Replaced my AWC608 for a X7.. solved issues

[Techgraphix]

Hi, I just replaced my AWC608 for the X7 (=AWC708C Lite) and i do have some problems:
1. I connected the waterflowswitch to the X7 (like i had with my 608) and want to checkmark the {systems settings / Manufacturer Parameters / IO / Waterprotect}.
First i read the parameters from the controller, Check the waterprotect , and save it to the controller (with password 608). But when i read it again, the checkmark is gone. I simply can not set it. I upgraded to the latest firmware 157022L1, have the newest driver installed and LasedCad 7.60B.
Now it is possible to laser with the cooler off. The job isn't stopped when the cooler is in trouble...
No luck so far..
Who else has this or is my controller malfunctioning????

2. The lid or Cap-protection works inverted. According to the chinese connection diagram, which i translated with Google, the IN1 should be LOW-Active, just like the AWC608. So it should work exactly the same. With the lid open i measure 20V on IN1 and closed it is 0.0V.
As i use a proximity-sensor it isn't possible to simply swap a few wires.. I also use this signal to switch on the light in the compartment when i open the lid.. This works the same as before.
Is this normal??????

3. The OUT1 (Blow-signal) is inverted from the AWC608. When the machine is working it is HIGH, idle is LOW.. Whith the AWC608 this was idle = HIGH, active = LOW. I had to place an inverter (NPN-transitor + resistor) to get my blowers working again.

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I think it would be handy if there was a checkbox in the software where you can invert the I/O.. That is, if the IN-and OUTPUTS are software controlled.. When these are Hardware there is not much you can do about it.. If it is just software it would be far more compatible with all other hardware...
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4. How are the mountingscrews used right? The screws can't be reached from the frontpanel as the display is there so they should be reached from the underside..If so, the hinges will be pushed from the slots.. I solved it by drilling two small holes in the frontpanel, just where the slots are, turned a smal notch on the screw that will fit in that holes, reversed the hinges (upside-down) and now it works acceptable but what would be the right way to place these????

Kees

[Techgraphix]

I bypassed the issues 1 to 3 by using quick-and-dirty-workarounds:
i put the waterflowswitch in series with the emergencystop and placed an invertercircuit after the Cap-proxi.
It's working now but i still want to have the water-protection working the way it did on my 608.. Now everithing is just pausing the job instead of giving me a warning something is wrong with the coolingsystem..
Is it normal for this X7 that the water-protection can not be set??

And i still think that all those extra electronic circuits can be omitted when the software has the provisions for this. i.e. checkboxes to invert IO or not.
Maybe this can be implemented in future revisions of LaserCad and the firmware???

Kees

[Tech_Marco]

Kees:

If I'm not forgotten, some features on X7 is configured through LCD unit but not through the LaserCad (software). That's a debatable issue that I need to discuss more with the programmer.

For the Output, you can do Output vs +24V or you can do Output vs. Gnd. By doing so, you reversed the logic.


Marco

[Tech_Marco]

Just confirmed with my staff who did a test on the DSP, water protect is OK to check or uncheck on LaserCad.
Make sure you have establish the communication on the USB before it can set.

You may install the V7.6 again and make sure anti-virus program turned off prior to do so


Marco

[Techgraphix]

Hi Marco,
I have versions V7.52, V7.57 and V7.60 installed on the computer Each in their own folder on the harddrive, The computer is a standalone without virusscanners or internetconnection.. Dedicated to the laser. No difference with the software, but i will try to reinstall V7.60
I used both USB and ethernet. In both cases ALL data is copied to the controller except the water protection checkmark....

Kees

[Techgraphix]

For the Output, you can do Output vs +24V or you can do Output vs. Gnd. By doing so, you reversed the logic.

Euh.. Marco, this is tricky as most part are ground relative. It may work if all part are electrical isolated with Optocouplers for instance..
I have not opened the controller to find if this is the case... (warranty) Some of this info would be very welcome, for instance: is an output tristate or opencollector etc..

Kees

[Techgraphix]

I installed LaserCAD 7.60 complete with USB-driver on a completely different computer ( i have a few here):
Same problem, Water Protect is not taken by the controller..
Should i start a RMA? or do you have another option?

Kees

[Tech_Marco]

For now, just connect the water sensor to the laser power supply "WP". It will turn off the laser if water is not running. Most people is doing that and works well this way. To send the card back and fro + duty tax, it cost over $100.

I'll do some more test to find out the reason. Just hold on there


Marco

[Tech_Marco]

Go to LaserCad folder, and under it there is folder name "AWCCfg"
There is a file name "SysCfg", open it with text editor.
There is a line with this: "IfWaterProtect=0" under [MachCfg]
Change it to "1"

Save it and the LaserCad should show checked mark.

On the LaserCad, click Read, see what is happening. If it is unchecked, put a check mark and Save it. Then hit "RESET" button to make it in effect

Marco

[Tech_Marco]

BTW, please unplug the black cable on both end and insert back again. If part of that got lose, some function may be disabled. It happened to a customer who claimed the Y wasn't working but ended that it was a lose contact on the black cable.


Marco

[Techgraphix]

In the config file the IfWaterprotect was already 1. The checkmark is there every time when i start up LaserCad...
I took the cable between the display and controller out, measured it wire for wire an placed it back reversed(!).
Opened LaserCad, read from controller, checked Waterprotect, saved it (with 608), pressed RESET, and read...
Still no checkmark....

The reason why i don't connect the waterflowswitch to the LPSU is that the controller won't notice there is something wrong and will continue the job.
When i engrave a big mirror and this happens, i can throw away this mirror. If this where items you could buy by the dozen, it would only cost me a mirror but most of the times these are very ancient one-of-a-kind types, you won't spoil them...
When the controller stops you want to continue if the problem is solved.. Doing it twice is not possible..
This is a mirror of over 100 years old, to give you an idea:

oudraam.jpg (98.92 KiB) Viewed 5379 times

BTW what is the memorysize of the X7, is it bigger than with the DF212 and AWC608? (haven't tried yet to load a real big bitmap)

Kees

[Tech_Marco]

Found the solution. I mentioned on my post but totally forgot it
Press 'Stop' and 'Shift' key together to gain access to system parameters . Select Laser parameter. Then select Water Protection and set it to "Open"
That will enabled the water protection


Marco

[Techgraphix]

That did the trick!!... I will explore this shift-stop-menu further...
I also found the inverted-CAP-protection so now i can remove the inverter from the cap again, too
One of my wishes was already implemented
Adding such a polarity switch for the OUT1-3 are still on the wishlist..

Are there any other key-combinations to enter hidden menue's, as far as you know??

(strange though that the checkmark of waterprotection didn't take over from LaserCAD to the X7)

Another question, which i can not find in the menus nor in the manuals:
How can i set the time and date, as shown in the topbar on the display??

Kees

[Techgraphix]

Setting the time requires a separate, password protected, program.
The manufacturer sent me this program but not the password.
Thanks to Marco i know the password now and was able to set the time in the topbar synchronized with my PC.

So all issues are solved now!!

Kees