Stages Of Operation - RoboLabs VPM-RGM2 User Manual

3.3 Stages of operation

Whenever the machine is turned on, it is in one of the following stages of operation.
Standby mode
Once the machine is turned on, the HMI panel boots up, and the machine is waiting for operator
action. At this moment operator can:
1. Check and adjust parameters of the machine, and also reset to default.
2. Test corn feeder, turbine.
3. Start popcorn production process.
Heating stage
Once operator initiates the production process, the machine starts to heat up air in the chamber.
Upon reaching the set value temperature the machine automatically starts popping process.
Popping stage
Machine processes corn kernels cycle by cycle. Each cycle consists of three parts:
1. Purge – turbine is accelerated in order to blow out everything left in the chamber: un-popped
kernels, dust and other scrap.
2. Feeding – corn kernels pushed into the chamber.
3. Popping – corn kernels are heated up in the chamber, eventually evacuated as they pop.
Pause stage
Whenever the operator initiates pause, the machine processes current batch of corn, and then stop
feeding next batches of corn. The temperature in the chamber is maintained at the set value.
Popping process can be resumed at any time.
Cooling stage
The machine needs to be cooled down before turning the turbine off. Whenever the operator ini-
tiates cooling mode, heating elements are de-energized; but the turbine keeps running, cooling
down the machine. Once temperature drops low enough, the turbine stops and the machine can be
turned off.
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