Template Edit

Template Edit allows the operator to edit an existing template, or create a new template. A template is the number of variables displayed on one screen. For example, this could be a control, overtemp, or load thermocouple on a batch furnace. Or it could be one thermocouple from eight temper furnaces. There is not a maximum for template selections, but the number of variables displayed on one screen must be a consideration in this process.

Note: on the main Template Edit screen, the buttons along the top of the screen will allow the user to work with different templates, while the buttons in the middle of the screen allow the user to work with specific trend lines in a template.

To create a new template, tap .

To edit based on an existing template, tap then tap to highlight the desired template and tap to select.

The following parameters can be edited:

Name – the name of the input. This should be expressed in the fewest possible characters for clarity when displayed on the DR screen. For example “Control T/C” to“Ctl T/C”
Input - the analog input that is being configured, for example on a DR5 this could be a channel from one through five. The list of options is: TC 1 – TC 40, Averager Group 1 – Averager Group 3, Totalizer 1 – Totalizer 10, and Function Based Timer 1 – Function Based Timer 5. Plus, with version 3.11+ of the screen software, Client 1 Process Variable, Client 1 Setpoint, Client 1 % Output – Client 10 Process Variable, Client 10 Setpoint, Client 10 % Output are available for versions 2.01+ on the DR Module.
Min – the minimum displayed scale value on a chart
Max – the maximum displayed scale value on a chart
Expression – every input requires an expression to be calculated and displayed correctly. For example, an expression for thermocouple inputs would be x *.1. Use the onscreen keyboard to enter an expression.
Expression Wizard – This feature will allow the operator to build an expression using either a custom curve or a regular expression. See the “Note About Expression Wizard” below for more information about this feature.
Line Format – the value displayed on the chart display of the operator interface. A short custom description can be added here. For example, to display one (1) decimal point, enter a value of “#0.0”. For carbon values, enter a value of “#0.00” for 2 decimals. This would display a value like “0.81”. Entering “#.00” would display a value of “.81”.
Units – The type of units used for the trend.
Line Width – a numeric value for the thickness of the trend line. A 1 is a thin line; A higher value = thicker line width.
Sample – a number is entered here to test the expression.
Test – Press the test button to calculate the expression with the value entered in the sample parameter. For example with and expression of x*.1 and a value of 250 entered in the sample parameter will display a 25.0

Note About Expression Wizard

This option will allow the user to select either a common expression, such as “x*.01”, a custom curve created with the Manage Curves menu option, or to create an expression.

To use a common expression, select the “Common Expressions” menu option and select the desired expression from the drop-down list. Clicking on the button will set the expression to the trend, but clicking on the button will not set the expression to the trend.

To use a custom curve, select the “Apply Custom Curve” menu option and select the desired curve from the drop-down list. Clicking on the button will set the curve to the trend, but clicking on the button will not set the curve to the trend. If a custom curve is used, the “Expression” line will read “curve: <Custom Curve>” where <Custom Curve> is the name of the curve used.

To create an expression, select the “Create Expression” menu option. Select the input range for the trend from the drop-down list, and then select the scale minimum and maximum. Clicking the button will set the expression for the trend, but clicking on the button will not set the expression for the trend. The “Expression” line will contain the new expression, if an expression was created using the wizard. Note – Expressions can still be entered in the text box manually, as described above.