Full Version: Dr. Engrave
From: varn (VARNCO) [#11]
31 Jul 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#10] 31 Jul 2006
Hmmm...
Well, on my PNC 2100, I go through these steps, to get the engraver ready for the Dr. Engrave print file, and I don't get the message that you indicate:
1) Turn on the controller (it'll make some noises, and position the spindle in the top right corner command mode 1, connectino parallel
2) Press the menu, it moves spindle to view point, and the display reads "Camm 2 ready, set the work"
3) Press the menu again, and it moves the spindle to the bottom left corner, display reads "Change origin x=0, y=0"
At this point, it's ready to engrave using Dr. Engrave. You need to give whatever it is that you are engraving the right properties/color, so the engraver knows what to engrave.
Do you have the manual for Dr. Engrave? The manual for your engraver?
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#12]
31 Jul 2006
To: varn (VARNCO) [#11] 31 Jul 2006
From: varn (VARNCO) [#13]
31 Jul 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#12] 31 Jul 2006
You can download/view the Dr. Engrave manual here:
http://www.thepaperranch.com/pdf/DrEngraveManual.pdf
I might have a manual to the pnc2100 as well in pdf, but I'll have to look a bit for it.
I'll let you know if I can find it.
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#14]
31 Jul 2006
To: varn (VARNCO) [#13] 31 Jul 2006
Thank you for the manual, I will print out a hard copy
what I probobly need is the Pnc manual.
I probobly am not doing somthing right.
Maybe I need a bi-directional cable
maybe it is not connected to the correct port
From: varn (VARNCO) [#15]
31 Jul 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#14] 1 Aug 2006
My PNC is connected via parallel cable (normal printer port) on a PC.
To self check the engraver, do this:
With everything connected, and the power off on the engraver:
1) Make sure there's nothing in the way on the engraver/table, and that there is not cutter loaded.
2) Turn on the motor switch to ON
3) Turn on the power switch while at the same time pressing the ^ up arrow. Once it starts moving, release everything, it'll go through a pattern
4) The spindle will turn, go up/down, move go diagonal across the engraving area, go along ther permiter, and should end up in the bottom left corner of the engraving table and it should stop turning.
END OF TEST.
To set up the engraver for parallel (using the lcd screen):
Command should be mode 1
connection parallel
Press menu once and the spindle should be in the top right corner.
Press menu again and it should move to the bottom left corner, and the display should ready x and y coordinates. the engraver is ready to get the engraving instructions from Dr. Engrave - Refer to the Dr. Engrave manual.
Good luck.
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#16]
7 Aug 2006
To: varn (VARNCO) [#15] 7 Aug 2006
I installed this on 2 computers with the same result
I use the serial port, on com port1.
When I send the job, nothing happens
Is it it possible that my com port settings are wrong?
They are:
9600
8
none
1
hardware
I have an old green manual. It has instructions on how to program in dos.
Is it possible that my cable is not bi- directional?
From: varn (VARNCO) [#17]
7 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#16] 8 Aug 2006
Does the engraver move at all without dr. engrave?
Did you do the engraver test (instructions I posted earlier?)
Does it move at all when you turn it on?
Try a different cable, or try a parallel. Serial ports can be tricky with the com ports, and all.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18]
7 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#16] 8 Aug 2006
On some computers they use COM1 for something internal, and the connector is really COM2.
Give that setting a shot and see if it responds.
Check the manual for the com settings that you listed. Most systems DO default to those settings, but you never know.
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#19]
8 Aug 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18] 8 Aug 2006
Thank you very much!
when all fails reread and follow directions
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#20]
8 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#19] 8 Aug 2006
1. is this machine fast enough for engraving dog tags for a fair?
2. what fonts do you use? do you have any single line or Dr. engrave fonts?
3. when the machine finished the job, the spindle did not return home. My question is, when you send many jobs, should you send one right after the other without letting the machine go to the home position?
Thanks again, you guys are really great!
From: varn (VARNCO) [#21]
8 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#20] 8 Aug 2006
Some single line fonts are here:
http://www.signwarehouse.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=view
You can also convert your TTF using Dr. Engrave into Single Line fonts - the manual shows how.
I don't know if it's fast enough.. you control the speed of the engraver, but it depends if you're just scribing, how many lines or filling TTF. But, it probably is if you are using a clamp or jig. My guess is yes, it's fast enough and the engraver is compact enough to take with you. I would suggest timing a few dog tags from start-finish.
In Dr. Engrave (and in the controller as well, I think) you can set the spindle to return to "view" location (upper right corner) once it finishes engraving, so it's out of the way, and you can inspect your engraving or add in a new piece to engrave.
Good luck.. I'm working on setting up my Phoenix 1212.
From: varn (VARNCO) [#22]
8 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#19] 8 Aug 2006
BTW, why don't you post what you did to get your engraver working, just in case somone has similar problems in the future, their resolution might be right here.
The old 2100 seems to be a decent (inexpesive) way of starting...
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#23]
8 Aug 2006
To: varn (VARNCO) [#22] 8 Aug 2006
2. where In Dr. Engrave can I set the spindle to return to "view"?
3. how fast should I set the speed for burnishing?
4. which download is the one with the fonts? I tried 3 of them but no luck
From: varn (VARNCO) [#24]
8 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#23] 8 Aug 2006
10th link down is the single line fonts... download, unzip and install. The pdf file above probably explains how to install.
I have no idea how fast to set the speed. I do believe Dr. Engrave has automatic recommended speed settings, dependent upon the material being engraved.
I don't have Dr. Engrave right now, so I can't tell you how to get the spindel to return. Did you look at the manual?
From: varn (VARNCO) [#25]
8 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#23] 8 Aug 2006
Okay to set it to go to view, you do this:
Go to your list of printers
Right click on the pnc2100 one, and select Propeties
Click on printing preferences, or advanced (something like that)
You'll get a box the opens, with varying options, you'll see "move to view position" - turn this to ON. Once the engraving is finished, the spindle will move to the upper right corner.
In this same box, there are other settings too for the tools, type of material, z down position etc... look it over.. there'll be stuff there that you'll want to know what it does.
Here's a bunch of reading for you:
http://www.rolanddga.com/color/support/wizard/default.asp?ft=12&mt=178&pt=&modelmenu=
I'd also recommend a lot of practice before you go to a dog show to engrave.. you'll be under a lot of pressure, and you'll want to know how the machine works, etc. without someone looking over your shoulder waiting for their "muffy is #1" dog tag as you're trying to figure out how this or that works.
Good luck.
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#26]
9 Aug 2006
To: varn (VARNCO) [#21] 9 Aug 2006
I am sorry that I bothered you to tell me exactly which file to download, but I missed seeing it.
For some reason, although I downloaded it properly, and it is in the correct directory, It does not show up in the font list.
How areyou doing with your Pheonix 1212?
From: varn (VARNCO) [#27]
9 Aug 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#26] 9 Aug 2006
Not a problem. There's a learning curve to all this, and since the machine is so old, it's tough to get any documentation, and the documenation itself is more techy than user friendly. That's why I suggest you get really familiar with engraving... stuff you can't even think of will come up, and you don't want to be trying to earn money have have issues hitting you in the face.
I wish I had someone that had used PNC2100 before I learned it hands on.
That's what this forum is about... helping.
See the attached document on the rsf files (it was a link above the fonts you downloaded). It shows how to install/ where to find (they're the yellow colored icons at the beginning of your font list)
Re: Phoenix 1212
I can't even get the cutter to load into the spindle correctly, so I'm struggling, but will work it out. I'm dedicating tomorrow to working on it exclusively and get it up and running.
Engravelab 7 is confusing too... it's not as simple as Dr. Engrave, but it's more powerful - which means a larger learning curve.
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