acunav i users guide v2!24!00 sept 2004

AcuNav Laser Control Software

User Guide

User Guide

AcuNav Laser

Control Software

Software Version: 2.24.00

By Preco Laser Systems, LLC

Document Policy Copyright The contents of this manual are the property of Preco Laser Systems, LLC, Somerset, Wisconsin. Any reproduction of this information without the express written permission of Preco Laser Systems is prohibited. Non Disclosure The contents of this manual and all referred or associated documents marked PLS Confidential, are provided to the original purchaser of the system for internal use only. Any disclosure of documents marked PLS Confidential to outside parties without the express written permission of PLS is strictly prohibited. Policy This manual is based upon the data available at the time of publication. While sincere effort has been made to make the manual accurate, the information contained herein does not claim to cover all the details or variations in hardware or software, nor to provide for every possible contingency in connection with installation, operation, maintenance, repair or replacement. The Preco Laser Systems policy is one of continuous improvement. Therefore, the information in this manual is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Preco Laser Systems. PLS also assumes no obligation to notify manual holders of subsequent revisions. Preco Laser Systems makes no representation of warranty, expressed or implied, nor assumes any responsibility for accuracy, completeness, sufficiency or usefulness or any problems that may arise from the use of the information contained herein. Made In The USA PLS products are designed and manufactured in the USA. Trademark Acknowledgments AcuNav is a trademark of Preco Laser Systems, LLC. AcuVision is a trademark of Preco Laser Systems, LLC. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. PLS is a registered trademark of Preco Laser Systems, LLC. Preco is a registered trademark of Preco Industries. ProCAM is a registered trademark of TekSoft, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only, and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Copyright 1997 - 2004 Preco Laser Systems, LLC. All rights reserved.

500 Laser Drive

Somerset, WI 54025 Telephone: 715.247.3285

FAX: 715.247.5650 Sales Toll Free: 1.800.77.LASER

Service Toll Free: 1.800.799.2583 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.precolaser.com

User GuideAcuNav Laser Control Software

Contents v

Contents

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................1 OVERVIEW.......................................................................................1 GUIDE COMMENTS...........................................................................1 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE.................................................................2 HOW THIS GUIDE IS ORGANIZED.......................................................2 HOW TO USE THE ON-LINE USER DOCUMENTATION ..........................3 NOTATIONS AND CONVENTIONS........................................................3

STANDARD CONVENTIONS..........................................................3 MOUSE CONVENTIONS ...............................................................4 HOT KEYS .................................................................................5

SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION...............................................................7 OVERVIEW.......................................................................................7 APPLICATION ...................................................................................7 OPERATING SYSTEM........................................................................7 DISTRIBUTION..................................................................................7 SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................8

SOFTWARE ................................................................................8 HARDWARE................................................................................8

OPERATING INTERFACE..................................................................9 OVERVIEW.......................................................................................9 MENU TOOL BAR ...........................................................................11

FILE MENU...............................................................................11 FILE MENU OPTIONS ..........................................................11 FILE MENU WINDOWS ........................................................13

NEW FILE WINDOW ......................................................13 OPEN FILE WINDOW.....................................................13 SAVE AS WINDOW........................................................14

EDIT MENU ..............................................................................15 EDIT MENU ..............................................................................15

EDIT MENU OPTIONS..........................................................15 EDIT MENU WINDOWS........................................................18

SEARCH WINDOW ........................................................18 SEARCH AND REPLACE WINDOW ..................................18

DISPLAY MENU ........................................................................19 DISPLAY MENU OPTIONS....................................................19 DISPLAY MENU WINDOWS ..................................................21

EDIT FONT WINDOW.....................................................21 CNC FONT WINDOW....................................................22

Issued: 9/22/2004 2004 Preco Laser Systems, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Product No.: 01001-224

User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Contents vi


PARAMETERS MENU ................................................................ 23 PARAMETERS MENU OPTIONS............................................ 23 PARAMETERS MENU WINDOWS .......................................... 24

AUTO-FOCUS SETUP PARAMETERS WINDOW................ 24 AXIS DEFINITIONS PARAMETERS WINDOW .................... 25 HOMING PARAMETERS WINDOW................................... 26 FEEDRATE SETTINGS PARAMETERS WINDOW ............... 27 ACCELERATION PARAMETERS WINDOW ........................ 29 SOFTWARE LIMITS PARAMETERS WINDOW.................... 31 TOLERANCES PARAMETERS WINDOW ........................... 32

CHANGING A PARAMETER .................................................. 33 P-VARIABLES PARAMETERS WINDOW ........................... 34

SETTINGS MENU...................................................................... 35 SETTINGS MENU OPTIONS ................................................. 35 SETTINGS MENU WINDOWS................................................ 37

AUTO-FOCUS HEIGHT WINDOW .................................... 37 CUTTER COMPENSATION WINDOW ............................... 38 PART COUNT/RUNTIME MAINTENANCE WINDOW ........... 39 REFERENCE POSITIONS WINDOW ................................. 40 WORKPIECE COORDINATE SYSTEM WINDOW ................ 40

UTILITIES MENU....................................................................... 41 UTILITIES MENU OPTIONS .................................................. 41 UTILITIES MENU WINDOWS................................................. 43

STEP AND REPEAT SELECTION WINDOW....................... 43 OPERATOR MESSAGE WINDOW .................................... 44 SERIALIZATION WINDOW .............................................. 45

LASER MENU ........................................................................... 49 LASER MENU OPTIONS....................................................... 49 LASER MENU WINDOWS..................................................... 49

LASER SETTING SELECTION ......................................... 49 RAMP POINTS WINDOW................................................ 53

DIEBOARD WINDOW................................................................. 56 AUTOMATIC POWER CALIBRATION WINDOW.................. 57

DIAG MENU ............................................................................. 58 DIAG MENU OPTIONS......................................................... 58 DIAG MENU WINDOWS ....................................................... 59

AUXILIARY INPUTS WINDOW ......................................... 59 AUXILIARY OUTPUTS WINDOW...................................... 60 AXIS I/O WINDOW ........................................................ 61 STANDARD I/O ............................................................. 62 FOLLOWING ERROR WINDOW ....................................... 63 ROTARY BUFFERS STATUS WINDOW ............................ 63 MPLC ACTIVE AXES WINDOW...................................... 64

LOGGER MENU ........................................................................ 65 LOGGER MENU OPTIONS.................................................... 65 LOGGER MENU WINDOWS.................................................. 66

ALARM COUNT LOG WINDOW ....................................... 66 LOGGED ALARMS WINDOW........................................... 67


Contents vii

ALARM LOG OPTIONS WINDOW.....................................68 DEFAULT ACUNAV ALARMS ..........................................68

TOOLS MENU...........................................................................69 TOOLS MENU OPTIONS ......................................................69

VISION MENU...........................................................................70 VISION MENU OPTIONS ......................................................70 VISION MENU WINDOWS.....................................................71

VISION CUT ADJUSTMENT WINDOW ..............................71 COORDINATE CALIBRATE WINDOW ...............................72 PART OFFSETS WINDOW..............................................73

MACHINE CONTROL MENU .......................................................74 MACHINE CONTROL MENU OPTIONS...................................74

WINDOW MENU.......................................................................76 HELP MENU .............................................................................77

PROCESSING STATUS DISPLAY AND QUICK KEY CONTROLS ............78 PROCESSING STATUS DISPLAY.................................................78 QUICK KEY CONTROL AND STATUS BUTTONS ...........................79 QUICK KEY CONTROL WINDOWS ..............................................80

SERVICE QUICK KEY WINDOW............................................80 JOB STATUS QUICK KEY WINDOW ......................................82 JOB LOAD QUICK KEY WINDOW..........................................85 CNC PROGRAM SELECTION QUICK KEY WINDOW...............88 DIEBOARD QUICK KEY WINDOW .........................................89 CHECK QUICK KEY WINDOW ..............................................92 ALARMS QUICK KEY WINDOW.............................................93 POSITIONS QUICK KEY WINDOW.........................................94

CNC I\O CONTROL........................................................................96 MACHINE CONTROL PANEL ............................................................97

PROGRAM CYCLE CONTROL.....................................................97 ABORT - F12......................................................................97 START - F2 ........................................................................97 HOLD - F3 .........................................................................98 RESET - F4........................................................................98 OPT STOP - F5 ..................................................................98 BLK DELETE - F6 ...............................................................98 DRY RUN - F7....................................................................98 SINGLE BLK (BLOCK) - F8 ..................................................99

OPERATOR CONTROL MODES - F9 ...........................................99 AUTO MODE ......................................................................99 JOG MODE.......................................................................100

HANDWHEEL OPERATION ...........................................101 MANUAL DATA INPUT (MDI) MODE ...................................103 HOME ..............................................................................103 PROGRAM MODE .............................................................104 TEACH MODE...................................................................104 RETRACE MODE..............................................................104

FEEDRATE OVERRIDE CONTROL - F11 ...................................105 RAPID..............................................................................105


User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Contents viii


CUTTING.......................................................................... 105 SPEED AND HEIGHT ................................................... 105

OPERATING PROCEDURES ......................................................... 107 HOW TO HOME YOUR WORKSTATION............................................ 107 OPERATING PROCEDURES IN MDI MODE...................................... 108 CREATING A NEW FILE................................................................. 109 OPENING A RECENTLY CLOSED FILE ............................................ 110 OPENING AN EXISTING FILE .......................................................... 111 SAVING AN EXISTING FILE ............................................................ 112 SAVING A NEW, UNNAMED FILE.................................................... 113 SAVING A COPY OF THE ACTIVE DOCUMENT ................................. 114 EXITING THE ACUNAV PROGRAM.................................................. 115 ENTERING NEW SETTINGS FOR THE AUTO-FOCUS HEIGHT TABLE ......................................................................................... 116 ENTERING NEW SETTINGS FOR THE CUTTER COMPENSATION TABLE ......................................................................................... 117 ENTERING NEW SETTINGS FOR THE STEP AND REPEAT SELECTION TABLE ....................................................................... 118 CREATING A NEW STEP AND REPEAT HEADER/FOOTER FILE......... 120 SELECTING A STEP AND REPEAT CYCLE....................................... 121 ENTERING AN OPERATOR MESSAGE............................................. 122 SETTING UP FOR A DIEBOARD APPLICATION ................................. 123 SETTING UP A NEW MATERIAL...................................................... 130

PROGRAMMING REFERENCE ..................................................... 133 OVERVIEW................................................................................... 133 TABLE MOTION ............................................................................ 134

AXES MOVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS......................................... 134 AXIS POSITION SPECIFICATIONS........................................ 135 FEED SPECIFICATION........................................................ 135

AXES MOVEMENT CONSIDERATIONS....................................... 136 COORDINATE SYSTEMS................................................................ 137

MACHINE COORDINATES ........................................................ 137 PROGRAM COORDINATES....................................................... 138

ABSOLUTE COORDINATE VALUES ..................................... 139 INCREMENTAL COORDINATE VALUES ................................ 139

REFERENCE POINT ................................................................ 139 CONDITIONAL BRANCHING IN CNC CODING.................................. 140 PREPARATORY WORD DATA BLOCKS (G-CODES) ........................ 143

G00 RAPID TRAVERSE POSITIONING ...................................... 145 G01 LINEAR INTERPOLATION.................................................. 145 G02/G03 CIRCULAR INTERPOLATION CW/CCW..................... 146 G04 DWELL/TIME DELAY ....................................................... 147 G07.1A CYLINDRICAL INTERPOLATION MODE (REQUIRES MPLC).................................................................................. 148 G09 EXACT STOP.................................................................. 148


Contents ix

G17/G18/G19 (XY/ZX/YZ) PLANE SELECTION ......................148 G20/G21 INCH/METRIC SELECT.............................................149 G28 RAPID RETURN TO REFERENCE POINT............................149 G29 AUTO RETURN FROM REFERENCE POSITION ...................149 G30 RAPID RETURN TO SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH REFERENCE POSITION ...........................................................149 G40/G41/G42 CUTTER COMPENSATION ................................150

TREATMENT OF INSIDE CORNERS .....................................151 TREATMENT OF OUTSIDE CORNERS..................................151

OFFSET START-UP DIAGRAMS ....................................152 OFFSET MODE DIAGRAMS...........................................154 CHANGE OF OFFSET DIRECTION DIAGRAMS ................158 OFFSET CANCEL DIAGRAMS........................................160 OVERCUTTING BY CUTTER COMPENSATION DIAGRAMS .................................................................162

G50/51 PROGRAMMABLE SCALING.........................................164 G50.1/G51.1 PROGRAMMABLE MIRRORING ...........................165 G53 MACHINE COORDINATE SELECTION ................................166 G54-59 WORKPIECE COORDINATE SYSTEM 1-6 SELECTION ...167 G61 EXACT STOP MODE........................................................168 G62 CUTTING MODE BASED ON ANGLE ..................................168 G64 CONTINUOUS VELOCITY MODE .......................................169 G68/G69 COORDINATE SYSTEM ROTATION............................169 G90/G91 ABSOLUTE/INCREMENTAL MODE .............................170 G92 WORK COORDINATE SYSTEM SET ..................................170 G94.1Q PROGRAMMABLE ACCELERATION MODE....................171 G94.2 FEEDRATE AXES SELECTION .......................................171 G110Q PERFORATE CUT LENGTH (REQUIRES MPLC)............171 G111Q PERFORATE TIE LENGTH (REQUIRES MPLC) .............171 G112 ACTIVE AXES (REQUIRES MPLC) .................................172

MISCELLANEOUS WORD DATA BLOCKS (M CODES) ..................173 M00 - PROGRAM STOP ..........................................................175 M01 - OPTIONAL STOP ..........................................................175 M02 - END OF PROGRAM .......................................................175 M10 - OPTIONAL PART COUNT INCREMENT ............................175 M11 TO M19 REMOTE BCD PARAMETER CONTROLS..........176

M11 PERCENT POWER .................................................176 M12 - KEYING FREQUENCY..............................................176 M13 - POWER CYCLES ....................................................176 M14 AVAILABLE PARAMETER ........................................176 M15 MULTI-PULSE COUNT ............................................176 M16 SET PULSE RATE ..................................................176 M17 SET SECTOR HEIGHT ............................................177 M18 SETS SECTOR WIDTH............................................177 M19 SETS PULSE SHAPE ..............................................177

M30 - END OF PROGRAM.......................................................177 M40 RESET LCC-PPG OR MPLC ENCODER REGISTERS WITH SINGLE PULSE, VARIABLE DURATION .............................177


User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Contents x


M41 - RESET LCC-PPG OR MPLC ENCODER REGISTERS ..... 177 M42- PERF MODE CANCEL (MPLC ONLY) ............................. 178 M42.1 - ENABLES PERF MODE (CUT-TIE) (MPLC ONLY)........ 178 M42.2QXXX - ENABLES DUAL POWER LEVEL PERFORATION MODE (CUT-TIE) (MPLC ONLY) ............................................ 178 M45(XXX) MANUAL MPLC CODES ......................................... 178 M56 WEB HANDLER CODES................................................... 178 M57 WEB HANDLER CODES................................................... 179 M60/M61 TO AUTO FOCUS DOWN/UP.................................... 179 M62/M63 FIRST AUTO FOCUS DOWN/UP FOR DUAL AUTO FOCUS SYSTEMS.......................................................... 179 M64/M65 SECOND AUTO FOCUS DOWN/UP FOR DUAL AUTO FOCUS SYSTEMS.......................................................... 179 M66/M67 POWER SUPPLY ON/OFF...................................... 179 M68/M69 TABLE VACUUM OPEN/CLOSE ............................. 179 M70/M71 HIGH / LOW ASSIST GAS PRESSURE.................... 179 M72/M73 SHIELD GAS ON/OFF .......................................... 180 M74/M75 - ASSIST GAS 1 ON/OFF ........................................ 180 M76/M77 - ASSIST GAS 2 ON/OFF ........................................ 180 M78/M79 AIR KNIFE/LENS AIR/ASSIST GAS 3 ON/OFF ........ 180 M80 - SINGLE PULSE, 10 MSEC. (.0100 SEC.) DURATION........ 180 M81 - SINGLE PULSE, VARIABLE PULSE DURATION .................. 181 M82 - M87 MISCELLANEOUS OUTPUTS ON/OFF - PULSING CARD ...................................................................... 182

M82/M83 PRC LASER OPTION..................................... 182 M84/M85 PRC LASER OPTION..................................... 182 M86/M87 PRC LASER OPTION, EAGLE LASER OPTION ........................................................................... 182

M88/M89 - SHUTTER OPEN/CLOSED ..................................... 182 M90/M91 - INCREMENTAL PULSING - LASER ON/LASER OFF....................................................................................... 183 M92/M93 - REPETITIVE PULSING ON, OFF ............................. 185 M94/95 - CONTINUOUS WAVE LASER ON/LASER OFF............. 188 M96 - LASER ON ................................................................... 188 M96.1 LASER ON (ON-THE-FLY) ........................................ 188 M97 - LASER OFF.................................................................. 189 M97.1 LASER OFF (ON-THE-FLY)........................................ 189 M98 - SUBROUTINE ............................................................... 189 M99 - END SUBROUTINE........................................................ 189

SETTING VARIABLES .................................................................... 190 MATERIAL SELECTION CODE (P-CODES) ................................ 190 PULSE SPACING (S-CODES)................................................... 191 PULSE DURATION COMMANDS (T50S) .................................... 193 REP OFF-TIME COMMANDS (T60S)......................................... 195

MPLC LASER PROCESSING MODES............................................. 198 CONTINUOUS WAVE (CW) (MPLC) ........................................ 198 STANDARD INCREMENTAL PULSE (MPLC) .............................. 199 POWER (PROPORTIONAL TO) VELOCITY (MPLC) .................... 200


Contents xi

DUTY CYCLE (PROPORTIONAL TO) VELOCITY (MPLC).............202 ANALOG POWER RAMP ON POSITION (MPLC).........................203 DUTY CYCLE RAMP ON POSITION (MPLC) ..............................204 REPETITIVE PULSING (MPLC) ................................................206 ANALOG POWER RAMP ON TIME (MPLC)................................207 DUTY CYCLE RAMP ON TIME (MPLC) .....................................208 SINGLE PULSE (MPLC)..........................................................209 DIEBOARD INCREMENTAL (MPLC) ..........................................210

LCC-PPG LASER PROCESSING MODES .......................................212 CONTINUOUS WAVE (CW) (LCC-PPG) ..................................212 STANDARD INCREMENTAL PULSE (LCC-PPG)........................213 REPETITIVE PULSING (LCC-PPG) ..........................................214 SINGLE PULSE VARIABLE (LCC-PPG) ....................................215 DIEBOARD INCREMENTAL (LCC-PPG) ....................................216

APPENDIX A: SAMPLE PROGRAMS...........................................217 OVERVIEW...................................................................................217

SQUARE PROGRAM IN ABSOLUTE MODE .................................217 SQUARE PROGRAM IN INCREMENTAL MODE............................218 LARGE PROGRAM ..................................................................219 SMALL PROGRAM...................................................................221

APPENDIX B. ACUNAV WITH MANUAL VISION ROTARY / TRANSLATION OFFSET................................................................223

MISCELLANEOUS CONTROL FUNCTIONS .......................................224 G-CODES ..............................................................................224 M-CODES ..............................................................................224

RULES FOR RUNNING THE MANUAL VISION ROTARY / TRANSLATION OFFSET PROGRAM.................................................225 MANUAL VISION ROTARY / TRANSLATION OFFSET SAMPLE PROGRAM ...................................................................................226

APPENDIX C. ACUNAV ALARM MESSAGES ..............................229 SYSTEM ALARMS ...................................................................230 MOTOR ALARMS ....................................................................232 PLC FATAL ALARMS ..............................................................236 PLC STOP ALARMS ...............................................................239 PLC WARNING ALARMS .........................................................246 PLC MESSAGES ....................................................................247

APPENDIX D. PROCAM.................................................................249

INDEX..............................................................................................257

BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................263



Introduction 1

INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW This guide was designed to provide operating and programming information for the AcuNav Laser Control Software designed by Preco Laser Systems.

The ACUNAV LASER CONTROL SOFTWARE USER GUIDE assumes the reader is familiar with Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.

GUIDE COMMENTS At Preco Laser Systems, our policy is one of continuous improvement. We appreciate your comments regarding the information in this manual.

After reading this manual, if there is any information you feel to be incorrect, missing or difficult to understand, please contact us using one of the following methods:

Preco Laser Systems, LLC Service Department

500 Laser Drive Somerset, Wisconsin 54025

Voice: 715-247-3285

Facsimile: 715-247-5650

Sales: 1-800-77.LASER

Service: 1-800-799-2583

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.precolaser.com

Please be as specific as possible when you submit a correction or suggestion. Information such as manual title, revision date, section titles, page numbers and figure numbers make it easier for us to reference the material when reading your comments.

Preco Laser Systems makes the final decision as to what information, if any, is incorporated into a manual.

Preco Laser Systems appreciates the time you take to offer comments and considers all comments received.


User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Introduction 2


HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This guide contains detailed information about using the AcuNav program for Windows. Read this guide in its entirety before using the system. Information given in a previous section may be needed to understand or complete a step in a subsequent section.

HOW THIS GUIDE IS ORGANIZED The ACUNAV LASER WORKSTATION CONTROL FOR WINDOWS USER GUIDE is designed to provide information on how to use and program AcuNav Laser Control Software. This guide is organized as follows:

INTRODUCTION -- This section provides a description of how this guide is designed, conventions used in the guide, reference information and so on.

SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION -- This section provides an overview of the AcuNav Laser Control Software and its components.

OPERATING INTERFACE -- This section provides a description of the AcuNav Laser Control Software operating interface. It describes the AcuNav main screen regions and operator functions.

OPERATING PROCEDURES This section provides AcuNav Laser Control Software procedures.

PROGRAMMING REFERENCE -- This section provides programming reference information for AcuNav Laser Control Software programming functions.

APPENDIX A This appendix contains sample programs. APPENDIX B This appendix describes the manual vision translation

offset program.

APPENDIX C This appendix contains AcuNav alarm messages with brief descriptions.

APPENDIX D This appendix contains a step-by-step flowchart on how to use the ProCAM software program.


Introduction 3

HOW TO USE THE ON-LINE USER DOCUMENTATION You can view the AcuNav help contents window by choosing Contents from the Help menu. From the contents window, you can jump to more specific information.

NOTATIONS AND CONVENTIONS Different types of conventions are used throughout this guide. It is important to understand these conventions. For example, all references to buttons, switches or indicators on the system are indicated in the text in Bold Initial Capital letters.

Example: The Coolant interlock light illuminates if....

STANDARD CONVENTIONS The following table lists the standards conventions used in this guide.

Convention Information

Bold Type Text we ask you to type-in appears in bold.

Bold Initial Capital letters All reference to buttons, switches or indicators on the system.

Initial Capital Letters All reference to the titles of screens and fields.

Italic Small Initial Capital Letters

All reference to the titles of sections and manuals.

Italic Lower Case Letters Indicates a sample name or file name, for example, test.cfg.

Menu > Path The Greater-than sign (>) is used to give the path for a drop down menu option, for example, File > Save As.


User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Introduction 4


MOUSE CONVENTIONS The left mouse button is the one to use most of the time (unless you have the mouse configured differently).

Point means to position the mouse pointer so the tip of the pointer rests on whatever you want to point at on the screen.

Click means to press and then immediately release the mouse button without moving the mouse.

Double-click means to press and immediately release the mouse button twice without moving the mouse.

Drag means to select and hold down the mouse button while moving the pointer across the screen.

Select means to highlight a word, line or paragraph by placing the pointer on the desired item and double-clicking or dragging.


Introduction 5

HOT KEYS AcuNav Laser Control Software uses Edit commands Hot Keys for short-cuts. They are activated by using the Ctrl or Shift key plus the corresponding function short-cut key from the keyboard. The following table lists some of the more useful Hot key commands.

Hot Key Function

CTRL + A Selects all.

Ctrl + C Same as the Copy command. Copies selected text to the clipboard.

Ctrl + E Sends the cursor to the bottom of the program.

Ctrl + H Sends the cursor to the top of the program.

Ctrl + L Sends cursor to the line number in the program that you specify in the dialog box.

Ctrl + N Same as the Search Next command. Searches for the next occurrence of the search criteria.

Ctrl + S Same as the Save command. Saves the current open file.

Ctrl + V Same as the Paste command. Pastes selected text from the clipboard.

Shift + Insert

Same as the Paste command. Pastes selected text from the clipboard.

Ctrl + X Same as the Cut command. Removes selected text.

Ctrl + Z Same as the Undo command. Reverses the last action.


User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Software Description 7


SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW This section provides an overview of the AcuNav Laser Control Software designed and developed at Preco Laser Systems.

For information regarding the operating interface or programming, refer to the OPERATING INTERFACE and PROGRAMMING REFERENCE sections in this guide.

AcuNav Laser Control Software provides a method to control speeds and laser power and utilize features unique to laser based workstations.

AcuNav Laser Control Software includes the following main features:

Designed to be compatible with Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.

Provides an Operator Interface to set laser control parameters. Networkable Uses standard industrial G-code programming. Allows background editing while another program is running. Allows part serialization. Provides configurable Operator Interface menus. Provides alarm tracking logs.

APPLICATION AcuNav Laser Control Software is specifically designed for the use in PLS manufactured, laser based workstations.

OPERATING SYSTEM AcuNav Laser Control Software is designed to be utilized on Windows 95/98 operating systems.

DISTRIBUTION AcuNav Laser Control Software is distributed on a CD-Rom using an install program and a custom disk containing machine specific parameters.

User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Software Description 8


SPECIFICATIONS AcuNav Laser Control Software includes the following Software and Hardware specifications:

SOFTWARE Windows 98 operating system On-screen operator panel EIA-274 G-Code programming Remote modem diagnostics Laser processing database Step and Repeat database Programmable scaling, mirroring, coordinate rotation Subroutines Background editing Compensations: cutter, optional stored pitch error Interpolations: helical, linear, circular Inch/metric switchable Six workpiece coordinate system Velocity and acceleration feed forwards Part counter Cycle time display Standard text editor.

HARDWARE Personal computer:

Keyboard and mouse pointer device 15 inch color monitor 2000 Hz servo loop update rates Up to 2064 inputs and outputs 500 blocks per second processing rate Linear and rotary motor capability


Operating Interface 9

OPERATING INTERFACE OVERVIEW The AcuNav Laser Control Software for Windows is specifically designed for use in PLS manufactured, laser-based workstations. This section describes,

AcuNav Screen Layout Functions and features

When the system starts, the initial screen displayed is main operator control interface. This is the starting point for both system operation and configuration. The AcuNav Laser Control Software screen is divided into five regions, as shown in the figure on the following page.

Menu tool Bar Processing Status Display and Quick Key Controls Computer Numeric Control (CNC) I/O Controls Window Display Section Machine Control Panel

For more programming information, refer to the PROGRAMMING REFERENCE section of this guide.

Issued: 9/22/2004 2004 Preco Laser Systems, LLC. All Rights Reserved Product No.: 01001-224

User Guide AcuNav Laser Control Software Operating Interface 10


Figure 1. Sample AcuNav Main Screen



MENU TOOL BAR The Menu Tool Bar topics are displayed in a drop-down menu when you click on an option. Move your mouse pointer to select (highlight) an option. The menu topics are discussed in the following sections.

FILE MENU The File menu lists options for opening, closing and saving files. This menu also displays a list of the most recently opened documents.

FILE MENU OPTIONS The File menu options are described as follows. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description New Used to create a new program.

Open Used to open existing files.

Close Closes your current edit window but does not close the AcuNav program

Save Lets you save and re-save the current edit window.

NOTE: If a part program is loaded in the CNC and you have edited it in Program Mode, switching to Auto Mode automatically saves the changes to the part program.

Save As Lets you save an existing document under a new or different file name.




Option Description

NOTE: If you type-in a file name that already exists, there is a message displayed asking whether or not you want to replace the existing program with the active program.

Exit Ends an AcuNav session. AcuNav prompts you to save any previously unsaved changes to a file.

Recent File List

Lists the last four (4) files recently opened.



FILE MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the File menu windows.

NEW FILE WINDOW The New window is a dialog window that displays the message,

Load file to CNC or Editor?

Click on the CNC button. CNC allows the part program to be executed from Auto Mode, or edited in Program mode. The Editor button is used primarily as a background editor while running a program in Auto mode.

OPEN FILE WINDOW The Open window is used to select a file that exists on the hard drive or file server. In the File Name box, type-in or select the name of the document you want to open. If you do not see the document you want to open, select a new drive or directory, or select a different type of file in the List Files of Type box.




SAVE AS WINDOW The Save As window is used to give a new or different name to an existing file.



EDIT MENU The Edit menu displays edit, search and file navigation options.

EDIT MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Edit menu options (the associated Hot Key is listed in parenthesis). The access level for these options is configurable by PLS. Some of these Edit menu options differ from the standard Windows environment.

Option Description Undo

(Ctrl + Z)

Reverses changes you make in a program, such as editing, formatting, inserting, and deleting.

NOTE: Up to 15 commands can be undone with the Undo command.

Cut

(Del)

Removes selected text and places it on the Clipboard. This command is available only when you select text. Text that you place on the Clipboard remains there until you replace it with a new item.

Copy

(Shift + Insert)

Copies selected text to the Clipboard. This command is available only when you select text. Text that you copy to the Clipboard replaces the previous contents.




Option Description Paste

(Ctrl + V)

Inserts a copy of the Clipboard contents at the insertion point, replacing the selection (if any) with the text on the Clipboard. This command is not available if the Clipboard is empty or if the selected text cannot be replaced.

Select All

(Ctrl + A)

Selects the entire program for editing.

Search

(Ctrl + N)

Searches for specified text, formatting, and codes in the program. You can also include special characters -- for example, using punctuation marks -- in your search criteria.

Dialog Box Options:

Search - Type-in the information you want to find.

Whole words only - Finds occurrences that are words, and not part of a larger word.

Case insensitive - Finds only those occurrences with the exact combination of uppercase and lowercase letters specified in the Search box. If selected, the search finds all occurrences of the specified search regardless of case.

Start at cursor position - Searches the entire document from the insertion point. If selected, this begins the search command at the point of the cursor.

Direction:

Backward - Searches from the insertion point or end of the selection to the beginning of the document or selection.

Forward - Searches from the insertion point or beginning of the selection to the end of the document or selection.

Search Next

(Ctrl + N)

Finds and selects the next occurrence of the text or formatting specified in the Search box.



Option Description Search and Replace

Opens the Search and Replace dialog box, retaining any information typed in the Search box. In the Replace With box, type-in the replacement text, and then specify any formatting you want to apply.

Dialog Box Options:

Search - Type-in the information you want to find.

Whole words only - Finds occurrences that are words, and not part of a larger word.

Case insensitive - Finds only those occurrences with the exact combination of uppercase and lowercase letters specified in the Search box. If selected, the search finds all occurrences of the specified search regardless of case.

Start at cursor position - Searches the entire document from the insertion point. If selected, this begins the search command at the point of the cursor.

Direction:

Backward - Searches from the insertion point or end of the selection to the beginning of the document or selection.

Forward - Searches from the insertion point or beginning of the selection to the end of the document or selection.

Goto top

(Ctrl + H)

Sends your cursor to the top of the program.

Goto Bottom

(Ctrl + E)

Sends your cursor to the bottom of the program.

Goto Line No.

(Ctrl + L)

Sends your cursor to the line number in the program that you specify in the dialog box.




EDIT MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Edit menu windows.

SEARCH WINDOW The Search window is used to enter search criteria. The Search Next option also displays this window.

SEARCH AND REPLACE WINDOW The Search and Replace window is used to enter search criteria and enter what the item being search for is to be replaced with, for example:

Search: screen

Replace with: window

This search task searches for the word screen and replaces it with the word window.



DISPLAY MENU The Display menu displays size (units of measure), font and save layout screen options.

DISPLAY MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Display menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Inch or mm Selects Inch or mm as the default (active) unit of

measure.

The following functions are affected by the active unit system:

Main Screen:

Position display Feedrate display

Jog Mode:

Step Feed multiple in Jog Mode (Incremental) Utilities:

Step and Repeat database parameters Lasers:

Laser database parameters Settings:

Auto-Focus Height Table values Cutter Compensation Table values Workpiece Coordinate systems Reference Positions




Option Description Parameters:

Homing Feedrate Acceleration Software Limits Tolerances

Diagnostics:

Following error

Edit Window Font

Displays the Font selection window. Select the attribute you want for your edit window font.

NOTE: To change the settings you must be in Program Mode.

CNC Window Font

Selects the attribute you want for your CNC window font.

NOTE: To change the settings you must be in Auto Mode and have a program loaded.

Save Screen Layout

Saves your screen layout and recalls the layout, font selections and inch/metric settings each time you launch AcuNav.



DISPLAY MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Display menu windows.

EDIT FONT WINDOW The Edit Font window is used to select a desired font format. The Edit Font window is used for programmable and background editing.

NOTE: To change the settings you must be in Program Mode.




CNC FONT WINDOW The CNC Font window is used to select a desired font format.

NOTE: To change the settings you must be in Auto Mode and have a program loaded.



PARAMETERS MENU The Parameters menu displays parameter setting options. See PARAMETERS MENU WINDOWS in this section for a description of the Parameter windows displayed from this menu.

PARAMETERS MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Parameters menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Auto Focus (Optional)

Maintains a fixed focal length automatically on uneven material surfaces on both sides of a focal point. This parameter sets up the conversion units per/inch or per/mm for the transducer on the Auto-focus sensor assembly. This parameter is factory-set and should not be changed, unless directly advised by the PLS service department.

Axis Definitions

These parameters are factory-set for your system. The parameter settings depend on how many programmable axes are present and should not be altered. From this window, you can find Motor Activation, Motor Axis Assignment and Pulses Per Unit.

Homing Parameters for automatic homing sequence. The two options available for making adjustments are Speed and Offset.

Feedrate Defines the feedrates in Jog Mode and Max Rapid (G00, G53) in Auto and MDI Modes.

Acceleration Used to ensure smooth starting and stopping of the axes and to prevent damage to the machine resulting from harsh movements.




Option Description Software Limits

Sets up in software, the limits an axis can physically travel.

Tolerances Sets up the tolerance band for which a completed move is considered to be in position.

P-Variables (Optional)

Used for material specific programming

PARAMETERS MENU WINDOWS The Parameters menu windows display parameter setting options. The following sections describe the Parameters menu windows.

AUTO-FOCUS SETUP PARAMETERS WINDOW The Auto-Focus Setup Parameters window is used to set the conversion units (units per inch) for auto focus position control. .



AXIS DEFINITIONS PARAMETERS WINDOW The Axis Definitions window is used to assign a physical motor to an axis definition that can be controlled by using preparatory word data blocks (G-Codes.

Parameter Description Motor Activation

Defines which programmable motors are activated.

Motor Axis Assignment

Axis character assignment; defines which motor corresponds to which axis.

Pulses Per Unit

Defines how many encoder pulses per unit of measure the axis motor has.




HOMING PARAMETERS WINDOW The Homing window is used to set homing parameters to an assigned axis.

Parameter Description Speed Displays the speed (inch/min. - mm/min. -

degree/min.) at which each axis searches for its home location.

Offset Displays the distance (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) that the axis zero location is to be from the Home switches.

NOTE: The plus(+) and minus (-) sign on the speed parameter determines the direction an axis will home.



FEEDRATE SETTINGS PARAMETERS WINDOW The Feedrate Settings parameters window is used to set rapid and jog speeds to an assigned axis.

Parameter Description Maximum Rapid

Displays the maximum allowable feedrate value for a rapid (G00) move.

Jog Speed Low

Displays the lowest feedrate value (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) allowable when in Jog Mode.

Jog Speed Medium Low

Displays the medium low feedrate value (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) allowable when in Jog Mode.

Jog Speed Medium

Displays the medium feedrate value (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) allowable when in Jog Mode.

Jog Speed Medium High

Displays the medium high feedrate value (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) allowable when in Jog Mode.




Parameter Description Jog Speed High

Displays the highest feedrate value (inch/min. - mm/min. - degree/min.) allowable when in Jog Mode.



ACCELERATION PARAMETERS WINDOW The Acceleration parameters window is used to set acceleration and deceleration rates to an assigned axis.

Parameter Description Cutting Acceleration

Displays the acceleration time in milliseconds for G1, G2 and G3 moves.

Cutting S-Curve Percent

Displays the S-curve percent of cutting acceleration applicable for G1, G2 and G3 moves.

Jog/ Home/ Rapid Maximum Acceleration

Displays the maximum acceleration time (inch/sec2 - mm/sec2 - degrees/sec2) for jogging, homing and rapid (G00) moves.

Jog/ Home/ Rapid Acceleration Time

Displays the acceleration time (msec) for jogging, homing and rapid (G00) moves.

Jog /Home/ Rapid S-Curve Time

Displays the S-curve time (msec) spent in each half of the S for the S-curve acceleration for jogging, homing or rapid-mode moves.




Parameter Description Overtravel/ Abort Deceleration

Displays the acceleration (inch/sec2 - mm/sec2 - degrees/sec2) for overtravel, abort and mode switching.



SOFTWARE LIMITS PARAMETERS WINDOW The Software Limits parameters window is used to set position limits for an assigned axis.

Parameter Description Positive Sets the positive range of motion (inches - mm -

degrees) for the axes.

Negative Sets the negative range of motion (inches - mm - degrees) for the axes.

NOTE: Setting values to zero (0) disables software limit.




TOLERANCES PARAMETERS WINDOW The Tolerances parameters window is used to set tolerance limits for an assigned axis.

Parameter Description In-Position Displays the magnitude of the maximum positional

tolerance band (inches - mm - degrees) at which the axis is considered to be in-position for exact stop (G09) and when turning the laser on and off with M-Codes (M90, M91, and so on).

In-Position Servo Cycles

Displays the number of consecutive servo cycles at which the axis must be in the positional tolerance band before it is considered to be in-position for exact stop check (G09) and M-code laser functions.

Circle Error Limit

Applicable when only the R vector specification for Circular Interpolation is used. Sets the tolerance (inches - mm) that the arc can be out of round before a Circle Radius Error alarm is generated.

Following Error Limit

Displays the magnitude of the following error (inches - mm - degrees) at which the axis shuts down and generates a Following Error alarm.



Parameter Description DAC Error Limit Timer

Defines the amount of time (msec) that the DAC output to the motors has to remain at 10 volts before an error is detected.

CHANGING A PARAMETER

CAUTION: You need not make any adjustments. If you feel a need to make adjustments, contact the Service Department at PLS for instructions.

NOTE: Parameters can only be changed in Program mode.

1. Move the cursor to the selected text box with the mouse or use the Tab key.

2. Delete the current setting.

3. Type-in the new number.

4. Click on the Save button to save parameters.




P-VARIABLES PARAMETERS WINDOW The P-Variables parameters window is used for material specific programming.



SETTINGS MENU The Settings menu displays setting options.

SETTINGS MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Settings menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Auto-Focus Height Table (Optional)

Used to maintain a fixed focal length on an uneven material surface. This table is used to input Auto-Focus Heights to be recalled later in the program using the corresponding H-code. There are provisions for 20 different settings.

Cutter Compensation

Since all laser beams are focused to slightly different diameters, a program written for processing with the center of the laser may not cut the workpiece to the proper size. To produce a workpiece that has the correct size, an offset must be used. This table is used to input radius offsets to be recalled later in the program using the corresponding D-code.

Part Count/ Runtime Maintenance

Used to reset the processing data information.




Option Description Reference Positions

Reference Positions let you select specific machine coordinate reference positions on the worksupport. There are three (3) reference positions available, denoted as 2nd, 3rd or 4th. The usage of the Reference Position lets you use the return function (G29) after the reference position has completed. If G29 is used immediately following the G30, the table is positioned to the point commanded by G29 through the intermediate point commanded by G30. The Reference Position screen is specified in machine position coordinates. The P in the syntax lets you pick the reference machine position from the Reference Positions table.

Workpiece Coordinate System

When processing a workpiece using a program created on a CAD program, it may be desirable to match the zero point on the coordinate system of the part drawing with the zero point of the work coordinate system. The Workpiece Coordinate System is established by programming the distance between the desired zero point of the work coordinate system and the zero point of the machine coordinate system.

There are six (6) pre-set Workpiece Coordinate Systems selectable using G54-G59. The desired work coordinate system can be selected by specifying any of these G-codes in the program. Work Coordinate Systems called out by G54-G59 have zero points that are entered in a Workpiece Coordinate Systems menu. These zero points are in the form of values from the machine coordinate system zero point.



SETTINGS MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Settings menu windows.

AUTO-FOCUS HEIGHT WINDOW The optional Auto-Focus Height window is used to store twenty (20) preset focus height settings in a database table.

NOTE: H1-H20 come factory preset. H1 = .010 inch (.025mm) through H20 = .200 inch (.508mm). Range Available: 0 - .250 inch.




CUTTER COMPENSATION WINDOW The Cutter Compensation window is used to store twenty (20) preset beam radius settings in a data base table.

NOTE: D1-D20 come factory preset. D1 = .001 inch (.025mm) through D20 = .020 inch (.508mm).



PART COUNT/RUNTIME MAINTENANCE WINDOW The Part Count/Runtime Maintenance window is used to reset the processing data information. You may also select which M-code (M10/M30) to use in incrementing the part count.




REFERENCE POSITIONS WINDOW The Reference Positions window is used to move to three separate machine user settable preset positions.

WORKPIECE COORDINATE SYSTEM WINDOW The Workpiece Coord Systems window is used to set six (6) separate absolute coordinate positions.



UTILITIES MENU The Utilities menu displays system utility options.

UTILITIES MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Utilities menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS except Change Password and Set User Level, which are Supervisor access levels.

Option Description Change Password (Optional)

Displays the Set Password screen, which lets you alter or change the maintenance level access password. This option is Supervisor access only. Do the following:

1. In the Old Password field, type-in the current password.

2. In the New Password field, type-in the new password

3. Click on the Close button to close the screen. 4. Click on the Cancel button to cancel the

without changing the password.

Set User Level (Optional)

Lets the workstation owner limit the access of machine functions. This option is Supervisor access only. These options include the disabling of any menu items, display status as well as machine control. Maintenance level allows full access to all available options.

Step and Repeat Selection

Allows a part program to be executed repeatedly over a sheet where you specify the X and Y offsets and the number of parts (rows and columns) desired. The offsets, number of parts, start position and end position are specified in the Step and Repeat tables.




Option Description Step and Repeat Enabled

Enables or disables the selected Step and Repeat sequence.

Step and Repeat Header and Footers

Enables or disables Step and Repeat header and footer commands.

Repair Database

Restores the Laser Settings Selections database in the event it becomes corrupt, typically due to computer power failure when AcuNav is writing to the Laser Database.

Operator Message

Displays the Operator Message screen. This screen lets you enter messages, special instructions and other communications for the user. The message also contains the date and time the message was entered.



U ENU TILITIES M WINDOWS T ection

S SE

he following s s describe the Utilities menu windows.

TEP AND REPEAT LECTION WINDOW The Step and Repeat Selection window is used to specify the X and Y offsets and the number of parts (rows and columns) desired. The offsets, number of p osition aarts, start p nd end position are specified in the Step and Repeat tables.

Parameter Description Current Step and Repeat Selection Information

Starting Displays the Step starting position. This parameter can be changed to the desired part starting position, relative to the total number of parts.

Total Number of Parts Displays the total number of parts. AcuNav sets this parameter from the number of parts along the X axis and parts along the Y axis.

Step and repeat Enabled Check box. Check this box to enable the Step and Repeat process.

Description Provides a brief description of the part.

X-Y- Axis Start Position (in)

This parameter displays the machine start position of the part for the Step and Repeat process before the first part.




Parameter Description X-Y- Axis Ending Position (in)

This parameter displays the machine ending position of the part for the Step and Repeat process after the Step and Repeat process finishes with the last part.

X-Y- Axis Incr (in)

This parameter is used to set the increment distance between parts.

Parts Along X This parameter is used to set the part quantity along the X axis.

Parts Along Y This parameter is used to set the part quantity along the Y axis.

OPERATOR MESSAGE WINDOW T Messahe Operator ge window is used to enter messages, special instructions and other communications for the user. The message also contains the date and time the message was entered.



SERIALIZATION WINDOW The optional Serialization window is rameters for part used to set paserialization identification codes.

Parameter Description Enable Prefix A toggle field. Enables or disables the use of a

prefix. If you are using a prefix, check this option and enter the prefix in the Serial # Prefix ld. fie

NOTE: Prefixes can be both Alpha and numeric characters.

Standard Used when running a non-series. The standard option places up to a six-digit serial number on a part.

Series Used for running a series of parts that you would like to select (that is, 20/200 is used to identify part 20 out of 200).

Leading Zeros

A toggle field. Enables or disables using leading zeros.

Special codes used for Serialization:

Syntax: M98(path and filename) ;prewritten subroutine supplied by PLS M9 (Increment serial number)

M98 (c:\pls\ncfiles\serialno.sub) (Calls serial number)

M9 (increments serial number)




Part Program with Serialization Example: Code Comments

F100 (Speed Feedrate)

G90 (Absolute Mode)

G92 X0Y0 (Set Relative 0)

M88 (Open Shutter)

L1 (Set Laser Settings, see following page)

M90 (Laser On)

G1X5 (Cut square)

G1Y5 (Cut square)

G1X0 (Cut square)

G1Y0 (Cut square)

M91 (Laser Off)

G0X6 (Insertion Point)

M90 (Laser On)

M98 (c:\pls\ncfiles\serialno.sub) (Calls serial number subroutine)

M91 (Laser Off)

M89 (Close Shutter)

M30 (Program end)

G1X0

G1Y0

G1X5

G1Y5

G0X6 (insertion point)

RRJ0020/006223

Recalls M98 code



Serialization Subroutine Example: Code Comments

M98 Q1 (Serial number prefix)




M98 Q10 (Serial number 6-digit)






M98 Q20 (Serial number slash)

M98 Q30 (Serial number total in series - 6-digit)






M9 (Increment serial number)

M99 (program end)




Serialization Character Subroutine Example: This subroutine creates one sub file for every character. Code

M98(C:\PLS\NCFILES\SERIAL,NO\ZERO.SUB\

M98(C:\PLS\NCFILES\SERIAL,NO\ONE.SUB\

.

.

.

M98(C:\PLS\NCFILES\SERIAL,NO\Z.SUB\



LASER MENU The optional Laser menu displays the laser database options.

LASER MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Laser menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Laser Database

Displays the Laser Selections window.

Power Calibration (Optional)

Displays the Automatic Power Calibration window.

LASER MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Laser menu windows.

LASER SETTING SELECTION The Laser Setting Selection window menu is a comprehensive processing parameter database, which laser users preset the laser settings to be recalled in a program using an L-Code. Window

NOTE: AcuNav Laser Control Software has two, system dependent, laser database tables: MPLC and LCC-PPG.




Laser Database with MPLC Window

Laser Database with LCC-PPG Window



Material Selection Information Parameters

Parameter Description Material and Thickness

Displays a descriptive name and thickness for a given material.

Lens Displays the focal length of the lens being used.

Gas Displays assist gas.

Pressure Displays assist gas pressure.

Programming Remarks

Contains remarks/notes about the program method for this material.

Cautionary Remarks Contains remarks/notes regarding any hazards for this material.

Nozzle Orifice Displays the size of the assist gas nozzle orifice being used.

Nozzle Stand-off Displays the stand-off height of the assist gas nozzle orifice being used.

Nozzle Focus Dist Displays the focal distance of the assist gas nozzle being used.

L Parameteaser Settings rs

Parameter Description L-Code Selects between configurations of laser settings for a

given material.

Type of Cut Describes the type of cut for a given material.

Mode Selects the laser processing mode being used. See LASER PROCESSING MODES in the PROGRAMMING REFERENCE section of this guide.

CW / REP Select Ramping parameter. Select Continuous Wave (CW) or Repetitive Pulse (REP) modes for Power Ramp-Distance, Power Ramp Time and Power Velocity modes.

Ramp / Dieboard Ramp/Dieboard selection. Depending upon mode, this selection either sets up the Data Table for up to 26 ramping points or sets up the Dieboard database for height and speed parameters.

Feed Rate (in/min) Feed Rate or speed of motion for G01, G02, G03 and G07.1A moves.




Parameter Description Spacing (in) Sets the distance between the Pulse On increments for

Incremental Pulsing and Dieboard Incremental Pulsing.

Pulse On (sec) Sets the length of time the laser is ON in seconds for Repetitive Pulsing, Single Pulsing, Incremental Pulsing and Dieboard Incremental Pulsing.

Pulse Off (sec) Sets the length of time the laser is OFF in seconds for Repetitive Pulsing and Dieboard incremental.

Duty Cycle (%) Sets the duty cycle percentage (%) for Incremental Pulsing, Dieboard Incremental Pulsing, Repetitive Pulsing and Duty-Cycle-Velocity modes.

Power (watts) Selects the Laser power (system dependent).

Pulse Freq (Hz) Sets the Pulse Frequency for the Duty-Cycle Ramping modes and Duty-Cycle-Velocity mode.

Min Power/ Duty Sets the absolute minimum laser power/duty cycle that can be output for Power-Velocity and Duty-Cycle-Velocity modes.

Max Power/ Duty Sets the absolute maximum laser power/duty cycle that can be output for Power-Velocity and Duty-Cycle-Velocity modes.

Min Feedrate Sets the minimum feedrate for be output for Power-Velocity and Duty-Cycle-Velocity modes.

Comments Displays any notations for a given laser setting.



R NDOWAMP POINTS WI T ts winhe Ramp Poin dow lets you access further options in the laser database. To access this window, double-click on the Ramp/Dieboard sy ser mbol on the La Settings Selection Window.

Parameter Description L-Code Point Number -- Sets the point number (up to 26) to

use for control settings.

Power (watts) / Duty Cycle (%) -- Sets the Power or Duty Cycle desired for this point.

Distance (in) / Time (sec) -- Sets the Distance or Time desired for this point.




Parameter Description Insert Point Inserts a Ramp Point above the cursor location.

Delete Point Deletes the Ramp Point highlighted (selected) by the cursor.

Add Point Adds a Ramp Point at the end of the table.

Ramping Example This sample job welds the end on a hydraulic cylinder with an OD of 2.5. This sample procedure uses cylindrical interpolation where a round part is programmed as if it was a linear move using the G01\7.1 code. Refer to G07.1A CYLINDRICAL INTERPOLATION MODE in the PROGRAMMING section of this guide.

G07.1A1.25 Puts control into this mode with a 1.25 indicating the radius of the part.

G07.1A0 Cancel this mode.

Weld Schedule: 1. Tack weld the pieces together at 4000 watts with three (3) tacks .5

inches long and .25 inches ramp up and ramp down at each end of the tack welds should be equally spaced.

2. Weld the two pieces together using 6000 watts for one (1) full revolution with a 1 inch ramp up to 6000 watts, a partial ramp down to 5000 watts for the last 1.5 inches to compensate for heating the work piece, and then a ramp down to 3000 watts to start the cosmetics weld pass.

3. Do a cosmetic weld pass for one (1) revolution around the part at three (3) kilowatts and ramp out to zero (0) power over the next three (3) inches.



D W IEBOARD INDOWDepending upon mode, this selection sets up the Dieboard database for height and speed parameters.

Parameter Description Speed Control

SY Positive or Negative Y-axis cutting speed.

SX Positive or Negative X-axis cutting speed.

Height Control

HY Positive or Negative Y-axis Auto Focus Height setting.

HX Positive or Negative X-axis Auto Focus Height setting.

Off Axis When checked, uses Off Axis speed and height values when a combined X, Y move is implemented.

Speed Cutting speed for off axis motion.

Height Auto Focus Height setting for off axis motion.

Beam Off Delay

MPLC system only. Sets the time interval for the beam trail to catch up at the end of a move (ms).



AUTOMATIC POWER CALIBRATION WINDOW The optional Automatic Power Calibration window is used on systems configured with an analogue power feedback option. This window is used to calibrate the commanded laser power output to actual laser power output.

Parameter Description Calibrated An indicator light. When lit, the MPLC has calibrated

the laser.

Non-Calibrated

An indicator light. When lit, the MPLC is not calibrated and the Laser Power control is not linear.

Calibrating An indicator light. When lit, the system is calibrating the laser by slowly ramping up and down the power of the laser while setting 26 calibration points to reference the power ramp profile.

Calibrate/ Save

Saves the calibration parameters.

Uncalibrate Clears the existing calibration parameters.

N hen cali amping the OTE: W brating, take note that the laser is rpower up and down. It is possible to calibrate the laser with it OFF resulting in all calibration parameters being zero (0).

NOTE: The Calibration Procedure takes about two (2) minutes.




DIAG MENU The Diag menu is used to troubleshoot system problems. Refer to the DIAG MENU WINDOWS in this section, for a description of these windows.

DIAG MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Diag menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Auxiliary Inputs

Displays the Auxiliary Inputs window.

Auxiliary Outputs

Displays the Auxiliary Outputs window

Axis I/O Displays the Axis I/O window.

Standard I/O Displays the Standard I/O window.

Following Error

Displays the Following Error window.

Rotary Buffers

Displays the Rotary Buffers window.

MPLC Active Axes

Displays the MPLC Active window.



DIAG MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Diag menu windows.

AUXILIARY INPUTS WINDOW Auxiliary Inputs are used for systems designed with more than eight inputs. They are implemented by using auxiliary I/O boards. Associated with each Auxiliary I/O Board, are 32 input points and 32 output points.




AUXILIARY INDOW OUTPUTS WA re used for syuxiliary Outputs a stems designed with more than eight ou plemented b tputs. The are im y using auxiliary I/O boards. Associatedw iliary I/O Board, arith each Aux e 32 input points and 32 output points.



AXIS I/O WINDOW

Switch Description

Amplifier Enable Indicates whether the amplifier (motor drive) is commanded to be enabled.

Home Flag Switch Input is not used.

Negative Limit Indicates the state of this switch (normally closed).

Positive Limit Indicates the state of this switch (normally closed).

Amplifier Fault (Optional)

This parameter is wired for axes with Yaskawa Drives and not available with axes that have Baldor Drives




STANDARD I/O The Standard I/O window displays status information. It monitors the Standard I/O on the motion control card that consists of eight inputs and eight outputs. Window



FOLLOWING ERROR WINDOW The Following Error window displays error status information. It indicates how well the system is executing the actual command moves.

ROTARY BUFFERS STATUS WINDOW The Rotary Buffer Status window displays Rotary Buffer Status information. It indicates how many blocks of CNC code are currently loaded into the motion controller.




MPLC ACTIVE AXES WINDOW The MPLC Active Axes window displays active status information for the listed axes.



LOGGER MENU The optional Logger menu displays alarm count and logging options. Logger is used to log alarms chronologically and numerically (keeps a sum total of each alarm time for the set time period). The logged alarms are rolled over (either monthly or weekly) depending on how the Alarm Log Options screen is configured. When rolled over, they are stored in a file using a file name that denotes the week or month of the rollover. These files are stored in the C:\PLS\Logfiles directory.

N e file na ed yearly, so if you want to keep a OTE: Th mes are re-usye d, you arly recor should remove them from the directory each year.

With the alarm information, you are able to generate reports that may help track potential problems.

LOGGER MENU OPTIONS The following table describes the Logger menu options. The access level for these options is configurable by PLS.

Option Description Alarm Count Displays the Alarm Count Log screen.

Logged Alarms

Displays the Logged Alarms screen.

Alarm Log Options

Displays the Alarms Log Options screen.

Manual rollover

Manually clears the logged alarms from the database.




LOGGER MENU WINDOWS The following sections describe the Logger menu windows.

ALARM COUNT LOG WINDOW The optional Alarm Count Log window displays the frequency for which an alarm occurs; it maintains a running count of how many times a particular alarm is captured. Click on the Print button to display a report screen.



LOGGED ALARMS WINDOW The optional Logged Alarms window displays the logged alarms and the last rollover date. The Print command prints current logged alarms in a report-type format.




ALARM LOG OPTIONS WINDOW The optional Alarm Log window displays alarm logging options. This screen lets you configure which alarms you would like to log, disable and enable logging, and set the log rollover period.

To activate/de-activate an alarm, click on the appropriate check box to enable or disable the alarm. Then click Save to put changes into effect.

DEFAULT ACUNAV ALARMS

Alarm Message Description

Encod Motor er Loss on (X) Contact PLS. The motor has lost feedback an unstable condition exits. Contact the PLS Service department immediately.

X = Motors 1, 2, 3 or 4



TOOLS MENU The optional Tools menu lets you access the Step and Repeat Header and Footer, which are used to enhance the Step and Repeat capability. These options execute desired commands at the beginning and the end of Step and Repeat process. Commands such as Auto focus Up/Down, Shutter Open/Close and Assist Gas On/Off are only issued at the beginning or at the end of the entire sheet to be processed.

When a part program is loaded and Step and Repeat is selected and enabled, you can enable Step and Repeat Headers and Footers from the Utilities menu. The following sequence takes place:

1. AcuNav issues the commands from the Step and Repeat Header file.

2. AcuNav runs the part program as many times as is programmed from the Step and Repeat database until the Program End is issued.

3. AcuNav issues the commands from Step and Repeat Footer file. If a Step and Repeat Header or Step and Repeat Footer file does not exist, se A NEW EAT HEADER/FOOTER FILE later in this e CREATING STEP AND REPse

T NU OPTIONS

ction.

OOLS METh ble d evel for e following ta escribes the Tools menu options. The access lth conese options is figurable by PLS.

Option Description Step and Repeat Header

Inserts or deletes commands at the beginning of Step and Repeat.

Step and Repeat Footer

Inserts or deletes desired commands at the end of Step and Repeat.




VISION MENU The optional Vision menu lets you access certain features of the Vision System. Under this menu, you can manually override, display and calibrate the vision offset correction factors.

VISION MENU OPTIONS The

acunav i users guide v2!24!00 sept 2004

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