Windows 7 Compatibility

Windows 7 was released by Microsoft in October 2009.  The implementation of Windows 7 in the corporate/manufacturing environment appears to be moving along very rapidly.  LSIZE was never tested with Windows Vista due to the lack of acceptance and implementation of the Vista operating system.

§       LSIZE 2010 will be thoroughly tested with Windows 7 to ensure compatibility with the operating system.

§       LSIZE 2010 will also be tested with Windows XP.

LSIZE Help

LSIZE Help is currently based upon an early 2000 Help format.

§       LSIZE Help is updated to the current HTML Help format.

§       LSIZE Help will be presented in the HTML Help format and also as a PDF document available from LSIZE.

LSIZE Mobile setup added to LSIZE Help

Due to the limitations on the previous Help system, it was very difficult to add Help for the wireless setup. 

§       Using the new HTML Help system that is now available, the LSIZE Wireless Help is now included in Help.

Wireless setup global options

The new setup options described in LSIZE Mobile 2010 will be configured via the Setup Bin Specs function in LSIZE on the PC.

Automatic update of control limits in product specs

We often get questions about the process the customer needs to go through in order to calculate control limits for their various machine centers.  We also get asked about where to find the calculated control limits that should be added to the product specs.

§       A new option is available on LSIZE that when you run a report for a base case period of time, you will be able to automatically transfer the calculated control limits directly to the product specs.

§       A section has been added to the Help document to help you understand the process.

Hide MicroPak menu

For those LSIZE users who have replaced the MicroPak with LSIZE Wireless, we have provided an option to hide the MicroPak menu.

Manage Handheld multiple databases

LSIZE Mobile 2010 now supports up to 10 measurement database.

§       A menu item has been added to the LSIZE Wireless menu that displays a list of the Handheld databases along with information about the number of bins and the number of measurements in the databases.

§       This menu item also allows you to delete the databases from the Handheld.

Preventing measurement transfer to the wrong database

Currently, if you tried to transfer Handheld measurements to the incorrect database, you were given a warning but you were allowed to override this warning and continue with the transfer.

§       Because of the multiple database capabilities in the Handheld, there is a greater chance that you might try to transfer measurements into the wrong database.

§       The Handheld knows the file path and the file name for the database that was used to download the specs.  In the measurement transfer from the Handheld, the Handheld sends this path and file name to LSIZE.  If these items do not match the currently opened LSIZE database, LSIZE displays a message telling you of the mismatch in the database and will not allow you to transfer the measurements.

§       In order to transfer the measurements, the currently opened LSIZE database must match the current active database name in the Handheld.

Upgraded software development tools from 1999 version to Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

This upgrade provides several current and future benefits for the LSIZE user.

§       Shows controls (push button and toolbars) in the latest Microsoft styles.

§       Provides greater error checking that allows MicroRidge greater opportunity for detecting bugs prior to release.

§       Provides platform for planned future enhancements.

§       Ensures compatibility with new operating systems, i.e., Windows 7.

LSIZE 2010

New Feature

Description of New Feature

Multiple database support

Currently LSIZE Mobile only supports a single database; i.e., the small log mill, or the large log mill, or the planer, or the veneer plant, etc.  You cannot currently have multiple databases on the handheld.

§       You will now be able to support multiple databases simultaneously on the handheld, and easily switch from one database to another.

§       Checks will be added to LSIZE Mobile and to the LSIZE software for the PC to prevent the transfer of measurements to the wrong database, i.e., trying to send the small log data to the veneer database, etc.

§       Support up to 10 databases on the Handheld.

Hide Windows logo button that appears in upper left-hand corner of screen.

When the Windows logo is displayed, it is possible to access other applications (such as games) on the LSIZE handheld.

§       The Windows logo can now be hidden so that the user will not be able to select other applications when LSIZE Mobile is running.

§       This option is specified as part of the wireless setup in LSIZE on the PC.

Show low battery warning with red flashing text

The battery state (% of full charge) is currently shown near the bottom of the main LSIZE Mobile screen.  This battery state is shown as black text, and it may not be apparent to the user that the battery is getting low.

§       When the battery capacity drops to 20%, the battery state message turns to red flashing text to make it more apparent to the user that the handheld needs to be recharged.

§       If you recharge the handheld on a daily basis, you will typically never see the low battery warning.

Password protect Mobile Module association

We have had feedback from some mills that users entered the Associate & Test Module function and inadvertently removed the association for the gage they were using.  When they did this, they no longer received wireless communications from the gage to the handheld.

§       We have added a password protect option to the gage association functions to help eliminate this problem.

§       This option is specified as part of the wireless setup in LSIZE on the PC.

Allow multiple gages to be active

Typically you are just using a single gage to wirelessly collect measurements for LSIZE Mobile.  LSIZE Wireless currently allows only a single gage to be active.  We have had requests to make it easier to switch between different gages (i.e., caliper and micrometer or 8’ caliper and 12” caliper, etc.).

§       By allowing multiple gages to be active, the user no longer has to go to the Associate and Test Module function to unselect the old gage and select the new gage.

§       You can still only use one gage at a time.

Password protect shut down

Users have exited the LSIZE Mobile application when accessing other non-LSIZE applications on the handheld.

§       We are providing you the ability to password protect the LSIZE Mobile shut down.

§       This option is specified as part of the wireless setup in LSIZE on the PC.

Allow keyboard entry of measurement data

Most measurements stored in the handheld are taken via the wireless connection.  We have found that in a few cases, there are certain types of measurements being taken that require manual keyboard entry.

§       You can now specify which bins can be used for the manual keyboard entry.

§       This option is specified as part of the wireless setup in LSIZE on the PC.

Setup Options main window button renamed

The label on the Setup Options button on the main window has been changed to “System Info & Settings”.  Additional functions were also added.

§       We have gone to a tabbed display because of multiple functions within a particular function.

§       The backlight settings for the screen and keyboard are now settable from this function.  Previously, you had to migrate through various system menus in order to change these settings.

§       Memory usage and availability are available from this function.  If you are using a large number of databases, this provides you with the ability to be sure you have adequate memory available within the Handheld.

§       The local Setup Options that were on LSIZE Mobile 2009 are now displayed on one of the tabs.

User selectable process combinations labels

Previously, the labels for process combinations were restricted to machine center, saw line, and size code.  These labels make sense for a sawmill, but are not the best labels for use in facilities such as veneer and panel plants.

§       The labels for these three process combinations are selectable in the configuration switches dialog for the bin specs setup in LSIZE 2010.

User selectable product type label

Previously, all of the product type labels referred to a board.  Once again, with other process types such as veneer and panel, this label was not really appropriate.

§       The user can now select the product type to be board, part, product or veneer.  This label is selected in the configuration switches dialog as described above.