VTube Communications with STAR Technology Benders

This page describes using the VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER to STAR bender new data setup and corrections using the STAR SVNet protocol.

Network Protocol

VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER use a modified Supravision Network protocol to send new part data and bender part corrections to STAR EVO benders.

We call the protocol "STAR SVNet". It runs through a standard network connection - wired or wireless.

STAR SVNet Data Protocol Information

These are important facts to know about this protocol.

The STAR SVNet protocol is a network protocol. It can be set up over a network or with a thumb drive.
The protocol can send NEW part data or CORRECTED data to the bender.
The STAR SVNet protocol is unidirectional. Data only flows from VTube to the STAR. It is unidirectional because the STAR control is not designed to respond to VTube-LASER RECALLS during bender correction.
Because the protocol is unidirectional, the RECALL button in the VTube-LASER Bender Setup window is always disabled with the STAR SVNet protocol.
The STAR SVNet protocol requires that the operator ensures that the pre-correction data in the blue columns matches the current STAR bender data before corrections are sent (Orange columns) to the bender. VTube-LASER will warn the operator in a simple dialog before the SEND is completed.

BENDERLINK SETUP STEPS FOR VTUBE-LASER

STEP 1: Enter the SYSTEM OPTIONS Menu in VTube

Click on Systems Options in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Enter the Measure 2-tab menu.
Enter the Setup Benderlink Network menu.

STEP 2: Setup the Benderlink Network Grid for STAR SVNet Protocol

Choose a new row in the grid for a new STAR bender setup.
Assign a bender name that will help operators identify which bender this is. This text will be displayed at the top of the Bender Setup menu.
Assign the STAR SVNet protocol.
Enter the path to the shared drive or folder in the NetPath field. This path should point to the network folder that will receive Supravision files from VTube. (The value shown on the screen is only an example.)
Enter the IP address in the PING IP ADDRESS field if it is a fixed field. (This is not required. It allows VTube to ping the address to see if the network location is active before opening communications.)
If the STAR bender rotates the check/collet Clockwise positive, select YES in the CW Rotation Positive cell.
Press Close to save the settings. VTube will save these values to a persistent configuration file that will not change unless you change them in this grid.

How to SEND CORRECTION Data to the STAR Control from VTube-LASER

STEP 1 - Bend the Tube

Bend the tube in the STAR bender.

STEP 2 - Measure the tube with VTube-LASER

Measure and align the tube to determine if it qualifies by falling within the envelope tolerance for the tube shape.

In the screenshot on the right, the red on the top left shows that the first END "A" LENGTH is out of tolerance.

Also, the red cells in the tangent point grid show that the measured tube centerline shape is out-of-tolerance.

Also - VTube is very visual. The solid model on the right shows exactly where the part is outside the tolerance. Click on the image to zoom in to see the values.

STEP 3 - Enter BENDER SETUP

Click on the BENDER SETUP button in the Navigation Pane.

STEP 4 - Choose the BENDER NUMBER

Set the correct bender number at the top of the window.

You can select up to 100 different benders.

The Bender Protocol should say "STAR SVNet." (This assumes that you have already configured VTube's Benderlink in the Systems Options as described in the previous section.)

STEP 5 - COPY the Data from VTube-LASER's Main Memory

If this is the first correction, then the Bender Setup screen may show no data. If this is the case, then it is necessary to update the Bender Setup screen from VTube-LASER's main memory like this:

Press "Setup this Window."
Press "Copy Master LRA to Setup LRA."

STEP 6 - OPTIONAL STEP - You Can Manually Change the ADJUSTMENT Values

You can manually change the ADJUSTMENT values before sending corrections if you want to. Some users like to set the first and last Length adjustment to zero to keep the start position of the carriage in the same place - for when they have extra length on the ends.

If you want to, it is possible to invert the rotation direction to keep the tube from hitting the bender during rotations.

STEP 7 - Send Corrections to the STAR

Press "Auto SEND Bender CORRECTIONS" to send the orange column data to the bender.

STEP 8 - Confirm that the Blue Column Data is Correct

VTube-LASER will ask you to confirm that the original blue-column data matches the data in the STAR bender.

STEP 9 - The SEND to BENDER Complete Window

A window should appear for a few seconds indicating the send to the Bender is complete.

Let this window close in a few seconds, or press the close button to close it immediately.

STEP 10 - IMPORT the Correction Data at the STAR Control

Move to the STAR control and import the file using the steps in the import document from STAR TECHNOLOGY:

STAR Import Supravision File Steps File (PDF)

In this example, the file to import is the SVFILE01.S2B file created by VTube. The number in the file will match the bender number.

STEP 11 - REPEAT STEPS 1 THROUGH 10

Bend the corrected tube starting in Step 1, then measure it again (Step 2) and follow the rest of the steps until the part is within tolerance.

How to SEND NEW Data to the STAR Control from VTube-STEP

VTube-STEP is used for sending NEW bender setup data to the STAR bender. You can import solid model data (STEP or IGES), or manually enter centerline coordinates or bender data.

STEP 1 - Import the Tube

Import the nominal tube data into VTube-STEP using the VTube-STEP model collection process.

STEP 2 - Send the Data to the Bender

Use the Bender Setup menu to send the data to the bender.

STEP 3 - The SEND to BENDER Complete Window

A window should appear for a few seconds indicating the send to the Bender is complete.

Let this window close in a few seconds, or press the close button to close it immediately.

STEP 4 - IMPORT the Correction Data at the STAR Control

Move to the STAR control and import the file using the steps in the import document from STAR TECHNOLOGY:

STAR Import Supravision File Steps File (PDF)

In this example, the file to import is the SVFILE01.S2B file created by VTube. The number in the file will match the bender number.