Kiln Configuration Settings
General Options
Kiln Name:
i
The friendly name for your kiln. Use a unique identifier like "MeltTech Alpha" to help you recognize this unit easily in logs and notifications.
Function Passcode:
i
A secure passcode for advanced features. The default is "0000". It is highly recommended you change this to prevent unauthorized access to the controller functions.
Profile Path:
i
The file path where your kiln profiles (firing schedules) are stored. Ensure this directory matches your actual file structure to allow the system to load the correct profiles.
Kiln Profiles Directory:
i
Another directory setting for kiln profiles. This should point to the folder containing all your firing schedules, ensuring consistency across the system.
Logging Options
Log Level:
INFO
DEBUG
WARNING
ERROR
CRITICAL
i
Determines how much detail the log files will include. For day-to-day use, "INFO" is ideal. For troubleshooting, switch to "DEBUG" to capture more detailed events.
Log Format:
i
Specifies the format of each log entry. A common format is "%(asctime)s %(levelname)s %(name)s: %(message)s", which logs the time, level, and message for each event.
Server Settings
Listening IP:
i
The IP address on which the kiln controller's server will listen. "127.0.0.1" restricts access to the local machine. Change this if remote access is required.
Listening Port:
i
The port number for server communications. Make sure this port is not used by another service and that your network settings permit traffic through it.
Schedule Start Time
Schedule Start:
i
Select a start time for a kiln firing profile. This enables automated scheduling of the kiln run, ensuring it starts at the optimum moment.
Cost Information
kWh Rate:
i
The cost per kilowatt-hour, which is used to calculate the operational cost of the kiln. Update this as energy prices change.
KW Elements:
i
The combined power rating of the heating elements in kilowatts. Ensure this matches your hardware specifications.
Currency Type:
i
The currency symbol used for displaying costs (e.g., "$", "€").
Oven kW:
i
Represents the overall power consumption of the oven. This value may be used in advanced energy management calculations.
PID Controller Settings
PID Kp:
i
The proportional gain that determines how strongly the controller reacts to the current error. Adjust gradually for stable control.
PID Ki:
i
The integral gain that helps eliminate steady-state error. Too high a value may cause overshoot.
PID Kd:
i
The derivative gain that dampens the system response and reduces overshoot. Fine-tune with care.
Stop Integral Windup:
True
False
i
When enabled, prevents the integral term from accumulating excessively, which can destabilize the control system.
Temperature Average Samples:
i
The number of sensor readings to average in order to smooth out transient fluctuations. Increase for more stable readings.
PID Control Window (°C):
i
The acceptable error range within which the PID controller actively adjusts the output. Outside this window, corrections may be minimized.
Ignore PID Until (°C):
i
Below this temperature, the PID controller will not attempt to adjust the output, allowing for a controlled startup.
Ignore PID Control Window Until (°C):
i
The temperature threshold below which the PID control window is ignored. This helps in avoiding aggressive control when the kiln is still warming up.
Throttle (ms):
i
A base delay or adjustment factor to limit the heating rate, helping to prevent overshoot.
Throttle Below Temp (°C):
i
If the kiln temperature is below this threshold, throttling will reduce the heating output to conserve energy.
Throttle Percent (%):
i
The percentage by which the heating power is reduced when throttling is activated.
Enable Catch Up:
True
False
i
Enables the system to adjust its output or schedule to catch up if the kiln falls behind its desired temperature curve.
Hardware Settings
GPIO Heat:
i
The GPIO pin used to control the heating element. Ensure this matches your wiring setup.
GPIO Cool:
i
The GPIO pin used to control the cooling element (if applicable).
GPIO Sensor CS:
i
Chip Select (CS) pin for the temperature sensor (e.g., MAX31855).
GPIO Sensor Clock:
i
Clock pin for the temperature sensor interface.
GPIO Sensor Data:
i
Data pin for the temperature sensor. Check your sensor's datasheet for correct wiring.
GPIO Sensor DI:
i
Data In (DI) pin for the sensor, if applicable.
Use MAX31855:
True
False
i
Set to true if you are using the MAX31855 thermocouple sensor. Otherwise, the controller may simulate readings.
Sensor Time Wait (s):
i
Time interval between sensor readings. Adjust for responsiveness versus noise.
Thermocouple Offset (°C):
i
Calibration offset to adjust sensor readings if they are consistently high or low.
Output Inverted:
True
False
i
Set this to true if your hardware requires an inverted control signal for the heating element.
Service Running LED:
True
False
i
Enable an LED indicator that shows the controller is running. Useful for visual confirmation.
Service Running LED GPIO:
i
GPIO pin for the service running LED. Make sure this matches your wiring configuration.
AC Frequency 50Hz:
True
False
i
Set true if your region uses a 50Hz AC supply; false for 60Hz.
Honour Thermocouple Short Errors:
True
False
i
Determines whether thermocouple short errors are treated as critical faults. Default: False.
Compensation Settings
Compensation Settings
Compensation Enabled:
True
False
i
When enabled, the controller will dynamically adjust for heat loss and timing discrepancies during operation. Default: False.
Compensation Factor:
i
A multiplier used to calculate the necessary compensation adjustment. Increase for more aggressive corrections.
Max Compensations:
i
Limits the number of compensation adjustments in a single run to prevent runaway corrections.
Temperature Drop Value (°C):
i
The degree by which the target temperature is reduced during compensation cycles to avoid overshoot.
Compensation Window:
i
The sensitivity range for triggering compensation adjustments. A narrower window triggers compensation for smaller deviations.
Hold Time (s):
i
The duration for which the kiln holds its temperature during compensation. Longer hold times allow for stabilization.
Extra Time Trigger (s):
i
An additional time buffer before further compensation adjustments are applied. This prevents rapid successive changes.
Auto Tuning Adjustments
Auto Tuning Adjustments
Enable Auto Tuning:
True
False
i
Enables the auto-tuning feature that allows the PID controller to adjust its parameters automatically based on performance.
Autotune Hysteresis (°C):
i
The hysteresis range to prevent rapid oscillations during auto-tuning. Larger values yield more stable tuning adjustments.
Minimum PID Kp:
i
The lowest value that PID Kp is allowed to reach during auto-tuning. This prevents the controller from becoming too unresponsive.
Minimum PID Ki:
i
The minimum value for the integral gain. This ensures that the integral term always contributes adequately to error correction.
Minimum PID Kd:
i
The minimum derivative gain to prevent the system from reacting too slowly to changes in error.
Maximum Autotune Runtime (seconds):
i
The maximum allowed duration for an auto-tuning session to prevent it from running indefinitely.
Tune Target (°C):
i
The target temperature used during the auto-tuning process. This should represent an ideal operating point for your kiln.
Automatic Restart Settings
Automatic Restart:
Enabled
Disabled
i
Automatically attempts to restart the kiln after an unexpected shutdown or failure. Essential for minimizing downtime.
Restart Window (minutes):
i
Specifies the validity period for a saved state to be used for an automatic restart. If the saved state is older, a restart will not occur automatically.
Version Information
Kiln Controller Version:
i
Displays the current software version of the kiln controller. This field is read-only and automatically updated with each release.
Save Configuration
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