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P a g e
J Tech Photonics, Inc.
Pic-
Convert™ Board Instructions V2
.7
Copyright 6/13/17
FIRST Start Up
The digital potentiometer DAC chip on the PicConvert board
starts out at 50% level
when you add
power to the board. If you have the output relay in OVERIDE then the output of your laser will be at
50% when it powers up. This could be potentially bad.
When you first start the board it is advised to use the “enable” input to control the output of the
PicConvert board. This way, you can set your output level to zero before the laser turns on.
To set your output to zero using the settings from the example above:
1.
Send a move command on your axis of choice to set maximum (-0.0255).
2.
Then send a move command to minimum (0).
This will put the output to zero. Alternatively, you can
jog your axis
in the decreasing direction to obtain
the same result. Do this until your laser no longer is on. The A axis has keyboard jogging for this.
Troubleshooting
Here are some frequent troubleshooting questions and answers.
1.
The Enable LED doesn’t work.
Solution: The LED had a manufacturing issue and will be solved in the next revision.
2.
On startup the PWM LED is bright and the Analog is dim.
Solution: That is the way it is supposed to be. The board starts at 50%. You need to jog the axis
to lower or increase the value.
3.
I am loosing steps in my picture. There are lines missing.
Solution: Your step pulse size is too small. Use at least 5 us for the step pulse and direction
pulse. Refer to our mach 3 settings in the previous section.
4.
My power adapter is not the right plug.
Solution: Either use a plug changer for the adapter or use another power supply over 7V that
has the correct plug. See the input power section for options.
5.
My engraving is always totally black.
Solution: You have not set the board to zero before starting. You need to either send a zero
command or jog to get the laser to a minimum level. You can turn the board on and the laser so
you can see the laser is at a minimum level before starting. If the laser starts at full power, then
the board will always modulate at full power. It needs to be set to zero so it can modulate
between zero and full power with 256 steps.
6.
I can’t get the board to do anything. I think my connections are correct. How can I verify
them?
Solution: Make sure your step, direction, and enable signals are all coming out of your break out
board or controller to the PicConvert board with a meter. Then, check the test points on the
PicConvert board to see if the signals got through the opto isolators.
