Possible causes and fixes for cards sorting to incorrect bins
There are two categories for card sorting errors. Strap in, this one is a bit long.
Mechanical Sorting Issues
Software Sorting Issues
- Bin order taking precedence over other sort options
- Cards incorrectly identified
- Sets and Foils
- Card Database Updates
Conveyor Control Plug is Backwards
If the conveyor control plug is installed upside down (ex. after a scanner swap) it will send signals to the wrong flapper. This can be identified by having a card designated to Bin 13 going to Bin 2, or a card designated for Bin 6 going to Bin 9.
To fix this, the cable must be unplugged and plugged in correctly.
Tools Needed
- none
- Remove the thumbscrew from underneath the rear of the conveyor cover, on the left side while facing the rear of the machine.
- Slide the conveyor cover partially off of the machine. There is no need to remove it fully.
- Check the grey plug, which comes out from the scanner unit to the conveyor. The colored marking on the cable should be on the top.
- If the colored wire is on the bottom, unplug and plug in the cable in the correct orientation.
- Push the cover back on and screw in the thumbscrew removed earlier.
Stuck Flapper
If one of the flapper arms becomes stuck, it can guide cards into the wrong hopper. To diagnose this issue:
- Remove the thumbscrew from underneath the rear of the conveyor cover, on the left side while facing the rear of the machine.
- Slide the conveyor cover fully off of the machine.
- Manually move each of the flappers up and down. All flappers should have the same range of motion. There should be no resistance when moving the flapper within its normal range.
If a flapper is sticking to the edges it can be because the plastic guide for the flapper bar is touching the sides of the conveyor (it should not). If the flapper cannot be moved side-to-side slightly to prevent it from touching the sides, the flapper bar itself may have become bent too wide. To troubleshoot this, follow these steps:
Tools Needed
- 5mm Allen key (provided)
- Use the 5mm Allen key to unscrew the flapper arm from the conveyor.
- Press down on the bar which was held by the screw on the interior of the conveyor at the base of the flapper, closest to the side where the screw was. The flapper should angle down and drop into the card bay.
- Remove the bar from the flapper assembly and squeeze the flapper wire together to narrow it.
- Reinsert the bar into the flapper assembly and make sure the flapper can still spin freely on it. There should be minimal resistance between the bar and plastic housing.
- Make sure the smaller wire (taco bar) has not become loose during adjustment and is above the flapper bar. If it is loose or has moved, press it back into place.
- Reinsert the flapper assembly back into the conveyor. Reinstall the screw.
- It is recommended to test with 50-100 low value cards before reinstalling the conveyor cover.
The flapper wire should only be narrowed enough to not touch the sides of the conveyor. Narrowing the flapper too much will cause friction with the bar it rotates on and it will no longer close. Make sure the assembly spins freely before reassembly.
Faulty Flapper Solenoid
The flappers are moved by solenoids on the side of the conveyor. If a solenoid fails, the flapper will no longer move up, and cards will likely be sorted into Bin 1 (Unidentified), though the software will list them as going into the correct bin. To diagnose a solenoid issue:
Tools Needed
- none
- Remove the thumbscrew from underneath the rear of the conveyor cover, on the left side while facing the rear of the machine.
- Slide the conveyor cover fully off of the machine.
- Run a sort while observing the solenoids on the left side of the conveyor. If the piston of the solenoid does not move the flapper of a bay the card was supposed to go to, it is likely faulty.
- Press the piston on the bottom of the solenoid by hand to check if it can move freely, and that the flapper itself is not stuck (see Stuck Flapper).
- If a solenoid is faulty, please contact us at support@tcgmachines.com
If a solenoid is faulty, your PhyzBatch may still be used before being repaired. Simply unassign the bin with the faulty solenoid and use the remaining bins.
Bin Order
If your PhyzBatch is mechanically sound but cards are being sorted to the wrong bin, bin order precedence may be the cause. This is not a bug, but how the software functions.
A card will sort into the first bin it matches the criteria for, with lower bin numbers having priority. The exception to this is Unidentified, which will always be last in priority.
For example, if Bin 4 accepts all cards with a value over $1.00 and Bin 3 accepts all Blue cards, a Blue card with a value over $1.00 will sort into Bin 3.
It is best practice to assign higher priority sorts (such as high value cards, foils, etc.) to lower-numbered bins. Bin 1 is usually assigned to Unidentified.
Cards Incorrectly Sorted or Unidentified
If none of the above issues apply there are few more possibilities.
Sets and Foils
Currently, the software powering the PhyzBatch's camera has issues differentiating specific Core sets, Commander sets and foils. This is due to the similar (or identical) images and borders on the cards, as well as the distortion effect from foils.
A future update (high priority, very soon) to the camera software will remedy this issue by using the serial identifier in the corner of the card. We thank our valued clients for their patience in this matter.
Card Database Updates
Your PhyzBatch-9000 stores an internal database of cards it scans. Your machine will refresh its database during the nightly update for maximum accuracy. If there is a new or changed card, or the internal database has become corrupted, the update should fix the errors.
Updates take place at 12:00AM MST/MDT every day except Friday and Saturday.
None of the above apply? Please take note of the cards you are having issues with and email support@tcgmachines.com for further assistance or create a Support Ticket in your account.