Error Message:

ALE: check for plate stuck in conveyor or processor #%d interface error

Applies to:

• Platesetter_3244

Service Information:

This error is reported when the plate processor's "BUSY" signal was never set after it was sent the PREVIOUS plate. In other words, the plate processor never acknowledged it had received the previous plate, so the platesetter can't send the current plate to the processor not knowing if there's a possible plate in the way or a dead processor.

This is really only a warning error, as the plate was in the processor's hands at the time of the error. So if the operator clicks on "RESUME" the error message will go away and the current plate will be happily processed. If the current plate ends up being ignored by the processor as well, then the customer won't see the error message until the platesetter tries to process the next plate.

Remember to use the "sat stat cnvyr" command to view the status of the incoming plate processor interface signals as the a plate is sent to the processor. Also, newer plate conveyors have a nicer electronic interface board with test probes and LED's for better interface troubleshooting.

While waiting for the service call, you can disable the processor interface by setting "media # pcode 0" where # is the media type for that plate.

Operator Action:

If the plate was stuck before reaching the processor, then unstuck it and find the cause of the mechanical failure.

If there was no plate stuck in the conveyor or right in front of the processor's infeed tray when this error happened, then the previous plate made it through the processor just fine, and it's a sensor/interface error.

Check the plate processor's infeed sensor (wherever that is --different on every processor) and make sure it's clean. When you put a plate manually into the processor you should hear a few clicks and whirly sounds, and the processor should be getting ready to process a plate. Most processor manufacturers use one infeed sensor for both the processor mechanics and the processor interface, if they have one. So if the processor responds to the sensor being covered, it's probably OK.

Second, check the interface cable, make sure it's nice and tight at both ends. It runs between the conveyor and the processor so it's often easy to kick loose.

If those two simple checks fail, sounds like the problem needs a service call, preferably having both a Creo and a processor representative there at the same time (helps reduce finger pointing).

Cause:

• The plate mechanically stuck before entering processor.
• The plate processor's infeed sensor may not be working, it may be just dirty.
• The plate processor's interface electronics may be faulty.
• The Plate conveyor's interface electronics may be faulty.
• The interface cable between the processor and the conveyor may be faulty or just loose.
• The processor interface setting in the platesetter may be incorrect, check that the parameter "media # pcode" is correctly set.

See Also:

• Command: sat stat
• NVS: media pcode