ENGRAVING SYSTEMS 1612, 1624, 2424, 2448 Engravers and 2424, 2448 Router Table Users Manual Vision Engraving & Routing Systems 17621 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85023 Technical Support 602-439-0700 Fax 602-439-0500 www.visionengravers.
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Table Of Contents Table of Contents Liability Statement _ ________________________________________ 4 Safety _____________________________________________________ 5 Chapter 1: Table Description ______________________________ 7-12 Chapter 2: Setting Up The Table _____________________________ 13 Chapter 3: Engraving Head Removal Procedure _ __________ 15-16 Chapter 4: High Frequency Router Removal _______________ 17-19 Chapter 5: High Frequency Router Motor ____________________ 21 Chapter 6: Porter Cable Rem
Copyright 2008 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems (A Division of Western Engravers Supply, Inc.) All Rights Reserved This publication is protected by copyright, and all rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted by any means or in any form, without prior written consent from Vision.
Safety Precautions for Vision Engraving Tables Safety Keep hands clear of the spindle belt during operation. Keep hands clear of the bottom of the spindle during operation. Always stop the machine before making any adjustments. Unlplug the power to the Vision controller and disconnect the table cable and spindle drive cable before servicing. Do not operate the system with covers removed. Wear safety glasses when cutting any materials that emit chips.
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Chapter 1: Table Description Chapter 1 This chapter briefly describes the major components of the Vision table. Figure 1.1 (see page 8) and Figure 1.3 (see page 11) show pictures of two typical engraving tables. This chapter will help you identify the parts of your Vision table discussed elsewhere in the manual.* Find the model number as referenced in the description for each type of table design.
Chapter 1 (Figure 1.1) Moveable T-slot table format. Shown here is the top view of the Vision 1624. The Vision 1612 has a similar design. 6. Carriage Assembly 8. Y-Axis Stepper Motor (underneath) 11. Engraving Motor 7. 25 Pin Breakout Box (underneath) 5. Gantry Assembly 9. X-Axis Stepper Motor 1. Table Base Plate 3. T-Slot Table 12. Quick-Lock Vise 4. Y-Axis Lead Screw (under metal cover) 2. Y-Axis Linear Rails (Figure 1.1a) Series 3 T-slot table format.
Chapter 1 3. T-Slot Table. Also referred to as the work surface, this aluminum bed supported by the linear rails allows placement of the engraving material or special clamps and fixtures. The slots in this table are shaped with an upside-down T, with the bottom of the T being a singleline slot across the top of the table (see fig 1.1b). The slots are used to hold various accessory holders, clamps, and jigs. All t-slot accessories are avaiable on at ww.visionengravers.com 4. Y-Axis Lead Screw.
Chapter 1 (Figure 1.2) Close up of the Vision table carriage Shown is 3/4 view, without sheetmetal top cover 1. Engraving Motor 2. Z-Axis Stepper Motor 5. Z Lead Screw 4. Spindle Block 6. Engraving Motor Belt 3. Spindle Assembly 1. Engraving Motor. The engraving motor or “spindle motor”, is the large black motor on the top of the carriage assembly. The engraving motor drives a belt and pulley system, which turns the engraving cutter during the engraving process. 2. Z-Axis Stepper Motor.
Chapter 1 (Figure 1.3) Moveable gantry flatbed table format. Shown here is a top view of the Vision 2424. 5. Carriage Assembly 10. Engraving Motor 4. Gantry Assembly 7. Y-Axis Stepper Motor 3. X-Axis Lead Screw 2. X-Axis Linear Rails 1. Table Base Plate 9. Material Guides 6. 25 Pin Breakout Box 8. X-Axis Stepper Motor (Figure 1.3a) Front angled view of the Vision 2448 5. Carriage Assembly 9. Material Guides 4. Gantry Assembly 1. Table Base Plate 2. X-Axis Linear Rails 6. 25 Pin Breakout Box 1.
Chapter 1 3. X-Axis Lead Screw. This is a threaded rod located underneath the table baseplate. Combined with the stepper motor, the lead screw is rotated and causes the gantry to move along the rails in the X-axis direction (see fig 1.3b). There is also a second lead screw called in the Y-axis lead screw. The Y-axis lead screw is contained within the gantry, and can be accessed by removing the black sheet metal gantry cover.
Chapter 2: Setting Up The Table Chapter 2 Connection of Power, Cables, and Controllers Additional boxes may have been shipped along with your table, depending on the system ordered. These will typically include a control unit and associated cables. The proper connection of these cables is essential. Check the appropriate user’s manuals for your controller before attempting to connect them it to the table.
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Spindle Block Plate Dowel Pins 1. Make sure that the Engraving Head Assembly and the electrical power to the Controller is disconnected before you begin any disassembly 2. Then unplug the Connector from behind the Router Housing and rest it on the Vacuum Hose Hanger 3. Insert the two Dowel Pins through the two holes on the Spindle Block Plate and into the Router Rail Plate.
Chapter 3 4. Loosen all 4 Screws until you feel the Spindle Block Plate has detached from the Router Rail Plate. 5. Then remove all 4 Screws (2 on the Right and 2 on the Left) and detach the Engraving Head Assembly from the Router Rail Plate.
Router Vacuum Head Router Bracket Plate Router Vacuum Hose Chapter 6: High Frequency Router Removal (Part 1 of 3) 1. Make sure that the High Frequency Router Assembly and the electrical power is disconnected before you begin any disassembly. 2. Then unplug the Connector from behind the Router Housing and rest the cable on the Vacuum Hose Hanger. 3. Disconnect the plastic Vacuum Hose Pipe from the Router Vacuum Head and place it safely away from the Router. (Continued on Pg.
Chapter 4 4. Loosen the two Thumbscrews and remove the Router Vacuum Head from the High Frequency Router Assembly. 5. Insert the two Dowel Pins through the two holes on the High frequency Motor Plate and into the Router Rail Plate. The Dowel Pins will help you to keep everything safely in place as you begin to remove the 6 Screws holding the High Frequency Router Assembly onto the Router Rail Plate. (Continued on Pg.
Remove these 3 Screws on the Right (then 3 on the Left Side) High Frequency Motor Plate Router Rail Plate Chapter 4: High Frequency Router Removal (Part 3 of 3) High Frequency Router Assembly 6. Loosen all 6 Screws until you feel the High Frequency Motor Plate has detached from the Router Rail Plate. 7. Then remove all 6 Screws (3 on the Right and 3 on the Left) and detach the High Frequency Router Assembly from the Router Rail Plate.
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High Frequency Cable showing the “Female” end. This is part of the cable that connects from the interface beneath the High Frequency Inverter to the interface labelled “HIGH FREQ” on the Vision 3 Serial Controller. To electrical outlet This is the 220 single phase A/C plug that connects to the high voltage electrical outlet. This is the other part of the cable that connects from the interface beneath the High Frequency Inverter is mounted to the Router Table.
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Router Vacuum Head Router Bracket Plate Router Rail Plate Router Housing Router Vacuum Hose Vacuum Hose Hanger Connector Chapter 6: Porter Cable Router Removal Procedure (Part 1 of 2) Dowel Pins Porter Cable Router Assembly 1. Make sure that the Porter Cable Router Assembly and the electrical power is disconnected before you begin any disassembly. 2. Then unplug the Connector from behind the Router Housing and rest it on the Vacuum Hose Hanger. 3.
Chapter 6 5. Loosen all 6 Screws until you feel the Porter Cable Router Assembly has detached from the Router Rail Plate. 6. Then remove all 6 Screws (3 on the Right and 3 on the Left) and detach the Porter Cable Router Assembly from the Router Rail Plate.
Schematic Diagram showing the Cable Connections for the Porter Cable Router on the 2424/ 2448 Router Table (Items shown are not to scale.) This is the “Male” end of the Porter Cable AC Power Cable. Spindle/4th Axis Cable showing the “Male” end. This connects from the Router Table to the interface labelled “SPINDLE/4TH AXIS” on the Vision 3 Serial Controller. To electrical outlet This is the Plug end of the Porter Cable AC Power Cable. This is plugged into a regular, three prong electrical outlet.
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Chapter 8: Table Adjustments Chapter 8 Spindle Assembly Description (Figure 8.1) The Series 3 Top-Loading Spindle Assembly (Figure 8.2) The Series 3 Top and Bottom-Loading Collet Spindle Assembly 15. 14. 1. 2. 13. 3. 4. 5. 12. 6. 7. 11. 8. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Pulley Inner Spindle Housing (under sleeve) Outer Spindle Sleeve Pressure Spring Adjuster Pressure Spring Pointer Micrometer Retainer Ring 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Chapter 8 Zeroing Cutters for Top-Loaded Spindles (see page 15, figure 3.1) 1. Turn the micrometer to zero. This provides a starting point and reference for setting the depth accurately. It’s important to note that the micrometer should be threaded onto the spindle housing sufficiently to prevent excessive play in the micrometer and nosecone. If there are too few threads holding the micrometer in place it will move during the engraving process.
Chapter 8 Proximity Sensing Device All current Vision Table Models come standard with a proximity-sensing device. Below is an explanation and the procedure for operating a Vision engraving machine equipped with a proximity-sensing device. Advantage of this feature The advantage of this device is that it eliminates the need to perform a surface setting before zeroing the cutter. It is used when using a nose cone or diamond drag.
Chapter 8 (Figure 8.
Chapter 9: Table Maintenance Chapter 9 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.
Chapter 9 The motor brushes on the engraving motor should be inspected regularly, and replaced when worn. Two brush assemblies are included with the accessories package. (One for each side of the motor.) Inspect the brushes for possible replacement at least every six months. (see figure 9.2) The engraving motor is the large, black motor (where applicable) on the top of the carriage assembly. Unplug the speed controller to remove power to the motor.
Chapter 9 one Silic ricant Lub Sili Lub cone rica nt Silico Lubri ne cant Sili Lub cone rica nt Si Lub licone rica nt (Fig 9.3) LUBRICATION Lubricating the X-Axis, Y-Axis and Z-Axis lead screws (ALL MODELS) A light lubrication of the X and Y and Z lead screws should be performed after every month of usage (see schedule on next page). Use silicone lubricant spray only. Spray a light coating along the entire lead screw. (Fig 9.4) Carriage and gantry covers are removed.
Chapter 9 Spindle Lubrication (for Series 3 Vision Tables only) The spindle assembly in the Series 3 Vision Tables requires a monthly lubrication of the housing (as shown in Fig.9.5). Simply push the spindle up until there is a 1/3” gap between the spindle block and the “lip” of the housing. Lubricate with 2 to 3 drops of 3 in 1 oil. DO NOT OVER LUBRICATE! Never lubricate the spindle bearings! This wil cause the spindle to stick. Spindle Housing “Lip” Spindle Block (Figure 9.
Chapter 9 Riser Block Extensions The optional riser block kit allows you to raise the entire gantry assembly quickly and simply. Each end of the gantry assembly is supported by two tower blocks stacked on top of each other. Riser blocks are installed between the two tower blocks, and add height to the gantry. Riser Block Installation (See Fig 9.6) Determine the extra height required, and select riser blocks of appropriate height. One end of the gantry has long threaded rods topped by washers and nuts.
Chapter 9 Spindle Options Increase your profits and engraving quality with the split collet spindle (see fig 9.7). Designed to be extremely accurate and durable, the collet spindle is simple to use. This collet retracts around the cutter gripping it at the bottom, while firmly holding on the top. By holding the cutter in two places the cutter is virtually vibration-free and nearly eliminates play and runout.
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Chapter 10 ENGRAVING PROBLEMS Problem: Engraving on the plate is “slanted”. Possible solutions: 1. Check material for squareness. Maybe your shear does not cut squarely. 2. Check to see if the material on the table is indeed at a true home and is square to your scale bars or stops. 3. If your table is equipped with scale bars insure that they are secure and flush to your T-Slot table. Hint: Always inspect your job before removing your plate from the system.
Chapter 10 Problem: You are not using a nosecone and you have uneven engraving. Possible solutions: 1. Switch to a nose-riding method. 2. Use a different method of holding the material. If you use double sided tape, it may be thick enough to change your surface flatness by a few thousandths. 3. Parcel the job if possible so that you can have more direct control over the depth of each specific area. This may be effective if you have uneven material or a large engraving bed. 4.
Chapter 10 This could be in the gap between the cutter and the spindle shaft. Maybe the shaft is worn or the spindle bearings need to be replaced. Once a shaft starts to wear and a cutter is loose, the problem can worsen quickly. 2. The spindle is loose in the housing or block. 3. The carriage is loose or has excessive play, check the z-axis bearings or slide. 4. Lubricate lead screws with recommended lubricant. Problem: My baseline is off. Possible solutions: 1.
Chapter 10 Problem: System has no movement in any one axis. Possible solutions: 1. Try to jog the problem axis using the X/Y/Z jog keys on the control unit. If OK, retry the job. 2. Check the table cable for a solid connection. 3. Call service technician for further instructions. Problem: Unusually loud noises during the engraving process. Possible solutions: 1. Isolate the cause of the unusual noise by: a. Remove the cutter. b. Turn the engraving motor to OFF. c.
