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Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
The terms below appear in the list the of common problems you might encounter when
working with PowerTools software along with the error message displayed, the most likely
cause and solution.
Assign means to set a value using an equation. For example, x = 2, you are assigning the
value of 2 to x.
A Boolean value is a value that represents two states such as On or Off. In the FM3 there are
three variable types that have Boolean values. They are Boolean Variables, Input Event
Variables and Output Event Variables. They all have a Boolean Value and can be used in
equations to assign their Boolean value to another variable or in a conditional test.
In an equation, conditional tests such as (vel > 3.1) become Boolean values.
In FM3 Programming, unquoted text names are used to represent Boolean constants. Several
different names are available. They all represent the two Boolean states and therefore are
interchangeable.
An Expression is a collection of mathematical operands (variables, constants and numbers)
and operators( +, -, *, <, >, etc) that form a value. The right hand side of an equation (to the
right of the =) is an expression.
The Parser is an internal component of PowerTools software that reads your program text
file and generates executable code used by the FM3 Module firmware. The parser detects
errors that are reported to you as Red Dot Error Messages.
Your program errors are displayed in the program view in Red Dot Error Messages. They
are indicated with red dots. To get further information on the cause of the error you use the
programming tool bar’s red dotted question mark. This is an on/off setting that enables error
message displays and application help messages.
Non-Programming Error Messages
These messages occur while you are working in a view other than the Program View. The
Program View has error messages specific to it, and they are described in a Programming
Error Messages section. The Popup messages are listed below.
Can Not Add Index, until current is valid.,
Can Not Add Jog, until current is valid.,
Can Not Add Program, until current is valid.
The current View must be valid before you can create a new instance of Index, Jog or Home.
Error: The maximum limit of Instances is reached.
The number of Index instances, Jog Instances and Home Instances is limited. If you attempt
to add an instance and the number of existing instances is at the maximum, you will get this
message.