Fiber Amplifier - RoboLabs Vortex Popcorn Robopop 60 Instruction Manual

7.5

Fiber amplifier

The purpose of fiber amplifier is to watch the processes happening in the chamber. The
amplifier uses heat-resistant fiber that conduct light from the amplifier to the chamber. Head
of the fiber is located adjacent to the temperature sensor inside the chamber. Principle of
operation is the following: light is emitted from the fiber head, whenever there is an obstacle
(a kernel of corn) crosses the light beam closer than certain distance (sensing distance), the
amplifier changes its output (sending it to the main PLC).
The sensing distance must be set for approx. half of the distance between two sidewalls of the
chamber. Setup procedure is as following:
1. Locate fiber amplifier in electric panel, see Fig. 9.
2. Ensure the fiber connector (3) is properly connected to the amplifier.
3. Set the timer switch (7) to OFF.
4. Set the mode selector (8) to L.
5. Put a folded sheet of white paper in the chamber, so the light beam from the fiber head
(1) reflected by the paper screen and then returns back to the amplifier.
6. Check to see if the operation indicator is on. If yes, then rotate the adjustment screw
counter-clockwise, until operation indicator turns off. Otherwise proceed to the next
step.
7. Slowly rotate the adjustment screw clockwise until operation indicator turns on, and
then stop rotation immediately. Incident level indicators represent amount of the light
reflected and received by the amplifier.
8. Remove paper screen from the chamber.
Figure 9
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