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6. PROGRAMMING WITH PC
6. PROGRAMMING WITH PC
6.1. Controller-PC connection
The controller has a port to connect the device to a PC.
The following photos show where the port is located on the
different controller models.
Models 1250 and 1350 differ only in the size of the case.
The connection requires a special accessory cable (code
F060800), which acts as a USB-serial interface/converter
and communicates as a Virtual COM Port with a USB port
on the computer.
Attention! To use this interface you have to install
the VCP driver, downloadable from:
www.gefran.com/en/product/261-gf_express#downloads
When the controller is connected to the PC you can confi-
gure it rapidly even when it is not powered.
The instrument configuration memory is powered by the
USB connection.
Connecting the controller to the primary power supply while
the USB cable is still connected DOES NOT activate normal
Power-on. You must first disconnect the controller from the
PC and then apply primary power.
6.2. Programming Tool
6.2.1. GF_eXpress
The GF_eXpress software lets you:
• read and write the configuration of controller (set of
parameters);
• save recipes on the PC (recipe archive);
• display as graph / set all parameters needed for the
Programmer function;
• display/set Logic Operations (Function Blocks);
• set the user configuration menu sequence and para-
meters;
• set message strings (3 selectable languages);
• transfer any firmware updates.
The software is available on CD-rom (code F043958).
The program can be updated automatically from
www.gefran.com.
6.2.1.1. System requirements
Minimum Recommended
Operating
system
Windows XP SP2
or Windows Vista or
Windows 7 (32 bit)
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Processor Intel Pentium
1 GHz
Intel Core i5 2,5
Ghz or higher
RAM 2 GB 4 GB or higher
Free space
on Hard Disk
2 GB 4 GB or higher
Resolution XGA
(1024 x 768 pixel)
SXGA (1280 x 1024
pixel) or higher
Browser Microsoft Internet
Explorer 8.0
Microsoft Internet
Explorer 9.0 or
higher
Ethernet port 1 RJ45 1 RJ45
DVD reader Yes Yes
USB port 1 USB 2.0 1 USB 2.0