Before reading this manual, it is recommended, unless you have already done so, that you view the start-up video
included on the CD-ROM and execute the provided marking exercise .
It is nevertheless also highly recommended that you read the entire manual.
This machine is designed for marking applications. The manufacturer is not responsible for the quality of the work, or
for any damage resulting from improper use of the M3000, should it be used for any purpose other than marking.
This manual is designed to help you find the information you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It is made up of five main sections :
• Introduction - Start up,
• Using the marking program with a PC keyboard in the "program" mode,
• Using the marking program with a mini-keyboard in the "marking" mode,
• Using the machine,
• Technical data about the machine.
An index of key words will help you find information.
Furthermore, the four icons displayed below will help you to pinpoint the important points in the manual :
SAFETY AT THE WORKSTATION
Indicates the various precautions to be taken before installing and using
the M3000 safely.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITS OF WARRANTY
Indicates the various procedures to be followed to conform to the conditions of
the warranty.
ADVICE ON USE
Further advice on optimizing the performance of your M3000.
WHAT TO DO IF........
This icon refers to a chart in the last chapter giving instructions on what to do in
case of problems or a malfunction of your marking equipment.
The M3000 is a numerically-controlled micro-percussion marking M3000. The mechanical part is based on a X/Y table
guided by step by step motors that move a marking tool.
The electronic command is incorporated within the machine. It is made up of electronic boards and a cooling system.
The man/M3000 interface is also incorporated and made up of :
1 LCD screen
1 Mini keyboard
1 switch on the handle to trigger marking.
All of the elements making up this equipment are run by a simple user-friendly marking program.
The external PC keyboard (105 keys) is also included with the M3000 for easy programming of the files.
As a further option, the M3000 may be driven by a Windows® based program when connecting the Control Unit to a PC
using an RS232 cable.
Its light weight and its specially conceived ergonomics will permit the operator to carry it to the parts to be marked no
matter where they are located, on a working site, in a hangar, etc...
The electric power needed to run the M3000 may come directly from the mains supply or from the portable battery attached to the operator’s belt.
The connection to the pneumatic supply is situated at the end of the handle.
1.5) Identification plate of the marking equipment
Your marking equipment may be identified by its descriptive plate glued on the M3000.
Please note down the type and the serial number of the element for all correspondence with Pro-Pen.
INTRODUCTION AND START-UP
1 - 11
Regulation observance
Manufacturer, GravoTech Marking SAS - 56 avenue Jean Jaurès BP 80015 - 10604 LA CHAPELLE SAINT LUC France (head office) declares:
! Declaration of compliance
CE marking on the equipment attests the observance of the following European directives:
• Directive 98/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, concerning the consolidation of the laws of member states relating to the machines.
• Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage
limits.
• Directive 2004/108/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.
! Declaration of compliance to other directives
Equipment is compliant with the following European directives:
• amended Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste
electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment
This symbol indicates that once this equipment has reached the end of its useful life, it must not be
disposed of with non-sorted municipal waste, in accordance with European Directive 2002/96/EC.
The equipment must be disposed of at an appropriate collection point for processing, sorting, and
recycling of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE).
The elements which compose Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) may contain substances which
have harmful effects on the environment or on human health.
By following these instructions, you are helping the environment, contributing to the preservation of our natural
resources, and protecting human health.
! Declaration of compliance to norms
The equipment is compliant with the following norms:
• Standard NF EN 61000-6-2 of January 2006 concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 6-2: generic
standards- Immunity for industrial environments.
• Standard NF EN 61000-6-4 of March 2007 concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 6-4: generic
standards- Standard on emissions for industrial environments.
The modification or transformation of this equipment, adaptation and accessor y
installation unrecommended by Pro-Pen modify this equipment’ s characteristics and
therefore void the compliance with the applicable EU directives. These modifications
void Pro-Pen’s liability. In this case, the machine and equipment installer is
responsible for the final work station’s compliance.
To ensure your safety and extend the life of your M3000, please read this manual before using the
equipment.
• This equipment has been designed to function between :
• 5°C and 40°C with mains power,
• 5°C and 30°C with battery supplied power.
• Do not use this marking equipment in an explosive environment.
• The ground connection of the M3000 must conform to current legislation. The M3000 should be
connected to the electric monophased power supply using a standard 3 pin plug including one ground connection.
• During marking operations, the operator should keep fingers and all other objects away from the
area where the marking tool will evolve.
Should this advice be disregarded, possible injuries could result in pinching and light scratching.
1.8) Conditions of warranty and limits of use
This equipment is designed to be used with PRO-PEN marking tools. Any other use, or the use of a non
PRO-PEN marking tool is the sole responsibility of the operator.
• Never lubricate any part of the marking tool or the guiding bars of
the carriages with any product whatsoever.
• Never use more than 6 Bar of air pressure.
• The compressed air has to be brought in by a suitable installation.
• The air has to be clean and dry and not greasy.
PRO-PEN is not responsible for any injuries resulting from disregard of the above rules of operation,
or other general safety rules applicable for the use of this equipment. Furthermore, disregard of this
advice may suspend the warranty.
For more information, please refer to the warranty note delivered with the M3000.
• The batteries are not included in the warranty of your M3000. In order to lengthen their
lifespan, consult the recommendations found in chapter 4.3) Battery and Charger
• Never use any battery or power supply not delivered by PRO-PEN
• Never recharge the battery with a charger other than the one delivered by PRO-PEN.
Plug the connecting plug to the socket shown in the picture on page 12.
The connector of the M3000 is a Mini Din female type.
1.9.4. Connecting the compressed air
A rapid connector for flexible tubing (.Ø 4 x 6) is fitted at the end of the tubing. If your installation uses tubing of a
different diameter, this connector can be replaced by one of an appropriate diameter
The air pressure at the connector should always be between 5.5 and 6 Bar.
The usage of tubing that is too long will cause a drop in pressure. In this case, the pressure at the end where the air enters
should be above 6 Bar in order to ensure a range of 5.5 to 6 Bar at the gun entrance.
Use a pressure reducer valve/ pressure release valve with a simple filter (Ref.: 2501).
1.9.5. Connecting the power supply
1.9.5.1 - Connecting the power supply
• Check that the input voltage of your power supply is correct: 115 or 230V
The power supply must be connected in this order:
1. M3000 : Attach and lock the metallic male connector to the female connector.
2. Supply : Reconnect the male plug to your low voltage power supply.
1.9.5.2 - Connecting the battery (optional)
• Put on the battery belt. The battery should be on your back.
• From the M3000 side :
- Push and screw the metallic male connector to the 1 m. cable (female part)
- Push and screw the circular plug (Jack type, 6.35mm) to the rear of the battery case
1.9.6. Connection to a ground connection in both cases:
The marking equipment must be properly grounded to provide:
- A safe environment for the operators,
- A permanent electric potential to be used as a reference,
- A protection against electromagnetic interference.
The ground connection in the factory must be of good quality. If such were not the
case, a specific ground connection should be installed for the marking equipment.
The marking program will automatically start when the M3000 is switched on:
An introduction screen will appear after a few seconds:
Name
PROPEN
and then will be replaced by the main menu screen shown in the following chapter.
Version XXXX (XX/XX/XXXX)
M 3000
program
version
(Nº + date)
Should you have any problems or questions regarding your equipment,
please contact your distributor, giving the information shown on the
introduction screen.
After turning the power on, two cases shown below could possibly occur:
Power on
PC keyboard
connected
NO
See chapter 3 - operating
with the mini keyboard
See chapter 2 - operating
with an external keyboard
The external keyboard gives access to the various menus and functions of the marking program, and will permit you to
enter information needed for marking. The main keys used are the following :
ENTER
ESC
ARROW KEYS
UP - DOWN
LEFT
RIGHT
FUNCTION
KEYS
F2 TO F12
PAG E U P
PAGE DOWN
SPACE
TAB
F2
Esc
Access to different menus or to different entry zones in a marking file.
Validate data.
Return to the previous screen.
Move the cursor within the entry zones.
Access to different program functions.
F12
Move between blocks in a marking file.
Moving the cursor between the various entry zones.
ESC : Return to previous screenF2 to F12 : Access to different
program functions
Esc
~
!
1
Tab
Ctrl
SPACE : Activation / Deactivation
of ticked boxes
2
F1
F3
F2
2
“
£
2
3
F4
$%
5
4
F5F6
&
6
F7
(
‘
7
)
8
9
F8
#
0
F9F10
=
-
QWER TYU I OP
AS D F GHJ K L
MZXCVBN
Alt
+
;
^
<
>
.
,
Alt Gr
ENTER : Validation
of entered data
?
/
105 Keys AT Keyboard (QWERTY)
Access a menu using the TAB
or arrowkeys.
The selected icon will be backlighted
Press
PAGE UP- PAGE DOWN :
Moving between blocks
Scroll
lock
End
Pause
Attn
num
/
lock
*
789
456
123
End
0
InserDelete
.
_
+
Enter
Screen
F11 F12
print
Syst
_
_
{
@
[
}
]
Inser
Delete
Enter
Ctrl
ARROW KEYS UP-DOWN-LEFT-RIGHT :
Moving the cursor within
the entry zones
USING THE MARKING PROGRAM WITH EXTERNAL KEYBOARD IN "PROGRAMMING" MODE2 - 5
A marking file contains all the data to be marked on a part. It may be made up of one or several lines.
In the language of PRO-PEN, a marking file is made up of marking blocks.
The block to be marked may be made up of alphanumeric text or a logo,...
A marking file contains between 1 and 25 marking blocks.
The marking file for the plate shown opposite is made up of
5 marking blocks.
The following pages will explain the preparation of these
marking blocks.
All the necessary details for the personalization of the marking blocks will be included. (creation or
modification of a file, etc.)
2.5) Creation of a marking file
2.5.1. New marking file:
A new marking file may be created at all times using
the SHIFT + F5 keys
F5
+= NEW FILE
2 - 6USING THE MARKING PROGRAM WITH EXTERNAL KEYBOARD IN "PROGRAMMING" MODE
X : 0.00Y : 0.00[mm]
Text : Marking machine
Size : 0.50[mm]Stroke : 2
LinearAngularRadial
Enter the text to be marked in the designated block
The text may be made up of :
and/or
upper and lower case characters,
and/or
numbers,
and/or
lines,
and/or
“keywords”
The maximum number of characters per block is 30.
The letters and numbers to be marked depend on the font selected.
(see chapter 2.9.7.).
Block : 1/1
2.5.5.1 - Definition of "keywords"
The keywords correspond to codes interpreted by the marking program.
These are not marked literally, but “converted” before marking. The keywords are framed between the character @.
2.5.5.2 - Using "keywords"
Keywords must be framed by the character "@" in the text entry zone.
Example of a marking file :
*
X : 5.00Y : 5.00[mm]
Text : @"Miribel, "DD/MM/YY@
Size : 3.00[mm]Stroke : 2
LinearAngularRadial
Marking obtained
Block : 2/2
X
Miribel, 07/02/01
Y
2 - 10USING THE MARKING PROGRAM WITH EXTERNAL KEYBOARD IN "PROGRAMMING" MODE