Vision VR48 4 Series User Manual

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Vision VR48 Series 4

Router User Manual

Revised: 8/19/2015

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual

All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the written permission of the publisher.

Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document.

Revised: 8/19/2015

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Table of Contents

3Contents

Part I Introduction

................................................................................................................................... 71 Disclaimer and Warranty Information

................................................................................................................................... 92 Safety Precautions

................................................................................................................................... 123 Emergency Stop Locations

Part II General Information - Installation

................................................................................................................................... 141 Requirements

................................................................................................................................... 172 Wiring Connections

................................................................................................................................... 213 Carriage Ports Description

................................................................................................................................... 224 Installation Layout Diagram - T-Slot Table Models

................................................................................................................................... 235 Installation Layout Diagram - Vacuum Table Models

................................................................................................................................... 246 Vacuum Pump Installation - Vacuum Table Models Only

................................................................................................................................... 267 Mounting the Pendant Holder

Part III Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software

Installation

................................................................................................................................... 271 Computer Requirements

................................................................................................................................... 292 Direct Connection to Computer

................................................................................................................................... 363 Network Connection

................................................................................................................................... 394 Using a Network Hub - ONLY

................................................................................................................................... 465 Vision Software Installation

Part IV Router, Engraving and Knife Heads

................................................................................................................................... 561 High Frequency Router Head

................................................................................................................................... 582 Engraving Head and Spindles

................................................................................................................................... 613 Cutting Tool Installation

................................................................................................................................... 654 Oscillating Knife

.......................................................................................................................................................... 66Oscillating Knife Operation

Part V Operation

................................................................................................................................... 721 The Pendant Controls

................................................................................................................................... 902 Using the Measure Feature

................................................................................................................................... 933 Set Surface Procedures

................................................................................................................................... 964 Set Home Procedure

................................................................................................................................... 975 Sending Jobs to Your Machine

................................................................................................................................... 996 Using the T-Slot Table

................................................................................................................................... 1017 Using the Vacuum Table

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual4

................................................................................................................................... 1028 Vacuum Table Zones

................................................................................................................................... 1049 Dust Collector Operation

Part VI The DACS Camera System

................................................................................................................................... 1071 DACS Test File

................................................................................................................................... 1082 Setting Up the DACS Camera System 2

.......................................................................................................................................................... 108Machine Tools Installation

.......................................................................................................................................................... 109Ethernet Camera Driver Installation

.......................................................................................................................................................... 111Ethernet Camera Software Setup

.......................................................................................................................................................... 116Camera Adjustments

.......................................................................................................................................................... 119Vision VR48 Machine Configuration

.......................................................................................................................................................... 125Vision Software Setup

................................................................................................................................... 1273 Using the DACS Camera System

Part VII Example Jobs

................................................................................................................................... 1361 Level 1 Job Examples

.......................................................................................................................................................... 136Diamond Drag Engraving

......................................................................................................................................................... 137Example Job 1 - Diamond Drag

.......................................................................................................................................................... 147Rotary Engraving

......................................................................................................................................................... 148Example Job 2 - Rotary Engraving

.......................................................................................................................................................... 152Burnishing

......................................................................................................................................................... 154Example Job 3 - Burnishing

.......................................................................................................................................................... 163Profile Cutting

......................................................................................................................................................... 165Example Job 4 - Profile Cutting

................................................................................................................................... 1772 Level 2 Job Examples

.......................................................................................................................................................... 177Reverse Engraving/Color Filling

......................................................................................................................................................... 177Example Job 5 - Reverse Engraving

.......................................................................................................................................................... 186Deep Engraving Sign Foam

......................................................................................................................................................... 186Example Job 6 - Deep Engraving

.......................................................................................................................................................... 205Profile Cutting Dimensional Letter - Metals

................................................................................................................................... 2213 Level 3 Job Examples

.......................................................................................................................................................... 221ADA Signs

......................................................................................................................................................... 221Example Job 9 - Acrylic ADA Signage

.......................................................................................................................................................... 250Control Panels

......................................................................................................................................................... 250Example Job 10 - Plastic Control Panel

................................................................................................................................... 2814 Feeds and Speeds

107

135

Part VIII Vectorizing Images in Vision 9 Pro

Part IX Creating Multiples and Serialization in Vision

9 Expert and Pro

Part X Maintenance

................................................................................................................................... 3311 General Cleaning

................................................................................................................................... 3322 Electronics Maintenance

283

312 331

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................................................................................................................................... 3343 Motion System Cleaning and Lubrication

................................................................................................................................... 3404 Vacuum Pump Maintenance

5Contents

Part XI Optional Accessories

................................................................................................................................... 3421 UNIST Misting System

................................................................................................................................... 3452 Vacuum Chip Removal System

................................................................................................................................... 3463 Hold Down Clamps

................................................................................................................................... 3484 Fixtures

................................................................................................................................... 3515 Clamping Vises

342

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual6

1 Introduction

About This Manual

Thank you for your purchase of the Vision VR48 Large Format Engraving and Routing System. To fully take advantage of your system, be sure to read this guide completely before using your system. This manual is designed to provide you with information about your VR48 machine. Beginning with ing the machine and continuing through installation, operation and maintenance, this manual does not attempt to teach the user how to become an expert in engraving, computer usage, or engraving software usage. Some previous knowledge of engraving terms and the engraving process is certainly beneficial. For information on the Vision Engraving Software, see the Vision Engraving Software manual. For more information on your individual computer system, see your computer's user manual or contact your computer distributor.

To begin, locate the White/Blue Dongle or Orange Dongle or USB Stick included with your machine in the Accessories Box

Important Note:

The Vision software is available in two versions; one with a dongle, and one that is "dongle-less" and is loaded on to a USB Memory stick.

If your machine was delivered with, or you currently have the white/blue or orange software dongle, DO NOT LOSE IT!

The Vision software will NOT run without the dongle plugged into the computer.

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1.1 Disclaimer and Warranty Information

Limits of Liability / Disclaimer of Warranty

The information contained within this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate, however, Vision makes no representations or warranties for this manual, and assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions that may be contained within this manual. In no event shall Vision be liable for any loss of profit including (but not limited to) direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other damages resulting from any defect or omission in this manual, even if previously advised of the possibility of such damages.

In the interest of continued product development, Vision reserves the right to make improvements to this manual and the products it describes at any time, without notice or obligation.

Limited Warranty: Vision Computerized Engraving and Routing Systems

Vision Computerized Engraving and Routing Systems (Vision) warrants that for a period of one year from the date of shipment to the original purchaser of the VR48 Router (the System), that the System will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Upon written notification, we will transfer the remaining warranty to a new customer. This warranty shall cover all

elements except for items covered by separate manufacturer’s warranties and consumable items.

“Consumable” items include, but shall not be limited to, belts, brushes, lubricants, and cutters furnished with the System, for which no warranty is provided.

Introduction 7

In the event a defect is discovered during the warranty period, within thirty days of discovery, but no later than the last day of the warranty period as described above, the user shall contact Vision for instructions regarding disposition of the problem. Vision shall, at its option, either (1) repair the affected product with new or refurbished parts, or (2) provide a replacement. Any incidental costs, including the cost of shipment from the user’s location to the point of repair and return, and any installation performed by the user, shall be at the expense of the user.

This warranty covers normal use only and shall be void in the event that the System is altered or modified without authorization by Vision, or is subject to abuse, neglect, or other misuse by the user.

The warranties for Third-Party Hardware and Third-Party Software shall run directly from the manufacturers of such hardware and software to the user. Vision makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with regard to Third-Party Hardware or Third-Party Software.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual8

Vision does not warrant any product, component, or part not manufactured by Vision that was not supplied by Vision. (Third-party items, including but not limited to software, are subject to their own manufacturer’s warranties.) Vision does not warrant defects caused by a failure to provide a suitable environment for the system, by unauthorized attachments, by modifications or repairs other than by Vision, by use of the System for other than its original intention, or by other misuse or abuse of the System.

Extended Warranty

An Extended Warranty may be purchased which extends the terms of the original equipment Warranty in 1 year increments for a period of up to 30 days after the original equipment Warranty expires. An Extended Warranty may also be purchased for a period of up to 30 days after an existing Extended Warranty expires. Extended Warranties cannot be purchased on any equipment that is 7 or more years old, or if there is a Lapse of Warranty. Age of equipment is determined from the date of shipment to the original buyer.

Lapse of Warranty

If an Extended Warranty is not purchased within 30 days of the expiration of the original equipment Warranty, or within 30 days of the expiration of an existing Extended Warranty, the equipment will be in Lapse of Warranty. An Extended Warranty can never again be purchased for any equipment that is in Lapse of Warranty. It is the responsibility of the purchaser of the equipment to maintain accurate records and to know the expiration date of any Warranty.

The above and foregoing is the only warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, by statute or otherwise, regarding the System, its fitness, quality, merchantability, or otherwise. Any warranties implied by law are hereby expressly disclaimed. No oral or written information or advice given by Vision, its Dealers, Distributors, Agents, or Employees shall create a warranty or in any way increase the scope of this warranty. Neither Vision, nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the System shall be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages (including damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, and the like) arising out of the use of, or inability to use, the product.

Any software supplied by Vision in conjunction with the purchase of the System for use therewith shall be governed by its own separate software license and warranty agreement.

Terms and Conditions are subject to change

For Warranty Service Call: (602) 439-0700 Please have your machine serial number ready before calling.

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems is owned and operated by Western Engraver's Supply, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona, USA

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1.2 Safety Precautions

WARNING: Do not attempt to operate this equipment until you have read thoroughly and understood completely the instructions contained in this User's Guide! Failure to comply may result in damage to the equipment and/or inflict serious personal injury!

Only trained personnel should operate the VR48 system. All individuals operating this system should have read and understand this complete User's Guide.

Use of this equipment by unauthorized or untrained personnel may result in damage to the equipment and/or inflict serious personal injuries.

Introduction 9

Never use this machine in a Hazardous environment. Do not store or use this machine outdoors. Do not run this machine in an extremely hot environment.

Place the equipment in a location with low humidity and a minimum of dust. Avoid placing the equipment in direct sunlight or in locations with excessive heat.

Do not expose the equipment to rain or use it near water. You can clean the controller with a damp cloth, but be sure to unplug the unit first.

Follow the maintenance instructions for proper cleaning of the controller air filter. There are no user serviceable parts inside the controller. Please contact qualified service personnel

for service issues. Openings are provided in the controller box for ventilation. Do not cover the openings or place the

controller in an environment where the openings may become blocked. Never insert anything into the ventilation openings. Doing so may create a danger of electric shock. Always stop the machine before making any adjustments. Keep hands clear of the bottom of the spindle during operation. Do not operate the equipment with the covers removed. Use extreme caution when inserting or removing cutters. Before any servicing, disconnect the power cord.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual10

To avoid electric shock or equipment damage, connect the power to this machine according to the suggestions in this guide and in compliance with all applicable regulations. Make sure the machine is properly grounded.

Never operate the equipment with damaged or frayed power cords, loose connections, or exposed extension cords where the cord could create a tripping hazard.

Be sure to hold the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting the equipment from an electrical socket or power source.

Keep work area clean. Remove adjustment tools from the machine prior to start-up. Keep workbench clean. Cluttered work areas can increase the potential for an accident.

Safety Glasses should be worn at all times while machine is running. While machine is running, chips or other debris may become airborne.

Avoid loose clothing, neckties, gloves, rings, bracelets, or jewelry which may get caught in moving parts.

If your equipment does not operate properly; in particular, if there are any unusual sounds or smells coming from it, immediately unplug it and contact a service technician or your local distributor.

Unplug the machine when it is going to be left unused for an extended period of time. Operators should inspect the machine daily for damage or modifications. Under no circumstances

should the machine be operated if there is any doubt about the machine condition. If there are any questions call the Vision Engraving Systems technical support team at 602-439-0600.

Keep a safe distance away from machine while its running. Keep children away from work area at all times. Visitors should be at least 3 feet or more away from

working area. Do not operate this or any machine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Keep hands away from the spindle at all times when spindle is rotating and/or machine is moving.

Always wait for spindle to stop rotating completely before attempting to insert or change a tool. Do not try to stop the spindle manually with your hands or other devices. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in serious personal injury!

Never leave the machine running unattended.

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Introduction 11

Press any Emergency Stop switch to stop the machine immediately. Be familiar with the location of all emergency stop switches. In the case of an emergency you can

push the nearest one. Make sure workpiece is properly fastened to table before starting job. Turn on vacuum table or make sure clamps and other fixtures are tightly fastened. If workpiece moves

during operation you can damage the machine, the workpiece, and serious personal injury may occur to the operator.

Only use the machine and its attachments for the applications they were designed for. Forcing the machine or its attachments to do work it was not intended to do may cause permanent damage to the machine and serious injury may occur to the operator. If there are any questions about the abilities of your machine, please call the Vision Engraving Systems technical support team at 602-439-0600.

Do not force the machine to work at excessive speeds. The machine will work safely under normal permissible speeds which are material and application dependent. Using excessive speeds may damage tooling, material, the machine, and may cause serious personal injury.

Avoid powering on the machine when servicing the machine. Avoid powering on the machine when installing or replacing parts and/or accessories. Turn power to the machine OFF when not in use. Perform required maintenance at the recommended intervals. Use the general maintenance guidelines to properly maintain your machine. A disciplined approach to preventative maintenance can extend the useful life of any Router/Engraver,

improve cut quality, and reduce repair costs. Keep records of what and when you perform maintenance duties.

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1.3 Emergency Stop Locations

There are 4 emergency stop buttons on the VR48. One is on each side of the gantry, one is on the front panel and the last one is on the Pendant. Refer to the below diagram and pictures to identify the emergency stop locations.

Users should be familiar with Emergency Stop locations before

using the machine. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or

damage to the machine!

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Introduction 13

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual14

2 General Information - Installation

2.1 Requirements

Electrical Connections

1. A qualified and licensed electrician must be used to complete all wiring and grounding of the machine according to all state, local, and national electrical codes.

2. Make sure all Junction Boxes and Outlets are mounted according to all state, local and national electrical codes.

3. Junction Box #1 (50 Amp, 220 VAC, Single Phase) will power the router table, spindle, and controls. It is typically mounted on Wall A, approximately 36 to 48 inches above the floor surface. The box should be level with the left edge of the router table. (Refer to Installation Layout Diagrams).

4. Junction Box #2 - for machines equipped with Vacuum Tables ONLY - (40 Amp. 220 VAC, 3 Phase) will power the Vacuum Pump. Mounting should be on Wall A and between 36 inches and 48 inches above the floor surface. If locating the vacuum pump as shown (Refer to Installation Layout Diagram), locate Junction Box #2 no greater than 4 feet from Junction Box #1.

5. Outlet #1 (20 Amp, 220 VAC, Single Phase or 25 Amp, 110 VAC) should be mounted on Wall A as shown (Refer to Installation Layout Diagram - Section 2.1). This can also be another Junction Box if the Dust Collector is to be direct wired to its electrical source. The dust collector is approximately 2 feet x 3 feet and is on wheels.

6. Outlet #2 (15 Amp, 110 VAC, Single Phase) should have multiple standard three prong sockets for the computer. It is typically located near the bottom left corner of the router table (home position) as shown (Refer to Installation Layout Diagram).

7. Wiring needs to be completed to the junction boxes, outlets, etc. before the scheduled first

installation/machine orientation day.

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General Information - Installation 15

Locating the Router

1. A doorway of at least 80 inches wide and 80 inches high is required in order for the router to be moved into your facility.

2. Locate machine indoors on a flat surface and on a solid foundation.

3. Temperature must remain between 40°F and 85°F.

4. Do not expose machine to direct sunlight, rain, vibration, dampness, or explosive environments.

5. A forklift is required to remove the crate from the shipping truck and to locate the equipment in the building. The forklift must have a minimum capacity of 6,000 lbs and 6' or longer forks.

6. A pallet jack is required to level the router table.

7. The router table footprint is approximately 6.7 feet x 10.7 feet. A designated work area of at least 5 feet is strongly recommended around all sides of the machine to ensure ease of operation, material handling, cleaning, maintenance and safety.

8. Typically, the vacuum pump is between the router table and Wall A (Refer to Installation Layout Diagram - Section 2.1). Please note the orientation of the pump and motor.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual16

Leveling the machine

1. Make sure the machine has been properly located at your work-site.

2. It is not necessary to bolt your machine to the floor in your facility. However, a solid, stable foundation is required to support the machine's weight.

3. There should be a leveling bolt in each of the four machine legs.

4. Place a precision leveling gauge on the machine's table top and adjust the leveling bolts until the machine is level in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Scheduling the Installation

1. Please schedule an electrician for the morning of the first day of installation/machine orientation to connect the router table, vacuum pump motor, and dust collector to the junction boxes and outlets.

2. If an electrician is not available for the installation, please call Vision ASAP in order to reschedule installation/machine orientation. If Vision personnel arrive and the electrical connections are not ready and the electrician is not present, there will be an additional charge $750/day while waiting.

WARNING:

The first time the Vacuum Pump is turned on, check that the direction of rotation is correct. Turn it on, then off, observing the direction of rotation. It should match the arrow on the pump near the motor. If necessary, swap any two of the three power leads to change the rotation to the opposite direction. Prolonged usage of the vacuum pump when rotating in the incorrect direction can cause permanent damage to the pump.

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2.2 Wiring Connections

The Main Power Switch is located on the left side of the VR48.

General Information - Installation 17

The main power supply is connected to the Main Electrical Box on the left side of the VR48. Remove the cover and make the connections as shown below. Ground is connected to the bare wire and common leads are connected to the two shielded wires. The supply for this connection is Junction Box #1 (220 VAC, Single Phase).

Note: The picture below is for illustration purposes only. The power cable should enter the Main Electrical Box through the hole in the left side of the box as shown in the above picture.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual18

On the front of the control box for VR48 Router, there are four connection ports; One is an Ethernet port used to connect your computer or network to the on-board Series 4 Controller, the second is for the Pendant, the third is another Ethernet port used to connect a computer to the optional DACS Camera System, and the fourth is to connect the Remote Start Switch for the Dust Collector System.

Plug the network cable (or the crossover cable) into the BOTTOM Ethernet port on the VR48, then either plug the network cable into your network (or hub), or using the crossover cable, plug into the network port on your computer. Plug the Pendant cable into the Pendant and Pendant Port on the VR48. Connections for the DACS Camera System are detailed in a separate section of this manual. Connect the Dust Collector Remote Start Cable to the Remote Start Port using the supplied cable.

NOTE: The crossover cable is colored gray.

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General Information - Installation 19

The Dust Collector Remote Start Switch will need to be connected. For ease of operation, a remote start switch and cables can be used to turn on the dust collector automatically when a job is being run. The supply for this connection is from Outlet #1 (220 VAC, Single Phase, 20 Amp or 110 VAC 25 Amp).

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual20

Wiring for this switch is shown below. The input and output wires should be connected as shown. Both input and output ground wires can be connected to the single GND location shown. The switch can be wall mounted at a location convenient for the user.

The Remote Start Cable is connected to the Remote Start Port on the front of the machine's control box.

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2.3 Carriage Ports Description

The connection ports on the right side of the carriage are shown below. Depending on the installed equipment, these ports will be used to connect accessories or other accessories to the router.

DACS Ethernet Port - This port connects to the Ethernet cable plugged into the DACS Ethernet Camera System*.

Proximity Sensor Port - This port connects to the proximity sensor cable when using the Engraving Head*.

Spindle Port - This port connects to the spindle cable and provides power and control signals to the High Frequency Router Head.

DACS Power Port - Connects to the DACS Power Cable plugged into the DACS Ethernet Camera System*.

Misting System Port - This port connects to the Unist Misting System* and provides power to control the system.

Oscillating Knife Port - Connects to the cable plugged into the Oscillating Knife*. This port provides power and control signals to the knife.

General Information - Installation 21

Surface Sensing Block Port - Connects the Surface Sensing Block cable to the machines controller when setting the surface of the material to be processed.

*If equipped

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual22

2.4 Installation Layout Diagram - T-Slot Table Models

Example Router Installation Room Layout

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General Information - Installation 23

2.5 Installation Layout Diagram - Vacuum Table Models

Example Router Installation Room Layout

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual24

2.6 Vacuum Pump Installation - Vacuum Table Models Only

The Main Vacuum Port for the VR48 is located at the foot of the machine. To connect the vacuum pump to the machine, use the supplied 3" diameter vacuum hose and connect one end to the vacuum pump and the other end to the Main Vacuum Port on the machine.

The vacuum pump has been equipped with an electrical connector designed for a 40 amp, 220 VAC, 3 phase power supply. A qualified and licensed electrician must be used to complete all wiring and grounding of the vacuum pump according to all state, local, and national electrical codes.

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General Information - Installation 25

The direction of rotation must be confirmed prior to using the vacuum pump. After all electrical connections have been made, briefly turn on the power to the vacuum pump and by viewing the direction of rotation through the motor fan cover, and comparing it to the directional rotation indicators, confirm the motor is rotating in the correct direction. If it is not, the electrician must swap two of the power leads to the vacuum pump motor. It does not matter which two leads are swapped. After the wiring change has been made, briefly turn on the power to the vacuum pump to again confirm the direction of rotation.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual26

2.7 Mounting the Pendant Holder

The Pendant Holder for the VR48 can be mounted on the front of the machine. To install the Pendant Holder, remove the three screws on the machine and mount the holder to the machine as shown below. Place the Pendant in the Holder to keep it secure when the machine is being used.

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General Information - Installation 27

Minimum System Requirements

CPU:

Dual Core (2.0GHz or higher)

Hard Drive:

500 GB free space

RAM:

1GB + OS Requirements

Operating System:

Windows 10 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Windows 8 & 8.1 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Windows 7 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Windows XP SP3 - 32 Bit (64 Bit not supported)

Ports:

USB port for security dongle

Local or network Ethernet port to connect machine

Suggested System Requirements

CPU:

Core i3 (or faster)

Hard Drive:

1 TB (or more)

RAM:

4GB + OS Requirements

Operating System:

Windows 10 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Windows 8 & 8.1 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Windows 7 - 32 Bit & 64 Bit

Ports:

USB port for security dongle

Local or network Ethernet port to connect machine

3 Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation

In the following sections, equipment and Vision software installation will be outlined. There are three connection configurations possible to the VR48's On-board Series 4 Controller.

The first is a direct cable connection of the VR48 to your computer via the network port. There is a special "crossover" cable supplied for this connection type. This configuration is for a stand alone computer that is NOT connected to a WIRED network or internet. The Controller can be connected to a computer that is connected to a wireless network in this manner.

The second configuration is for connection to the VR48 through a wired network using a standard network cable (DO NOT use the crossover cable when connecting to a network). In this configuration, the machine will be recognized as a network device. Connection to the VR48 in this manner is the easier of the two connection types. If there are no network connections available, a network hub can be added to allow connection of the VR48 to your network.

The third configuration is for a connection from the computer to a hub (or router) and then to the VR48. This is WITHOUT a computer network. Standard Ethernet cables are used in this configuration.

Please call your distributor or the service department at Vision for assistance if you are having problems making these connections.

3.1 Computer Requirements

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPUTER USED TO OPERATE THE VISION ENGRAVER OR ROUTER BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. THIS ALLOWS THE USER TO ALLOW VISION'S TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO ACCESS THE MACHINE AND TROUBLESHOOT IF

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual28

NECESSARY.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 29

The computer will recognize the USB drive and the following screen will appear. Select Continue without scanning.

Select Open folder to view files.

3.2 Direct Connection to Computer

Direct Connection to Computer Using Crossover Cable

Once the VR48 is connected directly to your computer's network port with the crossover cable (gray colored cable), turn the machine on. Make sure all 4 emergency stops are not pressed. The main power switch is located on the left side of the machine. The safety key switch for the VR48 is located on the front left of the machine. Turn the main power switch to On, then turn the safety key switch to On. Once the machine has initialized, plug the supplied Vision USB drive (or Orange USB Dongle) into an available USB port on your computer.

NOTE - This installation is performed on a Windows 7 PC. For Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, the screens are slightly different.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual30

Locate the file named Start and double click on the file to start the installation. The screen below shows Start.exe, but your computer might not show the .exe portion.

Select Step 1 - Setup Machine. This installs the Vision Connectivity Manager software.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 31

When the software is installed, select Finish.

The Connectivity Manager will search for available Vision devices.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual32

The computer's IP address will need to be set. NOTE - this should not cause any conflicts with your computer's wireless IP address, which is determined by the computer's wireless network card. To set the computer's IP address, open the Window's Control Panel. Depending on how you have this folder set, you will either see Network and Internet, or you will see the Network and Sharing Center immediately. If you see Network and Internet, select View Network Status and Tasks (which opens the Network and Sharing Center). If you see the Network and Sharing Center, open it. Then select Local Area Connection (as shown below).

Select Properties.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 33

Then, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Then select Properties. Select Use the following IP address: and enter 192.168.5.100 and set the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 as shown. Then select OK and close any other network configuration windows.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual34

The IP address of the machine will need to be set to set up the connections properly. Select the + box next to the machine now listed in the Discover Machine Tools window to expand the information. Then select Configure (Your Machine) at the bottom of the screen.

Select Use Static IP.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 35

Set the IP address (as shown) to 192.168.5.101, then select OK. This sets the machine's IP address.

The configuration is complete at this point. Close the Discover Machine Tools window and return to the Main Installation Screen to proceed with the Vision software installation in the next section.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual36

The computer will recognize the USB drive and the following screen will appear. Select Continue without scanning.

Select Open folder to view files.

3.3 Network Connection

Connecting via Standard Network Cable to Network

Once the VR48 is connected to your network, turn the machine on. The main power switch is located on the left side of the machine. Make sure all 4 emergency stops are not pressed. The safety key switch for the VR48 is located on the front left of the machine. Turn the main power switch to On, then turn the safety key switch to On. Once the machine has initialized, plug the supplied Vision USB drive (or Orange USB Dongle) into an available USB port on your computer.

NOTE - This installation is performed on a Windows 7 PC. For Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, the screens are slightly different.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 37

Locate the file named Start and double click on the file to start the installation. The screen below shows Start.exe, but your computer might not show the .exe portion.

Select Step 1 - Setup Machine. This installs the Vision Connectivity Manager software.

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Vision VR48 Series 4 Router User Manual38

When the software is installed, select Finish.

The Connectivity Manager will search for available Vision devices.

The configuration is complete at this point. Close the Machine Tools Discovery window and return to the Main Installation Screen to proceed with the Vision software installation in the next section.

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Series 4 Contoller and Vision 9 Software Installation 39

The computer will recognize the USB drive and the following screen will appear. Select Continue without scanning.

Select Open folder to view files.

3.4 Using a Network Hub - ONLY

Connection from PC to Hub or Router to Machine or Controller

Once the VR48 is connected to a hub or router, and the hub or router is connected to your computer's network port, turn the machine on. Make sure all 4 emergency stops are not pressed. The main power switch is located on the left side of the machine. The safety key switch for the VR48 is located on the front left of the machine. Turn the main power switch to On, then turn the safety key switch to On. Once the machine has initialized, plug the supplied Vision USB drive (or Orange USB Dongle) into an available USB port on your computer.

NOTE - This installation is performed on a Windows 7 PC. For Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, the screens are slightly different.

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Locate the file named Start and double click on the file to start the installation. The screen below shows Start.exe, but your computer might not show the .exe portion.

Select Step 1 - Setup Machine. This installs the Vision Connectivity Manager software.

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When the software is installed, select Finish.

The Connectivity Manager will search for available Vision devices.

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The computer's IP address will need to be set. To set the computer's IP address, open the Window's Control Panel. Depending on how you have this folder set, you will either see Network and Internet, or you will see the Network and Sharing Center immediately. If you see Network and Internet, select View Network Status and Tasks (which opens the Network and Sharing Center). If you see the Network and Sharing Center, open it. Then select Local Area Connection (as shown below).

Select Properties.

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Then, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

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Select Use Static IP.

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Set the IP address (as shown) to 192.168.5.101, then select OK. This sets the machine's IP address.

The configuration is complete at this point. The new IP address should appear in a few seconds in the Discover Machine Tools window. Close the Discover Machine Tools window and return to the Main Installation Screen to proceed with the Vision software installation in the next section.

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3.5 Vision Software Installation

From the Main Installation Screen, Select Step 2 - Install Vision Software.

The Windows Installer will prepare the installation.

Select Next.

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Select Install.

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The installation will proceed.

Select the appropriate language and select OK.

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Installation will proceed.

Select Next to begin the installer.

Select Accept the license agreement, then select Next.

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Select Next (or change the destination folder - not recommended).

Select Next to create the folder.

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The installation will continue.

Select Vision Routers S4 (4'x8' and larger) from the Manufacturer list on the left side of this window by clicking in the box to the left of the machine (or machine series) you own. The right side of the window will list a selection of Output Devices. Only put a check mark in the box(es) to the left of the Output Device(s) you own. Then select Next. If you purchase another engraving system from Vision, it can be added to the machine list at a later date from within the Vision software.

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Select Continue to install True Type fonts and Vision Engraving Fonts on your computer.

The software will look for True Type fonts on your computer and allow the Vision software to use them.

Once the True Type fonts are installed, select OK.

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In this step, the software will install any Engraving fonts on your computer.

When complete, click on OK.

In order to install the fonts on the USB drive, select A Removable drive and from the drop down list, select the drive letter for the Vision USB drive plugged into your computer.

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Select OK to install to the default folder.

Select OK. All fonts and clipart have been installed from the USB drive at this time.

Select OK to return to the main installation screen.

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To complete the installation, select Finish.

To close the Software Setup window, select Finish.

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Select Exit to close the installer.

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The Vision manuals icon should now appear on your computer's desktop along with an icon for your version of Vision 9 software.

Clicking on the Vision manuals link will give the user access to User Manuals, Installation Guides, Accessories and Training Videos.

If you were supplied with an Orange Dongle (orange USB stick), keep it installed in your computer's USB port in order to use the Vision software. If you were supplied with another color USB stick with your machine, it can be removed at this time from your computer. Installation is now complete.

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4 Router, Engraving and Knife Heads

4.1 High Frequency Router Head

High Frequency Router Head Diagram - Installed

The High Frequency Router Head is NOT removable on the VR48 Router. It is permanently aligned at the factory to a maintain perpendicularity to the machine's X and Y axis. Do NOT attempt to remove the High Frequency Router Head at any time.

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4.2 Engraving Head and Spindles

The VR48 has an Engraving Head option that can be easily attached when the application requires. There are two spindles available with the Engraving Head; a standard spindle and a high speed spindle.

Standard Engraving Head

Installation Instructions:

Install the drive pulley on the bottom of the router motor shaft and secure with a wrench.

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Mount the engraving head on the router head. The engraving head has two locating pins which fit into holes on the router head. Secure the engraving head with the supplied Allen screws. Install the drive belt around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. Connect the proximity sensor cable to the plug on the right side of the carriage and route the cable as shown. Place the cable into the cable retainers to secure the cable.

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High Speed Spindle

An option with the engraving head is a high speed spindle. It can be identified by looking at the spindle pulley (the driven pulley) on top of the spindle. The high speed spindle uses a much smaller diameter pulley than the standard engraving spindle (0.75" diameter). The standard spindle uses a driven pulley and drive pulley of the same diameter (1.375" diameter, for a 1:1 ratio) and therefore, turns the same RPM as the router motor. The high speed spindle runs at a ratio of 1.833:1. When determining the RPM of the high speed spindle, the user must multiply the speed shown in either the tool options in the Vision 9 software, or on the Pendant by 1.833. As an example, to achieve 27,500 RPM at the spindle, the router motor must be set to 15,000 RPM (15,000 x 1.833 = 27,500).

Mounting and connections are the same as for the standard engraving head.

NOTE: The high speed spindle uses a shorter drive belt than the standard spindle. You can identify the belt used for the high speed and standard speed spindles as per below.

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4.3 Cutting Tool Installation

Installing Cutters - Engraving Head

All cutters are installed into the top of the spindle when using the engraving head. To install the cutter, first loosen the set screw on the cutter knob with the supplied cutter wrench and move the cutter knob to

about the mid-point of the cutter tool, then lightly tighten the set screw. Note that the set screw on the cutter knob is NOT a standard Allen screw. It is a Spline Wrench. DO NOT attempt to turn the set screw with any tool other than the cutter wrench. Insert the cutter into the top of spindle and lower it until the cutter knob can be screwed into the spindle. The cutter knob is REVERSE threaded, so in order to tighten the cutter knob, turn the knob COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (when viewed from the top of the spindle) until it is hand tight. Depending on which type of cutter being used, the amount the cutter tip extends below the nose cone may vary. In the Example Jobs section of this manual, techniques for setting the cutter depth are detailed for common applications. Once the cutter has been lowered the appropriate amount, tighten the cutter knob set screw.

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Installing Cutters - Router Head

The router head uses a collet to hold the cutting tool in place. Shown below are the included items needed to properly install a cutter into the collet.

There are two sizes of collets included with your machine; one for 1/4 inch diameter tool shanks and one for 1/2 inch diameter tool shanks. The collet is held into the nut with a snap ring. To install the collet into the nut, angle the collet into the nut and press down. Do not use excessive force. If the collet does not snap into the nut when pressing down by hand, rotate the collet or change the angle of the collet and press down again.

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Screw the collet/nut assembly on to the bottom of the spindle. Install the cutter through the bottom of the collet and tighten the nut on to the spindle by hand to hold the tool in place. Make sure the cutting tool is both inserted into the collet enough to clamp on to the tool shank, and the cutter extends below the nut far enough for your application.

WARNING: Cutting tools are VERY sharp. Handle cutting tools with extreme care. Always use gloves when handling cutting tools to prevent injury!

To secure the tool in the collet, use the spanner wrench and the open end wrench to tighten the nut. The open end wrench will fit into slots above the threaded portion of the spindle. The spanner wrench has teeth that fit into slots on the nut. Turn the nut in the direction shown below to tighten the nut. The nut should be tightened by hand. If the nut is not tight enough, the tool may either slip in the collet, or fall out during operation.

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To remove the cutter, turn the nut as shown below using the open end wrench and spanner wrench.

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4.4 Oscillating Knife

Mounting and Connecting the Oscillating Knife

Place the Oscillating Knife Assembly against the right side of the Rail Plate and align the mounting holes with those in the Rail Plate. Install the 2 Mounting Screws and tighten the screws securely.

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Plug the supplied cable (not shown) into the port on the top of the Oscillating Knife Assembly and plug the other end of the cable into the Oscillating Knife Port on the Carriage.

NOTE: ALWAYS REMOVE THE OSCILLATING KNIFE FROM THE ROUTER WHEN USING THE ROUTER OR ENGRAVING HEADS.

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4.4.1 Oscillating Knife Operation

Knife Blade Installation

WARNING: KNIFE BLADES ARE VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE INJURY. HANDLE WITH CARE. PROTECTIVE GLOVES ARE RECOMMENDED WHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVING KNIFE BLADES.

To install a Knife Blade, loosen the Allen Screw at the base of the Knife Assembly and insert the Blade Shaft into the Holder, making sure the Flat on the Blade Shaft is facing the Allen Screw. Tighten the Allen Screw firmly.

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Setting Surface

When running jobs with the Oscillating Knife, the surface must be set on the machine to the top of either the Cutting Pad (for machines with the Vacuum Table), or the MultiMat material (for machines with TSlot Tables). Below is the procedure to set the surface.

Turn on the machine's controller, home the machine and move the spindle over to a location near the middle of the table. If using the Cutting Pad, TURN ON THE VACUUM PUMP. The vacuum pump must be running to pull the Cutting Pad and MDF Board down against the vacuum table, otherwise the surface set in this procedure will not be accurate and incomplete cutting will result.

Plug the Surface Sensing Block Connector into the Port on the left side of the Carriage and place the Surface Block on the Cutting Pad under the Knife Blade as shown. The Spindle Clamp is NOT used when setting surface with the Surface Sensing Block.

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Lower the spindle using the Z Down Key on the Pendant until the tip of the knife is approximately 1 inch above the Surface Block.

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WARNING: ONCE THE SET SURFACE KEY ON THE PENDANT IS PRESSED IN THE NEXT STEP, THE KNIFE WILL BEGIN OSCILLATING. KEEP HANDS AND CLOTHING AWAY FROM THE KNIFE OR SEVERE INJURY MAY RESULT.

Press the Set Surface Key on the Pendant. The knife will begin moving up and down (oscillating). Hold the Surface Block down FIRMLY, then press and HOLD the Set Surface Key down. The spindle will

slowly start to move down toward the Surface Block. When the tip of the knife touches the Surface Block, the spindle will move back up and the knife will stop oscillating. Release the Set Surface Key at this time. The surface of the Cutting Pad (or MultiMat) is then stored in the machine's controller and the Set Surface procedure is complete. Press Go To Home on the Pendant and unplug the Set Surface Block Connector from the Carriage.

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Setting Up Cut Files

When using the Cutting Pad or MultiMat material under the substrate being cut, the knife must be set to slightly "over cut" the substrate. The procedure for setting up the proper cutting depth is described below.

Open the Vision Software. The first step in creating cut files is to understand that the Oscillating Knife ONLY recognizes objects drawn in PEN 31. To create a custom pen using pen 31 in any color desired, double click on any of the color swatches at the bottom of the Vision software screen. In this example, the Red color swatch was chosen.

The Edit Color window will appear. Change the Pen to 31 and set the Depth to 0.035 when using the Cutting Pad. (If using the MultiMat, set the Depth to 0.005). Click on Add once these changes have been made.

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A new color swatch will be added to the swatch bar. Move the mouse over the new color and its Depth Setting and Number of Passes will be shown. (One pass is sufficient for cutting most all substrates).

Select this color swatch by clicking once on it. All graphics drawn will use this color (and the Pen/Depth settings assigned to that color).

After creating the cut file, select the Engrave icon from the left toolbar. Then set the Device as the Oscillating Knife (large router) S4. If this Device is not listed, install this Device by closing the Cut Toolbox and selecting File > Install > Cutting Devices, then selecting this Device from the list under options for your Vision Routers (4'x8' and larger).

Select the Tool Setup icon (to the right of the Tool field on the top toolbar. The Tool Setup window for the Oscillating Knife will appear. Choose either the Default setting, the Cardboard setting, or modify the settings for Oscillation RPM and/or Cutting rate to optimize cutting the substrate being used. Select OK when finished, then send the job to the machine by clicking on the engrave icon in the Cut Toolbox.

For further instructions on using the Oscillating Knife, please contact Vision technical support - 602439-0700.

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5 Operation

5.1 The Pendant Controls

The Pendant controls all of the movement and speeds of your Vision engraver or router. Below is a picture of the Pendant. The function of each button is explained below.

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XY Speed + and - Buttons - These buttons control the engraving speed of the

machine. You can change the engraving speed depending on the type of material you are engraving and the type of cutter you are using. If you are using a diamond drag cutter (non-rotating), you can generally run the machine at higher speeds. If you are using a rotary cutter, you will need to adjust the speed depending on what type of material you are cutting. Harder materials, such as acrylic and engraver's brass, will need to be engraved at slower speeds. Softer materials such as engraver's plastic can be engraved at higher speeds. A rule of thumb for setting the engraving speed is to start off engraving at a slow speed, then gradually increase the engraving speed while the machine is engraving. Increase the speed until you get to a speed where it sounds like the machine is working freely. If your speed is too fast, the machine will sound like it is working very hard, or putting a heavy load on the engraving spindle. If this happens, you can possibly dull the engraving cutter or the engraving quality will not be very good. Fortunately, engraving speeds presets for most materials are sent to the engraver with the job file. There is much less trial and error as a result.

Z Speed + and - Buttons - These buttons control how fast the spindle will move

down into the material. Typically, you can leave the speed at it's maximum setting, unless you are engraving into hard materials such as acrylic or deep engraving into metals. In cases such as these, slow the speed down using the Z SPD - button. Again, this is part of the presets sent to the engraver after a material is selected in the Vision software.

RPM (Spindle Speed) + and - Buttons - These buttons control the rotational

speed (RPM) of the engraving spindle. You would change the RPM of the engraving spindle depending on the type of material you are engraving or for different sizes of engraving cutters. The harder the material you are using, the higher the RPM you would use. Also, the larger the cutter you are using, the higher the RPM you would use. A rule of thumb for setting the spindle speed is to start out at a higher RPM. You can gradually lower the RPM while the machine is working. Keep lowering the spindle speed until the spindle sounds like there is a load (or drag) on the spindle. When you reach that point, you should turn the spindle speed knob up a little bit. The spindle speed also has presets based on the material selected in the Vision software.

Start Button- The Start button is used to start the engraving machine. When there is a job

in the machine, the Pendant Screen will display the message "Press START to Go; EXIT to Abort. Z-up to Prox Restart, Shift/Start - Dryrun". Also, if you have pressed the Pause button to stop the engraving, pressing the Start button will resume the job.

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If a job has been sent to the machine and has been run, the Start button has another feature. If you are using the Connectivity Manager (not Machine Tools), pressing the Start button after the job has been run, will recall the job. Pressing the Start button once more will run the same job.

, then Shift, then Start Button

When connected via Connectivity Manager - Pressing Shift, then Start with a job in the machine will perform a dry run of the job with the red pointer on the machine. The red pointer will outline the job to be engraved. If there is no job in the machine, this function will attempt to connect to your computer and you will receive the messages "Connecting to host...", then, "Host not responding!" This is normal, as this button combination is not meant to be used with the connectivity manager.

When connected to Vision Machine Tools - If there is no job in the machine, pressing Shift, then Start will display a list of jobs that are stored on the computer's hard drive. Use the Y up and down jog buttons to move the cursor on the Pendant screen to the job to be engraved and then press Enter to select the job. Pressing Start will run the job. If a job is in the machine and ready to be engraved, pressing Shift, then Start will perform a dry run of the job with the red pointer on the machine. The red pointer will outline the job to be engraved.

Pause Button - The Pause button is used to momentarily stop the machine from

engraving. If you press the Pause button while the machine is engraving, the machine will lift the cutter up from the material and stop engraving. The spindle motor and vacuum will power off while in Pause mode. Pressing the Start (or Enter) button will resume (Continue) the engraving where it left off. To Cancel the job, use the Y Up or Down buttons to select Cancel, then press the Enter button. When in Pause mode, the Pendant screen will display:

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Emergency Stop Button - This button will stop engraving immediately, leaving

the cutter in the down position and will power off the X, Y and Z stepper motors and also shut off the spindle motor and auxiliary. Once you have pushed the Emergency Stop Button, you must twist the knob clockwise to release it. Press the Goto Home button to power up the machine and move the spindle back to the home position.

The job you were running will be canceled. To run a job, send it to the machine again.

Jog Speed Button - The Jog Speed button will toggle the machine's jog speed between

Fast, Medium and Slow. The current jog speed can be seen on the Pendant screen as highlighted below.

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X & Y Jog Buttons - The X & Y jog buttons are used to move the

position of the spindle on the T-Slot table work area. This is used to position graphics, or to locate an area for engraving. The X jog buttons will move the spindle left and right. The Y jog buttons will move the spindle front to back. As you use the X & Y jog buttons, the Jog speed will determine how fast the spindle will move and the spindle position will be displayed on the Pendant screen as highlighted below.

Z Jog Buttons - These will move the spindle up and down. These buttons are commonly

used for setting the surface of your material when you are not using the proximity sensor. The spindle will jog up and down at the Jog speed displayed on the Pendant screen (medium, slow or fast). As you use the Z jog buttons, the spindle position will be displayed on the Pendant screen as shown above.

Shift button - The Shift button is used to access different functions. Pressing the Shift

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button will highlight the up arrow in the bottom left corner of the Pendant screen.

Set Surface Button - The set surface button is used to set the surface point of the

material you are engraving. The procedure for setting the surface is as follows: a) Use the X & Y jog buttons to move the spindle over the material to be engraved. b) Press the Set Surface button. The Pendant screen will display the message below

c) Lower the spindle with the Z down jog button until you reach the desired position. d) Press the Enter button to set this as the surface position. The spindle will then move up to its lift position. HINT: It is sometimes easier to set the surface right before engraving the job. To do this, send a job to the machine to be engraved. Press Pause. Press Start. The spindle will move to the first point to be engraved and pause. You can then jog the Z down until you reach the desired Z position, then press Set Surface, then press Enter to set the surface. Pressing Start will then begin the engraving process..

, then Shift, then Set Surface Button - When you first press the Shift

button, then press the Set Surface button, the red dot laser pointer will power on. Repeating Shift, then Set Surface will turn the red dot laser point off.

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Goto Home Button - When you press the Goto Home button, the engraver will return to its

home position, which is either the default location in the upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) corner of the T-slot table, or a user defined home position. Pressing this while a job is running will lift the spindle up, move to the home position and cancel the job from the machine. IMPORTANT: When the machine is first powered on, the Goto Home button must be pressed in order to set the home position of the machine before running any jobs.

, then Shift, then Goto Home Button - When you press the Shift button,

then press the Goto Home button, the engraver will return to the top left corner of the T-Slot table and "re-home". This is used if the machine has lost position for some reason.

Set Home Button - The Set Home button is used to set a user defined home position. To

define a home position, use the X & Y jog buttons to move the spindle to a point you want to set as the home position. Press the Set Home button. The message "Home Set." will briefly appear on the Pendant screen. This position is now set as the home (0,0) position. To reset this home back to the machine's home position at the upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) corner of the T-Slot table, press Shift, then press Goto Home, then press the Set Home button.

Setting a Home Using the Red Dot Laser Pointer - The red dot laser pointer can be used to set the machine's home position. Turn on the red dot laser pointer by pressing the Shift button, the pressing the Set Surface button. Jog the motion system to the desired location using the X & Y jog buttons and the red dot laser pointer for positioning. Press Set Home to save the home position in the machine. If you want to save a new home position, move the spindle to the desired position and press Set Home as described above.

, then - If the machine is turned off, the user defined home position will be

replaced with the factory home position. To reset the machine to the user defined home position, Press Shift, then Set Home. The machine will now use the user defined home position.

Goto Limits Button - The Goto Limits button is used to send the motion system to its

upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) corner limits. This button is typically used for troubleshooting purposes only.

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Prox On/Off Button - This button allows you to turn the Proximity Sensor on and off. The

Prox sensor enables the machine to determine the Z position of the material. This feature works when engraving with a nose cone or diamond drag only; it is not designed for non-nose cone engraving or burnishing. The Pendant screen displays the status of the proximity sensor as (Auto) or Off. Note: The proximity sensor can be turned on or off from within the Vision Pro software. When the Engrave icon is selected, the proximity icon can be selected or deselected to automatically turn the proximity sensor on or off when the job is running.

Proximity sensor on icon: Proximity sensor off icon:

Spindle On/Off Button - The spindle motor can be either in automatic mode or off. You

can toggle between these two modes by pressing the Spindle On/Off button. When set to (Auto), the spindle will automatically turn on and off at the beginning and end of the engraving job. If you press the PAUSE or STOP button, the spindle will turn off for safety reasons. Always make sure you have the spindle turned on when appropriate, otherwise you may run the risk of breaking your cutter. When pressing the Spindle On/Off button, the Pendant screen will display the status as (Auto), or Off. Note: The spindle can be changed to on or off from within the Vision Pro software. When the Engrave icon is selected, the spindle icon can be selected or deselected to automatically turn the spindle on or off when the job is running.

Spindle on icon: Spindle off icon:

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, then Shift, then Spindle On/Off Button - When you press the Shift button.

then press the Spindle On/Off button, the spindle motor will start. Pressing Shift, then the Spindle On/Off button again will shut the spindle motor off. The Pendant screen will display On (Auto) when the spindle is turned on.

Aux On/Off Button - The auxiliary for an optional vacuum system motor can be either in

automatic mode or off. You can toggle between these two modes by pressing the Aux On/Off button. The Pendant screen with display either Vac: Off (Auto), or Vac: Off. When set to Auto, it will automatically turn on and off at the beginning and end of the engraving job. If you press the PAUSE or STOP button, the vacuum will turn off for safety reasons. Always make sure you have the vacuum turned on when appropriate to remove chips that will be created during engraving. Note: The auxiliary can be changed to on or off from within the Vision Pro software. When the Engrave icon is selected, the auxiliary icon can be selected or deselected to automatically turn the vacuum on or off when the job is running.

Auxiliary on icon: Auxiliary off icon:

, then Shift, then Aux On/Off Button - When you press the Shift button and

then press the Aux On/Off button, the optional vacuum pump will start. Pressing the Aux On/Off button again will shut the vacuum pump off.

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Numeric Buttons - The Numeric buttons are used when entering

numbers. The Pendant will automatically switch to numeric mode when accessing menu items that require numerical input. The numbers 0 - 9, as well as the forward slash "/" and period "." are available.

Move XY Button - The Move XY button allows the user to move the spindle to an exact location. Press the Move XY button, then using the Numeric buttons, enter the X coordinate and press the Enter button. Enter the Y coordinate using the Numeric buttons, then press the Enter button. Press the Enter button one more time to jog the spindle to these coordinates, or press Exit to cancel this operation.

Access Jobs Button - When connected to Vision Machine Tools - If there is no job in the

machine, pressing Access Jobs will display a list of jobs that are stored on the computer's hard drive. Use the Y up and down jog buttons to move the cursor on the Pendant screen to the job to be engraved and then press Enter to select the job. Pressing Start will run the job.

Enter Button - The Enter button is used to confirm an operation or to select a highlighted

item in the menu system.

Exit Button - The Exit button is used to either cancel an operation, or to exit a menu.

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Job Time Button - The Job Time button shows the time required to complete the last job.

Rotary Axis Button - The Rotary Axis button allows for the rotary axis to be used. When

this button is pressed, the Pendant screen will display a field to enter the diameter of your item to be engraved. Enter the diameter of the item using the Numeric buttons and press ENTER. Note: This button only works when a rotary axis is present on your machine.

Menu Button - The Menu button allows access to various options within the Vision

Controller. Pressing the Menu button will display the following Pendant screen. There are controls for Z Lift Height, Z Cut Depth, Defining a Preset Home Position, Loading a Preset Home Position, Clear Preset Home, Cylinder Diameter (when using a rotary axis), and Ethernet Connection Settings.

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Pressing the Y down button will access the last menu item: Configuration.

On certain Vision machines, the second menu page adds options for Digitize and DACS. Those features are discussed in separate sections.

To access any of these menu items, use the Y up or down arrows to highlight the menu item, then press the Enter button. Each of these menu items are described later in this section.

Hint - To quickly scroll to the next menu page, use the Z up or down buttons.

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Note: Many of the following features can be set from the Vision Pro software. When the Engrave icon is selected, select the icon with three dots to the right of All Tools as shown below. Settings can be changed for the following items:

Spindle RPM, Cutting Rate, Z-Lift Height, Vacuum (or Aux) On/Off, Preset Home Position number, Spindle On/Off, Pump (or Misting System) On/Off, Plunge Rate, Z Up Rate, Z Dwell, Proximity Sensor On/Off, Dry Run On/Off, and Auto Braille On/Off.

Z Lift Height -

This will adjust the distance that the cutter lifts between characters while engraving. Move the cursor to the Z Lift Height using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Using the numeric buttons, enter the distance you would like the cutter to lift between characters. This number will be in inches or in millimeters, depending on how the controller is configured. It will show the units that are being used on the Pendant screen. After the lift distance is entered, press the Enter button to set this value. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished.

Z Cut Depth - This will adjust the depth of engraving or routing. It is the distance from the position that you set as the surface, to the final depth you would like to cut. Move the cursor to the Z Cut Depth using the Y up and down jog buttons

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and press Enter. Using the numeric buttons, enter the depth you would like to engrave or rout. This number will be in inches or millimeters, depending on how the controller is configured. It will show the units that are being used on the Pendant screen. After the Z Cut Depth is entered, press the Enter button on the controller to set this value. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished. Note: The Z Cut Depth is only used if you are not setting the depth of cut in the Vision software.

Set Dwell Down - This controls how long the spindle will dwell, or wait after initially dropping the cutter down into the material before moving in an X/Y direction. This is typically used when engraving into harder materials, allowing the cutter to plunge to the correct depth before starting to engrave or rout. This number is in milliseconds, so entering a number of 1000 will allow for a 1 second delay. After the dwell time is entered using the numeric buttons, press the Enter button. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished.

Define Preset Home - The user can store up to 9 preset home positions. Move the cursor to the Define Preset Home menu using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. The Pendant screen will show the current number (#) as "Select Pre Home #". Numbers 1 through 9 can be user defined. Use the Z speed + and Z speed - buttons to select the home position you would like to save. Next, use the X and Y jog buttons to move the spindle to the position that you would like to use as the home position. Once the spindle is at the desired location, press the Enter button to store the home position. Press Exit to return to the main screen. Note: Preset home positions are stored even after the controller has been

powered off.

Load Preset Home - To load a preset home, move the cursor to the Load Preset Home menu using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Use the Z speed + and Z speed - buttons to select the home position you would like to load. Once the desired position is shown on the Pendant screen, press the Enter button to load the home position. The machine will now use this position as the home position. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished.

Clear Home - To clear the home position that has been loaded, move the cursor to the Clear Home menu using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. The home position is now defaulted back to the upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) corner of the table. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished. Note: This does not apply to Preset Home Positions, only to the user

defined home position set with the Set Home button.

Cyl Diameter - This menu item is only used when engraving round objects on a machine that supports the rotary axis. Move the cursor to the Cyl Diameter using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Using the numeric buttons, enter the diameter of the item to be engraved. This number will be in inches or millimeters, depending on how the controller is configured. Once the diameter has been entered, press the Enter button on the controller to set this value. Press the Exit button to return to the main screen when finished.

Ethernet Settings - This menu is used to setup the network settings in the Vision controller.There are two options in the Ethernet Settings menu available after pressing Enter, which are:

1. Specify IP - Pressing the Enter button from this screen will set the Vision controller to DHCP, which

automatically retrieves an IP address from the network server it is connected to. Pressing the Exit button from this screen will allow you to enter an IP address manually. Pressing Exit again allows the user to set the sub Net Mask. Please refer to the Machine Connections section for details on network configuration settings

2. Display IP - This menu is used to show the IP address that the Vision controller is set to. It also shows

the IP address of the PC that is connected to the Vision controller.

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The Configuration Menu - There are three screens to the configuration menu as shown below.

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Configuration - This menu accesses various additional settings, as well as information about the machine in use. To change of view any of these settings, highlight the Configuration menu and press Enter. Each of these sub menus are described below:

Versions - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will display hardware and software versions of the controller, as well as display the machine serial number.

Input States - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will display information about the status of the motors and sensors on the machine.

Prompt Y Height - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to specify whether to ask the user for the Y height before running a job. When engraving jobs from programs such as CorelDraw©, jobs may engrave upside down on an engraving machine. This is because the program typically is referencing the home position from the lower left corner of the plate, and the engraver or router is referencing the home position from the upper left corner of the plate. To correct this, the Vision Job Server will flip the job automatically so that the engraving will be oriented properly. However, when doing this, the Vision controller needs to know the page size that is set up in programs such as CorelDraw©. To accomplish this, the Prompt Y Height configuration setting must be turned on. Move the cursor to the Prompt Y Height menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Press the Y up or down jog buttons to select Yes or No. Press the Enter button on the controller. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Display Units - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to set the display units to either inches or millimeters. To change units, move the cursor to the Display Units menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Press the Y up or down jog buttons to select imperial or metric units. Press the Enter button to save this setting. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Save Defaults - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to save various settings, even when the machine is turned off. The user can save settings such as the Spindle On/Off, Aux On/ Off, Prox On/Off, Z lift, Z depth, RPM and surface location. To save the controller defaults, change the settings above to the way that you would like them. Move the cursor to the Save Defaults menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. The Pendant screen will show “Save as Defaults?”. Highlight Yes or No using the X left or right jog buttons, then press Enter. The settings are now saved. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished. The next time the Vision controller is turned on, the defaults will be as you set them.

Restore Defaults - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will restore the defaults in the controller to the original factory set defaults. To restore the controller defaults, move the cursor to the Restore Defaults menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. The Pendant screen will show the main screen with “Restore to Factory Defaults?” shown in the upper left corner of the screen. Press Enter to restore the defaults. The Pendant screen will display "Loading Defaults...", then display “Reboot Now?”. Press Enter to reboot the controller. The factory settings will then be restored.

Limits - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will prevent the controller from reading the limit switches on the machine. This is typically used only in diagnosing problems that may occur with the machine's limit switches. To disable the limit switches, move the cursor to the Limits Enabled menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter, which toggles the limit switches from Enabled to Disabled. Pressing Enter again will Enable the limit switches. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Pump - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will activate the (optional) external misting system used for lubrication during specific material cutting. It is also used for the Max-Pro machines. This is a manual control and the Vision Pro software allows for automatic operation of the misting pump, so this feature is not often used. To turn this feature to Off or Auto, highlight the item in the menu and press Enter. To turn this feature to On or Auto, press the Shift button, then press Enter. Both Enter and Shift/

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Enter are toggles. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times. Dry Run Speed - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to set the dry run XY

speed of the motion system. To set the speed, use the Y up or down buttons to highlight the menu item and press Enter. Use the numeric buttons to enter the desired speed, then press Enter to save this speed. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times.

Outline Speed - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to set the outline speed which used by the measure feature in the Vision Pro software. To set the speed, use the Y up or down buttons to highlight the menu item and press Enter. Use the numeric buttons to enter the desired speed, then press Enter to save this speed. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times.

Select Interface - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to select HPGL or GCode interface language. The Vision controller can run from both HPGL and GCode machine language. By default the controller uses the HPGL language which is what is used by Vision and Vision Pro software. If you would like to run GCode, move the cursor to the Select Interface menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Use the Y up or down buttons to select the language you would like to use, then press Enter. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Parking - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to set the position the spindle will return to after a job has finished. To set this position, move the cursor to the Parking menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. There are four positions that you can set the spindle to move to at the end of the job. Datum: The spindle will move back to the limit switch position on the table. None: The spindle will remain at its last location when the job is finished. Z-Up: The spindle will remain at its last location at the end of the file and lift the spindle off the material. Home: The spindle will move to the current home position that is set in the controller. Use the Y up and down job buttons to select which parking position you would like to use, then press Enter to select it. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Set Dwell Up - This is used only with tables that are using an air actuated Z axis. None of the current Vision systems use an air actuated Z axis. This will allow the Z axis to release the air pressure so that

the spindle moves up before moving to the next item to be engraved. Move the cursor to the Set Dwell Up menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. Enter the length of time required for the Z dwell up and then press Enter. This number is in milliseconds so entering a number of 1000 will allow for a 1 second delay. Press the Exit button two times to return to the main screen when finished.

Input Units - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to set the units used by the machine to either Imperial or Metric units. This differs from the Display Units menu item in that the input units are what the machine recognizes from the job sent to the machine, while the display units simply show the file on the Pendant screen as Imperial or Metric. The input units MUST match the units used to create the job, or improper scaling of the job will result. To select the input units, use the Y up or down buttons to highlight the menu item and press Enter. Use the Y up or down buttons to select either Imperial or Metric units, then press Enter to save this setting. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times.

Pointer Offset - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to modify the factory settings used in the machine to compensate for the offset between the spindle centerline and the red dot laser pointer location. Modification of this setting may be necessary if the location of the red dot laser pointer does not accurately represent the location of the spindle during engraving. To modify this setting, use the Y up or down buttons to highlight the menu item and press Enter. Use the numeric buttons to enter the X offset, then press Enter. Use the numeric buttons to enter the Y offset, then press Enter. The settings are now saved. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times.

Braille Inserter - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will toggle the Braille Inserter function to On

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or Off. The Vision Pro software automatically turns this function on or off with the job. This function is used only when the machine is being run from software other than Vision Pro.

Inserter Offset - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to modify the factory set offset used with the Braille Inserter tool. The offset is from the spindle centerline to the Braille Inserter centerline. The X and Y offsets are set for each machine if the Braille Inserter option was ordered from the factory. If the user restores factory defaults, the X and Y offsets will need to be reset. To modify the offsets, highlight the menu item and press Enter. Using the numeric buttons, enter the desired X offset, then press Enter. Enter the Y offset using the numeric buttons, then press Enter. Enter the Z-lift setting with the numeric buttons, then press Enter to save these settings. To return to the main Pendant screen, press the Exit button two times.

Run Self Test - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the user to engrave a self test job that is programmed into the controller. Move the cursor to the Run Self Test menu item using the Y up and down jog buttons and press Enter. The Pendant screen will display “Run Self-Test”. Use the Y up or down buttons to select Yes or No, then press Enter. The Pendant screen will now show “Press Start to Go”. Press the Start button to begin engraving the test job.

Auto Braille - Pressing Enter with this item highlighted will allow the controller to turn the automatic braille detection On or Off. A reboot will be required to retain this setting. If using the Vision Pro software, this setting is normally left as On. If the user sends files from another software program, turn this feature off and using the Braille Insterer feature described above, turn On the Braille Inserter feature.

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5.2 Using the Measure Feature

The Measure Feature is a very useful tool that can be used to set up both the machine's home position and the plate size in the Vision 9 software.

To use this feature, turn on the engraver and press the Go to Home button. Open the Vision 9 software with a new drawing and select the Plate Size icon on the top toolbar.

At the bottom of the plate size window, click on the Measure icon.

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The Measure Wizard window will open. The engraver will turn on its red dot laser pointer. Move the spindle over the material and position the laser pointer so that it is in the upper left hand corner of the engraving area you wish to define. Then, click on Next in the Measure Wizard window.

Move the laser pointer to the lower right corner of the engraving are you wish to define, then click on Finish in the Measure Wizard window.

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The dimensions of the plate size shown in the Plate Size window will now reflect the engraving area you have defined on the machine. The Home Position of the machine has also been set to the upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) corner of this area.

The machine will also allow you to outline the engraving area you just defined. Follow the instructions on your machine or controller to have the machine outline this engraving area with the red dot laser pointer. If the area appears to be correct. click on OK in the Plate Size window. The plate size in the Vision 9 software now shows the area defined with the measure feature. Design your job and send the job to the engraver.

Note that when using the measure feature, the machine will have its home position changed. You will need to reset the home position to the upper left (lower left on VR48 machines) hand corner of the engraving table in order to use the machine normally.

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5.3 Set Surface Procedures

The procedure for setting the surface is as follows:

1. Use the X & Y jog buttons to move the spindle over the material to be engraved.

2. Press the Set Surface button. The Pendant screen will display the message below

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3. Lower the spindle with the Z down jog button until you reach the desired position.

4. Press the Enter button to set this as the surface position. The spindle will then move up to its lift

position. HINT: It is sometimes easier to set the surface right before engraving the job. To do this, send a job to the machine to be engraved. Press Pause. Press Start. The spindle will move to the first point to be engraved and pause. You can then jog the Z down until it touches the surface and press Set Surface, then Press Enter to set the surface. Pressing Start will then begin the engraving process.

NOTE: There are different procedures for different types of engraving - see below.

Using the Surface Sensing Block

Your machine may have been equipped to use with the Surface Sensing Block, which automatically sets the material surface. The Surface Sensing Block Port is located on the front of the left side of the Gantry (as shown below).

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CAUTION: Keep hands and fingers away from the spindle and cutter when performing this procedure! Serious injury may result. Do not place your hands or fingers below the cutter when setting the surface of your material!

To set the surface of your material:

1. Connect the sensor cable.

2. Install the Spindle Clamp on the bottom of the spindle.

3. Use the X and Y buttons on the Pendant to move the spindle over your material.

4. Place the Sensor Block on top of your material and hold as shown above.

5. Press the Set Surface button on the Pendant.

6. Press and Hold the Set Surface Button until the cutter tip touches the top of the Sensor Block. The spindle will move down and stop when the cutter tip just touches the top of the Sensor Block. The Controller will automatically calibrate and set the surface position of your material, then move the spindle up approximately 1/4 inch and stop.

7. Release the Set Surface button.

8. Press the Go to Home button on the Pendant.

NOTE: The design of the Sensor Block is such that if the sensor does not detect the cutter tip contacting the Sensor Block, the block will begin to tilt downward. If this occurs, release the Set Surface button immediately and check for proper installation of the Sensor Cable and Spindle Clamp.

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Diamond drag engraving with a proximity sensor

Make sure that the proximity sensor is turned on. When you run the job, the spindle will go down until it touches the material and finds the surface automatically. If you want to change the lift amount of the cutter between characters, you will need to do the following steps:

1. Press the menu button on the controller. Note: If you are in the middle of engraving a job, press the pause button before pressing the menu button.

2. Use the Y jog up and down buttons to select Z Lift Height and press Enter.

3. Enter the lift height using the numeric buttons on the Vision controller and press Enter.

4. Press Exit to return to the main screen.

5. The Z lift height is now set. Press Start to run the job or resume engraving.

Diamond Drag and nose cone engraving without a proximity sensor

1. Send a job to the Vision controller.

2. With the prox off, press the Pause button and then press Start.

3. The machine will move to the start of the engraving and pause.

4. Use the Z jog down button to lower the spindle to material.

5. Press the Set Surface button.

6. Press the Enter button.

7. Press the Start button. The machine will start to engrave using the surface point that was just set.

Non-nose cone engraving (depth control)

1. Send a job to the Vision controller.

2. Make sure that the spindle is locked by tightening the spring adjustment knob all the way down.

3. Make sure that you have entered a depth of cut in the Vision or Vision Pro software. If you are using a different program then Vision or Vision Pro, use the Menu button on the controller to select and enter the Z Cut Depth.

4. With the prox off, press the Pause button and then press Start.

5. The machine will move to the start of the engraving and pause.

6. Use the Z jog down button to lower the spindle to material. Make sure that the cutter is just barely touching the surface.

7. Press the Set Surface button.

8. Press the Enter button.

9. Press the Start button. The machine will start to engrave using the depth that was entered in the software or the controller.

Burnishing

1. Send a job to the Vision controller.

2. Make sure you are using a burnishing adapter on the burnishing cutter.

3. With the prox off, press the Pause button and then press Start.

4. The machine will move to the start of the engraving and pause.

5. Use the Z jog down button to lower the spindle to material. Once the cutter reaches the material, press the Z jog down button a small amount more (typically about 0.03 - 0.05 inches.

6. Press the Set Surface button.

7. Press the Enter button.

8. Press the Start button. The machine will start to engrave using the depth that was entered in the software or the controller.

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5.4 Set Home Procedure

The VR48 uses the LOWER LEFT corner of the table as the home position. This is because in normal operation, the user would be facing the machine from this location. When positioning graphics in the Vision 9 software, it is important to reference the lower left corner of the drawing as the 0,0 position on the table.

To set a user defined home position, use the X & Y jog buttons to move the spindle to a point you want to set as the home position. Press the Set Home button. The message "Home Set." will briefly appear on the Pendant screen. This position is now set as the temporary home (0,0) position. To reset the temporary origin back to the machine's home position at the lower left corner of the T-Slot table, press Shift, then press Goto Home, then press the Set Home button.

The red dot laser pointer can be used to set the machine's home position. Turn on the red dot laser pointer by pressing the Shift button, the pressing the Set Surface button. Jog the motion system to the desired location using the X & Y jog buttons and the red dot laser pointer for positioning. Press Set Home to save the home position in the machine. If you want to save a new home position, move the spindle to the desired position and press Set Home as described above.

If the machine is turned off, the user defined home position will be replaced with the factory home position. To reset the machine to the user defined home position, Press Shift, then Set Home. The machine will now use the user defined home position.

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5.5 Sending Jobs to Your Machine

Once a job has been set up in the Vision 9 software, select the Engrave icon from the left toolbar.

The Cut Toolbox window will appear and the top toolbar will change to the Engrave toolbar.

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Make sure the Device is set to the machine you wish to send the files to, then select the Tool Setup icon to open the Tool Setup window.

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Select the appropriate material from the Material Selection drop down list, then select OK.

Verify the Cut Toolbox settings (settings available will depend on device selected and version of Vision 9 software), and click on the Engrave icon.

The job will be sent to the machine.

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5.6 Using the T-Slot Table

There are many ways to hold material down to the T-Slot Table. You can use double-sided tape, Multi Mat hold down material, or clamps and fixtures. Double-sided tape or Multi Mat material are available from your Vision Distributor or directly from Vision.

Hold Down Techniques

Holding material in place is critical for engraving and cutting applications. The Multi Mat material is useful for both applications, but using double-sided tape or a spray adhesive can be a better choice for some applications. For most materials and engraving applications, the Multi Mat material is the easiest to use. Simply place it on the table and place the material to be engraved on top of it. When cutting completely through, or kiss-cutting materials, care must be taken to not cut too far through the material, or the Multi Mat will be slightly cut in the process. The most common approach to cutting when using the Multi Mat is to set the cut depth using the machines micrometer or the "stacked material method" as described below and in the section on Profile Cutting. When using the micrometer, the material thickness should be measured with calipers. Keep in mind that some materials can vary in thickness and there may be areas that remain uncut. For a detailed explanation on the use of the micrometer for setting cutting depth, see Level 1 Example Job 4 in the Profile Cutting section.

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Stacked Material Method

Many times, double sided tape can be a quick and very secure way to hold material down to the table. The downside to using tape is that it will remain on the table and can be a problem to remove. A better solution is to place Multi Mat material on the table, then place a piece of sacrificial material (of the same type as being cut) on top of the Multi Mat. Then apply double-sided tape to the top of the sacrificial material and place the material to be cut on top of the sacrificial material. In this manner, while the machine is engraving or cutting other jobs, the sacrificial material/cut material can be removed and separated by the user, making better use of machine time and allowing for easier clean up. Note - if double-sided tape is used, be careful to cover a sufficient area to keep the material in place and also to hold smaller pieces in place so they to not move when the last section of the small piece is cut.

Spray Adhesives

Using a spray adhesive, in conjunction with "transfer tape" or "application tape" is yet another method often used. The table is covered with a piece of sacrificial material, which is clamped in place. The sacrificial material is then covered with transfer tape on its top surface and a spray adhesive is applied on top of the tape. Then, the material to be cut should have transfer tape applied to its back side and adhesive sprayed on to the transfer tape. Place the material to be cut, tape/adhesive side down, on to the sacrificial material. This is a very secure way to cut through materials and once cutting is finished, the tape/adhesive can be easily removed from the back sides of cut pieces. This is best used for cutting out small parts.

Clamps and Fixtures

Many clamps and fixtures are available to assist in holding materials in place. For an overview of the standard items available, please refer to the Optional Accessories section of this manual.

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Edge Guides

The router can be equipped with either the standard edge guides (shown below) or custom edge guides can be ordered through Vision. The standard edge guides are held in place with "T" nuts and screws and can be moved or removed as needed.

This picture shows the lower left (home) position where the edge guides meet.

The picture below shows the edge guides on the T-Slot table.