Universal Laser Systems PLS3.60, Safety, Installation, Operation, And Basic Maintenance Manual

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ADVANCED SYSTEM OPERATION
Section 9-5
If using less, the image resolution of the engraving is reduced. In some rare cases, using less than
500 PPI may produce better results.
In vector mode, laser pulsing follows the path of the outline of the object. Imagine the
laser system working like a sewing machine where the stitching always remains
consistent whether you sew fast, slow, or around curves. The setting you use will be
application material dependent. Using less than 150 PPI may result in the pulses
being spread so far apart that they may or may not touch one another. Perforated
paper has this characteristic. Higher PPI settings may cause more of a melting or
burning effect on the edges whereas lower PPI settings may reduce the burning, melting, or charring,
but may result in a serrated or perforated-looking edge. Increasing or decreasing the PPI setting
does not affect engraving speed, only the frequency of the pulses.
Mode
(drop down menu)
The driver uses the word “MODE” because the laser system works similar to the operation of a pen plotter
output device. A pen plotter physically selects a colored pen that matches the same colored objects in
your graphic, called “color mapping”, and draws the graphic, on paper, in that color. The laser system,
however, applies a Mode, % Power, % Speed, PPI, and Flow (computer controlled air assist models only)
setting to the individually colored objects in your graphic. Up to eight (8) sets of user-adjustable
parameters, which control laser beam delivery to your application material, can be “mapped” to the
respectively colored filled or outlined objects in your graphic.
NOTE: Black and white, grayscale, and color bitmaps are all mapped to the black color’s settings.
Selecting the appropriate color and clicking the drop down menu button toggles through the following
laser beam delivery modes for the each of the eight respective pen colors.
•
RAST/VECT (default) rasters fills and vector marks or cuts proper outlines.
•
RAST rasters all fills AND outlines regardless of outline thickness.
•
VECT only vector marks or cuts proper outlines. It will skip all fills and will skip all outlines with
line weights thicker than a hairline.
•
SKIP ignores all fills and outlines.
Laser
(drop down menu) (PLS 6.120D only)
If your system comes equipped with more then one laser tube you are given the choice of using either
both laser tubes or a single laser tube (Top or Bottom). If your laser system has one laser tube, select
the appropriate laser tube according to your laser system setup.
Z-Axis
(drop down menu)
This control on the Printer Driver lets you offset the Z-axis table from the current focal point. When the
feature is turned on and a height is set the table lowers the height entered and starts engraving. This
feature can be used as a Material Thickness focusing method as mentioned on Section 9-18 of the
manual.
Flow
(drop down menu)
If your system DOES NOT have the Air Assist option, you MUST leave the setting to OFF otherwise your
system will hesitate up to 10 seconds after you press the start button on the machine. If you purchased
the Air Assist option please refer to Section 8-7 for more detailed instructions on how to use the printer
driver controls properly.
Flow Rate
(drop down menu)
To control the Flow Rate of the Air Assist accessory the Flow on the drop down menu needs to be
activated. The Flow Rate ranges from 0% - 100% in increments of 25%.
Set Button
After making % Power, % Speed, PPI, and any other adjustments for the Pen parameters you must click
the SET button to register the changes. The changes will not be saved until the OK or APPLY buttons
are clicked. If the CANCEL button is clicked after the SET button the changes will not be saved and
reverted back to the previous settings.