Archive for category Ray’s Blog

Since the advent of the CPU, electronic products have been getting “smart.”  And now, to the extent that software and an internet connection make it possible, even appliances which most of us would consider to be a block of steel and plastic with a singular function, such as a refrigerator, are now capable of keeping inventory, reminding you to go shopping – even placing delivery orders to restock!  Yes, when you really think about it, it’s often the software that enables and drives product innovation and answers the question “What if we could….?” The latest ECD software is a perfect example.  It allows us to give our profiling equipment the very capabilities that customers have had on their wish lists.  A M.O.L.E.®  can’t order you lunch, but here’s “What’s New.”

This month ECD announced availability of the new 2.20a version of M.O.L.E.® MAP software.  Introduced in 2007, MAP (Machine-Assembly-Process) received multiple innovation awards, and is now the software platform for ECD’s entire line of thermal profilers: SuperM.O.L.E.® Gold 2, MEGAM.O.L.E.® 20, V-M.O.L.E.®, SuperM.O.L.E.®, Gold and PTP® VP-8

This version release coincides with the new SuperM.O.L.E.® Gold 2 availability and implements inputs from our Software Advisory Board (yes, we have one!)  So without further ado, here are the top 5 new features and benefits of M.O.L.E.® MAP 2.20a.

1. AutoPlay

This new feature auto-detects your M.O.L.E.® type and quickly links your plugged-in M.O.L.E.® to perform these basic tasks:

• View the status of your M.O.L.E.®
• Setup your M.O.L.E.® to perform a data run
• Download your most recently recorded data
• Start M.O.L.E.® MAP

This instant USB access eases the learning curve for the novice and focuses the operator on the basic profiling tasks at hand, shielding them from the full feature set of the software.

2. Improved Navigation

When you do open MAP, the “Welcome” screen now displays links to recently used Directories and recently viewed Profiles.  Quickly resume your previous work session by clicking where you left off with this convenient new feature.

3. Bulk Import of Previous M.O.L.E.® Files

Speaking of Profiles, you will probably want to import your libraries of SuperM.O.L.E.® Gold profiles (from SMGSPC) into MAP, which converts the .mdm file into the new .xmg format.

This MAP version implements group importation of existing .mdm and collaborative .xmg profile data. With a simple click-shift and drag, you can now move the contents of old Workbooks (an SMGSPC term) into new Directories, M.O.L.E.® MAP’s term for the currently viewed data in the Spreadsheet Tab.

4. PDF Printing to File and Email

Another way to collaborate your process engineering work between EMS/OEM is to provide documents to operators in PDF format.  The new MAP integrates PDF printing with an improved Print Selection dialog to accomplish portrait or landscape orientation directly to Email or a File. Great when your customer demands hardcopy proof!

5. Free Self-Serve Web Authorization and Automatic Upgrade Notification

Last but not least, licensing fees and pay authorization have been replaced with free “Self-Authorization” through the ECD website.  We give you a 31-day window to go to the Help menu, select “Authorize” then click on “Web Authorize”.  After you fill out the web form and agree to standard terms, our site sends you an email with your software unlock key.

It’s as simple as that!  Plus, you will be notified of new releases in the future.  We always want you to have the advantages of our current release.  Thank you for reading this month’s What’s New!

Free MAP 2.20a download is available at ECD DOWNLOADS.  (Check out the Readme file for the entire list of Rev 2.20a M.O.L.E.® MAP improvements!)

Till next time,
Ray Pearce
ECD Sales Engineer
ray.pearce@ecd.com