Megaplot XMD Series User Manual
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Megaplot XMD Series User Manual

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CNC Routers
XMD series
User's Manual
ver. 1.08
Manual last updated in April 2013

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Summary of Contents for Megaplot XMD Series

  • Page 1 CNC Routers XMD series User's Manual ver. 1.08 Manual last updated in April 2013...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Machine start-up procedure......................19 Software settings........................19 Language version....................19 Control Window - enlarged..................20 Main window..........................21 Opening a drawing........................22 Simulation..........................22 Configuration..........................23 Import tab.......................23 Sequence tab......................25 Directions tab ......................26 CNC tab.........................26 Drilling tab......................28 Ploter tab.......................29 General tab......................30 www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 3 Material.............................51 Location of the model in the material..............52 Location of the model in the material vs. bmp heights..........53 Tools library..........................54 Operations..........................55 Output files..........................58 Tool measurement........................59 Automatic tool length measurement..............61 Semi-automatic tool length measurement..............62 www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 4 4 of 73 Cutting............................63 Manual Control.........................64 Homing process......................65 Project's starting location..................66 Move to and Move by....................66 Configuration..........................67 Network connection (ethernet)....................68 Router calibration........................69 REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS ..................70 ALGORITHYMS..........................71 Lining algorithms........................71 Overlapping shapes algorithms....................73 MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS ..................74 www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Each time the machine is turned on it automatically homes in relation to the proximity switches, thanks to which it is ready to continue a previously started job. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 6: Tech Specs And Accessories

    - MegaCut and MegaCut 3D – material holders – two types of tool holders (ER20 type, diameter: 3 and 6 mm) – sample tooling bits – training at MegaPlot factory – www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 7 Consists of a cooling liquid – container, a regulator and connecting tubes. This tool cooling system needs to be connected to an air compressor which is not included. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 8: Basic Terms And Paramters

    All the plugs and cables are suitably labeled. To turn the machine on, please turn the main switch clockwise. To turn the machine off, press this switch all the way down. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 9 Below the controller's main display, there is the spindle inverter's display. Both the display and the small keyboard below are used for diagnostics and servicing only and the customer should not be making any adjustments unless clearly instructed by a MegaPlot technician. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 10: The Wired Remote Control

    XYZ co-ordinates (in relation to the project's starting position, not the machine absolute co-ordinates – please see following sections for details), current spindle rotations as well as speed. The remote control buttons' descriptions: Turn the spindle rotations on Turn the spindle rotations off www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 11 Continue the cutting after it had been stopped START (short press) Set the current location as the project's starting position (press and hold) Go back to a previously set project's starting position (short press) www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 12 12 of 73 Stop the cutting process STOP www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 13: Drawings' Preparation Basics

    The project's starting location applies to X and Y only, and does not include the Z axis value. 2D Projects 2D Projects 2D projects can be saved in the following formats: PLT, DXF or NC (Gcod). In vector drawings (plf, dxf) it is important to avoid overlapping lines and shapes. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 14: Dxf Files

    That is why all the letters will be engraved twice. To avoid this, ungroup the shape and delete the overlapping lines. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 15 0,0 position as possible and aboce the Z axis 0 position. The 3D model should have a continuous surface with no holes in it in order to prevent tooling between two such unlinked surfaces. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 16 3D model may consist of a lot of spikes instead of a smooth surface. Your bmp files should be saved in grayscale with the max. number of colors (e.g. 24-bit). A good example of a suitable file is shown below. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 17: Gcod Postprocesor

    Working speed (limited by machine type) Spindle rotation (limited by spindle type) All other commands are ignored. Working speed and spindle rotations are set in the Gcod file, while the movement speed is set in www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 18 N10 G90 G00 X10 Y10 Z5 S24000 (absolute) N20 G1 Z-1 N30 X25 G91 Y15 (mixed: absolute and incremental) In the N30 line, the target location will have the absolute co-ordinates of (25,25,-1). www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 19: Megacut (2D) Software

    Slovakian. The application always attempts to start up in the same language version as your PC OS. If not available, it defaults to English. Should you require MegaCut software in any other language, please do not hesitate to contact www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 20: Control Window - Enlarged

    At the end of the Target element line, add a space and the required language code (US, PL, IT, SL, etc.). When done, the line should look as follows: "C:\Program Files\Megaplot\MegaCut\frez_mdi.exe" PL Control Window - enlarged The control window can be switched to a special touch-screen friendly mode (See...

  • Page 21: Main Window

    Each opened file has a handy pop-up window (available under a right-button mouse click) with the following options: Info - shows: project's dimensions, estimated tooling time, scale setting, tool diameter • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 22: Opening A Drawing

    Prior to starting a cut, it is recommended you go through the Simulation to ensure the tooling sequence will match the expected one. To simulate the cutting process, go to File \ Simulation or press F1. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 23: Configuration

    If you have a problem with cutting a particular shape, we may sometimes request you send us the configuration file. In this case, please send us the *.mcc file, the name and location of which is shown in the title bar. Import tab Automaty www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 24 Cross means point – the machine will drill a hole at the intersection of two lines crossing at 90 degree angle. For more details, please see Drilling. Cut the negative – the negative of a shape will be cut. This parameter is closely related to two www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 25: Sequence Tab

    All elements of a single shape – when on, all elements of a shape (e.g. letter O) will be cut before the machine moves to another shape. If off, first all inside elements www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 26: Directions Tab

    Directions tab The direction of tooling is a very important parameter which may have an impact on the quality of the cut. . CNC tab This tab consists of the most important tooling parameters. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 27 The following parameters are closely related: cut the negative and skip the frame as they determine which side of the line the tool will move on (outside/inside). www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 28: Drilling Tab

    Drilling step - depth for each step of drilling. If, for example, the milling depth is set to 5mm and the drilling step to 1 mm, the spindle will move down and back up www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 29: Ploter Tab

    IP in the controller to the address shown on the left. For this to work, the controller needs to be connected to the software via USB. Network connection (Ethernet)-activates the ethernet connection www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 30: General Tab

    The chosen method needs to be set in Configuration in the Ploter tab. Before you measure the tool length: make sure correct pad thickness is set in Configuration (Configuration \ Ploter \ Pad • thickness) [this applies to automatic measurement]. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 31: Automatic Tool Length Measurement

    To ensure the measurement is precise, make sure the measuring plate is clean, the surface under the plate is clean and flat and the pad thickness is specified properly in the software (Configuration \ Ploter \ Pad thickness). www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 32: Semi-Automatic Tool Length Measurement

    Alternatively, you can measure the tool length in the following way: move the spindle to the location of the measurement • open Manual Control and Tool Length • insert 999 for tool length (to allow for unlimited movement down) • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 33: Cutting

    When using multi-layer drawings, it is possible to engrave and cut from a single operation. In this case, the drawing will consist of a number of colors and for each color the operator can select the required cutting depth. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 34 To set the parameters for each layer, open the Layers window, by either right clicking on the drawing or going to Configuration – Layers. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 35 Simply select an object, right click on it and activate it. Once a multi-layer drawing is opened, the milling depths are automatically set, depending on the www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 36 Configuration When back in the main window, you can select any shape you wish and confirm the settings by checking the milling depth as displayed on the bottom status bar. Multi-layer drawings requirements: www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 37: Lining - Cutting Out The Insides Of Shapes

    Skip the frame parameters as they influence the lining operation (insides vs. outsides). Select Allow for tool diameter if required. The following examples show the lining operation alternatives, depending on the settings. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 38: Manual Control Window

    The manual control window allows for a number of manual operations, including the control of the machine in each axis, as well as: activating and deactivating spindle rotations – always make sure the spindle cooling • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 39 (in relation to its starting location). Note the remote control display only shows the project's co-ordinates. This window can display in the alternative, touch-friendly mode as described earlier (Control Window - enlarged). www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 40: Homing Process

    Machine home position vs. the project's starting position. To set a new starting position for a project, move the spindle to the required location, go to Manual Control and select Set project's starting location. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 41: Mote To And Move By

    The applicable options will be visible in the configuration only after the correct parameter is set in the MegaCut icon shortcut properties. In order to control the machine via ethernet connection: www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 42 MegaCut shortcut icon on PC desktop and modify the path by adding a • space at the end and adding the parameter ethernet. The target path should now look as follows: "C:\Program Files\Megaplot\MegaCut\frez_mdi.exe" ethernet start MegaCut • go to Configuration and the Ploter tab •...

  • Page 43: Router Calibration

    The calibration must be within the range <0.99; 1.01> so it can correct errors of +/-10mm. The calibration value can be calculated in the following way: actual distance calibration value = required distance www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 44: Megacut3D Software

    When the software starts for the first time, an activation window will be displayed. In order to receive the activation code, please contact MegaPlot as advised on this screen (your individual code needed for the activation will only display if you connect the machine to the PC).

  • Page 45: Software Settings

    English. Should you require MegaCut software in any other language, please do not hesitate to contact MegaPlot. To force the MegaCut application to start in a different language (provided it is available), you need to modify the MegaCut shortcut icon located on your PC desktop.

  • Page 46: Control Window - Enlarged

    46 of 73 etc.). When done, the line should look as follows: "C:\Program Files\Megaplot\MegaCut3D\MegaCut3D.exe" PL Control Window - enlarged The control window can be switched to a special touch-screen friendly mode (See Manual Control window). While the functionality remains the same, the modified look with larger buttons, etc.

  • Page 47: Main Window

    The bottom bar displays current information as well as a progress bar indicating the process of generating output files. On the right side, the name of the project is displayed. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 48: Typical Tooling Sequence

    8. Select the operations you will perform 9. Generate the output files for your operations (button Generate output files on the right side of the operations list or go to Tooling – Generate output files F4) www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 49: Loading The 3D Model

    Z axis, as such parts will not be cut. If any part of the model extends downwards below the Z axis, the Z axis min. value on the properties window will be negative. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 50: Loading A Bmp File

    At this point, you can also scale your bmp file, both length and height Material Material Material size and the pad thickness are specified in the Material menu. Source: www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 51: Location Of The Model In The Material

    It is important the combined height of the pad and material do match the actual height of your material. Example: in this case, the model is 30 mm high, and the material is 50 mm high. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 52: Location Of The Model In The Material Vs. Bmp Heights

    The second option is more optimal in most cases. It is recommended a 1 mm layer is left on top. Location of the model in the material vs. bmp heights The bmp files give you even more choices as you can additionally modify the values for black and white. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 53: Tools Library

    When adding a new tool, make sure you specify all of its parameters. Note the number and types of parameters that need to be specified depend on the type of the tool. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575...

  • Page 54: Operations

    – a finishing operation in which the tool moves in parallel lines over • specified areas of the model specified by the user. It is most useful for spending extra www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 55 The number and type of available parameters of an operation depend on its type. Parameters description based on the roughing operation: Tool – select a tool from the tools library (see Tools library) • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 56 • means there is no limit. But e.g. 3 mm will mean the operation will skip the tooling at the lowest 3 mm of the project. This features is inactive for lining operations. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 57: Output Files

    PC hardware. Limitations re. 3D models as well as PC requirements are listed here: REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS . Increasing the resolution from the default resolution of 5 points/mm to a higher one will significantly increase the time needed to generate the files. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 58: Tool Measurement

    Note the table level here is an abstract idea, as it simply refers to the surface to which the material is fixed. So if the material is fixed to a pad, then this pad can be used as the level on which the tool is measured. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 59 59 of 73 Before you measure the tool length: make sure correct pad thickness is set in Configuration (Configuration \ Ploter \ Pad • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 60: Automatic Tool Length Measurement

    (Configuration \ Ploter \ Pad thickness). To measure the tool length on the machine table: move the spindle to a desired location • prepare the measuring plate • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 61: Semi-Automatic Tool Length Measurement

    Manual Control and Tool Length • insert 999 for tool length (to allow for unlimited movement down) • move the spindle down very slowly until the tool reaches the table (make sure to do it • www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 62: Cutting

    CONTINUE or Shift +F2 and the router will move back to the location where the cutting process was stopped and will continue from this spot. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 63: Manual Control

    The control window shows the machine co-ordinates (in relation to its absolute home position) as well as the project's co-ordinates (in relation to its starting location). Note the remote control display only shows the project's co-ordinates. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 64: Homing Process

    In this case, home the machine to bring it back to its original home position. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 65: Project's Starting Location

    Before you execute the movement, please make sure to bring the spindle up so the tool does not run into the material or the material holders. You can use this to check the location of last project's starting location. Simply select To www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 66: Configuration

    • tooling process end. • These notifications are only available in Windows XP as they use the messenger service. Recipient - name of the user or PC on the local network www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 67: Network Connection (Ethernet)

    MegaCut shortcut icon on PC desktop and modify the path by adding a • space at the end and adding the parameter ethernet. The target path should now look as follows: "C:\Program Files\Megaplot\MegaCut\frez_mdi.exe" ethernet • start MegaCut •...

  • Page 68: Router Calibration

    The calibration must be within the range <0.99; 1.01> so it can correct errors of +/-10mm. The calibration value can be calculated in the following way: actual distance calibration value = required distance www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 69: Requirements And Limitations

    The supplied software is only used to control the machine, you will still need your own graphics software to prepare the shapes/drawings/models. You cannot start but MegaCut and MegaCut 3D at the same time, only one should be opened at any given time. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 70: Algorithyms

    This description applies to the lining operation available under Functions - Lining in MegaCut. 1. There are four basic types of lining: vertical (HPATTERN_VERTICAL) ◦ 1 2 3 horizontal (HPATTERN_HORIZONTAL) ◦ forward slash (HPATTERN_FORWARD_SLASH) ◦ back slash (HPATTERN_BACK_SLASH) ◦ www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...
  • Page 71 If All elements of a shape is active, first the machine will cut the lines and then the outlines. If this feature is off, first all the lines in the entire drawing will be cut and next the outlines as set in the Cutting Direction setting. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

  • Page 72: Overlapping Shapes Algorithms

    This may result in certain shapes to be cut twice. To avoid this, turn off the nodes linking procedure or delete all overlapping lines back in your graphics software. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575...

  • Page 73: Maintenance Recommendations

    To avoid overloading the spindle, always use tools suitable for given material. Set the important parameters such as speed, rotations, width and depth of passes bearing in mind the material properties and the used tool. www.megaplot.com phone: +48 693 707 575 office@megaplot.com...

This manual is also suitable for:

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