usual and, when I tossed the large mandrels into the kiln, they were banging into the back of the kiln, breaking the fire brick.  So, I started lining the kiln.  The fibre blanket protects the brick.)  And, there is no NECESSITY to line the kiln.
 
When you are batch annealing - lots of beads that were already made - you will start with a cold kiln.  Place your bundle of beads on mandrels or handful of beads, sans mandrels, into the kiln.  Nothing special required.
 
If you are annealing as you make the beads, you will allow them too cool slightly first - just as you would if you were placing them into a blanket.  Once the beads are at approximately 1200 degrees, they cannot stick to one another.
 
*There are 4 possible programs (Usr 1, Usr 2, Usr 3, Usr 4)
*Each program/Usr has 8 possible segments
*Each segment has 3 settings for: 
-temperature rise - (9999 to raise temperature as fast as possible),
-temperature setting - (960 degrees for bead annealing)
- and the length of time to hold temperature at that particular setting (minimum of about 1 1/2 hours for batch annealing and at least twice the length of time to make the last bead if you are annealing as you make the beads0.
 
I am not at the kiln so am not positive of the sequence.  Somewhere in here is a setting for dela(y)  Leave it set at 00:00 unless you have a particular need to start the kiln at a later time.
 
*Press the Start/Stop/Enter (SSE) key until you get to Usr.
*Use the ^ UP   v DOWN arrows to select the Usr/program you want.  I set Usr 1 for bead annealing.  It is always set up as I want it.  The only thing I ever change is the length of hold time.
 
Press SSE for next option
*Next option is the rat(e) - speed that the temperature will rise
for most things, you can raise the temp as fast as it will go (unless you are fusing large pieces of glass)  Even when you are batch annealing, you can raise the temp as fast as it will go.
 
Use the ^UP arrow to raise the rate to 9999
 
Press SSE for next option
*Next option is the temp - oF - use the UP/DOWN arrows to set the temp at 960 degrees.
 
Press SSE for next option
*Next option is the hld (hold) time.  Use the UP/DOWN arrows to select the number of HH:MM that you wish the kiln to hold for. 
 
When I am making beads, the kiln is idling at 960 degrees.  I set the time for however many hours I intend to work for. 
 
If I work a shorter time, I let the kiln run for twice the length of time it took to make the last bead and shut the kiln off. 
 
If I work longer, I shut the kiln off, keep pressing the SSE key until the kiln is reset.
 
let me know if there is anything that needs clarification.  Hugs   Karen

 


 

General Information
The Model 3K controller with RMPATE software has four User programs. Each program can have up to eight segments with each segment consisting of a ramp rate, a target temperature, and a hold time. Programming consists of choosing the User program (1, 2, 3, or 4), choosing how many segments you want (up to 8), then programming the ramp (rA), temperature (oF), and hold time (HLD) for each segment.

 

Programming the Model 3K Controller

 

When the power is first turned on either ErrP or StOP/current temperature is displayed.

If ErrP is displayed press any key to clear this error message.

If StOP alternating with the current temperature is displayed, you are ready to begin programming.

Press ENTER to begin. The previously fired program will be displayed, USrl, USr2, USr3, or USr4.

Select the user number you want to program by using the UP and DOWN" keys, and press ENTER.

dELA is displayed alternating with 00:00. Press ENTER if no delay is wanted. When firing glass no delay is used. Use the UP and DOWN keys to delay the start of the firing (Hours: Minutes). Press ENTER when the desired delay time is displayed.

SEG alternating with the last selected number of segments is displayed. Use the UP and DOWN keys to select the number of segments, then press ENTER. NOTE: Each segment consists of a ramp rate to a temperature and a hold time. 'There are 8 segments available for programming.

rA 1 alternates with the ramp rate. Use the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired rate and press ENTER. A rate of 9999 will cause the kiln to heat (or cool if in a down ramp) at maximum rate. The first segment must always be an "up" ramp.

oF I alternates with the currently selected temperature. Use the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired temperature and press ENTER.

HLd l alternates with the currently selected hold time. Use the UP and DOWN keys to select the desired hold time and press ENTER. Repeat the above 3 steps for each additional segment for the ramp rate, temperature, and hold time.

rEdl will be displayed after the last segment is entered. Press ENTER to begin firing.

 

During Firing: Press the UP key to see the current segment, set‑point, and SStP; pressing UP while SStP is displayed will advance the program to the next ramp rate. If you are in the last ramp, using Skip Step (SStP) will stop the firing. Press the DOWN key to REVIEW the current program.

 

To re‑fire the last used program, press the DOWN key when StOP is displayed. The program will be quickly reviewed and rEdl will be displayed. Press START to begin the firing.

 

Error Codes

 W FAIL tC alternating with FAIL indicates the thermocouple has failed. Replace the defective thermocouple. To clear the error, press any key.

 ErrP     ErrP is displayed whenever there is a power interruption that is long enough to stop the firing. If the power interruption is brief the kiln will continue to fire when power is restored; in this case there will no indication of a power failure. To clear the error, press any key.

 tC‑ ‑ The red and yellow thermocouple wires are reversed.

 

Messages

CPLt        Firing Cycle Complete (firing time is alternately displayed).

dELA       Delay. Displays when entering the delay time (hour:minutes) until the start of the firing.

DLy         Delay. Alternates with the remaining delay time until the start of the kiln.

oF #          Segment temperature in oF ‑ Set temperature for a user program.

oC #          Segment temperature in oC ‑ Set temperature for a user program. A decimal point display in lower right corner

EdIt          Edit the default options (beeping at complete, temperature scale, maximum programmable temperature)

ErrP         There has been a power interruption that has stopped the firing. Press any key to clear.

Full          Beeps continuously at end of firing until a key is pressed.

Hld#         Soak time in hours: minutes: at a hold temperature.

OFF         No beeping when firing is complete

On           Beeps for 15 seconds at end of firing.

rA #          Ramp Number (rate per hour of temperature increase or decrease).

rEdl          Ready to fire current program Press START to begin firing.

SEG         Short for Segments. You can enter up to 8 segments in a program.

SStp        Skip Step (used to advance to the next ramp).

StOP       The kiln is at idle and ready to be programmed. Stop alternates with the current kiln temperature.

Usr #        User program number displayed.

 

RMPATEB 1‑14‑03

 

The following is for the previous controller with a single set point type controller.

 

The “Start/Stop/Enter” key (left button) has all of the options. The “Up” and “Down” arrows change the options. When the information is entered, push “Start/Stop/Enter” key and the next option will display.

Plug kiln in and turn toggle switch to on. “ErrP” will flash on the screen. Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button and room temp will flash on the screen. Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button again and PO will appear.

Single Set Point: “PO” will flash on the screen

This program is for bead annealing. When you want the kiln to go to a particular temp and hold for a specific length of time and shut off automatically.

Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button - SPd (speed) will flash on the screen - alternating with options of: 200, 500, 1000, 1500 and FULL.

Use the “Up” and “Down” button to select the desired rate of rise in temp. (For bead annealing and small fusing projects, FULL is appropriate.)

Once the rate is selected (FULL) push “Start/Stop/Enter” button.

”oF” (for temperature) will flash on the screen, alternating with a number. Use “Up” and “Down” arrow to select the desired temp. For bead annealing, 960
degrees is the appropriate setting. Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button.

”Hld” (hold) will flash on the screen, alternating with the temp. Use UP or DOWN arrow to set the desired length of annealing time. Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button.

“redi” will show on screen. Push “Start/Stop/Enter” button once more and kiln will start.

A sample setting for 5" square (or larger) pieces might be something like this:

For segment fusing, select P1. When you push the Start/Stop/Enter key, PO will display. Use UP arrow to set to P1. Push Start/Stop/enter key to select.

  Seg1 Seg2 Seg3
rA 800 9999 9999
oF 1000 1450 960
HlD 00.10 00.10 00.45

It is not necessary to enter anything for the 4th segment, unless you want the kiln to ramp down slowly. You would only need this in very, very large, very thick fused pieces. After the annealing phase, the kiln will just shut itself off.

Small cabs may be ramped up as fast as the kiln will go - enter 9999 for speed - set your hold time and temp. For second segment, you can enter 9999 again for speed DOWN to 960 for annealing.

If pieces are large (3" square or larger), slow the first ramp temp down to between 800 to 1000 degrees per hour for the first segment of fusing.