Protocol for Using the Compac

  • Turn on the Compac line, there are two switches on the back (See Pictures 1 and 2)
    • Electrical cabinet (red = on) and light cabinet (up = on)
  • Go to the side screen connected to the machine and press start
    • It may need a reset, press the reset button and wait 30 sec
    • The machine will make a loud beep before starting
    • If the machine won’t start, check all of the safety stops to make sure they are off
      • There are 2 safety stops on either side of the input table
      • There is also a big red button on the side screen and on the back of the machine by the on switches
  • Allow the line to warm up for 20-30 minutes
  • Go to PC4 (Sizer) then click Calibrate then tare
    • Do a quick tare followed by a full tare
    • The WAI should be below 0.5
  • Turn on the computer (may already be on)
  • Go to PC4 (Sizer) and click the sizer icon then create a new batch
    • Click batch change – create a new batch – and change name to what you want, press save
    • Make sure to write it on the physical log sheet too!!
  • Go to PC2 (Spectrum) and turn on the cabinet lights
    • It is on the task bar on the bottom of the screen
  • Stay in PC2 and click Variety then click – Select Variety and choose the program you would like to use
  • Select Variety again, select Grades, then Start Capture
    • Test 10 fruit to make sure the machine is running well
    • Fruit should rotate 360-420 degrees
    • If rotation is slow or too fast – go to the side screen and change roller 2
    • Do not change rollers 1 and 3 please
  • Once you have set up the machine, stop Capture and move to Status, then all lanes AVG
  • There are print outs that you can record bins, treatments, reps, and fruit counts on
    • These sheets need to stay in the lab
  • Allow for time between bins to reduce phantom fruit counts
    • The machine will accidentally count extra fruit
    • This can be resolved when the data is exported
  • If you need a new batch – follow the steps above, making sure to record everything in the log
  • To retrieve the data – plug a flash drive into the cabinet Sizer computer
    • Then go to PC4 and select the frogger program
    • Select the batches you want – hit ok – then start
    • Three green bars will show up when it is done
  • Move the files from the computer to the flash drive
    • The files are stored in sizervisionlogfiles
    • The name of the file will be batch#_merged.csv.
    • Contact Emily Lavely for fixing the data in excel
  • Turn off the cabinet lights (PC2), shut down the machine (the two switches), and turn off the computer
  • Follow the cleaning protocol
A red switch in an up-and-down position on the back of a Compac line machine.
Photo 1
A black switch in an up-and-down position on the back side of a Compac line machine.
Photo 2