Hardware Control

  • Positioning stages
  • Joystick
  • Galvanometric scanners
  • Laser source
  • Serial port
  • I/O control
  • Cameras
  • Sensors

Positioning stages

DMC laser machining software controls positioning stages directly using manufacturer’s .dll files instead of generating G-Code. Therefore, control is always precise and does not need additional postprocessing, proofing, and upload. Just click run and motion is executed.

Some of the supported controllers are:

  • ACS Motion Control
  • Aerotech A3200
  • Newport XPS
  • Physik Instrumente (PI)
  • Polaris Motion Control
  • Zaber
  • Delta TAU

Support for additional controllers can be added on request.

Joystick

Additionally to automatic motion control, a manual joystick is also available.

Joystick controls any number of linear and rotary stages. Motion is done at a set speed or by a jog distance. Quick change of speed/jog distance is available by +/- buttons. X, Y, Z stages can be controlled on a PC keyboard as well.

In addition, Joystick has 4 preset positions which can be easily assigned by the user, e.g. for the unloading position.

When an off-axis camera is used, motion between laser and camera can be done with a single click. This allows to quickly evaluate what was machined.

Joystick also turns laser fire ON or OFF.

Galvanometric scanners

DMC controls XY or XYZ galvo scanners.

Some of the DMC supported galvo scanner controllers:

  • RTC3/4/5/6 with XL Scan by ScanLAB
  • Raylase SP-ICE
  • Cambridge ScanMaster
  • Canon GB-511
  • SmartMove

Additional controllers can be implemented on request.

Functionality such as galvo delays tables and skywriting is implemented and easily accessible in DMC.

Combined motion by galvo scanners and stages is possible by using the Stitching function. Large objects are split into smaller ones to fit in galvo field. Small objects can be centered automatically by stages in the galvo field of view, e.g. for hole drilling. And if an object is out of galvo scanner field of view, stages will move automatically to fit it in.

Laser source

Laser sources can be triggered through motion controller outputs (RTC4/5, Aerotech PSO channel, ACS PEG, etc.). Triggering can be done at a set frequency or position-based (e.g. Aerotech PSO, ACS PEG functions).

For laser sources supporting the function, power can be controlled via analog output from DMC.

However, it is often convenient to control more than laser power and triggering frequency. A full laser control (frequency, waveform, pulse duration, wavelength, etc.) can be implemented on request by Direct Machining Control. Also, an API to write plugins for new laser source support will be released in a near future.

Some of DMC supported lasers are:

  • Light Conversion
  • SPI
  • Amplitude
  • Lumentum
  • Coherent
  • Spectra-Physics
  • Rofin
  • Trumpf TruMicro (over OPC UA)

Additional lasers can be implemented on request.

Serial port

Peripheral devices can be controlled by DMC laser machining software via the Serial Port tool.

Select connection parameters and enter the communication commands. Also, such commands can be used within the recipe.

I/O control

DMC can control various digital and analog I/O on the system. They can be controlled directly or adding a command in the recipe.

Also frequently used I/Os (e.g. vacuum chuck, lighting control) may be configured as toggle buttons in the Ribbon menu.

Cameras

A selection of various cameras is supported in DMC. They are used for various Machine Vision tasks including sample visualization, alignment, autofocus, and system calibration tools.

Some of DMC supported cameras are:

  • Any camera with GigE Vision
  • IDS Imaging uEye
  • Basler
  • Mightex
  • Others

Additional cameras can be implemented on request.

Sensors

A selection of various sensors is supported in DMC. They are mostly used for:

  • Distance, height detection. When calibrated, such sensors can be used for automatic focus position detection or profile measurements.
  • Power measuring. Power meters can be used to automatically set required laser power via analog output or direct laser control.

Additional lasers can be implemented on request.