Video slot monitors are a lot easier to fix once you know how they work. This session assumes that you have no previous knowledge of monitors. Some understanding of electronic components will be helpful but is not a prerequisite.

12:00pm - 1:15pm
Luncheon

1:15pm - 3:15pm
MEI - BV troubleshooting and repair

Advanced Electronics Systems' (AESI) service technician David Oldham will discuss BV operation and service. Troubleshooting guides and handouts will be presented to help speed through troubleshooting in the shop.

3:15pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm - 5:30pm
FutureLogic Printers

Ticket-In, Ticket-Out is making itself felt in large sectors of the gaming industry. Futurelogic provides the ticket printers for a great number of these installations. Advanced Electronics Systems' (AESI)service technician David Oldham will discuss printer operation and service.

9:00 am - 12:00pm
How Monitors Work - Part 2
Narrow Down the Problem - Intermediate Level

Now that we know how monitors work, let's take a look at each of the seven sections that make up a monitor. Once you understand what each of these sections does, monitor failures are easily identified. Particular attention is paid to the operation and failure modes of the modern, switched-mode power supply, a common failure in LCD and CRT monitors as well as a host of other systems found in a typical casino.

It's also time to look at the schematic diagrams for the monitors we find in today's slot machines. Circuits and components are identified with emphasis on "what fails." Each person attending TechFest will come away with a package of schematics and troubleshooting flowcharts that will help speed monitor troubleshooting and repair in the shop.

12:00pm - 1:15 pm
Luncheon Sponsored by CI Innovations. Special lunchtime presentation on CCFL replacement procedures from 12:30-1:00 pm.

1:15pm - 3:15pm
Choosing and Using Sophisticated Test Equipment
Presented by Sencore

Regular readers of Slot Tech Magazine know that Sencore makes some of the best test equipment in the industry. This quick tour will discuss the advantages and capabilities of a wide range of test gear for the slot shop's bench tech.

3:15pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm - 5:30pm
3M Touchsystems - Touchscreen Technology 

It is really amazing how touchscreens actually operate. During this session, touchscreen theory of operation will be presented along with diagnostic and repair techniques.

9:00 am - 12:00pm
Ceronix

Armed with a general knowledge of how monitors work (and how to fix them when they don't) it's time to  look at America's only 100% Made in USA monitor, legacy monitor manufacturer, Ceronix. The Ceronix  design is unique in the entire world and requires a bit of specialized  knowledge in order to be successful at repair. Here to give us that knowledge is Ceronix's Troy Nofziger who will take us through the system from video input to  deflection output and everything in-between. 

12:00pm - 1:15 pm
Luncheon

1:15pm - 3:15pm
Transact Technologies

Transact Technologies' Russ Wige presents servicing and troubleshooting Transact brand, thermal ticket printers. These units are simple to understand and troubleshoot, once you know how they're put together.

3:15pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm - 5:30pm
JCM Bill Validators - This is arguably the best seminar of its kind in the gaming industry so we've saved the best for last. This presentation will be given by JCM's Jack Geller.

We’re going to look at the typical slot department organizational chart and discuss who does what.  Then we’re going to discuss how all that coin and currency, coupons, tickets and paperwork flows through the casino. 

12:00pm – 1:15pm
Luncheon

1:15pm – 3:15pm
THE GAME BOOK

There is a game on the floor that is not producing the income the slot manager believes it should.  What decisions do we have to make before we can order a new game?  What are the customer marketing issues involved?

3:15pm – 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm – 5:30pm
THE PAR SHEET

We’ve ordered the new game and it should come with a PAR sheet, but, what is a PAR sheet?  And, how does the manufacturer calculate the statistical payback and hold percentages for the new game? 
 
 

Speaking of statistics, what is a variance?  How is it calculated?  How do we control it?  Why do we need to?  And, why even involve the slot repair department in the control of variances in the first place? 

12:00pm – 1:15pm
Luncheon Sponsored by CI Innovations. Special lunchtime presentation on CCFL replacement procedures from 12:30-1:00 pm.

1:15pm – 3:15pm
SLOT MATH

Slot math is reserved for accountants only, right?  Well, what happens when you increase the step-up amount on a progressive controller?  How does that increase affect the payback and hold percentages?  How does it affect the player’s playing time?

What about adding a bonus to a game’s top award?  What affect does it have? 

3:15pm – 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm – 5:30pm
SLOT MACHINE ANALYSIS 

What do we want from our players?  What do they want from us?  And why, why, why are we always moving, shifting, repercentaging, or otherwise changing slot machines on our floor?  Does it even do any good? 

What were they thinking when they designed this casino?  Does the guy who designed it even have to work there?  What makes a casino profitable?   We’ll discuss the who and the why of these issues, and more, in this session.

12:00pm - 1:15pm
Luncheon

1:15pm - 3:15pm
TBA

3:15pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Coffee Break

3:30pm - 5:30pm
TBA

Faculty:
KEN MOBERLY is a Consultant in the Gaming Industry.  Previously, Ken was the Director of
Professional Services at International Game Technology.  Prior to service at I.G.T., Ken was the General Manager and Vice-President of Slot Operations for the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno, as well as the Corporate Slot Director for five Nevada gaming properties owned by Peppermill, Incorporated.  Ken also served as a Vice-President for Mills-Jennings Slot Manufacturing.  Ken has been a guest speaker and an instructor in the Gaming Management Program at the University of Nevada, Reno for over eight years.  He earned his Bachelors’ degree in Business from the University of Nevada, Reno.