Buffer not sending carriers

If a carrier does not leave a buffer when you expect it to, there are a number of reasons that this could happen.

General - Carrier did not reach the station reader

This is only in case of feeding buffers

Is the feeding buffer motor group free from errors?

Navigate to Production > Feeding Buffer Status. Any error status will prevent the motors from running.

Is there a physical issue?

Inspect the feeding buffer and check for mechanically stuck carriers or carriers that are dropping from the pullers.

Is the motor group configured with correct parameters?

Check configuration in Hardware > Motor Groups

Is the station configured to use the motor group?

Check configuration in Hardware > Stations.

General - Carrier stuck at station reader

Is the station automation enabled?

Not re-enabling automation after logging out of a buffer is a common issue. Enable via station settings or with command

Is there any kind of routing error?

Check carrier status page for ongoing routing error for the carrier in work position.
Check previous routing errors via Diagnostics > Trace and select station in dropdown

Is the station buffer logic configured?

Unless the station is controlled via an integration, it needs to have a buffer logic enabled in order to do something. Check in Station Settings.

Can the station read the carrier in working position?

Check input 5 reader via test mode. If there is a carrier in place and the station is unable to read it, there may be a problem with the carrier RFID tag or the reader itself. Mechanically remove the carrier and check if the next carrier also has a problem.

General - Carrier stuck in loading house

The carrier has been released from the station reader but does not load onto the line

Is the line running?

If the line is not running, the carrier cannot be loaded onto the line

Are there free places on the line?

If there are no free spots on the line, the carrier cannot leave until there is a free spot.

Does the node know that the line is running?

Use command "902 F4" to show the status that the node knows about the line.

If the second digit on the first line is a "1" that means that the node think the line is not running.
Example 4141

In this case

• Try stopping and re-starting the line, then verify again with 902 F4.
• Check the displayed text on the line server or on the "Line Status" page. Does system know that the line is running?
• If the line is running but shows as stopped, verify input 3 and 4 on the line server in test mode.
• If the inputs are actively changing, try restarting the line server.

Is the loading type of the station correctly configured?

Verify settings in Hardware > Station.

Is the main line reader or IN4 connected, and reading properly?

Verify in test mode or with headline report command

Test mode should report "32" whenever a empty pusher is going by the line reader.

Is the loading start delay correctly configured?

This should be set with regards to the variant of loading assembly and distance to main line reader. Check configuration in Hardware > Stations.

Does it work to manually feed out a carrier in test mode?

Enter test mode with

then manually trigger the output to load a carrier to the line. If the timing is not correct this can easily result in a jammed carrier, so be careful. This verifies that the loading house is mechanically working.

Calling Buffer

This section only applies to calling buffer logic

Is there a call for any carrier in the buffer?

Navigate to Buffer Calling, select tab In Progress

Are there blocking calls to the same station ahead?

Navigate to Buffer Calling, select tab In Progress

Are there out-of-sequence carriers that must be resolved first?

Navigate to Buffer Calling, select tab In Progress

Is there a paused buffer call?

Check the "In Progress" tab of Buffer Call page to see if there is a "Resume" or play button anywhere.

FIFO Buffer

Is there an active cooldown time?

Check the fifo buffer settings, if there is an active cooldown then the carrier will not leave the buffer until that time has passed since the last operation completed.

Redirection Buffer

Does the destination station have capacity?

Redirection relies on mechanical addressing and will not explicitly say when it stops due to the destination being full. Check the rail load of the target rail in Rail Settings.