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In pulsed mode the operator sets both the distance between pulses and the pulse width. The AMC automatically generates laser
control pulse signals directly proportional to the distanced traveled by the laser. The AMC can be set so the distance traveled is
determined from any combination of machine axes, typically an XY, or XYZ setting is used.
In pwm or analog mode the AMC generates a pulse width modulated or an analog signal to control laser power
When die board is cut it is important that the width of the cut at the top and bottom of the board is precisely controlled. Die board is usually made
using plywood. The cut width, both at the top and bottom of the board, varies, dependant on the cut direction. To overcome this problem the
AMC has the ability to vary the cut speed and the laser height dependant on the cut direction using four speed and four height override
parameters set by the operator.
In one cutting machine application the laser can be operated in three modes, pulsed, pwm or continuous, the AMC is configured
to suit the current requirement.
In another application our customer required the laser beam to punch miniscule holes in membranes using a small number of consecutive very short pulses,
AMC firmware was enhanced to perform this operation.
In most applications the AMC, using event subroutines, monitors a number of system status signals and only when all are correct,
operates the laser and/or the shutter
Some AMC laser applications have the automatic height control feature fitted, this maintains a constant distance between the material
and the laser head maintaining the quality and width of the cut. This feature operates using a laser head mounted sensor which senses the head to material distance.
Height sensors are generally, lvdt's, variable resistors, or capacitive. The AMC continually monitors this sensor via a height interface unit and adjusts the Z axis
position to maintain the distance. Many parameters can be used with the height interface controlling how the height controlling axis moves suiting the application,
the cutting speed, and minimizing crashes.
Laser cutting processes can often be carried out at very high speeds and accelerations/decelerations as there are no cutting forces and materials being cut are thin.
The high machine productivity features of the AMC make it particularly suitable for laser applications, in particular the 'vector blending'
and long 'look ahead' enables the machine speed to be maximized at all times.
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