Nmark SSaM Synchronized Scanner and Motion Module

Description

Design Features

• Expand scanner field of view without sacrificing effective pixel resolution
• Mark long vectors with one continuous pass
• Draw large-scale graphics without stitching multiple exposures
• Mark on a tube or other irregularly shaped object without manually repositioning
• Industry standard XY2-100 interface supports scanners from multiple vendors
• CE approved, NRTL safety certification, EU 2015/863 RoHS 3 directive
• Single programming environment for both scanner and servo axes minimizes application complexity
• Optically isolated laser control interface with YAG and CO2 operating modes

Seamless Field Of View Expansion

Scanners have been used with servo axes to mark objects that exceed the operating envelope of the scanner. Applications were previously implemented using a move and expose sequence where the scanner would mark the part and the servo would reposition the part for a subsequent marking operation. This approach has limitations when a feature being marked exceeds the field of view of the scanner. Small angular and linear offsets in the servo axes produce discontinuities in the features that cross the boundary between adjacent marking fields. By combining the servo and scanner control into a single platform, it is now possible to mark large features by combining continuous motion of the servo axis with simultaneous marking by the scanner.

Making the Difficult Easy

Direct, coordinated control of scanner and servo axes eliminates the programming overhead associated with gluing together two separate control systems, resulting in reduced implementation time and increased marking efficiency. Scanner motion can be combined with rotary axis motion to mark on the face or edge of cylindrical profiles. Rectangular bitmaps that exceed the scanner field of view width can be marked in one continuous operation. Complex operations comprised of many small features distributed across a large area can be marked in a continuous fashion with a significant reduction in processing time.

Full Featured I/O

Nmark™ SSaM has support for CO2 and YAG lasers with specialized functions such as first-pulse suppression and tickle frequency outputs. Control signals can be configured as sinking or sourcing, 5-24 VDC, allowing for easy interface to many different laser manufacturers. General purpose analog and digital I/O is also provided for control or monitoring functions such as laser power, door interlocks, pump operation, and material handling. Two high speed encoder inputs are available for synchronization with moving material applications (marking on the fly).

Additional Resources

Galvo Calibration File Converter (GCFC) – Use the GCFC to create new, optimize existing, or convert third-party calibration files for operation with the Nmark SSaM.

In addition, the white paper Using the Galvo Calibration File Converter with the Nmark SSam outlines the procedures required to create new calibration tables and how to merge calibration tables for the Nmark SSaM.

You may be interested in Aerotech's recent webcast, Accuracy of Combined Scanning and Servo Systems.

Summary: Linear and rotary actuators are often used to expand the effective working area of scanner/galvo marking heads. This presentation will discuss alignment, scaling, rotation, and stitching-induced errors and their combined impact on final part quality. Advanced error correction, path planning, and laser triggering techniques that help to minimize these errors will also be presented.

To access the archived presentation, please click HERE.