Synrad FH FLYER, Operator'S Manual

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stand-alone
operation
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SYNRAD FH Series Flyer Operator’s Manual Version 3.4
Configuration
Master Control File (MCF) specification
This section describes how to create a Master Control File for a stand-alone FH Flyer application.
General information

A Master Control File (MCF) is a simple text file created in a standard text editor and
saved with the case-sensitive name “master.ctl”.

The MCF is not software. Flyer reads the file only once, on boot-up, and performs a con-
tinuous sequence of operations based on MCF keyword values and digital inputs.

When the Use Control File property in WinMark Pro is set to Yes and a control file named
master.ctl resides in the root directory of the FH Flyer Filestore, then that file is opened,
analyzed, and written to RAM at the beginning of a mark session.

If master.ctl does not exist or if FH Flyer finds an error in the file, then the head operates as
if Use Control File is set to No.

The Master Control File is opened at the beginning of a mark session and remains in
memory until the beginning of the next mark session or until FH Flyer is powered down.
Any changes made to master.ctl while the mark session is in progress will not become ef-
fective until the next mark session.

When individual .mkh files specified within the MCF are opened, the Mark Count prop-
erty in each mark file is ignored. The MCF protocol treats the Mark Count property in
each file as if it is “1”.

All valid FH Flyer automation and Event Builder commands within individual .mkh files
are processed in sequence just as in a standard mark session.

Master Control Files cause Flyer to function in one of two ways—in a continuous mode or
in a strobed mode.
In continuous mode, each mark is made once within an individual mark session (the Piece
Count shown in the Launcher window is always 1). On entry to continuous mode, the in-
put state (8-bit or 16-bit multiplexed) is read and the corresponding mark file listed in the
Master Control File (MCF) is marked once. At the end of the mark session, Flyer performs
another input read and loads the corresponding mark file (either the same file or a differ-
ent file) into memory for marking—this loop is performed continuously. If a valid match
does not occur, then Flyer loops without marking until a valid mark file match occurs.
In strobed mode, each mark file loaded into memory begins a new mark session, which
could consist of a single mark or multiple marks using the same file (the Piece Count begins
at 1 and increments if multiple marks are made from the same file. Piece Count resets to
1 if a new mark file is loaded into memory). On entry to strobed mode, Flyer monitors
the specified strobe input and reads the input state when a strobe is detected. On a valid
match, the corresponding mark file listed in the Master Control File is marked once. If
another strobe input is detected after marking is complete, then Flyer performs another
input read and loads the corresponding mark file into memory. If a valid strobe input does
not occur, FH Flyer continues to mark the previous file loaded into memory.