Weighing Scale Configuration |
When using scales, BarTender supports the "Command/Response" methodology to communicate with the scale. A command is a set of instructions sent by BarTender to the scale that tells the scale to do something. A response or response pattern is the scale's response to the specified command. Using this "Command/Response" methodology, BarTender polls the scale at a regular interval to request weight data and the scale is expected to respond with the required weight data within a reasonable amount of time.
While many scales can be configured to continuously send data to the PC, BarTender does not support this unsolicited data-streaming mode. When multiple data modes are supported, the scale must be configured on its front panel to the "Command/Response" mode prior to use with BarTender.
Additionally, some scales can be configured to suppress the weight units in the returned weight data. For BarTender to work correctly, the weight units must not be suppressed.
BarTender uses five basic commands for communicating with the scale:
Request Immediate Weight: Requests and receives the weight data, even if the scale is in an unstable state.
Request Stable Weight: Requests and receives weight data when the scale is in a stable state.
Request Tare Weight: Sends the tare weight (the weight of the unladen container) to the scale.
Get Tare Weight: Requests and receives the tare weight from the scale.
Clear Tare Weight: Requests the scale to clear the tare weight.
At a minimum, BarTender requires the scale to support either the Request Immediate Weight or the Request Stable Weight command. All other commands are optional.
BarTender can emulate stable weight and tare features in the software if it is configured properly. In order for BarTender to support the scale's built-in tare feature, the scale must support the Tare and Get Tare Weight commands. In addition, the scale must have a response format so that BarTender can distinguish the tare weight from the net weight.
Some of the scales that are natively supported by BarTender have specific configuration requirements. For more information, refer to Configuring Your Scale Hardware.
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