Configure Agronomy Scale Interface

Navigate to Agvance Scale Interface / Setup.

Scale to Configure – Select the scale to be configured. Only two scales may be attached to a computer.
Scale Name – Enter a name for the scale.

Scale

Many fields on the Scale Interface Configure screen are specific to the Scale Indicator. If the scale had previously been interfaced to another software program, print out the scale configuration information used in the other software to reference when configuring the Agvance Scale Interface. The Scale Manual or Scale Service Company may need to be consulted to find out how the Scale Indicator is configured.

Default Location – Select a default Location for the Scale Ticket. This Location can be changed per ticket. Double-click in the field to choose a different Location at the Select a Location screen.
Scale Is Negative Hopper – Choose this option if using a hopper scale system where it is necessary to capture negative tare weights. This preference applies to all Ticket Types EXCEPT SASI-California.
Debug Scale – Select this option ONLY when setting up Scale Interfaces. If this is checked, a window showing the character string being read from the scale displays when opening the Scale Ticket window. As the weight on the scale changes, this character string reflects the reading from the scale. To see the ASCII Codes for the character string, select the Show ASCII codes checkbox.
Scale Port – Indicate the PC Com Port where the cable from the Scale Indicator is connected.
Baud Rate – Choose the communications speed which must match the baud rate of the Scale Indicator.
Parity – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and must match the setting of the Scale Indicator.
Data Bits – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and must match the setting of the Scale Indicator.
Stop Bits – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and must match the setting of the Scale Indicator.
Use Older Windows Serial Component – Choose this option to allow using MS COM component technology.
No Counter – If selected, ticket numbers must be manually entered.
Database/Location – If marked, the counter assigned to that Location is used and Setup Database and Location Counters are enabled. Select to access Set Location Counter which allows setting a counter for each Location.
Scale Specific – If selected, Next Scale Specific Ticket # for the scale chosen is used.
Next Scale Specific Ticket # – Enter the number to be used for the next ticket added for the selected scale. This updates every time a ticket is added.
Read Scale only when capture button is pressed – Check to have the scale only read when capturing the weight.
Scale Char – Enter the character from which the scale interface program should start reading the scale string. This should be a character that is common to each string and before the weight - possibly a character or an ASCII code.
Scale Char is ASCII Code – Select if the Scale Char is an ASCII code instead of a letter or number. An example would be a space whose ASCII code is 32.
End Char – Enter the last character in the data string before looking for a new weight.
End Char is ASCII Code – Choose if the End Char is an ASCII code. An example would be a space whose ASCII code is 32.
Start Char – Enter the number of spaces after the Scale Char in the character string that should be skipped before reading the weight.
Num Char – Indicate the number of spaces to use to read the weight in the character string.
Minimum Buffer Size – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and most often does not need to be changed.
Time Interval (milliseconds) – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and most often does not have to be changed.
Disallow capture of Invalid/In Motion Weights – If selected, Agvance will not allow the capture of a weight while the scale is in motion.
Note: This option can only be used with scales that send a valid weight flag with the weight.
- Position of Valid Weight Flag from Start Char – If the option Disallow capture of Invalid/In Motion Weights is checked, this field is used to identify where the invalid character is located in relationship to the start character.
- Comma Delimited List of Valid Weight ASCII Codes – Enter a list of ASCII codes for valid weights separated by commas.
Disallow capture of Weight when not in Scale Gross Mode – If checked, Agvance only displays a weight if the scale is set to Gross mode. If the scale is not set to Gross mode, a weight cannot be captured.
- Position of Valid Mode Flag from Start Char – If the Disallow capture of Weight when not in Scale Gross Mode option is selected, this field is used to identify where the invalid character is located in relationship to the start character. This is specific to the make and model of the scale being used.
- Comma Delimited List of Valid Scale Mode ASCII Codes – Enter a list of ASCII codes for valid scale modes separated by commas. This is specific to the make and model of scale being used.
Allow capture of Excess weight after a message is displayed – If selected, weight can be captured in excess of the established Maximum Capture Weight after first receiving a warning message.
Maximum Capture Weight – Enter the maximum weight that can be captured for Gross or Tare.
Scale Counter Override – This is used when communicating with the Scale Indicator and most often does not have to be changed.
Scale Read Method – Choose Standard or Character by Character. The reader looks at first characters to determine which is the beginning number in the weight.
Read Scale Indicator Twice Before Updating – When selected, the Scale Indicator is read twice. If the weights are the same, the weight is displayed. If the weights are different, ******* is displayed.
Change Color While Reading Scale – This option is for debugging only. When selected, the scale weight is displayed in red while the scale is being read.
Scale Break is >=10 – When scale reading is in increments of 10 pounds or greater, select this option. This displays a zero reading as 00 and is compliant with Federal/State certification requirements. If unchecked, scale zero readings display as 0.
Reset Port on Counter Maxed – This preference should ONLY be checked if there are problems getting data from the input buffer and the only way to start this reading again is to close and open the com port. Checking this preference will attempt to close and open the com port when the counter maxed is met. The port will open as needed when the timer starts or before attempting to read the weight again.
Close Port on Timer Stop – This preference should ONLY be used if there are issues getting data from the input buffer and the only way to start this reading again is to close and open the com port. Selecting this preference closes the com port when stopping the timer unless a weight is about to be read. The port opens as needed when the timer starts or before attempting to read the weight again.
Close Delay – Enter the maximum number of seconds that can pass before an in-process ticket is displayed after it has been selected, scale readings are available, and the screen has been refreshed.

General

Note: There is an Import Scale Ticket Data into Comments preference in Accounting at Setup / Location Preferences on the Delivery Ticket tab which imports the Freight Vendor, Driver, Vehicle, and Trailer 1 into the comments of the Delivery Ticket created or updated.

Update Delivery Ticket Info on Completion – Choose this to automatically create or update a Delivery Ticket after a Delivery Ticket Ticket Type has been saved containing both a Customer and a Product.
Use Print Destination Dialog – When selected, the Print Dialog window appears before printing to verify the printer. When not selected, the print job is sent directly to the default ticket printer.
Display Driver On Control – When selected, a checkbox is available on ticket entry for Driver On. Driver On or Driver Off prints on the ticket accordingly.
Print Gross Weight In Store/Recall Mode – When this option is selected, the system automatically prints the scale weight, scales are enabled when adding a Scale Ticket, and a Gross or Tare Weight is saved when Save Weight To File is selected.
Print Weight on Entry – Print the weight and time stamp when Gross or Tare is captured.
Default Ready for Transfer ON – If chosen, the Ready For Transfer option on the Scale Ticket window defaults to selected. This preference is used if the scale is connected to a hopper bottomed bin and only one weight is entered on the Scale Ticket.
Gross and Tare Weight Required to Save – This option requires the Gross and Tare Weights to be entered before the Scale Ticket can be saved.
Enter Gross Weight Before Tare Weight – When selected, the entry or capture of the Tare Weight is not allowed prior to entry or capture of the Gross Weight.
Assume Weighmaster Is Logged In – When selected, the system automatically enters the name of the currently logged in Agvance user in the Weighmaster area when adding a Scale Ticket.
- Clear Weighmaster – Selecting this option clears the Weighmaster area after every Scale Ticket. Manual selection of the weighmaster would be required for every new Scale Ticket. If unselected, the weighmaster saved on a Scale Ticket defaults into successive Scale Tickets.
Default Transfer File Location – This is used only when transferring Scale Tickets between data sets. Enter the default path where the transfer file will be saved. This is optional.

Printer

Scale UOM Override – Enter the unit of measure label to print on the Scale Ticket and display on the Add a Scale Ticket window.
Printer for Weight Dump – Select the printer where saved weights - Gross, Tare, or Scale Weight - are to print.
Line Termination – When using a printer port, select the option that represents a carriage return. The options are LF (line feed), CR (carriage return), or CRLF (carriage return/line feed).

Inside Printer

Ticket Type – Select the ticket format to be used. If Scale Interface is used in the state of California for certified weights, the SASI-California format must be selected in order to print an approved weighmaster certificate.
Default Ticket Printer – Select the printer where the Scale Tickets should print.
End Doc Codes (CS) – Enter a series of 3-4 numbers separated by a comma that are commands instructing the printer regarding width of cut, when to advance paper, etc. These codes are found in the printer manual. This is used with tickets that are not set up to print on a full page.
Print Port – If None is selected, the Default Ticket Printer or the printer selected on the Print Dialog screen is used. If one of the LPT or COM Ports is selected, the Scale Tickets print directly to the port and the printer on the Print Dialog screen is ignored.
SASI-California Comment for blank Product – When using SASI-California and a Product has not been entered on the ticket, the Comment field indicated in this setting prints in the Commodity field on the California ticket printout. An example would be when the Ticket Type is a Blend Ticket with the analysis typed in one of the Comment fields so it prints in the Commodity area of the ticket printout.
Line Termination – When using a printer port, select the option that represents a carriage return. The options are LF (line feed), CR (carriage return), or CRLF (carriage return/line feed).
Number of lines to advance before printing ticket – If the weight is printed after saving the Gross or Tare Weight, then the ticket is re-inserted to print the entire ticket. Specify the number of lines to advance the ticket before starting to print, therefore avoiding printing over the previously printed weight.
Add an extra line to the end of the printout – If selected, an extra blank line is added to the end of the printout that results from choosing Save Weight to File or Print Current Scale Weight. This is specific to Ticket Type formats SASI-PPrinted01, SASI-Short, and SASI-Detail.
Suppress Location Info– If selected, the company location information does not print on the SASI-Full or SASI-FP 2UP printout. This is useful when using pre-printed forms with information printed at the top.
Use SASI-California Alternative Heading – For California users, select this option if the company name on the weighmaster license is different than the company name in Agvance. California requires the weighmaster company name to print on the CA Scale Ticket printout. After selecting this option, go to Setup / Company Preferences and fill in the SASI California Alternative Company Heading field with the company name as it appears on the weighmaster license. This name then prints on the California Scale Ticket printout.
Use SASI-California Outside California – If this option is checked, the SASI-California format is available outside the state of California.

Outside Printer

Ticket Type – Select the ticket format to be used. If Scale Interface is used in the state of California for certified weights, the SASI-California format must be selected in order to print an approved weighmaster certificate.
Default Ticket Printer – Select the printer where the Scale Tickets should print.
End Doc Codes (CS) – Enter a series of 3-4 numbers separated by a comma that are commands instructing the printer regarding the width of cut, when to advance paper, etc. These codes are found in the printer manual. This is used for tickets that are not set up to print on a full page.
Print Port – If None is selected, the Default Ticket Printer or the printer selected on the Print Dialog screen is used. If one of the LPT or COM Ports is selected, the Scale Tickets print directly to the port and the printer on the Print Dialog screen is ignored.
SASI-California Comment for blank Product – When printing the SASI-California format and a Product has not been entered on the ticket, the Comment field indicated in this setting prints in the Commodity area on the California ticket printout.
Line Termination – When using a printer port, select the option that represents a carriage return. The options are LF (line feed), CR (carriage return), or CRLF (carriage return/line feed).
Number of lines to advance before printing ticket – If weight is printed after saving Gross or Tare Weight, then re-insert the ticket to print the entire ticket. Specify a number of lines to advance the ticket before starting to print, therefore avoiding printing over the weight previously printed.
Add an extra line to the end of the printout – If selected, an extra blank line is added to the end of the printout that results from choosing Save Weight to File or Print Current Scale Weight. This is specific to Ticket Types of SASI-PPrinted01, SASI-Short, and SASI-Detail.
Suppress Location Information – When chosen, the company location information does not print on SASI-Full or SASI- FP 2Up printouts. This is useful when using pre-printed forms with information printed at the top.
Use SASI-California Alternative Heading – For California users, select this option if the company name on the weighmaster license is different than the company name in Agvance. California requires the weighmaster company name to print on the California Scale Ticket printout. After selecting this option, go to Setup / Company Preferences and fill in the SASI California Alternative Company Heading field with the company name as it appears on the weighmaster license. This name then prints on the California Scale Ticket printout.
Use SASI-California Outside California – If this option is checked, the SASI-California format is available outside the state of California.
Outside Printer Defaults to Original – When selected, the outside printer prints the Original copy and all others are marked as Copy.