SPC chart graphics - design time

Many user input fields are available on the graphic for interacting with the chart. As mentioned previously, some like the Chart Title input field are tied to the chart through the data bindings. Others like all the chart filter options are tied to the SPC Chart property directly in the user input animation link. All the chart filter options are available except the Spare3 and Spare4 field filters.

The Chart Control Options section has toggle check boxes to turn on and off charts, histograms, and individual measurements that are all directly linked to the SPC Chart through the animation links. The Refresh Rate, Number of Points, Points per Page, and Chart Type options are linked to the chart through the data bindings option to more readily handle data types.

The Additional Chart Control Options section has check boxes to show and hide most elements of the chart, such as the data table above the chart, the time row, the alarm row, the notes row, additional statistics, and whether to color alarm points or not. All of these are linked to the chart through the data bindings of the chart. Also, the graph position options are linked to the chart through the data bindings. Finally, this section is where you set the y-axis values for the top and bottom chart. These settings are then used in the Display Chart button script to set the ranges.

Beneath the Chart Control Options are other fields for interacting with certain display elements of the chart. First is a list from which to select how alarms are emphasized in the chart. Next are options for what to display on the x-axis label, frequency of displaying the value, and an option to choose to also include when the value changes. Next (under the chart type user input) is a list of the preconfigured charts that are supported by the control and the corresponding ChartType enumeration value expected by the control. Under the Display Chart button is a list from which to select what is shown in the header section of the SPC Chart as well as an entry field for the user interacting with the chart. The chart’s language is controlled by the user connected to the chart, as are the right-click menu commands for marking a sample as Ignored, performing a control move, or selecting a cause.

The graphic also has buttons that contain scripting to work with the settings.

• The Clear Filters button calls the ClearFilters() method on the SPC Chart and then reads all the filter settings from the chart. This will clear out all the filters except the characteristic.

• The Reset Filters button calls the ResetFilters() method on the SPC Chart and then reads all the filter settings from the chart. This will read the most recent sample for the provided characteristic and set the filters to the values in the database for the sample. Generally, this will set the entity ID and, if available, the item ID, work order, process, and operation. There is also a disable link if the chart is not in a state in which this command can be called.

• The Display Chart button calls the DisplayChart() method to refresh the SPC Chart with the updated filters, chart type, and display settings applied. This script applies the y-axis ranges for both charts. There is also a disable link if the chart is not in a state in which this command can be called.