FAQ: Read me first before posting your question

Post Reply
Tech_Marco
Posts: 4646
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:00 pm
Contact:

FAQ: Read me first before posting your question

Post by Tech_Marco »

Q: When the DSP card powers up, both the X and Y motors do not move or only move a little, why is that?

Ans: In most cases, this issue is due to the improper ‘um’ (micro-stepping) setting.

Solution:
There is an ‘um’ calculator built-in on LaserCad. You need to make a small cut for a square(for example 50mm x 50mm but any size works). Enter the expected value, in this example ‘50mm’, then enter the actual value from the cutting. The calculator will come up with a proper ‘um’ for the motor setting. Note, if the XY stage is not moving at all, try one of these ‘um’ to take the stage starting moving: 4, 4.5, 6, 6.5, 9, 12.6. Then redo the calibration again.


Q: When I cut or engrave a graphic, the scale is not right. How do I fix it?
Ans: It is due to the improper ‘um’ (micro-stepping) setting.

Solution: Use the built-in ‘um’ calculator on the LaserCad to find the correct ‘um’ value.
Create a square in size of 100mm x 100mm, then use the laser to cut it out. Measure the actual size of the square in both the X and Y side. Next, enter ‘Expect value 25mm”, then enter the actual value of the X and Y. A correct ‘um’ value will be obtained.


Q: I found that the X and Y move in opposite directions when the machine is turned on. What did I do wrong?

A: Nothing is wrong.

Solution: Open LaserCad, -> Option, -> Manufacturer Parameters, then change the ‘Datum’ from Negative to Positive or the other way around. Save it, then press “RESET” on the LCD control panel to apply the change.

Q: The X and Y motors run properly when homing after reset is hit. But they run in opposite directions when the arrow buttons control are used. How do I fix this problem?

Ans: User the LaserCad parameter setting, change the “Key direction” status, which will fix it. Make sure to Save the change and press “RESET” button to apply the change.

Q: When the XY gantry is homing, it collides with the frame without stopping even though it touches the limit switches. Is there anything wrong?

Ans: Check the continuity of the limit switches. It must be typed or ‘Normally opened” (N.O.) When engaged, the switches close the contact. When released, it is an opened circuit. Connect the limit switches to the X-/Gnd & Y-/Gnd of DSP.


Q: My machine size is 500mm x 300mm. But when I make a cut of 300mm x 200mm, the laser head slams on the frame. Does it cause a problem?

Ans: It is a scale error due to the incorrect ‘um’ value. Using the ‘um’ calculator to fine-tune the um will fix the issue.


Q: I always receive “Beyond size error” even though I locate my work piece in the center of the work screen. What is wrong with that?

Ans: There are a couple of reasons causing this error message
1) Acceleration is set too low. You need to increase the value of acceleration. For example, if you have X at 5000, try setting it to 10,000.
2) The object is placed too close to the margin of the page. Remember that both X and Y gantry need some space to accelerate in order to reach the speed specified on the job. Placing the object too close to the margin does not allow enough space for acceleration. Moving the object farther from the margin may fix the problem.
3) The speed was set too high and the distance for acceleration is limited. You need to lower the speed.
4) Double check the “Work Space” parameter setup and make sure that both “Machine Zero” and “Page zero” are matching the HOME (limit switch location) setting. For example, if your HOME is on the Top Left, then make sure the Machine zero and the Page zero are set to the Top Left.
5) On the menu bar, check the status of the “Position Relatives” and let it match the HOME location.

Q: I have maximum speed 600mm/s on X and 300mm/s on Y. But when I do a cutting test, the machine always run as slow as 300mm/s. Why?

Ans: For cutting, the machine is using the slowest speed between the X and Y settings. In this case, Y is the slowest so the machine will run both X and Y at 300mm/s. But when you do engraving, the X will run fast at 600mm/s and the Y will run at 300mm/s.


Q: When I cut a square, some of it isn't cut completely. For the square, I find that the four edges are cut but the corners are not cut at all. Why is that?

Ans: For cutting, there are two power setups: MaxPower% (for straight line) and Cornering power (turning). You need to set the power for both. Usually, the cornering power is 70% of the MaxPower. For example: if you put down 50% on the MaxPower, then you should put down 35 on the cornering power.


Q: When I press the “Laser” button, nothing happens. Everything seems working normally but no laser. When I press the “Test” button or bypass the DSP, I can see the laser firing. What is wrong?

Ans: Check the ‘WP’ on the laser power supply (LPSU) connection. Either connect it to the GND (ground) or hook up a normally opened water protection switch across the WP and GND. If WP is opened (not ground), it disables the laser power supply. It needs to be grounded to enable the LPSU.


Q: When the laser is firing, the LCD screen fades out and resets itself. Why?

Ans: There is an EMI (electromagnetic field) that is causing the resetting. Usually, it is due to poor grounding. You need to make sure that the laser power supply (LPSU) and the machine case are grounded. Double-check that the AC outlet has a true grounding plug. Some houses that were built in 1970 or older may not have a ground wire built-in. In that case, the water pipe is the best grounding!


Q: When I engrave a box, I find that the box is a little slanted instead of straight. How do I fix the problem?


Ans: It is called ‘backslash’. You may slow down the engraving speed to correct the backslashing. If it doesn’t help, go to Manufacturer Parameter and change the ‘Pulse edge’. If it is currently on ‘Negative’, change it to ‘Positive’ or vice versa.


Q: I want to do upgrade my DSP but the card can’t read the USB memory card. Why?


Ans: You must format the USB memory card with FAT32. Sometimes you may need to recycle power on the machine with the USB memory card inserted.


Q: My object is placed on the top left of the work space. However, when it starts engraving, it starts from some place else. How do I correct it?


Ans: There are three ‘Origin” modes built-in: Machine origin, Software origin, and Key origin. If you want the laser to start at the exact location of the software work space, you need to switch to “Software origin”. The most common one is the Key Origin. You move the laser head to location where you like to start a job, press ‘Origin’ on the LCD control unit then the job will start from that spot.


Q: The engraved/cut object was reversed or upside down. How do I fix it?


Ans: Check out 'Position Relatives' on the menu bar and make sure that the setting matches the HOME location. For example, if the HOME button is on the Top Left, then the Position Relatives must be set to the Top Left also.


Q: Even when I set the power to 25% for my job, the LCD is showing 50% when it starts engraving. Why?

Ans: There are two different power controls: LCD control and Software control. In that case, change the mode to Software control.

Q: Old T9 does not connect to usb.

Ans: It does not work on usb3.0

Prepared by Marco. 2015
Assistance: Derek
Post Reply

Return to “FAQ (laser)”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests