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Technical Forum => Studio/workspace/setup/equipment => Kilns => Topic started by: GorgeousGlassGifts on February 07, 2015, 07:28:21 PM

Title: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: GorgeousGlassGifts on February 07, 2015, 07:28:21 PM
 ???

My second hand kiln has been wired in (an 8kW Kilncare kiln) & I'm trying to get to grips with the controller.
Unfortunately it came with an IPCO Studio 3000, which is more of a pottery kiln controller; each programme only has one hold available, so to have a bubble squeeze, a hold at fusing temperature and an anneal hold, you have to link multiple programmes together.

Of course all of the preset programmes are for pottery, so not a lot of use; I need to set my own programmes.

I've managed to programme in the initial ramp rate, target temperature and hold. I've also managed to tell it to link to another programme. What I can't for the life of me do is then set the parameters for the second programme (i.e. ramp to fusing temperature & hold time). Whenever I try, the kiln just starts the first programme & won't let me enter details for the second one.

Having spent an arm & a leg buying, collecting & getting the kiln installed, it's time that it started to earn its keep. Please can anyone with experience of this controller tell me how to programme it?

Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: Blue Box Studio on February 07, 2015, 08:02:23 PM
Did it come with a controller manual?  Found one here (http://www.kilns.com.au/manuals/IPCOStudio3000Manual.pdf), does it help?  If not, and no one here can help, perhaps try one of the pottery suppliers next week, I've always found Bath Potters (in Bath) really helpful.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is when a kiln won't work, fortunately my glitch was easily sorted.
Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: flame n fuse on February 08, 2015, 10:46:49 AM
Have you checked the model type - the document which Sue linked to, suggests that not all the models of this controller will do linking.
Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: Lee - Kilncare on February 09, 2015, 01:50:36 PM
Hi Gorgeous :o)
The first thing you need to do is verify that the version you have can link.
On the rear of the controller there is a label, you wanna see 3000MPL written on it. If you see 3000MP or 3000SP then it won't work.
Linking is a tricky business and one I spent sometime trying to get modernized before we actually got the 3300 up and running.

This is from the instruction book
LINKING (Not applicable to SP and MP models)
At the point of the program entry where 'End' is displayed, you may link to another program if a more complex firing cycle is required.
Whilst 'End' is displayed in program entry press and hold the secret key under the 'P' of IPCO. The ↑ / ↓ keys allow a Ln number to be displayed. When the program is run this link number will direct the controller to continue firing with the values in the 'linked' program.
You may make as many links as you wish, however, each link uses up one of your ten programs which are thus not available to be run independently. Also be very careful that you do not link back to a program which is earlier in your current firing cycle, or a continuous loop will result.

Like I say, it does take a bit to get your head around it and I'm here to help if you need it.
Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: GorgeousGlassGifts on January 13, 2016, 11:10:12 PM
Sorry Lee; I've only just found your post!  ::)

Yes, the controller does link programmes. It turned out that the problem was me pausing to write everything down as I went along, with the result that the controller "forgot" what I was trying to do because I was taking so long.
I've got it sussed these days, so long as I don't need to unlink programmes. I'd still like a more user-friendly controller one day though...

Thanks for your words of wisdom, & you can call me "Gorgeous" any time  ;D
Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: Zeldazog on January 14, 2016, 12:30:39 PM
Quote from: GorgeousGlassGifts on January 13, 2016, 11:10:12 PM


Yes, the controller does link programmes. It turned out that the problem was me pausing to write everything down as I went along, with the result that the controller "forgot" what I was trying to do because I was taking so long.

I had exactly this sample problem when I was using what I think was the same controller when I borrowed the art room's kiln - hurry, hurry!!
Title: Re: IPCO Studio 3000 controller - can anyone help me make it work??
Post by: Lee - Kilncare on January 15, 2016, 12:49:52 PM
Yeh, the IPCO and Stafford controllers all have a time out feature which can be annoying at times. We have had our time out extended on ours to try to reduce the anger  ;D