Aerotech's Nmark™ brings integrated galvo head control to A3200 Automation Platform

Citation

(2007), "Aerotech's Nmark™ brings integrated galvo head control to A3200 Automation Platform", Assembly Automation, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2007.03327aaf.003

Aerotech's Nmark™ brings integrated galvo head control to A3200 Automation Platform

Aerotech's Nmark™ brings integrated galvo head control to A3200 Automation Platform

Aerotech's PC based A3200 software machine control system combines 1-32 axes of Firewire^® distributed motion control with HMI, PLC and vision control modules and is now available with the Nmark galvo control package for vector and graphics based laser marking applications. OEMs and machine builders of laser marking systems are able to significantly reduce application development time and cost by controlling industry standard XY2- 100 protocol galvo scanning heads and additional axes of servo based linear and rotary motion with other machine control functions within a single, integrated programming environment.

Two versions of Nmark are available – the Nmark VCT (vector) suits vector laser marking applications where lines, arcs and circles define the marking path, and the Nmark GRC (graphic) is available for raster-scan based marking. Both versions are supported with a comprehensive range of programming commands and parameters that are used in conjunction with the A3200 Digital Automation Platforms' powerful software to achieve complete control of multi-axis laser machining applications including marking on-the-fly for continuous web processes and Z-focus height control for 3D processing.

All Nmark galvo motion and functional parameters can be controlled in synchronisation with motion and machine control commands directly from within the Automation 3200 program space, providing a single integrated program development environment for the complete application.

Galvo based laser marking provides a fast and convenient means of coding and identification, and is used extensively in the aerospace, automotive, industrial, and medical industries. Galvo's can also be applied to other medium accuracy marking and machining applications such as micro-hole drilling and decorative work on a range of thin metal and non-metal substrates. Aerotech's Nmark products use the industry standard XY2-100 serial protocol to communicate with galvo scanning heads from a wide range of manufacturers.

Aimed at laser marking, cutting, welding, sealing and ablation applications, the Nmark VCT is programmed from the A3200 in the industry standard RS-274 G-code language with Aerotech's own AeroBASIC™ command extensions for laser and I/O control. As all major CAD/CAM suppliers support RS-274 output, a direct conversion path from CAD to galvo motion is available. The Nmark VCT is used in conjunction with a PCI interface board and via a Windows DLL, is able to access all commands, status and diagnostic information from the galvo head in real time.

The Nmark GRC is targeted at applications such as barcoding, engraving, serialisation, and character scribing. Laser marking projects are created using a simple Windows^® tool that is used to import and manipulate bitmaps, graphics and barcode images and store the resulting marking profile in a project file. Straightforward AeroBASIC commands within the A3200 are used to download the file at run time and additional commands are available to manipulate the properties of objects such as text strings or barcode values during the marking process for serialisation applications. Commands are also available to scale, rotate and change the orientation of the object.

Figure 4 Aerotech's Nmark brings integrated galvo head control to the A3200 Automation Platform

Aerotech's A3200 Digital Automation Platform is a powerful PC based, software-only machine control system combining a high-performance, 1-32 axis motion engine with decentralised drives interfaced via Firewire with other machine control function modules such as HMI, Vision and soft PLC. A 10/100 Base-T Ethernet interface is also available to add third party I/O and PLC's for a completely integrated solution. Typically used with Aerotech's extensive range of high performance direct-drive, linear and rotary positioning stages and digital servo drives, the A3200 based motion and machine control system includes a wide range of advanced motion and machine control commands aimed at increasing and improving the finished quality and throughput performance for demanding applications (Figure 4).

For technical information, please contact: Dr Cliff Joliffe: Aerotech Limited, Jupiter House, Calleva Park, Aldermaston, Berkshire RG7 8NN. Tel: +44 (0)118 940 9400; Fax: +44 (0)118 940 9401; E-mail: cjolliffe@aerotech.co.uk