Instrument Configuration

Basic Settings

The Basic Settings section allows users to edit or create instrument configurations, set names, and manage shortcuts while providing options to save, apply, or delete configurations as needed.

• Select Instrument To Edit
  Whether you're tweaking an existing setup or starting fresh, this option lets you pick which instrument configuration to work with or create a brand-new one.

• Instrument Name
  The identity of your configuration — Skunkworks will use this name during startup to load the right settings. Make sure it stands out!

• Build Desktop Shortcut
  For those who love convenience, this button creates a shortcut right on your desktop, giving you one-click access to your chosen instrument configuration.

• Delete Instrument Configuration
  Done with a particular configuration? This option wipes it from the system permanently, freeing up your list of setups.

• Cancel
  Decided against making any changes? Hit this to close the screen without saving anything.

• Apply
  Satisfied with the tweaks but still want to stick around? Apply saves your changes but keeps the configuration window open.

• Save
  The ultimate commit—locks in your changes and closes the configuration screen, ready for action!

Instrument Auto-Configure

In the Instrument Auto-Configure section, users can select specific components of the instrument for automatic configuration.

• Instrument Auto-Configure

  
  

  Tick the boxes for which parts of the instrument you want auto-configured by Skunkworks. If some devices are already set up, only new ones will be added.

Heaters

The Heaters Settings section enables users to define and manage individual heaters, including their names, types, and serial IDs.

• Name
  Each heater gets its own unique name for easy identification.

• Type
  What kind of heater is this? Options include MCO, Isothermal, VID, heated bridge, and detector heater.

• Serial
  The reference ID for the heater on the instrument’s control board. Values range from 0 to 15.

• Add
  Satisfied with your heater settings? Hit 'Add' to populate it in the list.

• Remove
  Need to clear something out? Select a heater and remove it from the list.

Sample System

The Sample System Settings section allows users to configure temperature targets and names for various sample system heaters, as well as manage their operational status and communication ports.

• Sample System Configuration
  Configure your sample system heaters, such as Watlow devices, by entering the target temperature and naming the zones. You'll need the default password: wasson.

• Temperature
  Define the target temperature that this zone will aim for.

• Name
  The display name for this zone—keep it clear so you know what’s what.

• Enabled
  Only zones that are enabled will be displayed and controlled by the system.

• Send Setpoints
  Sends the current temperature settings to the sample system heater.

• COM Port
  Specifies which COM port the heater is connected to on the instrument PC.

EPC/MFCs

The EPC/MFCs Settings section allows users to configure unique IDs and types for each EPC or MFC device.

• Device ID
  The unique ID used by the control board to communicate with each EPC or MFC device. IDs from A to U are allowed, with EPCs using A-S and MFCs using T-U.

• Device Type
  Determines whether the device is an EPC or MFC based on the ID. EPCs occupy A-S, while MFCs reside in T-U.

• Add
  Adds the EPC/MFC with the current settings to the configuration list.

• Remove
  Select a device from the list and remove it with a click.

Detectors

In the Detectors Settings section, users can name and identify various detectors, including their serial numbers or IP addresses.

• Name
  The display name for the detector. When using Auto-Configure, the name will automatically be set to match the detector type and serial number.

• Serial/IP Address
  FID, TCD, and PDHID detectors will have a serial number (0-15), while MSD and VUV detectors use an IP address.

• Type
  The type of detector in use: FID, TCD, PDHID, MSD, or VUV.

• Add
  Adds the detector to your setup with the current settings.

• Remove
  Select a detector to remove it from the list.

Detector Groups

Configure how detectors are grouped with various heaters or EPCs for optimal performance.

FID Group

The FID Group Settings allow users to configure the hydrogen, makeup, and air EPCs, link heaters, and set ignition parameters for the FID.

• H2 EPC
  The EPC that controls the pressure of the hydrogen source for the FID.

• Makeup EPC
  The EPC responsible for regulating the makeup gas pressure for the FID.

• Air EPC
  Controls the air pressure fed to the FID through its dedicated EPC.

• FID Heater
  The heater linked to the FID, chosen from a list of Detector Heater types.

• VID Heater
  The VID heater linked to the detector. Only VID-type heaters appear here.

• Ignitor Position
  Defines which ignitor (1 or 2) the FID is connected to.

• Lit Offset
  Sets the minimum value the FID must report to be considered 'lit'.

TCD Group

In the TCD Group Settings, users can select heaters for the TCD’s C and D channels.

• Heater C
  Selects the heater connected to the TCD’s C channel, drawn from Detector Heater types.

• Heater D
  Links the selected heater to the TCD’s D channel, pulled from Detector Heater types.

PDHID Group

The PDHID Group Settings link a heater to the PDHID detector.

• PDHID Heater

  
  

  Links a heater to the PDHID detector, chosen from Detector Heater types.

Inlet

The Inlet Settings section enables users to define inlet names, select MFCs and BPCs, and associate them with detector groups.

• Inlet Name
  The Inlet Name.

• MFC
  Selection field to define MFC.

• BPC
  Selection field to define BPC.

• Detector Group
  Selection field to define Detector Group.

• Add
  Add new Inlet into the table.

• Remove
  Deletes the selected Inlet from the table.

Columns

The Column Settings section enables users to define column name, column dimensions, and associate them with Inlet, Detector group, and Oven.

• Column Name
  The Column Name.

• Column Length
  Numerator field to define column's length, it's value is in meters, and it increments by 1.

• Column Inner Diameter
  Numerator field to define the column's inner diameter, it's value is in millimeters, and it increments by 0.1.

• Column Film Thickness
  Numerator field to define the column's film thickness, it's value is in micrometers, and it increments by 0.1.

• Inlet
  Selection field to define Inlet.

• Detector Group
  Selection field to define Detector Group.

• Oven
  Selection field to define Oven.

• Add
  Add new Column into the table.

• Remove
  Deletes the selected Column from the table.

Digital IO

In the Digital IO section, users manage digital IO channels for controlling valves, with options for unique identifiers and display names for clarity.

• Channel
  The unique identifier for each digital IO channel on the control board (0-31). Channels 14 and 15 are reserved for MCO fan controls.

• Name
  Provides a display name for the channel.

• Add
  Adds a new digital IO channel to the table with the specified settings.

• Remove
  Deletes the selected digital IO channel from the table.

Analog IO

The Analog IO section allows users to configure channels for pressure transducers and other devices, including settings for device type, measurement ranges, and alarm triggers, ensuring precise data handling and monitoring.

• Select Analog IO Channel
  Choose an analog IO channel from the list to view and modify its settings.

• Name
  Assigns a display name to the selected channel.

• Enabled
  Toggle to indicate whether a device is attached to the channel.

• Device Type
  Select the type of device connected, such as a pressure transducer or PRT.

• Units
  Sets the output units for the attached device.

• Voltage Low/High
  Configures the voltage range for scaling the device's output.

• Measure Low/High
  Defines the actual measurement range of the attached device for scaling purposes.

• Enable Instrument Alarm
  If the device goes outside its predefined alarm range, this option triggers the instrument alarm.

• Alarm Low/High
  Sets the acceptable range for the device before triggering the alarm.