Silca FUTURA PRO Quick Start Manual

1. The FUTURA SOFTWARE OPERATING GUIDE is on the tablet (refer to Chapter 10 of the Operating Manual for instructions to access the guide). It is recommended that you register the machine and update the software prior to operation in order to ensure that you have the latest firmware and database available. Please refer to the Software Operating Guide Section 8 “MACHINE UPDATE AND REGISTRATION” to see the four methods available to register and update the machine or go to the FUTURA REGISTRATION SITE (www.silcawebsw.biz/futura/reg/) to register the machine. 2. Setting up the Futura machine (review section 3 “Machine Installation and Preparation” of the Futura operations manual) a. The machine is shipped with a steel rod installed in the cutter spindle. Please remove this rod and install the proper cutter (01LW for most Laser style keys or 01D for Dimple style keys) into the cutter spindle. 3. Setting up the tablet (review section 4 “Tablet Regulation and Use” of the Futura operations manual). Make sure that the tablet has a full battery charge prior to use. The top USB port on the back of the machine can be used to charge the tablet and to keep the tablet charged during use. a. Find the “Settings” icon in the list of applications on the tablet. Press and hold the “Settings” icon and slide it to the home screen for ease of access in the future. b. Open the “Settings” application by tapping the icon. c. Ensure that “Wi-Fi” is on d. Language and Input – the tablet should be set to English at the factory prior to shipping. If not, you can select it or any other language that you prefer. e. Select Silca Keyboard (if desired) 4. Connecting the Futura to the tablet. The Futura software resides in the electronic board of the machine. The tablet holds the application (or APP) to run the software. The Futura can be set up in one of four modes to communicate with the tablet. Review section 5.3.3 of the Software Operating Guide to select the mode you prefer to use. The machine comes from the factory set in Access Point mode. If there are strong Wi-Fi signals located near where you plan to place the machine, you may want to use Tethering USB mode (for connecting the tablet to the machine via cable) to avoid issues connecting the tablet via the Wi-Fi signal. To connect using Access Point Mode: a. Turn the machine on by turning the red emergency stop button counter-clockwise until it pops out and the white light comes on signifying that the machine is powered up. When the machine and tablet are switched on the connection automatically activates in around two minutes; if not, check the Wi-Fi connection from your tablet to see if the machine is included in the Wi-Fi networks that are found (the Futura PRO machine will appear as Silca- Futura_... If it does not show that it is connected, pick “Silca-Futura_...” and input the password which corresponds to the Futura PRO serial number (made up of 13 numbers). 5. Program Start: To start the Silca program, tap the icon “Silca Futura” on the tablet’s home screen. Once you hit the icon a screen will pop-up with the message “Please wait, reloading…”. It will take a few minutes for the software to download once the tablet has made connection with the machine. If the program does not start, check the settings/use (see Ch. 5.3.3). 6. Setting up the Silca Software. Once the Silca program has opened, select the “Options” box to set-up the software for ease of use (review section 5 “Options” of the Software Operating Guide. a. Select “Settings” > “Options”> “General” b. “Measurement Unit” – select “Thousandths of Inch” c. “Language “– the software comes set to “English” by default. Here you can select any other language in which you want to display the information. d. “Reference Key Manufacturer” – select “Ilco” to display the Ilco key blanks as a reference in the database. e. “Preferences Dimple/Track Key” – Set preferences is used to enable or disable the use of the 01T tracer. The “Use mobile Tracer” box should be set from the factory. If not, select it here and save the entry. If the field is not selected the 02T tracer is required and will need to be placed in the cutter shaft each time you need to decode a key.

should appear. Select “Reload” to save all of your options to the software. 7. Calibrations – the dimple/track key clamp (01R) and the 01J/02J combinations were calibrated at the factory so no further calibration is required to use these components. Any other optional jaws or clamps that may be included must be calibrated to the machine prior to use. Your Futura machine is now ready to cut keys! Navigating the Silca software If you are still in the Options menu, tap the home button at the top of the screen to return to the main operating menu for the Silca program. Please review the Software Operating Guide. Here are a few tips to get you started. 1. Search – this menu is used to select a category of Series Searches. In each menu there is a variety of information you can enter to narrow your search. The more information you put in, the shorter the search list will be. a. Vehicle Keys – restricted for search of edge cut and track type (laser) vehicle keys. b. Dimple/Track keys – used to search for dimple/track keys (other than automotive) c. Full Key Searching – not restricted to the categories above. d. Transponder Guide – The Transponder Guide contains all of the transponder key copying solutions provided by Silca (refer to Ch.10) 2. Favorites – this menu is used to access a series of searches previously set-up as favorites (refer to CH 2). NOTE REGARDING VEHICLE SEARCH: Some vehicles are sold worldwide and may use a different lock systems or code series in different parts of the world so the database may not be 100% correct. If you know the code series used for the key you are trying to cut, you may find it easier to do a search by code rather than by make and model. Another good reference is the Ilco Auto Truck Key Blank Reference that is available from your Ilco distributor at no charge. This reference is updated every year and may be the most accurate database for vehicles in the North American market. If you notice a code series is missing or know of a new code series coming out for a particular make and model please let us know and we will attempt to get it added to the database as quick as possible. IMPORTANT NOTE WHEN CUTTING OEM KEYS FOR ASIAN MANUFACTURERS! OEM keys coming from Asia are made of a very hard Nickel/Silver and can cause damage to the cutters if the speed of cut is not reduced. For laser type keys, when you select “CUT”, change the CUT SPEED to 90% or lower. This will decrease the feed rate of the cut (the machine will take a few more passes to complete the cut). Cutters are not covered under warranty, so these are important steps to take to prevent damage to the cutters!