Installation of AutoCAD plug-in
a) Installation for the first time
The installation method is similar with that of Ў°1.2 Installation of AutoLaser for the First TimeЎ±, and users only need to pay attention to the following parts at the step of product selection:
Figure 1-16
1) Select [AutoLaser].
2) Select [USB Driver].
3) Select [CADLaser].
4) Click [Install].
b) Installation not for the first time
The installation method is similar with that of Ў°1.2 Installation of AutoLaser for the First TimeЎ±, and users only need to pay attention to the following parts at the step of product selection, as shown in Figure 1-17:
1) Select [CADLaser].
2) Click [Install].
Note: please check whether the installation directory of CADLaser is correct or not during installation. The installation directory of CADLaser must be the sub-directory under that of AutoCAD, namely Ў°\ Support \Ў±.
For example, if AutoCAD 2013 is installed in Disk C, the installation directory of CADLaser is Ў°C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\Support\Ў±.
Figure 1-17
Installation of USB Driver
a) Installation for the first time
As shown in Figure 1-18, the installation method is similar with that of Ў°1.2 Installation of AutoLaser for the First TimeЎ±, and users only need to pay attention to the following parts at the step of product selection:
Figure 1-18
1) Select [AutoLaser].
2) Select [USB Driver].
3) Click [Install].
b) Installation not for the first time
The installation method is similar with that of Ў°1.2 Installation of AutoLaser for the First TimeЎ±, and users only need to pay attention to the following parts at the step of product selection:
Figure 1-19
2) Select Ў°USB DriverЎ±.
3) Click Ў°InstallЎ±.
Un-installation
This software supports two kinds of un-installation modes: complete un-installation and un-installation with reserved user data.
Uninstall in start menu
1) [Start]Ўъ[All Programs]Ўъ[AutoLaser]Ўъ[Uninstall.exe].
Figure 1-20
2) After the dialog box is popped up, it needs to select [Reserve User Data] or not as needed and click [Uninstall] to complete the un-installation.
Figure 1-21
1.3.2 Un-installation in Add/Delete Programs
1) Open the [Control Panel].
Figure 1-22
2) Double click to open [Add/Delete Programs] tool.
Figure 1-23
3) Find [AutoLaser] in [Modify or Delete Programs] as shown in Figure 1-24 and click the Ў°Modify/DeleteЎ± button at the right side.
Figure 1-24
4) Complete un-installation according to the method mentioned in the second step of Ў°1.3.1Ў±.
Chapter II System Setting
Machine Management
As shown in Figure 2-1, click the [Equipment Information] button at the upper part of the working area at the right side to enter the machine management interface.
Figure 2-1
Machine-related information includes machine breadth, process parameters and machine parameters.
Figure 2-2
[Equipment Name]: different machines may have the same IP address, so we use equipment names for distinguishing. In a sheet, each set of equipment must have a unique name.
[Equipment Type]: if the machine is not used and involves in camera relevant equipment, the equipment type thereof shall be set as Common Type.
[IP Address]: the IP address must be consistent with that displayed on the machine; or else, independent software cannot be connected to the machine.
[Connection/Disconnection]: the independent software is able to be reconnected again at the time of downloading files, reading/saving machine parameters and conducting online joint control, so there is no need to configure such setting and this setting can be ignored.
[Save]: click the records in the selection list and the selected record information will appear at the right edit box, wherein [Equipment Name] in the list is the unique identification. If the equipment name is the same as certain record(s) in the list, please click the [Save] button to modify in the list; if the equipment name does not exist in the list, please click the [Save] button to add records in the list.
[Delete/Add]: the red area is a register list of all machines. If one machine is not used any more, it is able to select it in the table, click the [Right-hand Button] to open the menu and click the [Delete] button to delete it. If a machine is newly purchased, please edit the information thereof in the blue area and then click the [Save] button at the lower part to add it in the list.
Click the records in the list to display the three buttons, namely, [Breadth Parameters], [Process Parameters] and [Machine Parameters]which are the information of the machine currently selected in the table.
The register list greatly facilitates the machine selection.
Figure 2-3
Breadth Parameters
Select a machine and click [Breadth Parameters] to open the dialog box of breadth parameters about the machine.
Figure 2-4
Figure 2-5
[Machine Restoration Point]: it refers to the point to which the laser head restores after the machine is started or the Ў°RestorationЎ± button is pressed. It can be set as one point at the top left corner, lower left corner, top right corner and lower right corner of the machine, but shall be set consistently with the machine.
[X Breadth]: it refers to the maximum distance that the machine can have along the X-axis from the machine restoration point (namely the machine origin). If this value is larger than the actual movement distance of the machine along the X-axis, axis collision might occur at the X-axis direction.
[Y Breadth]: it refers to the maximum distance that the machine can have along the Y-axis from the machine restoration point (namely the machine origin). If this value is larger than the actual movement distance of the machine along the X-axis, axis collision might occur at the Y-axis direction.
[Locating Point]: it refers to the point where the laser head is located after the Ў°LocateЎ± button is clicked. The nine points in the blue area are corresponding to the nine points on the exterior rectangle of the graphic file of the machine (namely the maximum outline border of present graphic file of the machine); so selecting a certain point among these points means that the locating point is the position selected on the exterior rectangle of the graphic file. For example, in the above figure, the locating point is the point at the top left corner of the exterior rectangle of the present graphic file.
Process Parameters
Select a machine and click [Process Parameters] to enter the process parameter setting interface, as shown in Figure 2-6.
[Start]: start corresponding process.
[Add]: add corresponding process parameters.
[Delete]: delete corresponding process parameters.
[Save]: save all parameters in various process parameter lists.
Figure 2-6
Carving clearance
Due to the existence of different machine types, the reverse motion can cause clearance error when a machine conducts bidirectional carving, thus causing the double-image or unclear carving effect. The software provides carving clearance compensation which is used for eliminating the different clearances caused by different machines, as shown in Figure 2-7.
[Start]: click the check box of [Start] at the lower part of the list to start carving clearance compensation.
[Add]: click [Add] button to pop up the dialog box of parameter edit, as shown in Figure 2-8.
[Delete]: select the records to be deleted in the list and click the [Delete] button at the lower part.
After completing parameter edit, click [OK] to add a new item.
Figure 2-7
Figure 2-8
Debugging method:
Ø Firstly, set the compensation under corresponding carving speed as 0;
Ø Debugging process of clearance compensation: fabricate three 20ЎБ10 rectangles, with the interval as 5mm; set the working mode as carving, with the carving precision as 1mm, and then output.
Figure 2-9
Ø Carve to have ideal effects.
Figure 2-10
Ø If the carving effect is not ideal, there is no need to compensate, without debugging and starting the carving clearance parameter.
Ø Carve to have possible effects.
Figure 2-11
Ø Intermediate compensation is used for adjusting the alignment of the middle sweeping lines, wherein such intermediate compensation is usually as negative value, but the positive value might also exist, and the value is depended on the type of the carving machine. The negative and positive values used for compensation are also the compensation for the positive and negative adjustment and are depended on the type of the carving machine. Generally, the compensation is firstly set as 0 to check the carving effect, and then set a large compensation value such as 3mm to check the carving effect, and finally determine the negative value or the positive value for compensation.
Small circle speed limit
Since the machine has different types, belts, pulley wheels, electric motors, etc., the same graph can have different processing effects at the same speed. Due to the existence of these objective reasons in processing process, the software provides a speed limit list for different machines in order to record the maximum operating speed (under the condition of ensuring effects) of the machine for processing different circles, as shown in Figure 2-12.
[Start]: the [Start] button at the lower part of the list allows users to decide whether or not to use the speed limit function for the machine during working.
[Add]: click the [Add] button to pop up the dialog box of Ў°New AddЎ±, as shown in Figure 2-13.
[Delete]: Select the records to be deleted in the list and click the [Delete] button at the lower part.
After completing edit, click [OK] to add a new item.
Figure 2-12
Figure 2-13
Cutting clearance
If the processing effects as shown in Figure 2-17 and Figure 2-19 appear, users can start the cutting clearance;
[Start]: the [Start] button at the lower part of the list allows users to decide whether or not to use the speed limit function for the machine during working.
[Add]: click the [Add] button to pop up the dialog box of Ў°New AddЎ±, as shown in Figure 2-13.
[Delete]: Select the records to be deleted in the list and click the [Delete] button at the lower part.
After completing edit, click [OK] to add a new item.
Figure 2-14
Figure 2-15
Original graph 
Processed effect 
Figure 2-16 Figure 2-17
Original graph 
Processed effect 
Figure 2-18 Figure 2-19
Communication
The top right part of the software interface is as shown in Figure 2-20, displaying equipment information. Independent software will communicate with the machine through network or USB wires at the time of downloading graphic files, reading/writing machine parameters and conducting the online joint control. Therein, the red area is used for the network connection, while the blue area is used for USB connection. The network connection is prior to USB connection, so under the co-existence of these two kinds of communication, independent software will preferably select network communication.
Figure 2-20
Network communication: the key point of network communication is the IP address of the machine. If the check box of [Start Network] in the red area is selected, the independent software will communicate with the machine in network mode. If the selection is removed, network communication is closed. (Note: do not forget to insert the network cables for the communication between the upper computer and the machine). When using the network communication, the user must set the IP address of the computer and that of the machine in the same network segment, for example, 192.168.0.XXX, which means that the first three parts of the IP address must be same. Typical setting is as follows: the IP address of the computer is 192.168.0.100 while that of the machine is 192.168.0.50. Please refer to the user manual of the control card for manually setting the IP address of the machine.
USB communication: the key point of USB communication is the communication port. Select the [Search] button in the blue area to enable the software to search the communication port number of the communication between the upper computer and the machine. If no communication port number is displayed, it means that there is no connection to the upper computer. (Note: do not forget to install USB Driver and insert USB communication lines.)
Machine parameters
A) Equipment parameters
After selecting network communication or USB communication, enter the dialog box of [Machine Management], then select the machine and click the [Machine Management] button to enter the machine parameter setting interface, as shown in Figure 2-21.
[Read Parameters]: click the [Read Parameters] button to initiate the communication between independent software and the machine; meanwhile, read machine parameters from the machine to independent software.
[Save Parameters]: save the parameters after they are successfully read or imported. If necessary, modify the read or imported parameters and click the [Save Parameters] button to configure qualified parameters to the machine.
[Clear]: zero clearing of the machine parameters of independent software will not influence the machine. Click the [Clear] button to clear the machine parameters of independent software. If users also want to clear the parameters on the machine, it needs to manually clear the parameters one by one after the parameters are successfully read or imported, set them as 0 and then save such setting, or manually modify these parameters one by one on the control panel of the machine.
Figure 2-21
[Import Parameters]: read machine parameter from the files of which the name suffix of these files is Ў°machineЎ±. Click the [Import Parameters] button to pop up the dialog box as shown in Figure 2-22, then select the needed parameter files and click [Open] to read machine parameters.
[Export Parameters]: save the machine parameters as file. Click the [Export Parameters] button to pop up the Ў°SaveЎ± dialog box as shown in Figure 2-23, then select the save path and input the file name; afterwards, click [Save] to save the file.
Figure 2-22
Figure 2-23
[Present Axis]: the machine totally has 5 axes, namely, X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, U-axis and V-axis. Axis parameters of each axis are dependent of each other, and users can specify the parameters of a certain axis through [Present Axis].
[Maximum Stroke]: the maximum stroke is the maximum movement distance on the axis,
[Direction Polarity]: when the axis is opposite to the direction of machine origin, users need to modify the polarity.
[Limit Polarity]: The limit polarity can be negative or positive; when the limit polarity is set as positive, the high level of the limit signal is effective; and when the limit polarity is set as negative polarity, the low level of the limit signal is effective.
[Key Polarity]: when the button direction is inconsistent with the movement direction of the axis, users need to modify the polarity.
[Resolution Ratio]: resolution ratio = the movement length of the laser head during one circle of rotation of the electric motor ЎБ 1000/ pulse count needed by the driver during one circle of rotation of the electric motor. Press the [>>] button to pop up the input box of actual length and theoretical length, wherein the theoretical length refers to the length displayed on the equipment while the actual length refers to the length measured by rulers; use the button to shift the laser head so as to input corresponding length in the corresponding item. Then, press the [Calculation] button to enable the system to automatically calculate the correct resolution ratio.
Size measurement is as follows:
Users can cut a rectangle as the test reference for calculating the resolution ratio; meanwhile it needs to consider the width of the laser beam. For example, draw a 30ЎБ30 rectangle according to the following steps: cut a rectangle with the size as shown in Figure 2-24, take the measurement value of X-axis as 34 and input 34MM in the dialog box of actual length; afterwards, set the expected length as 30, and click OK to obtain the expected rectangle in the scale of 1:1. The method for calculating the resolution ratio of other axes is the same.
Figure 2-24
When calculating the accurate resolution ratio of Y-axis, the actual length refers to the track of the beam.
[Limit Speed]: limit speed is the maximum allowable operating speed of the axis, used for speed limiting.
[Stop Speed]: stop speed is the speed when the axis is started or stopped.
[Accelerated Speed]: accelerated speed is the maximum allowable accelerated speed when the axis is operating. The greater the accelerated speed is, the shorter the time is required for speed acceleration and the greater the vibration will be.
[Jerk]: jerk is the accelerated speed of the axis from the minimum to the maximum accelerated speed (at the time of deceleration, it is the accelerated speed from the maximum to the minimum accelerated speed). The smaller the jerk is, the smaller the vibration and the lifting speed will be; on the contrary, the larger the jerk is, the larger the vibration and the lifting speed will be.
[Home Point]: home point is the position where the laser head stays after system resets or processing is finished. Three choices are available: mechanical original point, none and locating point. If Ў°mechanical original pointЎ± is selected, the laser head will return to the mechanical original point after processing is finished; if Ў°noneЎ± is selected, the laser head will stay at the point where the processing is finished; and if Ў°locating pointЎ± is selected, the laser head will return to the position where the [locating] button is clicked before the processing after processing completion.
[Platform Mode]: platform mode can be divided into general platform and double platform. The difference lies in the number of the processing heads. General platform has only one processing head, while double platform has two platform heads.
After double platform mode is selected, the distance between these two platforms shall be determined, which shall be subject to the distance from the upper left corners of the two platforms. Double-platform type machine has two platforms and moves to-and-fro via Z-axis, with one platform at the working position and the other appearing in turn on the two sides of the machine. Material feeding and picking can be conducted without interference with the working time, thus improving the working efficiency (this function should be used together with the machine that has such component). After double-platform mode is selected, Z-axis will move once the double platform distance determined each time after the work is finished.
[General Output Polarity]: general output polarity refers to that whether low or high output level of Ў°OUT7Ў± and Ў°OUT8Ў± is effective.
[Double-platform Distance]: double-platform distance is subject to the distance from the upper left corners of the two platforms.
[Minimum Spacing of Double-platform]: minimum spacing of the two platforms is the distance between the original points of the two laser heads.
[Focal Distance]: refer to the distance from the bottom surface of the laser head to the upper surface of the material.
[Homing Speed]: homing speed is the speed of the system moving to the home point upon restoration or operation completion.
[Radiating Time]: radiating time refers to the time taken by the laser head to eject light at certain point.
[Material Diameter]: this is the parameter specially designed for roller device, instead of general devices. Material diameter is the maximum outer diameter of the material to be processed, which is obtained from actual measurement.
[Reference Diameter]: this is the parameter specially designed for roller device, instead of general devices. It is a theoretical value.
[Reference resolution]: this is the parameter specially designed for roller device, instead of general devices. It is a theoretical value.
[Laser Type]: suitable laser type is selected based on the type of laser tube used for the machine. Laser tubes are divided into general (CO2 laser tube), coherent and RF laser tubes. Coherent laser tube is selected in case of RF laser that requires no pre-combustion; RF laser tube needs to be selected in case of RF laser that requires pre-combustion (at this time, the control card will constantly sent pulse signal of 1us wide to the laser for pre-combustion).
[Laser Head Mode]: it includes single-head, double-head 1 and double-head 2. Single-head refers to that the machine has only one laser head; double-head 1 refers to that the machine is of single-belt double-laser head, while double-head 2 refers to that the machine is of double-belt double-laser. After double-head mode is selected, the minimum spacing of the two heads should be determined, which is the distance between the original points of the two laser heads. Double-head machine use X-axis and V-axis to control the left and right movement of laser heads respectively. X-axis controls the laser head installed near the original point of the machine, while V-axis controls the laser head installed far from the original point of the machine. The maximum stroke of X-axis is designed to be the maximum width that can be processed by the double-head machine and that of V-axis is designed to be the difference of the maximum stroke of X-axis minus the minimum spacing of the two heads.
[Machine Type]: machine type is determined based on its uses, which can be divided into general device, metal cutting device and roller device.
[Cover Opening Protection]: when the cover opening protection is in effect, any time when users open the protection cover, the carving machine will start the safety protection measures and stop operation. Users may also shield the Ў°cover opening protectionЎ± function as needed under the condition that the device is provided with safety protection, that is, users may choose not to use the cover opening protection and set the cover opening protection as Ў°noneЎ±, in such processes as device detection and testing. However, such operation must be executed by professional personnel and customers are not recommended to take such action.
[PWM Polarity]: if it is found that the light intensity is adjusted low, but the actual intensity of the light injected is strengthened, PWM polarity shall be reversed.
Note: if Ў°RF or coherentЎ± laser tubes are used, please change the Ў°PWM frequencyЎ± in the controller to be Ў°50Ў±, and change the maximum duty ratio to be Ў°95%Ў± or lower, but by no means to Ў°100%Ў±, otherwise the light will be ceaselessly sent or no light will be sent.
[PWM Frequency]: it is the frequency of light intensity of laser tube, which varies with the different models of laser tubes. See manuals of various laser tubes for details.
[Minimum Duty Ratio]: the minimum duty ratio the laser can support.
[Maximum Duty Ratio]: the maximum duty ratio the laser can support.
[Border Speed]: the speed on the border.
[Minimum Accelerated Speed]: the minimum accelerated speed when the machine is started and stopped. The smaller the value is, the smaller the vibration will be when machine starts and stops, and the longer the speeding up and slowing down time will be; vise versa. It is generally 400mm/s2 and if faster processing speed is required, the minimum accelerated speed may be set to be more than 850mm/s2 (subject to actual machine and the value here is the recommended value).
[Speed Coefficient]: it is used to adjust the stability of machines when turning around. It ranges from 0.00 to 5.00 and the larger the value is, the greater the turning around speed, the shorter the processing time and the greater the impact and vibration will be, vise versa. It is generally 2.5 and when the accelerated speed of Y-axis is set to be high (e.g. higher than 2500mm/s2), the speed coefficient may be set to be lower than 1.0. In this way, vibration will be significantly reduced.
B) Statistical information
Statistical information is to make statistics for the summation of the processing time, times, startup time (the time when the machine remains at operating status) and other parameters. Click the [Read Information] button to get the parameter.
Figure 2-25
[Startup Time]: the total of the startup time of the machine.
[Lighting Time]: the total of the lighting time of the machine.
[Total Processing Time]: the total of the processing time of the machine.
[Total Processing Times]: the total of the processing times of the machine.
[X-axis Stroke]: the total of the distance that X-axis has traveled.
[Y-axis Stroke]: the total of the distance that Y-axis has traveled.
Curve Parameters
Click [Setting] Ўъ [Curve Setting] in menu bar to enter the setting interface of curve parameters. The precision is only specific to round, ellipse, arc and elliptic arc.
Figure 2-26
Import precision of curve
Import precision refers to the amount of segments to fit the curves when importing or opening graphic files with round, ellipse, arc and elliptic arc. The higher the precision is, the more the amount required will be. There are five levels of highest, high, middle, low and lowest. Choose the level based on needs and click [OK].
Figure 2-27