Speedy 400 (0,0) position different on each bed?

[Dan Kozakewycz]

After having play around with our new Trotec we've realised that the (0,0) position on the ferro-magnetic table is different to the aluminium cutting grid, which comparison is (-1,-2).

The engineer didn't cover this, but is there a software setting to account for this or would the rulers need manually aligning so that they match? We'll be flipping between them on a daily basis so would rather not have to reset the offsets each time!

[Gary Hair]

Yes, you'll need to adjust the rulers.

[Kev Williams]

I don't know how many people work in Corel like I do, which is I use the entire machine's space as a working area and place the part I'm working on within the area, OR, how many people just create a work area the size of part. But the reason I use the work area is BECAUSE 0/0 can change for whatever reason. If for example your part, and Corel work area is 4x4", whatever you send to the laser will engrave based on the machine's 0/0. If it's not right, the engraving won't be right either.

You can figure out the offset beforehand and compensate by simply moving the engraving. What I do instead is figure out the actual 0/0, and put guidelines in the corrected positions, then park the work on the guidelines.

Also, this is a "thing" I have, I rarely use the machine's rulers as stops. I have like 2 dozen aluminum 'bars' that are 2" wide, that I use as shims against the stops, so my 0/0 is actually 2/2. This is a screenshot of my Explorer's work area and my current guidelines, with a 'sample' work piece in place-
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The guidelines are currently accurate to where the machine is actually engraving. To find where that is, I simply draw a 1/2" or so box in the 0/0 (or 2/2) corner, then move it exactly .25" right and down. Then I vector it onto some scrap, then measure where it actually is with my digital calipers. Currently, the machine's X is off by .015" to the left, so the vertical guideline is exactly 2.015". Y is dead-on so that guideline is at 2.00".

Now, any part I work on is dead to rights when aligned to the guidelines in Corel, and parked against the shims in the machine. Also, as the screenshot shows, I have an 'overhead visual' of what's actually in the machine. If what IS in the machine doesn't look like what's on the screen, I start checking to see what's wrong! (like landscape v portrait). If your work area matches your work, this visual clue doesn't exist...

FWIW the reason I use the shims is because most machine wear happens near 0/0, and the belts are tightest at 0/0 (and the opposite diagonal corner). I like the engraving quality better away from the corners, AND, my LS900's X-belt is worn enough that the first 2" of engraving shows backlash, which is what got me started on shims. SO, shims are just an option :) -But working this way I have complete freedom of movement within the work area, and a quick vector test and measurement in the morning insures dead-on accuracy the rest of the day. Where the rulers are doesn't matter.

Hope all this makes some sense...