A segment can reflect any number of changes providing they are required at the same time.
The first segment of any program starts at time 00:00:00:00 (days, hours, minutes, seconds). This corresponds to the instant the chamber starts running, at which time the condition inside the chamber is ambient.
The segment time is from the start of the program not from the previous segment.
The last segment's time must be the desired finish time of the program,
c.Enter onto the program sheet the corresponding changes that occur at each segment.
For future reference record on the sheet the program name used to store the program on floppy disk and the number of program cycles to be used when the program is run.
The following page shows a sample completed Programming Sheet.
4.3.Entering the data into the programmer
Select the New Program option from the Program Menu. This brings up the program editing window. Following the FORMAT programming sheet enter the time and conditions into each segment line
As you enter conditions, pressing "enter" between each field, you will notice that the digital channel fields are automatically populated by FORMAT. These are suggested digital channel values. If you wish to override the suggested values, move to the field you wish to change. You can then freely edit the digital channels.
You can perform "line cut and paste" editing on your program. In order to cut a line (i.e. remove from program but remember it for future pasting). Simply move the cursor to the line for cutting and press the F5 key. To paste the line again, move the cursor to the line where the cut information is to be pasted, and press F6. Future releases of the FORMAT software will also enable block cut and paste options.
To make space for a new line in a program, press F7.
When you have finished editing, press F4. This takes you back to the Program Menu. If you wish to keep the program, use the Save Program menu option, see section 4.4
Note: Programs written "on screen" are lost when the chamber is switched off or when there is a mains power interruption. Programs required for repeated use should always be saved.
4.3.1Selecting digital channels when you know best
On some occasions the selection of digital channels suggested by Format550 is not the best for the particular circumstances you wish to control. Generally these cases involve loads which represent a significant thermodynamic load on the climatic systems. They could be active loads which dissipate heat within the chamber. Or they might be loads with significant mass which need to be taken through a rapid temperature change. Finding the best selection for digital channels in these circumstances may need trial and error, but as simple guidelines:
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