BALL DETECTOR

Installation Procedures

400-286-030 Rev. A December 10, 2004

Automated Scoring and Technology Division

Copyright © 2004 AMF Bowling Products, Inc.

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
All rights to the BOSS Scoring™ Ball Detector Installation Procedures are the property of AMF Bowling
Products, Inc., including the diagrams, figures, and technical specifications. Reproduction or
transmission of any of the material contained in this manual is strictly forbidden without the prior
permission of AMF Bowling Products, Inc. All of the product information contained in this manual was
carefully prepared based on the latest information available and, to our knowledge, was believed to be
correct at the time of printing. However, this publication could include inaccuracies or typographical
errors, and AMF Bowling Inc. cannot be held responsible for inadvertent errors or omissions that may
appear in this document.

DOCUMENT UPDATES
In the interest of continual product and services improvement, AMF reserves the right to revise or update
this manual at any time without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revision. The document
number and revision date below indicate the edition and printing date of this manual.

TRADEMARK NOTICES
AMF and the AMF logo are the registered trademarks of AMF Bowling, Inc.

Copyright © 2004, AMF Bowling Products, Inc., All Rights Reserved

Part Number: 400-286-030 Rev A
Issue Date: December 10, 2004
ECR Number: 04-0418

CONTACT INFORMATION
AMF Bowling Products, Inc.
Advanced Technology and Scoring Division

United States International

AMF International Headquarters AMF Bowling Products
8100 AMF Drive Unit 2, Cleveland Way
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Hemel Hempstead
Herts, HP2 7DY England
Within US -- (800) 342-5263 *1442-217171
Outside US -- (804) 730-4343 Fax: *1441-232338
Fax: (804) 730-4390
 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
This safety symbol indicates potential injury. It is placed at any installation step that is
! potentially hazardous. Follow all safety messages with this symbol to avoid injury or
death.

To avoid serious injury or death, follow the safety information in this section.

! DANGER ! DANGER ! DANGER

HAZARDOUS
VOLTAGE
Use appropriate
safety precautions
when restoring power
to the pinspotters to
prevent exposure to
high voltage or
serious injury or
death could result.
HAZARDOUS
VOLTAGE
Disconnect all power
sources at the main
circuit breaker panel
before installing,
removing, or replacing
components.
POWER SOURCE
This product should
be operated only from
the type of power
source indicated on
the manufacturer’s ID
label. Installation
should be in
compliance with all
applicable codes.

To avoid serious injury, follow the safety information in this section.

! WARNING ! WARNING
DANGEROUS DANGEROUS
EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT
Pinspotters contain Ensure all personnel,
moving parts in which equipment, and tools are
loose clothing and clear of pinspotter and
jewelry can get are not breaking the Ball
entangled. Stand away Detector signal before
from pinspotters when in testing the Ball Detector
motion and use extreme or the pinspotter could
caution when working cycle without warning
around them or serious which could cause
injury could result. serious injury.
 To avoid damage to the components, follow the safety information in this section.

CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION

COMPONENT ELECTROSTATIC CABLE CABLE
DAMAGE SENSITIVE DAMAGE DAMAGE
COMPONENTS
Ensure all power and Do not crimp or twist Ensure cables are
communication cables Personnel should use cables, or use placed so they are
are correctly installed proper grounding excessive force not run over by balls
and connected before techniques to prevent when pulling them or and cannot be
connecting power to a electrostatic discharge cables could be caught by moving
component or damage damage to damaged. equipment or they
could result components. could be damaged.

ADVERTISSEMENT
No user-serviceable components inside.
Refer serving to AMF-approved service Référez-vous les issues de service à un
personnel ONLY. réparateur qualifié.

This equipment is not suitable for IT

power systems.

The equipment must be connected to an

earthed main socket outlet.
 Table of Contents

Page

General Information..................................................................................................... 1

Installing the Detector Heads and Reflectors............................................................ 1

Testing the Installation................................................................................................ 5

Setting Time Delays..................................................................................................... 5

Routine Maintenance................................................................................................... 6

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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Ball Detector is a micro-controlled optical interrupter. It contains two optical systems, one to
monitor the ODD lane and one to monitor the EVEN lane. It is designed to

• Detect the “duration of interruption” by a passing bowling ball.

• Translate the “duration of the interruption” into a time delay proportional to the ball speed, then send
the delayed signal to the Machine Interface Unit (MIU) or pinspotter to initiate the machine cycle.
• Send the “duration of interruption” to the BOSS Scoring™ system CPU that then calculates the speed
of the ball.

The microcontroller detects balls moving from 1 to 30 mph and it includes time filters to keep from
processing very short and very long interruptions.

When used to initiate the machine cycle, the microcontroller uses the “duration of interruption” to
calculate the amount of time to delay the signal before sending it to the pinsetter/pinspotter. The
minimum time delay is 0 (zero) seconds, the maximum is 3 seconds. The microcontroller includes
switches that can adjust the time delay to accommodate various distances between the ball detector and
the rear of the pin deck. However, since the detector head is typically mounted on the kickbacks where
no delay is needed, these switches are rarely used.

NOTE: The detector head is shipped with the time delay switches set at the median time delay.
Therefore, you will have to set the switches as part of the installation. Refer to the Setting
Time Delays section of this document for information about setting the switches.

INSTALLING THE DETECTOR HEADS and REFLECTORS

The ball detector and reflector assemblies must be properly aligned in order to function correctly. It is
also very important that the locations of the components on each lane pair be identical so that “crosstalk”
between adjacent lanes does not occur. “Crosstalk” occurs when the optical signal from one detector
head shines into another detector head because the reflector between them does not block the optical
signal.

The preferred placement for the detector heads is on the kickbacks of the ball return capping just in front
of the pin deck, as shown in Figure 1 on the next page.

The preferred placement for the reflectors is on the kickbacks or the lane capping between lane pairs in
line with the detector heads. Because the reflector mount accommodates two reflectors placed back to
back, you install one reflector mount between lanes and one reflector mount on each outer lane capping.

NOTE: Each Ball Detector kit (612-460-038) contains 1 detector head, 1 reflector mount, 2 reflectors,
and 1 power/communication cable. Additional reflector mounts for the beginning/ending
lanes are shipped separate from the Ball Detector kits.

BOSS Scoring™ System: Ball Detector Installation Procedures

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However, if the components cannot be mounted on the kickbacks, the system can accommodate mounting
locations ranging from 50 inches (1270 mm) to 120 inches (3048 mm) from the rear of the pin deck.

Once you have determined the mounting location, complete the steps below to install the components.

DANGER Ensure all power to the pinspotters on both lanes is disconnected before
! starting these steps.

! WARNING Wear safety glasses and work gloves when drilling.

CAUTIONS Personnel should use proper grounding techniques to prevent

electrostatic discharge damage to components.

Ensure cables are placed so they are not run over by balls and cannot be
caught by moving equipment.

Do not crimp or twist cables, or use excessive force when pulling them.

Ensure all power and communication cables are correctly installed and
connected before connecting power to a component.

1. Install the reflector mounts on the center of the kickbacks or small lane capping between the lane
pair, as shown in Figure 1-1, using the #10x1/2-inch self-tapping screws (supplied). Drill pilot
holes as needed. DO NOT INSTALL THE REFLECTORS ON THE MOUNTS.

Figure 1

BOSS Scoring™ System: Ball Detector Installation Procedures

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 2. Using a string (or equivalent) drawn between the small hole at the approach-end of the reflector
mount, as shown in Figure 2, position the detector head on the kickback or center of the wide lane
capping so that

• The side-to-side center of the plastic housing is centered on the capping.

• The top-to-bottom center of the plastic housing is in line with the string.

• The approach-side of the plastic housing is against the string, as shown in Figure 2.

STRING

Figure 2

3. Secure the detector head in place with the #10x1-inch self-tapping screws (supplied).
4. Install the reflectors on the reflector mounts.
5. Route the communication cable (from the BOSS Scoring™ system kit) from the detector head to
the BOSS Scoring™ system CPU on the Curtain Wall, as shown in Figure 3.
6. Route the power/communication cable (included in kit) from the detector head to the MIU (for non
82/90XL) or front-end box (for 82/90XL), as shown in Figure 3.

BOSS Scoring™ System: Ball Detector Installation Procedures

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 SERIAL PORT
COMM1

TO MIU
TO (FOR NON 82-90XL)
BOSS
CPU

OR
TO MIU
OR FRONT END BOX

FRONT END BOX

BALL DETECTOR HEAD

Figure 3

7. Restore power the front-end box or MIU. DO NOT RESTORE POWER TO THE PINSPOTTERS.
The two alignment indicators (shown in Figure 4) on the detector head should either blink or glow
steadily.
NOTE: The alignment indicators blink, from 4 to Mounting
10 times per second, to indicate how Screws
closely they are aligned with the reflector.
The more rapidly the alignment indicator
blinks, the closer it is to perfect alignment. Alignment
If the alignment indicator glows steadily, it Screws
is not in alignment with the reflector
surface.

8. Remove the detector head cover to observe the

alignment indicator lights by removing the small
screw that holds the cover in place then slipping off Alignment
the cover. Indicators
9. Slightly loosen the two mounting screws and the two
alignment screws (shown in Figure 4) to allow the
Figure 4
detector head to be moved left/right, up/down, and
rotated slightly. Move the detector head as needed to

BOSS Scoring™ System: Ball Detector Installation Procedures

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 obtain the best alignment then retighten the screws. Do not use excessive force when moving the
detector head or when tightening the screws.
10. Momentarily block the optical signal from the detector head across one lane. The alignment
indicator light for the lane should glow steadily then resume blinking. This indicates the Ball
Detector is operating properly.

NOTE: The position of the optical signal within the detector head is set at the factory and should not
be adjusted. If moving the detector head does not result in proper alignment, ensure the
detector head and reflectors have been installed correctly.

TESTING THE BALL DETECTOR INSTALLATION

Test the installation by completing the steps below for both optical sensors on all detector heads.

DANGER Ensure all personnel, tools, and equipment are clear of the
! pinspotter before starting these steps.

Use appropriate safety precautions when restoring power to the

pinspotters.

1. Ensure the front-end box or MIU is powered on.

2. Restore power to the pinspotters. The pinspotter is now ready for testing.
3. Position yourself near the detector head.
4. Pass a small object (screwdriver or equivalent) rapidly through the optical signal. The pinspotter
should begin to cycle very quickly after you break the signal.
5. Block the optical signal with a larger object (hand or equivalent) for approximately 1 second. The
pinspotter should begin to cycle in approximately 3 seconds after you remove the object.
6. Block the optical signal with the larger object (hand or equivalent) for more than 2 seconds. The
pinspotter should not begin to cycle after you remove the object.

SETTING TIME DELAYS

If the detector heads and reflectors cannot be mounted on the kickbacks, you may need to set the system
to include a time delay to accommodate the distance between the pindeck and the ball detector. The
detector head contains switches that can be set in one of 7 configurations to adjust the time delay from 0
(zero) to 3 seconds. If the detector heads and reflectors are mounted on the kickbacks, you will set the
switches for no delay

NOTES: You can set the switches before or after you have installed the detector head.
Because the ball detector system includes calculating and including a time delay, based on the
speed of the passing object, before sending the signal to initiate the machine cycle, there is no
definitive time duration assigned to the switch settings. Therefore, you will have to

BOSS Scoring™ System: Ball Detector Installation Procedures

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 experiment with the switch settings on the ball detector to find the best setting for the
installation. In general, the higher the setting the longer the delay.

To set a time delay, complete the steps below.

DANGER Ensure all personnel, equipment, and tools are clear of pinspotters and
! are not blocking the optical signal before performing these steps.

1. Remove the plastic cover of the detector head by removing the small screw that holds the cover in
place then slipping off the cover. Retain the cover and screw.
2. Locate the 4 switches, as shown in Figure 4.
3. Set the switches to No Delay or for the time delay needed. The table
below lists the 7 possible delay settings. The higher the setting, the
longer the delay. P1 1 2 3 4 TP3
SW1 TP2
NOTE: Switch 4 is reserved for future use; set it to OFF. ON

SETTING 1 2 3 4 COMMENTS
7 OFF OFF OFF OFF Maximum Delay
Pindeck
6 ON OFF OFF OFF
5 OFF ON OFF OFF
4 ON ON OFF OFF Factory Setting
3 OFF OFF ON OFF
2 ON OFF ON OFF Approach
1 OFF ON ON OFF Minimum Delay
0 (zero) ON ON ON OFF No Delay Figure 4

4. Use the steps in the Testing The Ball Detector Installation section to test the trigger delay. Reset
the switches and retest until the correct setting is found, and then reinstall the plastic cover.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The system is designed to operate properly with an accumulation of dust and dirt; however, you should
clean the components at least every 3 months.

CAUTIONS The detector heads and reflectors should be covered during any
procedures that create large amounts of dust or when chemicals could
be splashed on them.

Never use solvents or abrasive cleaners on the components.

Use a non-abrasive cloth to wipe gently the face of the reflectors and the cover of the detector heads. If
needed, you can gently wash the components with a solution of mild soap (such as dishwashing liquid)
and water. Gently dry the components after washing them.

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