VE810 Series 3 User Manual © 2012 Vision Engraving and Routing Systems Revised: 3/15/2012
VE810 Series 3 User Manual © 2012 Vision Engraving and Routing Systems All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the written permission of the publisher. Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners.
Contents 3 Table of Contents Part I Introduction 5 1 Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................... and Warranty Information 5 2 Safety ................................................................................................................................... Precautions 7 Part II General Information 8 1 Unpacking .....................................................................................
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Part VII Optional Accessories 109 1 Vacuum ................................................................................................................................... Chip Removal System 109 2 Hold................................................................................................................................... Down Clamps 110 3 Fixtures ...................................................................................................................
Introduction 1 5 Introduction About This Manual This manual is designed to provide you with information about your Vision VE810 Series 3 engraver. Beginning with unpacking the machine and continuing through installation, operation and lifetime machine maintenance, this manual does not attempt to teach the user how to become an expert in engraving, computer usage, or engraving software usage. Some previous knowledge of engraving terms and the engraving process is certainly beneficial.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Vision does not warrant any product, component, or part not manufactured by Vision that was not supplied by Vision. (Third-party items, including but not limited to software, are subject to their own manufacturer’s warranties.
Introduction 1.2 7 Safety Precautions Keep hands clear of the bottom of the spindle during operation. Always stop the machine before making any adjustments. Do not operate the machine with the covers removed. Wear safety glasses when cutting any materials that emit chips. Use extreme caution when inserting or removing cutters. Before any servicing, disconnect the power cord.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual 2 General Information 2.1 Unpacking and Taking Inventory The Vision VE810 engraving system has been shipped in one carton, unless other accessories have been ordered with the machine that will not fit in the box. Examine the condition of the box for external damage. In the event of apparent external damage, notify your shipping carrier upon receipt, and call your sales representative or Vision immediately at (888) 637-1737. International Customers Call: (602) 439-0600.
General Information 2.2 9 Machine Description and Terminology This chapter briefly describes the major components of the Vision VE810 engraving system. This chapter will help you identify the parts of your machine discussed in this manual. TABLE SPECIFICATIONS: Z-Axis Clearance: 1 inch (25.4 mm) (Definition: the distance between the bottom of the spindle and the work surface) Z-Axis Stroke: 1 inch (25.4 mm) (Definition: the travel distance of the Z-axis mechanism or spindle) Table Resolution: .
VE810 Series 3 User Manual 10. Spindle Motor Pulley - The spindle motor pulley is mounted to the top of the spindle motor and drives the motor belt. The motor belt drives the spindle, enabling it to rotate the cutting tool. (The spindle motor pulley is hidden by the spindle cover. In order to see it, you must remove the cover). VE810 top view 11. Z-Axis leadscrew - This drives the spindle up and down while engraving. 12.
Installation 3 11 Installation In the following sections, the complete machine and Vision software installation will be outlined. There are two connection configurations possible for a Vision Machine with a Series 3 Controller. The first is a direct cable connection to your computer via the network port. There is a special "crossover" cable supplied with the machine for this connection type. This configuration is for a stand alone computer that is NOT connected to a WIRED network or internet.
3.1.1 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Direct Connection to Computer Direct Connection to Computer Using Crossover Cable Once the machine is connected directly to your computer's network port (on your PC) with the crossover cable, turn the machine on. Wait for the machine to initialize; the LCD will display "Go to Home". NOTE - This installation is performed on a Windows 7 PC. For Windows Vista or Windows XP, the screens are slightly different.
Installation 13 At the completion of the Machine Tools setup, select OK. A restart of the computer may be necessary in order for Windows to register the software. Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now, then select Finish. The computer's IP address will need to be set. NOTE - this should not cause any conflicts with your computer's wireless IP address, which is determined by the computer's wireless network card. To set the computer's IP address, open the Window's Control Panel.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Properties. Then, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Installation 15 Then select Properties. Select Use the following IP address: and enter 192.168.5.100 as shown. enter the Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, then select OK and close any other network configuration windows. The IP address of the machine will need to be set to set up the connections properly. Go to the Windows Start Button and select All Programs, select Vision Machine Tools 4, then select Connection Manager. The below screen will appear.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual In order to change the machine's IP address, select your machine (or controller) in the window, then select Edit, then Change Address from the top menu bar. The following screen may appear. Select Yes to continue. Enter the address 192.168.5.101 as shown, then select OK. Close the Connection Manager window. The configuration is complete at this point.
Installation 3.1.2 17 Network Connection Connecting via Standard Network Cable to Network Once you have connected your machine to your network, turn the machine on. Wait for the machine to initialize; the LCD will display "Go to Home". NOTE - This installation is performed on a Windows 7 PC. For Windows Vista or Windows XP, the screens are slightly different.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual At the completion of the Machine Tools setup, select OK. A restart of the computer may be necessary in order for Windows to register the software. Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now, then select Finish. The configuration is complete at this point.
Installation 3.2 Vision Software Installation From the Main Installation Screen, select Step 2 - Install Vision Software. The Windows Installer will prepare the installation. Select Next.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Install. The installation will proceed. Select the appropriate language and select OK.
Installation Installation will proceed. Select Next to begin the installer. Select Accept the license agreement, then select Next.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Next (or change the destination folder - not recommended). Select Next to create the folder.
Installation 23 The installation will continue. Select the Vision VE810 (with LCD), then select Next. If you purchase another engraving system from Vision, it can be added to the machine list at a later date from within the Vision software.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Continue to install True Type fonts and Vision Engraving Fonts on your computer. The software will look for True Type fonts on your computer and allow the Vision software to use them. Once the True Type fonts are installed, select OK.
Installation 25 In this step, the software will install any Engraving fonts on your computer. In order to install the fonts from the USB drive, select A Removable drive and from the drop down list, select the drive letter for the USB drive plugged into your computer.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select OK to install to the default folder. Select OK. All fonts and clipart have been installed from the USB drive at this time. Select OK to return to the main installation screen.
Installation To complete the installation, select Finish. To close the Software Setup window, select Finish.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Exit Menu to close the installer. Three icons should now appear on your computer's desktop as shown below. They include a link to all of Visions Manuals, a Tutorial and the Vision Express 9 Software. The USB drive can be removed at this time from your computer. Installation is now complete.
Installation 3.3 29 The Front Panel The front panel controls all of the movement and speeds of the Vision VE810. Below is a picture of the front panel. The function of each button and knob are explained below. XY Speed knob - This knob controls the engraving speed of the VE810. Turning the knob clockwise will increase the speed and turning the knob counter clockwise will decrease the speed.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual spindle speed knob up a little bit. The spindle speed also has presets based on the material selected in the Vision software. Start button- The start button is used to start the engraving machine. When there is a job in the VE810, the green light above the start button will be flashing on and off. When it is flashing, pressing the start button will start engraving.
Installation 31 Stop button - The stop button is used to stop the machine from engraving. If you press the stop button while the machine is engraving, the VE810 will stop immediately, lift the cutter up from the material, shut the engraving motor off and turn the vacuum off. Once you are ready to engrave, you must press the Goto Home button to move the spindle back to the home position. Pressing the start button will recall the job. Pressing the start button again will run the last job.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual ALT button - The ALT button is used to access different functions. Typically this button will need to be held down and another button pressed at the same time to access the function. Set Surface button - The set surface button is used to set the surface point of the material you are engraving. The procedure for setting the surface is as follows: a) Use the X & Y jog buttons to move the spindle over the material to be engraved. b) Press the Set Surface button.
Installation 33 Set Offset button - The Set Offset button is used to set a temporary home position. To set a temporary offset position, use the Jog Buttons to move the spindle to a point you want to set as the home position. Press the Set Offset Button. The message Home Set will appear on the LCD. This position is now set as the temporary home (0,0) position.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual engraving with a nose cone or diamond drag only; it is not designed for non-nose cone engraving or burnishing. When the light above the button is green, the Prox is on, when it light above the button is red, the Prox is off. Note: The proximity sensor can be turned on or off from within the Vision Pro software. When the Engrave icon is selected, the proximity icon can be selected or deselected to turn the proximity sensor on or off.
Installation 35 + ALT + Spindle On/Off button - When you hold down the ALT button and press the Spindle On/Off button, the spindle motor will start. Pressing the Spindle On/Off button again will shut the spindle motor off. Aux On/Off button - The auxiliary for an optional vacuum system motor can be either in automatic mode or off. You can toggle between these two modes by pressing the Aux On/Off button. When the light is red, the vacuum system will be off.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual B1 button - The B1 button is used to set the spindle lift height when moving between characters. To set the Z lift from the VE810 front panel, follow the steps below: a) Press the B1 button. b) The LCD display will show the current lift distance. c) Press the Z up or down arrows to increase or decrease the Z lift distance. The changes will be shown on the LCD screen. Pressing the Z up and down arrows changes the distance in 0.01" increments (.25 mm).
Installation 37 Special Functions B2 button - The B2 button is currently used in conjunction with the ALT button only. + ALT + B2 button - When you hold down the ALT button and press the B2 button, the factory default settings will be loaded back into the machine. This will clear any user settings that were stored in the machine. When pressed, the Load Settings screen will appear on the LCD. Press Start to restore the default settings or Stop to cancel the default settings load.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual 192.168.5.101, then the machine is set for a Static IP addess of 192.168.5.101. If you need to manually enter an IP address different than this, see the Direct Connection to Computer section earlier in this manual. + Then ALT + Stop button then B2 - Holding down the ALT button and pressing the Stop button and then pressing the B2 button will load a test job into the machine. Pressing Start will load the job and pressing Start again will run the job.
Installation 3.4 39 Holding Down Material There are many ways to hold material down on the t-slot table. One of the major things to remember is that the material must be placed in the upper left corner of the t-slot table. This will ensure that the engraving is in the correct position on your material.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Edge Guides: The t-slot table edge guides need to be adjusted to the thickness of material that you are engraving. If they are higher than the material's surface, the nose cone may ride on top of the edge guides and the machine may not engrave characters completely. Edge Guides (Side View) To adjust the edge guides, loosen the edge guide thumbscrews and raise them above the surface of the T-slot table.
Installation 41 Quick Lock Vise The Quick Lock Vise is used to clamp rigid materials against the top Edge Guide in order to prevent movement. Put the material you would like to engrave on the t-slot table and push it to the home position corner. Next, loosen the quick lock vise locking screw and slide the quick lock vise so that there is about 1/16th inch gap between the edge of the vise and the material. Tighten the quick lock vise locking screw.
4 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Step by Step Operation In the following sections, there are 4 example jobs the user can use to learn the different ways to use the Vision VE810. In the first section, the machine will be set up to perform a diamond drag operation on coated aluminum and a simple plate will be engraved. In the second example, engravers plastic will be rotary engraved to make a small sign.
Step by Step Operation 43 With your finger at the bottom of the nose cone, loosen the cutter knob set screw and lower the cutter so that the cutting tip extends below the bottom of the nose cone by approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm). Then tighten the cutter knob set screw. Turn the machine's power switch on. Set up the job you would like to engrave in the Vision Software (for an example job, please refer to the following section). Place the material on the t-slot table.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual The Plate Size window will appear. Click on the Current Selection drop down list and select Custom. Enter the plate size to be engraved - for this example 3" x 2".
Step by Step Operation To add text, click on the Text Tools icon. The flyout icons will appear, then select the Text Compose icon.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Click somewhere in the drawing to begin typing text. Note that on the top toolbar, the various font editing fields have appeared. The user should become familiar with the various ways fonts can be formatted with the toolbar options. For this example, the only change was for the font height, which was set to 0.500". Begin typing text to be engraved.
Step by Step Operation 47 In order to align the text to the center of the plate, select Layout Arrange and Distribute Align to Sign Blank Center (as shown below) from the top toolbar. Note that there are several ways to align objects within the Vision software. The Break Text warning may appear. If so, select No. If Yes is chosen, and more than one line of text has been entered, each line will align on top of one another in the center of the plate. At this point, the screen should appear as below.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Next, the material should be placed on the engraving table, with the upper left corner of the material positioned in the home position (upper left corner of the engraving table). Note that the Multi Mat material has been placed on the t-slot table in order to hold the engraving material in place. Select the Engrave icon from the left toolbar. The Cut Toolbox will appear and the options for engraving will appear on the top toolbar.
Step by Step Operation 49 Select the appropriate material from the Material Selection drop down list. In this example, the material Metals(Diamond Drag) is selected. Since we are running a file for the first time, we will select the Dry Run option from the Cut Toolbox. Make sure the "D" appears by selecting it. The default is "Off" for the Dry Run, which will engrave the plate. We want to make sure our file has been set up properly in this example and that the material is positioned correctly.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Red Laser Pointer If the file and material appear to be positioned properly and you are ready to engrave, select the Engrave icon from the left toolbar, turn off the Dry Run option and check to make sure the Proximity Sensor (see the Prox icon below) is enabled, then select the Engrave icon on the Cut Toolbox to send the file to the engraver.
Step by Step Operation 51 Make sure the material is positioned properly and secured on the engraving table, then press the Start Button on the engraver to begin engraving. The finished piece should appear as shown below.
4.2 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Rotary Engraving In this section, we will set up to engrave with a rotating cutter. The figure below shows the Vision VE810 spindle with a rotary cutter. Vision VE810 Spindle with Rotary Cutter First, to install the rotating cutter, loosen the set screw on the cutter knob with the supplied cutter wrench and move the cutter knob to about the mid-point of the cutter tool, then lightly tighten the set screw.
Step by Step Operation 53 Adjusting Depth of Cut Cutting depth depends on the type of material being engraved. Generally, manufacturer's of engraving plastic provide recommendations for cut depth. If a recommended depth is unavailable, trial and error can be used to find the appropriate cut depth.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Then, we will enter the text using the Frame Text Compose tool as shown below. With this tool selected, text will automatically be centered and have automatic Kerning. In the below example, the font was changed to Casual1, with a height of 1.250 inches and a slant of 19 degrees. The top and center lines are left justified and the bottom is center justified in order to produce a sloping look to the sign.
Step by Step Operation 55 Once the file has been set up, select the Engrave Icon and from the Materials selection drop down list, select Engravers Plastic(Engraving). In the picture below, the Cut Toolbox shows that the Vacuum, Prox, Dry Run, and Spindle are all enabled. Since this is the second example job, sending a Dry Run job to the engraver is suggested. Select the Engrave Icon to send the file to the engraver.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual NOTE - The design of the Vacuum Chip Removal System is to clear the debris away from the engraved material and prevent the chips from scratching the surface of the material during operation, and/or getting trapped between the nose cone and the material (when using the proximity sensor function) and causing the engraver to not engrave to the proper depth. When the file is complete, remove the material from the table.
Step by Step Operation 4.3 57 Burnishing In this section, we will set up to engrave with a burnishing cutter. The figure below shows the Vision VE810 spindle with a burnishing cutter and an optional EZ Rider burnishing adapter. The Vision VE810 spindle with burnishing cutter Burnishing is different than standard rotary engraving mainly because the nose cone is not used to set the depth of cut. Burnishing does not actually cut deep into metals, rather it cuts the painted surface off of metals.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Once the message above disappears, press and hold down the Z Down Jog Button until the cutter tip touches the engraving material, then continue moving the spindle down for another 0.030 - 0.050 inches (0.75 - 1.25 mm). This is called "pre-loading" the adapter. Pre-loading the EZ Rider Burnishing Adapter sets the pressure applied by the cutter on to the material. More or less pre-load can be used, depending on the material to be engraved.
Step by Step Operation 4.3.1 59 Example Job 3 - Burnishing In this example, another feature in the Vision Software will be introduced. We will create a Plate Object in order to create multiple items with different text engraved on a single 7.85 x 5.4 inch (199.4 x 137.2 mm) piece of coated brass (also known as black brass or trophy brass).
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Adjust the number of plates to 1, leave spacing at 0.000 inches, width and height to 2.500 and 1.25 inches, set the left margin to 0.175 inches and the top margin to 0.200 inches as shown, then click on Apply. Note that the page margins on the toolbar are located such that the top field is for the top margin, the left field is the left margin, etc. The screen should then appear as below. Select the Text Compose Icon.
Step by Step Operation 61 Click in the middle of the Plate Object. Enter any text in the format you wish to use. In this example, two lines of text are entered as variables (it does not matter what you type. The text entered is only for formatting and will be replaced with the text imported from the .txt file).
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Each line of text can be independently set for font and size. Highlight the text to be changed, then from the font list on the top toolbar, choose the font to be used for the selected text and double click on the font name. If the size or other parameters need to be revised, use the toolbar fields to modify the font style. Please note that in this example, the Width Compression for the text was adjusted.
Step by Step Operation 63 Change the settings to Always compress or expand text to fit width, Method: Width compress/expand, and Apply to: Each Line Individually. Deselect Word Wrap, then select OK. For a detailed description of all the font modifications possible, refer to the Vision software help or user manual. Once changes have been made, deselect text mode by clicking in any open area of the screen, away from the plate object.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual In this example, a text file was created in order to copy and paste the variables into the Vision software. Highlight the text and select copy from the edit menu (or right click and select copy). Note that in this example, the two variables are entered as subsequent lines in the text file and that there may be difficulties when importing from other file formats. A simple text file created in Windows Notepad is suggested.
Step by Step Operation 65 Click in the center of the plate. After clicking in the center of the plate, all fields are merged and multiple plate objects will be created based on the number of text variables selected.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Also, if there are more variables than can be fit into one plate in the Vision software, multiple plates (or pages) are automatically generated for individual output to the engraver. The lower right corner of the Vision software screen allows the user to view the individual pages. During the Engrave operation, the user will select the page to be sent to the engraver.
Step by Step Operation In this example, the plate object lines were engraved.
4.4 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Profile Cutting In this section, we will set up to engrave with a standard engraving cutter and cut completely through engraver's plastic with a cutter/beveler. The cutter/beveler is used to create a contrast on the edge of the cut material. The figure below shows the Vision VE810 spindle with a rotary cutter/beveler.
Step by Step Operation 69 Down Materials section. Then a second piece of material is placed on top of the material to be cut. The nose cone is lowered on top of the second piece of material (near its edge) and the cutter is adjusted downward until it touches the top of the material to be cut. This, in effect, sets the cut depth to match the material thickness.
4.4.1 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Example Job 4 - Profile Cutting In this example job, engravers plastic will be set up to engrave several name badges, then the badges will be cut out. 1/16th inch standard engravers plastic is used. Two different tools will be used - one to engrave, and one to cut/bevel the edges. As with Example Job 2, the Vacuum Chip Removal System is highly recommended for this application and is shown in this example.
Step by Step Operation 71 A Clip Art image will be added to the badge. The image is GENE0038.CDL from the Vision software clip art in the General folder (installed as C:\Vision Express 9\ClipArt\GENERAL). To import the clip art, simply browse the folder in Windows Explorer and drag the file to the engraving area on the plate within the Vision software.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select Frame mode. Next, we will re-size the text area and type in some text (it does not matter what text is entered here. It is just entered to create the text object). To re-size the text frame, click and hold with the left mouse button on the black edge of the text frame and drag the frame to the appropriate size. then, Two more text fields are entered in the same manner, re-sized, and fonts are changed.
Step by Step Operation 73 At this point, we need to change the two fixed text fields to graphics, so that when we import the text file for multiple badges, the correct text is replaced. Select the two text fields shown and from the toolbar, select Arrange Text To Graphics. HINT - to select more than one object, click on the first object, hold down the Shift Key, then click on additional objects.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual The screen should appear as below after pasting the names into the plate. Lastly, before we send the file to the engraver, we will separate the graphics into two different colors, one for engraving and one for cutting. This is necessary so that two files can be sent to the engraver independently and a cutting tool change can be performed after engraving.
Step by Step Operation 75 Note that is there is more than one page of names, each page of the file will need to have the plate frame color changed. After changing the plate frame color. If you try to send this file to the engraver at this point (by clicking on the Engrave icon), a warning screen may appear as below.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual In order to engrave by color, from the toolbar menu select Engrave Engraving Defaults (Note that the Cut Order Warning screen refers to the "Plotting Defaults", but the menu item is "Engraving Defaults"), then make sure Engrave by Color checkbox is selected, then Apply and Close. In order to send the engrave file to the engraver, select the Engrave icon from the left toolbar, at which time the Filter by Color window will appear.
Step by Step Operation 77 After clicking on Select, the Vision software window will show only the color being sent to the engraver, in this case, black. Make sure that Engravers Plastic(Engraving) is the material selected, and all options are turned on in the Cut Toolbox, including Dry Run for this example file. Select the Engrave icon from the Cut Toolbox to send the file to the engraver.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual After selecting OK, the engraving file is sent to the machine. Place the material on the table and make sure the engraver is set up as in Rotary Engraving section before running the file. Use the proper cutting tool for the engraving application. Note that the nose cone for the vacuum chip removal system has been installed in this picture. After pressing Start and finishing the job,the engraved portion of the file should appear as shown.
Step by Step Operation 79 Cutting After sending the engrave file to the machine, the Filter by Color window will re-appear, signaling that the software is ready for you to send another file to the engraver. Since we need to change the material setting, select Stop Cutting. To change to the material setting for cutting, select Engrave from the top toolbar menu, then Tool Options. Select Engravers Plastic(Cutting) from the Material drop down list, then select OK.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Select the Engrave icon from the left side toolbar, then select the color for cutting in the Filter Layer drop down box in the Filter by Color window (select Red for this example), then select Engrave from the Cut Toolbox. The screen will show only objects in the color selected in the Filter by Color window. The page selection screen will re-appear, for this example, choose Current Page and select OK. The file will be sent to the engraver.
Step by Step Operation 81 Note - The Filter by Color screen will once again appear. Since we have no further colors to send to the engraver, select Stop Cutting.
4.5 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Vectorizing Bitmaps and Creating Vector Fills In this brief section, the commonly used techniques of importing a bitmap and vectorizing it for engraving/cutting, and the process or adding a vector fill to an outline will be demonstrated. It is often required that a scanned image or a bitmap file is requested to be engraved.
Step by Step Operation 83 Using the drop down menu for Files of type, select Vectorize bmp (*.bmp), then choose the file and select Import. The next screen has only one adjustment - Alignment Bitmap Density. There is a slider bar for darkening or lightening the image to show more or less detail. The default slider position is recommended. Select OK and the bitmap will be automatically converted to a vector outline for engraving.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual The final image is shown below after it was imported and converted to a vector outline. It is ready to cut or engrave. 4.5.2 Vector (Hatch) Fills When an outline of an object needs to have the interior, or sections of the interior engraved, the Hatch Fill tool is used.
Step by Step Operation 85 Click, hold and drag a circle, then select the Hatch Fill icon from the Stroke and Fill Tools flyout menu. After selecting the Hatch Fill icon, the selected circle will be vector filled with the default settings. Note that on the top toolbar menu, tool options are now shown and the Tool width is set to 0.015 inches, Fill angle is at 0.000 degrees, the Fill style is S sweep and the color is Red.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Once the Hatch Fill has been adjusted, select Close from the toolbar menu. The image is ready to be sent to the engraver. You may want to change the hatch fill color to match the color of the outline, although it is not necessary. Filling Outline Text Hatch fills can be applied to outline text, but not single line text. In the below example, Arial text was used by selecting the Frame Text Compose icon and clicking in the middle of the plate to create the text as shown.
Step by Step Operation 87 Before filling text, the user must first select the text with the Select Tools icon. Click on the Select Tools icon and select the text to apply the hatch fill to. Select the Hatch Fill icon.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual As with the previous example, the hatch fill is applied. Adjust the Tool width, Tool angle, Tool style and color as desired, then select Close. The file is ready to be sent to the engraver. Complex Hatch Fills Some graphics have portions that do not need to be engraved and are within the boundaries of outside vector outlines. Using the Flower example file, import the file to vectorize the bitmap, then select the Break Path icon to separate the individual outlines.
Step by Step Operation 89 Next, we will need to create a path. The Vision Express 9 software has an intelligent path tool that will automatically detect portions of the graphic that are within outside vector lines and will create a hatch fill with the center portions left as unfilled. Press the F3 button on the computer keyboard to select all items, then select the Make Path icon. Then click and hold on the node in the center of the graphic.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual If this looks correct, select the Hatch Fill icon. The hatch fill will be applied. Adjust the tool options as desired and select Close from the toolbar menu. The file is ready to be sent to the engraver.
Step by Step Operation 5 91 Maintenance Vision strives for the highest quality in their manufacturing process to provide you with the most cost effective, reliable engraving machine in use today. Please remember that proper maintenance and care is necessary to achieve maximum product life expectancy. The engraving environment generates small plastic and metal chips as well as other particles during operation.
5.2 VE810 Series 3 User Manual General Cleaning Chip Removal Plastic and metal chips generated during the engraving process should be removed from the engraving surface periodically. A portable vacuum is suggested for chip removal, but applying direct suction to the spindle area is not recommended. Note that this cleaning can be minimized and greatly simplified through the use of the optional vacuum chip removal system. The vacuum chip removal system removes chips and dust created by engraving.
Maintenance 5.3 93 Motion System Cleaning and Lubrication Materials Needed 3-in-1 oil Teflon-free Silicon Spray Phillips Screw Driver 11/32" Nut Driver Paper Towels Isopropyl Alcohol NOTE - With the machine POWERED OFF, you can move the carriage, table and spindle manually to access areas for cleaning and lubricating the machine. To move the table, press on the front or rear edge of the table. To move the carriage, press on the left or right side of the carriage cover.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Back Cover Screws Remove the five back cover screws (shown below). The center screw does not absolutely need to be removed. It holds a cable clamp inside the back cover of the machine. To remove the center screw, reach inside the machine with a 11/32" nut driver to hold the nut and remove the screw with a Phillips screwdriver from the back of the machine. Spindle Cover To remove the spindle cover, slide the cover up. Squeezing the sides of the cover will facilitate removal.
Maintenance 95 Carriage Cover Remove the four screws on each side of the Carriage Cover . Cleaning Apply isopropyl alcohol to a paper towel and wipe down the X-Axis (carriage) leadscrew and the stainless steel rails for the carriage. Move the carriage by hand to access all areas of the leadscrew and rails.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Apply isopropyl alcohol to a paper towel and wipe down the Y-Axis leadscrews and the stainless steel rails for the t-slot table. NOTE: Clean the leadscrew, rail and baseplate (the area underneath the table) with the table in the fully extended (forward) and fully retracted positions. Raise and lower the spindle to access the upper and lower sections of the spindle rail. The rail is located behind the spindle.
Maintenance 97 Lubrication X&Y-Axis Linear Rails Apply 2-3 drops of a light oil (such as 3-in-1 oil) on the rails and spread it out evenly. X-Y-Z-Axis lead screws A light lubrication of the X, Y and Z-Axis leadscrews should be performed periodically. At a minimum, lubrication should be performed every 6 months, although if applications that produce large amounts of debris are run (such as wood or plastic engraving), cleaning and lubrication should be performed more often.
5.4 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Changing the Motor Belt Over a period of time, the VE810 motor belt will wear. When the motor belt wears, it will stretch and cause the spindle to slip or stall. When this happens, the motor belt generally needs to be changed. The following explains the procedure for changing the motor belt. Cover Removal Top Cover Screws Remove the two top cover screws (shown below). Back Cover Screws Remove the five back cover screws (shown below).
Maintenance 99 Spindle Cover To remove the spindle cover, slide the cover up. Squeezing the sides of the cover will facilitate removal. Carriage Cover Remove the four screws on each side of the Carriage Cover .
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Motor Belt Removal/Replacement To remove the motor belt, roll the front edge of the belt up towards the top of the spindle and over the lip at the top. To replace the belt, align the belt in the motor pulley and pull the belt forward and roll it down over the front edge of the lip on the top of the spindle. Do not excessively stretch the belt when replacing it.
Maintenance 5.5 101 Changing the Motor Brushes The motor brushes on the engraving motor should be inspected annually, and replaced when worn. The motor brushes are worn when the length of the brush is less than 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cover Removal Top Cover Screws Remove the two top cover screws (shown below). Back Cover Screws Remove the five back cover screws (shown below). The center screw does not absolutely need to be removed. It holds a cable clamp inside the back cover of the machine.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Spindle Cover To remove the spindle cover, slide the cover up. Squeezing the sides of the cover will facilitate removal. Carriage Cover Remove the four screws on each side of the Carriage Cover .
Maintenance 103 Motor Brush Inspection and Replacement Use a flat blade screwdriver to loosen the motor brush cap. Inspect the motor brush for length. If the length is under 1/8 inch (3 mm), the motor brush needs to be replaced. If the motor brush is over 1/8 inch (3 mm), put the existing brush back into the motor and replace the motor brush cap.
5.6 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Cleaning the Fan Filter Weekly preventative maintenance should be performed to ensure reliable operation of your VE810. It is recommended that the input fan filter be removed weekly and cleaned to ensure proper cooling of the electronics. 1. Unplug the power cable that goes into the back of the machine. 2. Remove the filter guard by using a small flat blade screwdriver to pop the guard open. 3. Remove the filter and blow out the filter with low-pressure compressed air.
Maintenance 6 Troubleshooting 6.1 Engraving Problems 105 Problem: Engraving on the plate is ”slanted“. Possible solutions: 1. Check material for squareness. Is the engraving material square? 2. Check to see if the material on the table is indeed at a true home and is square to your T-slot edge guides. 3. Check to insure that the T-slot edge guides are secure and flush to the T-Slot table. Hint: Always inspect the job before removing your plate from the system.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual 3. The T-slot table may not be flat, or has been installed improperly. 4. The table the machine is sitting on may not be a level surface. 5. Make sure the spindle spring pressure knob is locked all the way down. Hint: While it’s true that you can do non-nose riding engraving, it’s not easy to hold any controlled accuracy on the depth. This takes flat material, a very flat table and some degree of skill and confidence.
Troubleshooting the surface and are more easily worn, thus sometimes skipping across the surface. 3. Increase the pre-load of the burnishing adapter. 4. Try other materials. Same reasons as above. Some materials are too tough to engrave.
6.2 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Mechanical Problems Problem: No X, Y or Z-Axis movement. Possible solutions: 1. Check that the power switch is on. 2. Check the power cable to make sure it is plugged in properly to the machine. 3. If the power cord is plugged in to a power strip, make sure that the power strip is working properly and turned on. 4. Check to make sure that the X-Y Speed knob on the front panel is turned all the way clockwise. 5.
Troubleshooting 7 109 Optional Accessories These accessories are available for purchase directly from Vision, or you local distributor, as well as through www.visionengravers.com. If you have any questions about these accessories, please contact Vision or your distributor for advice for choosing the best accessories for your applications. Vision can also help if you have a need for special fixtures, or modifications to our standard accessories. Please call us for details. 7.
7.2 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Hold Down Clamps Wedge Clamps Simply slide the clamp onto the T-slot table surface and position it over the edge of the engraving stock. The downward clamping force eliminates bowing. This clamp can be used with material up to 1/4” thick. Push Down Clamps This double-sided clamp secures items from the edge. It is ideal for heavy-duty items that are being cut, contoured or engraved.
Optional Accessories 111 Edge Clamps This clamp is designed to secure engraving materials from the top surface and avoids bowing in most applications. This clamp will hold material thicknesses of .020, .032, .062, and .125 by rotating the clamp and tightening a thumbscrew. Corner Clamps This clamp is designed to hold down square or rectangular plates. By lining up the “V” cut-out of the clamp with the corner of the plate, the engraver is allowed maximum engraving space.
7.3 VE810 Series 3 User Manual Fixtures Universal Pin Fixtures Available for the Versa Vise, T-slot table, and Self-Centering Vise. Also usable with other computerized engravers and Pantographs. These fixtures enable engraving on uniquely shaped items such as pens, lighters, knives, keychains, and more. Universal Clamping Bars w/Medallion Holder These clamping bars hold 1 to 3 round objects at a time. Engrave multiple notary seals, paperweights, and a variety of other circular items.
Optional Accessories 113 Seal Fixture The Seal Fixture enables engraving on notary seals, medallions, coasters, paperweights, dog tags, and other round objects. Usable with the Quick-Lock or Versa Vise. Adjustable Pen Fixture Enables engraving on most pens and cylindrical items that vary in diameter from end to end. Available for most computerized engravers and Pantographs. It is also usable with the Versa Vise and SelfCentering Vise.
VE810 Series 3 User Manual Pen & Medallion Fixture This is a double-sided fixture that, when turned in one direction, accommodates a pen, and when turned in the other direction, accommodates a medallion, seal, or other circular item. With a space for the “eye” of the medallion, this fixture is usable with the Versa Vise or Quick-Lock Vise.
Optional Accessories 7.4 115 Clamping Vises Quick Lock Vise The Quick-Lock Vise is specifically designed for T-slot table users. The “cam” type locking device allows for quick changing of parts. This vise is supplied with a removable front clamping plate which allows for the holding of thicker items. Self-Centering Deep Vise This self-centering vise allows for easy setup of odd-shaped items up to 3 1/4” deep.
