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IMPORTANT

To make this program as user-friendly as possible, we have automated many of the windows networking options.

The following Windows network settings are automated:

  • Enable/Disable Status of ALL adapters
  • IP Address of selected adapter
  • Subnet Mask of selected adapter
  • Default Gateway of selected adapter
  • DHCP Enable/Disable Status of selected adapter
  • New Wireless Profile creation for selected adapter

If you DO NOT want these to be modified, refer to Step 8 and run the program in manual mode. (although this is not recommended)

If the computer you are running the Allweigh Computerized Scale software on, is used with other networks, please contact your network administrator and record your current settings.

Running Allweigh Computerized Scale

1. Click the Start menu.


2. Click All Programs.


3. Click Allweigh Computerized Scale > Allweigh Computerized Scale.

Welcome to the Allweigh Computerized Scale Program

Settings up the program for operation:


4. Click the Settings button.


5. From here you will be able to configure the program to operate with your equipment.


6. Configure your scale model, connection and spreadsheet Software.

Scale Type: Select your Scale Model from the drop down menu. If the exact scale is not listed, contact Allweigh technical support.

Spreadsheet Application: Select your Spreadsheet Application from the drop down menu. If a spreadsheet application is not selected, you will not be able to record any data.

Scale Connection Type: Select between Serial, Wireless Scale Link and Infrastructure network. Depending on what is selected, certain options may or may not be available:

  • Serial Cable: Enables COM settings that will be used when connecting to your scale directly using a serial cable.
  • Wireless Scale Link: Enables all settings that are used when connecting to your scale through an Allweigh Wireless Scale Link. A wireless adapter must be enabled before it will be added to the 'Selected Adapter' drop down list. You must also have an adapter selected before you can 'Save and Exit'. This is the Adapter that the Computerized Scale will use to connect to the Wireless Scale Link.
  • Infrastructure Network: Automatically puts the user in 'Manual Configuration' mode. Most settings will be disabled, and will not be recorded on 'Save and Exit'. Only use this mode if you have an existing network, and do not wish for the Computerized Scale to overwrite any adapter settings. Although manual mode is selected you must still set the options on the 'Wireless Scale Settings' tab. This is the adapter info for the Wireless Scale Link, which the program needs in order to connect. You will also still have the ability to enable and control the 'Remote Display' options.

7. Setup network to communicate with the Wireless Scale Link.

Selected Adapter: Using the drop down menu at the top, choose the wireless network adapter you wish to use. NOTE: Only enabled wireless adapters will be shown in this drop down list.

Enable/Disable Adapter Control Window: Every installed adapter found on the computer will be shown in this list with its current status.

  • You will see your available network adapters listed to the left of the Enable and Disable buttons.
  • Under the status label, there will be Green Enabled or Red Disabled showing which are active.

To Enable an adapter, select it from the list and click Enable.
To Disable an adapter, select it from the list and click Disable.


8. When Manually Configure Adapter Settings is checked, (in Wireless Scale Link mode) the only settings that can be modified and saved are the Selected Adapter, and Wireless Scale Settings. These options must be properly configured for the program to connect to the scale.


9. Set your Wireless Adapter options. The following adapter options will be applied to the selected wireless adapter, when 'save and exit' is clicked. This will overwrite any previous adapter options. The Wireless Scale Link broadcasts over an ADHoc network. This requires that the adapter be manually set to a static IP, Mask and Gateway. (with DHCP disabled)

NOTE: These options will not be saved if 'Manually Configure Adapter Settings' is checked.

Wireless Adapter IP Address: Sets the IP Address of the 'Selected' Wireless Adapter. Default recommended setting: 192.168.1.50

Wireless Adapter Subnet Mask: Sets the Subnet Mask of the 'Selected' Wireless Adapter. Default recommended settings: 255.255.255.0

Wireless Adapter Default Gateway: Sets the Gateway of the 'Selected' Wireless Adapter. Default recommended settings: 192.168.1.1

Wireless Adapter DHCP Enabled: Enables/Disables DHCP. This needs to be set to False, as there will not be a DHCP server on this ADHoc network.


10. Configure Wireless Scale Link Settings.

IP Address: Enter the IP Address of the wireless scale link. By default the Wireless Scale Link has an IP address of 192.168.1.10

Serial Port: Configure to 2001 if you are connected to the male RS-232 port or 2002 if you are connected to the female RS-232 Port on the Wireless Scale Link.

SSID: Enter the SSID of the Wireless Scale Link. By default it is set to 'Computerized Scale'.

WEP Key: This is the encryption key used to secure the Wireless Scale Link network. This ADHoc network (by default, 'Computerized Scale') uses 123456abcd as the default WEP Key.


11. Left-click Enable Remote Displays. You can enable one or two displays by placing a check in the box next to each. Enter in the IP addresses and Port numbers according to the Wireless Scale Link they are attached to.


12. Com settings for Serial Connection:

  • COM Port: Select the corresponding port that you have the scale connected to on your computer.
  • Baud Rate: Auto configuration is recommended. Verify scale setting matches this value.
  • Data Bits: Auto configuration is recommended. Verify scale setting matches this value.
  • Parity: Auto configuration is recommended. Verify scale setting matches this value.
  • Stop Bits: Auto configuration is recommended. Verify scale settings matches this value.
  • Flow Control: Auto configuration is recommended. Verify scale setting matches this value.

Auto Configure - Depending on the 'Scale Connection Type' the 'Auto Configure' function will perform differently:
 

If Serial Cable is the selected Connection Type: All COM settings will be set to the default / recommended settings depending on the Scale Type selected. It is recommended that you verify the settings on your scale, match the settings in this list. Consult your scale's manual with instructions on how to view/change the scale's COM settings.

If Wireless Scale Link is the selected Connection Type: All of the current adapters installed on the computer will be enabled, the program will then select a wireless adapter if it detects one, and will select it. The remaining adapters will then be disabled. All Wireless Adapter fields will be set to the default / recommended settings. (as explained in step 9) The Wireless Scale Settings will then also be set to their default / recommended settings.

If Infrastructure Network is the selected Connection Type: Auto Configure is disabled.


Settings are saved to your computer upon program exit, so when the program is run the next time, you will not have to re-set your settings. If you do not properly close the application your settings will not be stored.


Starting the program:

13. Ensure your scale is listed as the Selected Scale then Click the Start button.


14. If a spreadsheet application was selected in the settings menu, you will be prompted to Select if you would like to start a new file or continue an existing file. (Microsoft Excel only)


15. If you are saving a new log file, type a descriptive filename for the log file and then click Save. If you are opening an existing file, select the file from the appropriate folder, and click Open. (Microsoft Excel only)
 


16. Please wait while Allweigh Computerized Scale connects to network. This should happen promptly and may not be displayed for very long.


17. Please Wait while Allweigh Computerized Scale connects to your scale.


18. Computerized Scale program is ready for standard operation.

Comments may be entered and deleted at any time in the 'Comments' box, but will only be recorded when 'Log' is clicked.


Basic functions of the buttons:


Sends a Zero request to the connected scale.*





Sends a Tare request to the connected scale. Tare weight is the weight of an empty vehicle or container. By subtracting it from the gross weight (laden weight), the weight of the goods carried (the net weight) may be determined.*



Saves current weight, time and comments displayed to spreadsheet application, if a spreadsheet application was selected in the Settings menu. (Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice)



Sends a net/gross change request to the connected scale. Switches display from net to gross. The current mode is shown to the right of the display.*




Sends a unit change request to the connected scale. Switches scale from Kg to lbs. The current units are shown to the right of the display.*



* The capabilities of these buttons are limited by the actual functionality of the buttons on the selected scale. If any of these icons appear 'greyed' out, your scale's RS232 port does not support remote control of this function.


19. Click the Exit button to fully exit the application. (All current settings are saved upon exit of application)



Trouble Shooting

Problem: Weight Window is blank or non-numeric characters are displayed and buttons are not functioning as intended.

Solution 1: Verify that your scale matches the scale listed as being connected. Some scales may still display characters if the wrong one is selected, but the buttons and weights will not be accurate.

Solution 2: If you are running in 'Serial Cable' mode, and nothing is displayed on the screen, you may not have the correct COM port selected on your pc. You should also check the serial cable and ensure the scale is powered on and functioning correctly.


Problem: Wireless strength bar is red and the warning "Wireless signal unavailable" is displayed in addition to the connecting to scale message.

Solution: Ensure you are within wireless range, and that you have line of site to the Wireless Scale Link. Verify that there is power to the Wireless Scale Link. Confirm that the link LED is flashing green. Confirm wireless network settings are configured as shown in the installation manual. (Disable ALL other network adapters except the wireless adapter you are using) Running with DHCP mode enabled, or the wrong Wireless Adapter IP Address will stop the program from functioning. If everything appears to be set correctly but is still not working, you may need to restart both the Wireless Scale Link and your computer.


Problem: Wireless strength bar is green but the 'Connecting to Scale' message is still displayed.

Solution: This shows you have successfully connected to the Wireless Scale Link, but the scale itself is not responding. Verify that there is power is connected scale. Confirm that the serial cable connected to the scale is plugged into the correct port on the wireless scale link, and make sure that is the port selected in the settings menu. Also check that the program is trying to connect to the correct Scale.


Problem: A number of the 5 main buttons are grey and cannot be pressed.

Solution: The Zero, Tare, Net/Gross and Units buttons are limited to the scale functionality. The log button can be enabled or disabled depending on what option is selected for 'Spreadsheet Application' in the settings menu.


Problem: The wireless bar flashes to green, then flashes back to red, repeating every few seconds, but never fully connects.

Solution 1: Most often this is caused by multiple computers trying to connect to the Wireless Scale Link. You will need to reset the Wireless Scale Link. (unplug, and replug the power cable) You may also need to restart the scale and computer.

Solution 2: It is also possible for this error to occur if the wrong scale is chosen from the settings menu, or if the scale itself does not have the proper COM settings. You may need to check the serial cable and ensure the scale is powered on.



Most problems can be solved by simply powering down all hardware (scale, computer, wireless scale link) and booting everything back up. If you continue to have problems please feel free to contact us.

©2007 Allweigh Scale Systems Inc.