Instrument Manager is a hub, installed on the PC, to provide the connection between MIXIT Cloud, the camera, scale, and printer.
In this manual the most common issues will be handled, use below links to jump directly to the issue you need to solve:
- Weighing scale PMA Evolution not found by Instrument Manager
Weighing scale PMA Evolution is not found by Instrument Manager
Check if the driver is installed. The drivers for the PMA Evolution need to be installed separately. In case you experience any connectivity issues with the PMA Evolution make sure that these drivers are installed:
https://my.anaac.net/ColorManagerWeb/Support/Driver_PMA.Evolution_PMA.HD_112016_v2.12.16.zip
Camera not found by Instrument Manager
Check if the driver is installed. The drivers for the AMV need to be installed separately. Otherwise, it is not possible for Instrument Manager to connect to the camera.
Got to the windows search bar and type in "Control panel" and hit Enter.
Next, go to Programs and features.
Search for "BYK" on the top right corner. If the driver is not there the search will be empty. In the below print screen the driver is installed.
In case the driver is not installed download the drivers on the AkzoNobel Customer Service Portal. And install it. After the installation, connect the AMV to the PC. It should now connect automatically with Instrument manager.
Connection issues with the camera or scale
Check if the camera and or scale are configured in Color Manager. The camera and scale are connected to the PC with a virtual Comport, via a USB connection. A Comport can only allow 1 active connection at the time. There will be connection issues if the camera and scale are connect to Color Manager and Instrument Manager. In most cased MIXIT is used most so everything works fine. But after the painter started Color Manager to check an old own color connection issues start to popup.
To solve this, delete the connections of the scale and camera in Color Manager. Just closing Color Manager is not enough, some programs stay running and keep the connection to the scale and camera alive.
Measurement get stuck in Instrument manager IMCash issue
When syncing a measurement to MIXIT fails, it will be stored in a IMCash file on the PC. You recognize this by this symbol on the taskbar icon tray. This failure can have multiple reasons. The IMCash file is there to so the measurement is not lost.
Please follow the below steps to solve the issue.
1. Disconnect the AMV from the PC and back in.
This is the easiest step, there could have been an communication error caused by the PC, AMV or something else.
If the the issue persists, go to step two.
2. Restart Instrument Manager.
To be sure Instrument Manager is still working properly, exit instrument manager in start it again. When Instrument Manager is ready try to sync the measurement.
If the the issue persists, go to step three.
3. Check the cable and connectors.
A faulty cable can cause sync issues. Check the connector and for any kinks in the cable. Also make sure that the cable able to transfer data. Some cables with a micro USB port can only be used for chancing. If you are sure the cable is good proceed to step four.
4. Delete the IMCash file.
By deleting the IMCash file it is like resetting sync attempt. The IMCash file can be found in the folder:".../%localappdata%/AkzoNobel\Instrument Manager\dat".
First disconnect the AMV. then go to the windows search bar and type in "%localappdata%" and hit Enter.
Then open the following folders in sequence: AkzoNobel -> Instrument Manager -> temp. Delete the IMCashs file.
Now connect the AMV again and try to sync with MIXIT.
If the issue persists, go to step five.
5. Reset the AMV Internal Clock.
The internal clock of the AMV is important for syncing measurements to MIXIT. When the internal clock of the AMV is not the same as the PC, it will cause sync issues. We noticed that the internal clock of the AMV is always one hour ahead of the PC clock, on some PC's this is causing issues synchronizing the measurements to the MIXIT.
the user below workaround to set the time of the AMV to the actual time.
- Stop Instrument Manager.
- Download the BykSetDateTime tool from the customer portal, unpack the zip file to the desktop of the customer PC.
- With the AMV connected to the PC start the BykSetDateTime and click on Get instrument date/time.
Compare the time from the AMV to that of the PC. If the time is 1 hour ahead then continue with the following steps. If the time of AMV and PC is the same, then the issue is caused by something else.
- Go to the Control Panel on the PC and open the date and time program.
Set the time of the PC 1 hour back and press OK
- Go back to the BykSetDateTime tool and click on Set instrument date/time, this action will set the time to the AMV. Next, click on the Get instrument date/time to check if the time on the AMV has changed (should still be one hour ahead of the PC time).
- Go back to the Control Panel and change the PC time to the actual time.
- On the BykSetDateTime tool click on Get Instrument date/time, the PC and AMV time should be the same now.
- Close the BykSetDateTime tool.
- Start-up Instrument Manager.
- Go to MIXIT and check if the Sync to MIXIT is now working.
6. Reinstall the AMV Firmware.
As a last resort reinstall the AMV firmware, this will erase all measurements that are currently on the AMV.
Make sure that there are no programs running that can make a connection to the AMV otherwise the tool cannot establish a connection with the AMV. This includes the Instrument Manager.
Go to the AkzoNobel Customer Portal and download the zip file AutmatchicVision_Firmware_Updater_v16018582. Extract the zip file to a convenient location like your desktop, and start the updater. Then follow the instructions on the screen.
Click on OK.
If you see the below message, then you still have an application using the AMV. Close any program that has a connection with the AMV, including the Instrument Manager, and start the updater again.
Select the desired language and click Continue
Check if the serial number and firmware version is correct. You can find the Serial number on the label at the bottom of the AVM, the most recent Firmware version is 1.670.18582
If everything is correct click Upgrade
A notification may pop up stating that the firmware version on the AMV is identical to the installer firmware. Click Yes to proceed with the upgrade.
Be sure not to disconnect the cable during the upgrade. Especially if you are using the magnetic cable it is better not to touch the AMV during the upgrade process. Disconnecting the cable can lead to a bricked AMV.
The upgrade takes some time, but no more than 30min. Wait patiently until you are notified that the upgrade was successful. You can check the process on the AMV.
Be sure not to disconnect the cable during the upgrade. Especially if you are using the magnetic cable
When the upgrade is successful you get the message like below. Click Close to exit the Firmware upgrade tool.
The AVM is now restored to its factory settings. Color calibration is required before you start measuring.
The measurements that were stored on the AMV but not sync to MIXIT are now last. Re-measure these color(s) and try to sync with MIXIT.
If the issue still persists there must be something wrong with the AMV. If possible test the connectivity on a different PC or swap the AVM.
MIXIT cannot connect with Instrument Manager.
Instrument Manager is running, the connection to the scale and camera are working, but MIXIT shows this:
There are two reasons for this:
- An old version of Instrument Manager installer is installed (below v. 3.2.3)
- Instrument Manager Certificat is expired
1. an old version of Instrument Manager is installed (version 3.2.3)
Please check the installer version of the Instrument Manager. By opening Control Panel --> Programs and Features and search for Instrument Manager. If the version number is lower than 3.2.4.0, uninstall it and download the latest one from www.mixitcloud.com.
After the most recent version of Instrument Manager is installed and the PC is running on Windows 10, the issue should be solved.
2. Instrument Manager Certificate is expired
Every year we need to renew the certificate to guarantee a secure connection between Instrument Manager and MIXIT. When we need to renew the certificate admin rights are required. There are cases when the new certificate cannot be installed on time and the certificate has expired already.
Below steps will explain how to allow communication between MIXIT and Instrument Manager on an expired certificate.
The link below directs you directly to the Instrument Manager communication server click on it to open: https://instrumentmanager.mixitcloud.com:10777/signalr
Because the certificate is expired the page looks like this:
Click on Advanced to continue, the next page will look like this:
Click on the link proceed to instrumentmanager.mixitcloud.com (unsafe). When the next page looks like the example below you are set.
Navigate to https://www.mixitcloud.com/measurements to check if there is a connection with Instrument Manager. It needs to look like below example.