How to Use the Function of Mark on Fly?

Without the "Mark On Fly" function, the marking result will be incorrect while the working pieces are moving. Enable this function the system will pursue the object's position and revise it to make sure the marking result is correct.

Enable Mark on Fly

Users can enable "Mark on Fly" function from「File Menu」→「Option」→「System」→「Mark on Fly」, see Fig. After the parameters setting of X/Y Axis (depends on the users’ demand) were finished, users can start using this function.

Additionally, users can also enable this function from 「Property Table」→「Global」, see Fig.

When the button is like '× Mark On Fly', that means this function is disable. If the button shows like '√ Mark On Fly', that means this function is enable.

Mark On Fly Setting

X/Y Axis (checked): Enable "Mark On Fly" on X/Y Axis.
X/Y Encoder (unchecked): The system will use the setting value of "Speed" to pursue the object's position, see Fig.

Speed: Theoretical speed of conveyer.
Delay: The time that laser needs to start marking after receive the start signal.

X/Y Encoder (checked): The parameter will change from "Speed" and "Delay" to "Factor" and "Delay", see Fig.

The system will pursue the object's position according to “Factor” which is the product of the encoder feedback pulse value and moving distance. When checking the encoder setting options, please make sure the encoder device is connected with the laser controller; otherwise an incorrect result will happen. As to the encoder connection method, please refer to encoder manual.
Factor: The moving distance of conveyer per pulse.
Delay: The pulses that laser needs to start marking after receive the start signal.
Set Ratio: Counting the factor through the pulse from the encoder and the moving distance, see Fig.

Reset: Reset the value of pulse.

Delay application

In order to raise the accuracy of marking on the moving objects, the system will usually install a sensor instead of using an operator to measure whether the working pieces are located on the available place for marking. The sensor will trigger the start signal to mark when the working piece move through it.

Since the sensor is unable to install right below the laser machine directly, users can apply the delay setting to make the laser machine wait for a period of time when it received the start signal, so the working pieces can move to the available marking position and then start marking.Besides, users can also apply “Automation Process” to “Mark on Fly.”

Delay setting method

Users can calculate the delay time through the setting speed or factor and the distance the object move from triggering the start signal to the correct marking position.

For example, assume that the X Axis is checked, and the moving distance of object from triggering start signal to the marking position is 50mm. If X Encoder is unchecked and the setting speed is 100 mm/sec, then the delay value should set as (50/100)10 6 = 510 5 us. If X Encoder is checked and the setting factor is 10 mm/pulse, then the delay value should set as 50/10=5 pulse.

Start Signal Lag

When using “Mark On Fly” function, users will find that the preview mark position and the real marking position are not the same, see Fig.8.2.04. This is because there will have a tiny delay time between the sensor inducts the work piece and the laser starts to mark. This delay time and the speed of conveyer will cause this status. As a result, users can fix this status by modifying “Start Signal Lag” and make the position of preview and real marking be the same, see Fig.8.2.05.

This value can be positive or negative according to the actual result. Users must satisfy the following conditions to set “Start Signal Lag.”

I. Do not check X/Y encoder.
II. Set an optimize speed for X/Y axis, and set “Delay” as 0.
III. The arrangement of Mark On Fly device, workpiece and sensor must be placed such as Fig.8.2.04.

Adjustment Description

Take Fig.8.2.05 for example. Suppose users set this value as 100. If the preview result located on the right side of real mark position, then increase the setting value. On the contrary, decrease the setting value.

Text Mark Order

Select the marking direction. The direction of arrow represents the conveyer moving direction.

Conveyer moving direction is right-to-left. The marking direction will be D→C→B→A.

Conveyer moving direction is left-to-right. The marking direction will be A→B→C→D.

Mark on Fly －Distance to Next Layer

This function is set up when using “Mark on Fly” function for marking, enable or disable the delay marking between layers, see Fig.

Enable this function, the system will mark the first layer and then wait for conveyer moving this setting distance, and then continue the next layer’s marking. The distance between layers is the calculation of encoder factor multiplied by encoder feedback value.

The following lists are conditions for enable this function:

1. Driver need to support encoder function, and make sure encoder have connected to controller. About encoder connection method, please refer to encoder manual.
2. Need to enable the “Mark on Fly” function, and checked the “Encoder” options, in addition, input the rational value at “Factor” section. About the Mark on Fly Settings.
3. Input a rational value for “Distance to Next Layer” option. This value need larger than the distance which conveyer has moved while marking this layer. When system has finished marking this layer’s objects, will wait until conveyer has moved this distance, and then start marking next layer’s objects. If the setting value is less than the distance conveyer has moved when marking this layer, it will cause incorrect result.

For example:

Suppose the EZM file has a circle object and a text object like Fig, and the “Mark on Fly” function is enabled and the “Encoder” option is checked:

1.If two objects are in the same layer, the result of marking will like Fig.

2.If in different layer which the circle object is in layer 1, and the text object is in Layer 2, and the moving direction of objects is right-to-left, the system will reset encoder position, and consider the current position as the origin point while marking different layers.

(a) If Layer 1 (circle object) disable the encoder delay function, the marking result will like Fig.

Distance between red arrows pointed means which conveyer has moved while executing Layer 1 marking process. Because of disable the layer encoder delay function, so the system will reset encoder position after finishing marking Layer 1, and then consider the current position as the origin point to mark Layer 2. This distance will be changed depends on the marking speed.

(b) If Layer 1 (circle object) enable the encoder delay function, the marking result will like Fig.

Distance between red arrows pointed means the setting value of “Distance to Next Layer” at Encoder page. This value cannot be less than the distance which conveyer has moved when marking this layer. Otherwise, it will cause incorrect result.

Suppose when finishing marking Layer 1, conveyer has moved 30 mm, just as triangle position as the figure. Because of enable the layer delay function, so after system finishing marking Layer 1, the system will wait until conveyer has moved 50 mm as settings. In this example, conveyer only moved 30 mm after finish marking Layer 1, so the system will wait for conveyer to continue moving 20 mm, such as distance between orange arrows pointed. After conveyer has moved 50 mm, the system will reset encoder position, and consider the current position as origin point to execute marking Layer 2.