How to get the correct sequence of labels
When printing labels for parts the label design is set by the Label Parameters (Tools - Label design). At the label parameters dialog (Parameters - Edit - Label) the first three parameters on the Label screen control the number of labels produced for each part type.
Frequency
Value of fixed multiple
Box for label indicator
Frequency and Value of fixed multiple determine the number of labels produced for each part, for example, a frequency of 'per piece' produces one label for every part cut and a frequency of 'per cycle' one label for each part type for each saw cycle etc. A value of 4 in the fixed multiple produces one label for every four parts etc.
The Label parameter: Box for label indicator allows further control of the quantities by specifying one of the information boxes for the part to act as an override on label production and so can be used to turn on or off the printing of a label for that part (this is the most common use of this parameter). This is useful in cases where you do not want to produce labels for every part type, for example, you may not want labels for rails or drawer fronts.
You can choose any information box to act as the override but it is best to set up and use the Information box: Label Quantity which is provided for this purpose.
For example, if Information box: Label Quantity is added to the part information (Information boxes - Other) in position 7 you can set the Label parameter: Box for label indicator to point to Information box 7. The program then checks the value of Information box 7 for each part when printing labels.
If the value in the box is set to '0' no labels are produced for that part and if the value is '1' labels are produced for that part following the frequency set in by the label design (e.g. per piece).
- Set up information box for label quantity (Parameters - Information boxes - Other) - 7 in this example
- Check label design and set the Box for label indicator to '7'
- Set parts - for each part in the part list (for patterns) use information box 7 to control label printing
Values other than 1 or 0 - multiples - You can also enter other values in the information box - this produces multiples of the label frequency, for example if the value is '2' and the frequency is set as 'per piece' then 2 labels per piece are produced for that part type.
The full set of rules for the Information box values are as follows:-
0 N or n - no label
1 Y or y - x 1
2 or more - x 2 or more
Blank is the same as zero
Examples - If a pattern contains part 'A' with a quantity of 10 and stack height of 2 (two patterns cut 5 high) the labels produced for different settings are as follows:-
Part 'A'
Value in Information
Box:Label quantity Frequency Number of labels
0 per piece 0
1 per piece 10
2 per piece 20
0 per cycle 0
1 per cycle 2
2 per cycle 4
Part 'A'
Value in Information Value of
Box: Label quantity Fixed multiple Number of labels
0 4 0
1 4 3
2 4 6
0 99999 0
1 99999 1
2 99999 2
Note - Label parameters: Frequency and Value of fixed multiple are alternatives when the frequency is per piece or per cycle. The Value of fixed multiple setting of '4' means 1 label for every 4 parts so if there are 10 parts the number of labels required is 3 (where the information box is set to '1'). A setting of '99999' means 1 label for each part type.
Other label types - The operation and rules are the same for 'CADmatic 3' labels and 'Online label PC' labels.
Other uses of the Information box: Label Quantity - The Information box: Label quantity is also used when importing or exporting information via the Pattern Exchange (PTX) option and when importing or exporting information to CPOUT files. This does not affect the everyday operation of the parameter - but you may need to consider this if you are using Pattern Exchange or CPOUT - check with your supplier for details.
