Mega FP?8000 XL User manual
MEGAELECTRONICSLIMITED.,
MegaHouse,GripIndustrialEstate,Linton,Cambridge,CB214XN
Telephone:+44(0)1223893900Fax:+44(0)1223893894
email:[email protected]web:www.megauk.com
PhotoplotterFP‐8000/8000XL
Instructionmanual
Note:Anyinquiriesrelatedtophotoplotterhardwareorsoftwareshouldbeaddressedtoan
authorizeddistributor.Photoplottersoftwareissubjecttocopyright.Alltheinformationenclosed
hereissubjecttochangeduetoconstantinnovationoftheproduct.Dateofthelastchangeinthis
document:June17,2011.
1.Briefdescription:
PhotoplotterFP‐8000/8000XLisasmall,raster,lowcostplotterwhichdrawsimageonfilmby
meansoflaserdiodelight.Filmitselfisfixedtotheoutersurfaceofrotatingdrumbymeansof
maskingtape.Thesourceoflaserdiodelightmovesstepbystepalongtherotatingdrum.
PhotoplotteriscontrolledbysoftwareinstalledonPCattachedviaitsUSBport(PCisnotapartof
thephotoplottersupply).Anexternal,universalpowerunitisusedtosupplyneededpower(100‐
240VAC/36VDC–1.66A).
Thephotoplottersoftwareallowstoreadinputfiles,tosetoutputresolutionandtypeofimage
(negative,mirror,etc.)drawnonthefilm.WhenworkingwithGerberfiles,itispossibletocheckand
modifyusedapertures(D‐codes)andmakesimplefilmpanelisationforGerberdataandassociated
drilldata.ViewingofGerberfilesandconversionofvarioustypesofaperturefilesispossiblein
freewareprogramViewMate(madebyPentalogix,formerlyLavenir),whichisattachedtothe
photoplottersoftwareforyourconvenience(otherwiseitmaybedownloadedfromPentalogixweb
page:http://www.pentalogix.com/Download/download.html).
PhotoplotterisdrivenbyprogramRun_photo_USB,whichreadsinhi‐resolutionbitmapfilesFPF,
(photoplotterproprietaryfileformat)andBMP.Fromthisreason,ifyouworkwithGerberor
Postscriptfiles,thesefilesmustbeconvertedintooneofthesebitmapfilesformatfirst.Gerberfiles
areconvertedbyprogramGerb2bitmap,whichisapartofthephotoplottersoftware,while
Postscriptfilesareconvertedbyanexternalprogram,suppliedasanoption.ConverterofGerber
fileshasalsobuilt‐inconverterofaperturefilestoconvertvariousapertureformatintoone
standardformat(Lavenirformatisusedasastandardapertureformat).Aperturefileconversionis
neededonlywhenworkingwithstandardGerberformatRS‐274‐D.Thereisnoneedtoconvert
aperturefilewhenworkingwithextendedGerberformatRS‐274‐X,asthistypeoffilealready
containsinformationonusedapertures.
Varioustypesoffilmsmaybeusedforthisphotoplotter,butallofthemmustbesensitivetolight
wavelengthof670nm(redlight).Thinfilms(0.1mm)usedbyimagesettingmachinesaswellas
standardphotoplotterfilms(0.18mm)canbeused,although0.1mmfilmsarerecommendedfor
thismodelofthephotoplotter.Films0.1mmcomeeitherinrollsofvariouswidthandlength,orin
pre‐cutsheetsofseveralsizes.Filminrolliseasytotapeonasmalldruminphotoplotter,asfilm
tendstobendautomatically.Thereareseveralmanufacturersofsuitablefilms,likeKodak,Horsell,
Fuji,Agfa,TyponGraphicSystems,etc.,whilefilmshavevariousnameslikeEZR4,RD4,TR‐LR+.As
filmlightsensitivitydifferswithvariousfilms,severaltestplotsmaybeneededtofindsuitablelight
intensity.Filmshavetobewetprocessed(developedandstabilised)likeanyotherfilmsafterlighted
inphotoplotter.Filmmanufacturersrecommendandusuallysupplychemicalstobeusedfortheir
filmsprocessing.
Thepowerswitchislocatedontheleftsideoftheplotter.
Onthebacksideoftheplotterthefollowingitemscanbefound:‐powersupplyconnector(label:Input36V
2A)‐computerUSBcableconnector(label:USB)‐Labelwithserialnumberoftheplotter(SN………)
Onthefrontorleftsideoftheplotterthefollowingitemsarelocated:‐Yellow(orRed)LEDindicatingplotting
operation(label:Laser)‐GreenLEDindicatingpoweron(label:Power)
2.Technicalparameters:
Maximumfilmsize:FP8000:360mmx360mm/14"x14"FP8000XL:380mmx450mm/15"x17,5"
Maximumphoto‐plottingarea:FP8000:340mmx320mm
FP8000XL:360mmx420mmPlotresolution:(508,1016,1355,1625,2032,2710,4064,8192)x8600dpi,
Plottingspeed:approximately13mmoffilmwidth/minutefor1016dpiUsedlight:Laserdiode670nm
(red)Readsinimageformats:Gerber(RS274D,RS274X),hi‐resBMP,Postscript(option)Readsinaperture
files:directlyCAM350,GC‐CAM,IsoCAM,Lavenir,otherformatslikePads,Eagle,OrCAD,Protel,PCADreads
throughbuilt‐inconverter.Photoplotteroverallsize:FP8000:LxWxH(700x340x210)
FP8000XL:LxWxH(700x370x230)Photoplotterweight:FP8000:approx.25kg(55lbs)FP8000
XL:approx.26.5kg(58lbs)Power:anexternalpowersupplyunit100‐240VAC/36VDC–2.78A
Reversed(negative)&mirrorplotting,filmanddrillpanelisation,D‐codeediting,outputpreview&print,
interactiveorcoordinatesimagepositioningonfilm,glue/unglueimagelocation,automaticpositioningof
associatedimagesondifferentlayers.
PhotoplottersoftwareissuppliedonCDwithinstallationprogram.
RequiresPentiumcomputerwithatleastWindows2000andUSBport,100MBHDspaceminimumfor
softwareandoutputfiles.Thecomputerspeedhasinfluenceonplottingtime.Plottingfilesmaybequite
large,inrangeoftensofMB,soextraspaceonharddiskmayberequired.
Warranty1(one)yearonparts.
ThereisnoexpressedwarrantyonfunctionalityofenclosedsoftwarewhatsoeverexceptwarrantyonCD
media.
Notes:
1)Outputresolution
Thelowestresolution(508&1016dpi)paynotbesuitableforfineresults.
1355and1625dpiresolutionissuitableformostplottingapplication
Use2032or2710dpiforplottingfinelines(butittakeslongertimetoplot)
2)Plotsize:althoughplotterallowstoplottomaximumspecifiedsize.Beaware,thatfilmswideacross
thewholedrummaybedifficulttofixproperly,whichmayresultinhigherinaccuracyintheright
partofthefilm.Thisisduetotechnicsusedtofixfilmtothedrumsurfacebystickytape.Tofixwide
filmproperlyrequiressomeexperience.Ifyouencounterproblemwithinaccuracyonwidefilms,
enterdeviationvaluesintocorrectiontablefortherightsideofthedrum,whichwillcorrectit,
providedfilmsarealwaysfixedtothedruminthesamemanner.
ImportMasterGerber
PaneliseSelectedBoard
DeleteSelectedBoard
Preview
ExportGerbertoBitmap
PrintPreview
View&EditApertureTable
ImportApertures
ImportAssociatedGerber
Howtopreparephotoplotter:
3.1Photoplottersoftwareinstallation
ConnectphotoplotterwithPCviaUSBcablesuppliedwiththephotoplotter.USBconnectorislocatedonthe
backsideofthephotoplotter.Thephotoplotterdoesnotneedtobepoweredatthismoment.
ComputerwilldetectnewconnectedUSBdevice(photoplotter)andwillrunnewhardwareinstallation
(Windowsprocedure).DonotuseanAutomaticinstallation,butselect„Installfromlistorlocation“and
pointtodirectoryInstall\Drivers\locatedoninstallationCDandconfirm.
Afterhardwareinstallationyoucaninstallphotoplottersoftware–gotodirectoryInstalloninstallationCD
suppliedwiththephotoplotterandexecuteSETUP.exe.
Softwarestartstoinstallonconnectedcomputer.
3.2Powerthephotoplotter
Connectsuppliedpowersupplyunitwiththephotoplotter–connectorislocatedonthebackside.Switch
poweron(leftsideofthephotoplotter).ThegreenLEDlabelledPowerwillcomeon.Red(oryellow)LED
labelledLaserwillflashfourtimesatthismoment.
Whenphotoplotteristurnedon,thelaserlightheadwillmovebacktothelefttocontactamicro‐switchand
thenwillmovebacktotherighttoitsinitialposition.Attachedcomputercannotinitiatecommunicationwith
photoplotterbeforelightheadmakestheabovedescribedmove.Thisinitializationrunsautomatically,
withoutrunningphotoplottersoftware.
AUTO/MANUALswitch:PositionofAUTO/MANUALswitchhasimpactagainstlaserheadbehaviour.AUTO‐
laserheadmovestoitsstartingposition(leftsideofthedrum)MANUAL‐laserheadmoves1cmtotheright
only
Beforefirstdataplotting,checktheAUTO/MANUALswitchandsetittoAUTOposition.Whenyoustartthe
plotter,laserheadwillmovetoitsstartingposition(leftside),afterthatyoucanstartdataplotting(laser
headwillmovefromlefttorightsideduringtheplotting).Whentheplottingisfinishedandtheswitchwill
beinAUTOposition,laserheadwillmovebacktoitsstartingpositionandplotterwillbereadyagainfor
plotting.WhentheplottingisfinishedandtheswitchwillbeinMANUALposition,laserheadwillmove1cm
totherightonlyandplotterwillbereadyagainforplotting.
AUTOmodeissuitableforsingledataplottinginthewholefilmwidth.MANUALmodeissuitablewhenyou
wanttoplot2(ormore)data‐sidebyside(indrumaxisdirection).Afterfirstdataplottinglaserheadmoves
littletotherightonly(1cm)andnextplottingstartsfromthisposition.
Ifyouturnpoweronafterfilmisloaded,itmayhappenthatlaserlightbeamflashesshortlyonthefilmat
themomentwhenpoweristurnedonandelectroniccircuitryisreset.Thismayresultinverysmallspoton
thefilm.
3.3Placeandtapefilm
Liftthephotoplotterlid,soyouhaveaccesstotheoutersurfaceofthedrum.Rotatedrumbyhand(inany
direction)topointwhitearrowlocatedontheleftsideofthedrumtowhitearrowlocatedontheleftsideof
drumholder.Thisistheoutgoingpositionofthedrumforphoto‐plotting.Thelefttopcornerofphoto‐
plottedareaisthenapproximately20mmfromtheleftedgeofthedrumonthehorizontallinemarkedby
whitearrow.Placefilmonthedrumwithitstopedgeapproximately20mmbehindthewhitemarkonthe
drum,holditfirmbyhandandfixittothedrumbymeansofamaskingtapealongthetopedge.Rotate
drumbyonehandtobeabletofixfilm‘sbottomedge,butmakesurefilmistightondrumsurface.Afterfilm
isfixedtoitspositiononthedrum,rotatedrumbackto1stinitialposition(bothwhitearrowspointtoeach
other).Closethelid.
NOTES:
Itisamatterofpracticetofixfilmproperlyonthedrumsurface.
Filmsusedinthisphotoplotteraresensitivetolightof670nm(redlight).Whenworkingwithfilm
(loading,unloading,…)uselightdarkgreenlight.Itisrecommendedtousedimlightinroomduring
photo‐plotting.Makesuretherearenoothersourcesoflightthatmayexposefilm,forexamplelight
comingfrommonitorscreen,whenloadingandunloadingfilm.Thefilmmanufacturercanrecommend
propertypeofdarkroomsafelightifneeded.
Transparentfilmsmustbemountedwithemulsionsideonthedrumsurface.(Filminrollsusedforimage
settingmachineshasemulsionsideoninnersideandthereforeitiseasytoputitonphotoplotterdrum
properly).Emulsionsideofthefilmhaslightgreycolour,comparewithdarkcolouroftheotherside.
However,filmsmadeforlaserphoto‐plotters,likeDuPontfilms,whichhaveaspecialanti‐reflection
coatingontheothersideofthefilm,cannotbeplottedwithemulsionsidepointedtowardsdrumsurface.
Inthiscaseemulsionsidemustbeonoutersurface,whilesourceoflaserlightmayneedtobere‐focused.
Fromthisreason,usetransparentfilms,otherwiselaserlightfocusmustbeadjusted–contactyour
photoplottersupplierfordetails.
3.4Runphotoplotter
Beforeyoustartplotting,makesurethatdrumisinitsinitialposition(whitearrowontheleftsideofthe
drumshouldbealignedwithwhitearrowonthetopoftheleftholderofthedrum).Afteryoupreparedyour
dataforplottingonconnectedPCusingphotoplottersoftware,startplotting‐seefurtherinfo.The
photoplotterdrumstartsslowlytorotate.Afterdrumreachesitsworkingspeed,itrotatesawhilebefore
actualplottingstarts.Atthismomentred(oryellow)LEDlabelledLaserstartstolightasanindicatorthat
plottingisinprogress.Whenphoto‐plottingisfinishedorinterruptedbySTOPcommand,drumautomatically
stops,laserheadmovesbacktoitsoutgoingpositionandLEDlabelledLaserstopslight.Timeneededfor
photo‐plottingofgivenimageisdisplayedoncomputerindialogwindowofcontrolsoftware.
Donotstartplottingagainbeforethelaserlightheadreachescompletelyitsinitialposition(theleftsideof
thescrew)!
Note:Becausevariousfilmsusedforphoto‐plottingaredifferentlysensitivetolight,itispossibletoadjust
intensityoflaserlightasneededinphotoplottersoftware,alsoinrespecttoselectedresolution.Thissetting
mayalsobeneededtoadjusttimeaftertimetoreflectthestatusofchemicalsusedforfilmwetprocessing.
Openthelid(darkgreenlight!!!)andremovefilm.Processfilmimmediately.
Note:Afterremovingfilmfromdrumsurface,itmaybenecessarytocleanthedrumsurfacetoremovesticky
areascausedbystickytape.Usesoftclothandcommonliquidcleaner.Donotspray.Drumsurfaceunder
filmmustbekeptcleananddry.
ATTENTION!Duringphoto‐plottingisfilm(drum)lightedbylaserlightthatisharmfultohumaneye.Donot
openphotoplotterlidduringphoto‐plotting,norduringtestingwithoutfilm.
4.PHOTOPLOTTERSOFTWARE
4.1BriefDescription
PhotoplottersoftwarecomesononeCDtogetherwithViewMateprogramforviewingGerberfilesandwith
abriefmanualinPDFformat.ItmustbeinstalledonPCunderwithWindows98orhigher.
CDcontains5directories–Install,Manual,Update,Util,Viewmate
Installdirectorycontainsphotoplottercontrolsoftware.Thisprogramcanbeinstalledoncomputerby
executingitsowninstallationprogramSETUP.EXE.Installationcreatesanewdirectory(defaultFP‐8000
underProgramFiles)withtwoprograms(Gerb2bitmapandRun_Photo_USB.
Gerb2bitmap.exereadsinGerberfiles.ItallowstoviewGerberdataastheyappearonthefilm,editD‐codes,
dofilmpenalization,andconvertsGerberfileintophotoplotterbitmapfile(.FPF),whichcanbereadinto
plottercontrolprogram(Run_photo_USB)tobeusedforphoto‐plotting.Itcanalsoconvertvariousformats
ofaperturefilesintoLavenir‘sformat,whichisusedbythisplotter.
Run_photo_USB.execontrolsphoto‐plotting.ReadsinbitmapfileslikephotoplotterFPF,regularBMPand
controlsplottingprocess.ItallowstosetoutputresolutionaswellastocalibratephotoplotterinXandY
coordinates.
LatestphotoplottersoftwareislocatedinUpdatedirectory.Please,copythefilesintophotoplotterdirectory
(defaultFP‐8000underProgramFiles).
ManualdirectorycontainsthismanualandAdobeAcrobatReaderprogram.
UtildirectorycontainsprogramMM2INCH.EXE(mmtomilsconverter).
ViewmatedirectorycontainsprogramViewMate.ThisprogramismadebyPentaLogix(Lavenir)andisafree
ofchargeadditiontothephotoplottersoftware.ItallowstoviewGerberfilesandtoconvertaperturefiles
madeinvariousPCBlayoutsystemsintoonecommonfileformat(Lavenir‘sformatofaperturefile,extension
.env).InstallationofthisprogramisdonebyexecutingViewMateSetupindirectoryViewMateonCD.
ViewMatecanbeexpandedtofullGerbereditorViewMaster–contactphotoplottersupplierorPentaLogix
directly(http://www.pentalogix.com).
4.2Detailedprogramsdescription:
ProgramGerb2Bitmap
ThisprogramreadsinGerberfilesandconvertsitintohi‐resolutionbitmapfileinproprietaryformat(FPF),
whichcanbethenreadintoplottercontrolprogram(Run_photo_USB.exe)tobeusedforphoto‐plotting.It
allowstoviewGerberimageasitappearsonthefilm,editD‐codes,panelisefilmandassociateddrill.Italso
hasabuilt‐inconverterofaperturefilesmadeinvariousCADsoftware(Eagle,Pads,OrCad,Protel,P‐CAD,
etc.)
Thelargegreyareaonthescreenrepresentsplottingareaofthephotoplotter.Thetopleftcornerofgrey
fieldareahas0,0plottingcoordinateswithincreasingYcoordinategoingverticallydownandincreasingX
coordinaterunninghorizontallytotheright.Thecoordinatesofthecursorlocatedintheplottingareaare
displayedattheleftbottomcornerinunitssetinPreference‐DataFormat.Thesizeoftheplottingareacan
besetasuserwishesinPreference‐PlottingAreaSize.Althoughusercansetanysizeoftheplottingarea,it
makesensetosetonlyusableplottingarea.Themaximumsizeindrumaxiscanbe360mm,indrum
circumferenceaxisisthemaximum320mmforplotterswithdrumdiameteraround110mmor450mmfor
plotterswithdrumdiameterof150mm.Thereason,whythesizeofplottingareaisnotfixedisthefactthe
usermaywishtosetsizeoftheareatothesizeofthefilmheuses,whichmaybedifferentfromthe
maximumplottingsize.
Pleasenote,thatplottedimageisinplottingarearotatedby270degree(or–90degree)andmirroredfrom
someprogrammingreasons.Itmeans,XaxisofthegreyplottingarearepresentsYaxisofthefilmloadedin
photoplotter(drumcircumference),whileYaxisofthegreyplottingarearepresentsXaxisofthefilmloaded
inphotoplotter(drumaxis).AtthesametimetheimageismirroredovertheYaxisoftheplottingarea.This
hasnoimpactonproperphoto‐plotting,astheoverallsizeoftheplottedimageisthesame.
Toavoidconfusionwithplotrotationonthefilm,thisistherule:horizontallineoftheplottedimagewillbe
verticalinplotter.
CommandJob‐ImportMasterGerberorthefirstlefticonloadsmainGerberfile(s),whileJob‐Import
AssociatedGerberor„Gbr“iconloadsGerberfilesassociatedwiththemasterfile.ThemasterGerberfile(s)
canbelocatedanywhereinsidetheplottingarea,usuallyonlayer(film)number1(default),whileassociated
GerberfilesareautomaticallypositionedunderMasterGerberondifferent,specifiedlayers(films).IfMaster
GerberfileisforexampletopsideroutingofthePCB,thenAssociatedGerberfilesareforexamplesilkscreen,
soldermaskorbottomsideroutingofthesameboard–theywillbeinsamelocationastheMasterimage,
butondifferentlayers(films),evenwhenpenalizationisdone.SeveralMasterGerberfiles(sameordifferent)
canbeloadedonone,samelayer(film).AssociatedGerberfilesareloadedintoselectedlayer,whichcanbe
selectedintoprightwindow
ActiveLayer.
Note:Themeaning„MasterGerber“and„AssociatedGerber“makessenseonlyincaseofseveralartworks
(likeTopsiderouting,Bottomsiderouting,Silkscreen,Soldermask,etc.)fromthesameboardwillbephoto‐
plotted,whileoneofthem(Master)willbe
panelised‐theotherones(Associated)mustbe
thenbepanelisedtooandbepositionedexactlytothesamelocationastheMasterimage.Iffilmsarenot
panelised,thaneveryGerberfilecanbeconsideredas„MasterGerber“,asitcanbepositionedanywherein
plottingareawithoutconsideringanotherGerberfiles.
IfstandardGerberfileisloaded(RS274‐D),thendataformatofGerberfilehastobesetindialogwindow
usingcommandPreference‐DataFormat.ThisdataformatdoesnotneedtobesetfortheextendedGerber
file(RS274‐X),asthisinformationisdirectlyinitsGerberfile.AfterreadingGerberfile,asmallportionofthe
imagewillbedisplayedintoprightcornerof
plottingfieldlikearedrectanglewithitssize
equaltogivenimage.Thisrectanglecanbe
movedtoanylocationinsidetheplottingareaby
leftmousebutton(clickonredrectangle,hold
buttondown,dragtoanewlocation,release
button).Asplotterstartstoplotattopleftcorner
andcontinuestotheright,itmakessenseto
placethisredrectangletothetopleftcornerof
plottingarea.
Afterpositioningredrectangleinsideplotting
area,correspondingaperturefilemustbeloaded
incaseofstandardGerberformat(RS‐274D).
ExtendedGerberformat(RS‐274X)contains
informationonusedaperturesandtherefore
doesnotrequiretoloadaperturefile.Ifyouare
notsurewhichformatisloaded,seetheaperture
table(Preference–ApertureTable)anIcon–if
tableisempty,withoutinformationonused
D/codes, than aperturefilehastobeloaded.
Aperturefilescanhavevariousformats,dependingonsoftwarewhereitwascreated.Thisprogramuses
Lavenir‘sformatasastandard.BesideLavenir‘sformat(.env)canthisprogramreaddirectlyseveralother
formatslikeCAM350,IsoCAM,GC‐CAM–otherformatsmustbeconvertedtooneofthem.Theprogramhas
built‐inDOSapertureconvertermadebyLavenir,whichallowstoconvertmostofthecommonaperturefile
formatsintoLavenir‘sformatinaneasyway.
Beforeloadingaperturefile,makesureitwillbeloadedonthesamelayerascorrespondingGerberfile–
useActiveLayertosetactivelayer.
UseJob–ImportAperturesor„Apt“icontoactivatethisaperturesconverter.Adialogwindowappears
whereitispossibletochooseaperturetypeofloadedaperturefilesandtodefinetheloadedaperturefile.If
loadedfilehasformatofLavenir,CAM350,GC‐CAMorIsoCAM,thenitcanbeloadeddirectly,justchoose
thisaperturetype.Ifloadedtypeisnotlistedunderaperturetype,useotherapertures–itwillbringupthe
apertureconverter
automatically.
Note:Similar,newWindows
versionofthisconverterisin
ViewMateprogram–thatone
canbealsousedtoconvert
aperturefilestoLavenir‘s
format.
WhenDOSapertureconverter
starts,programwill
automaticallyfillallneeded
informationinit.Theusercan
verifythesourceofaperture
filebyclickingon„Guess
Format“–theconverterwill
reportthenameofthe
programwhereaperturefile
wascreated.The
conversionwillstartbyclicking
on„Start“orF4.ExitconverterbyusingESCkeyboardbutton.Whenconvertercloses,confirmOKonasmall
dialogwindow.ThenameofloadedaperturefilewillbedisplayedinthefieldAPERTUREforparticularlayer,
besidenameofcorrespondingGerberfileunderGERBER.
Pleasenote,thatselectedaperturefilewillappearinthisconverteralwaysundernameof„APERT.TXT“,
whileconvertedfilewillhaveassignednameof„APERT.ENV“.Thisisdoneonpurposetoavoidproblemswith
longernamesofaperturefiles.ProgramwillalwaysrenameselectedaperturefileasAPERT.TXT,convertitas
APERT.ENVandafterthisconversionisconfirmedbyOKinasmalldialogwindow,itrenameconvertedfile
backtotheoriginalonewithextension.env.
Tocheckand/ormodifyloadedaperturetableforselected(active)layerusePreference–ApertureTableor
anicon.
ItispossibletodefinecustomaperturetabledirectlyinApertureTable(Preference–ApertureTable),
withoutanyconversion.Inaperturetableselectshapes(Round,….)andtypesizesofselectedD‐codes,then
saveunderanyname.ProgramwillcreateanaperturefileinLavenir‘sformat(.env),whichcanbethen
loadedthroughJob‐ImportApertures–asaApertureTypeselectLavenir).
Thismethodisusedwhenthereisaproblemwithaperturefileconversion,oruserdoesnothaveany
aperturefilegeneratedbyPCBdesignsoftware,etc.
Pleasenote,thatloadedaperturefileisalwaystiedtoloadedandactiveassociatedGerberfile.IfGerber
fileisdeleted(Edit–DeleteBoardoricon),theaperturefileisalsodeleted.
Aclickonredrectangleinworkingareawithrightmousebuttonbringsasmallmenu:
SetActiveallowstosetthisimage(board)active–onlyactiveboardcanbemoved,deleted,…..Moveto
allowstomovethisimagetodesiredlocationbytypinginanewabsolutecoordinatesLockallowstogluethis
imagetoitscurrentlocation–itcanbemanipulatedanymoreUnlockungluesthisimage–itisfreetobe
manipulatedwithAddGerberonactivelayerallowstoloadGerberfileassociatedwiththisoneondifferent
layerAddApertureonactivelayerallowstoloadaperturefileforGerberfileassociatedwiththisoneon
selectedlayer
UseJob‐PrevieworanicontopreviewresultofGerbertobitmapconversionforselectedlayer.Itis
possibletomakeholes(openings)inotherwisefilledpadstomakemanualdrillingeasy–specifyHoleSize
inPads.Assomepads,forexampleSMDdonothaveanyholes,specifyD‐codeswithoutholesforthese
pads.Similarly,toviewcreatedtechnologicalareadefinedunderPreference‐Tech.Area,clickonTech.Area.
UseJob‐ExportPhotoplotterBitmaptoexportconvertedGerberimagetohi‐resbitmapfileinphotoplotter
proprietaryformat(FPF).AsinPreview,itispossibletomakeholes(openings)inotherwisefilledpadsto
makemanualdrillingeasy–specifyHoleSizeinPads.Assomepads,forexampleSMDdonothaveany
holes,specifyD‐codeswithoutholesforthesepads.Similarly,toexportcreatedtechnologicalarea(robber
bend)definedunderPreference‐Tech.Area,clickonTech.Area.
Itispossibletoenterusernotesthatwillbeattachedtothefile(forexampleprojectidentification,…)–this
infotextwillbealsodisplayedinRun_plotterprogramwhensearchingforparticularimagefile.
UseJob‐500dpiBitmaptogenerateBMPfile(namedClip.bmp)forcheckingpurpose–youcandisplayitin
anybmpviewer(ifnothingmore,thanPaintBrushinWindowswilldothat).
Gerb2bitmapCOMMANDSOVERVIEW:
Icons (from left):
JOB
Job‐Newstartsanewplottingproject–defaultsituationwhenstartingthisprogram.
Job‐Openopensprojectfilepreviouslysavedbycommand
Job‐SaveorSaveas.Job‐Save/Saveassavesthecurrentplottingprojectasitisinthisprogramunderits
ownfileformat(.wpr).Thisallowstoexitprogramandreturnbackwithoutlosinganyworkpreviouslydone
withloadingGerberandaperturefiles,penalization,etc.,….
Job‐Closeclearstheplottingareaandloadeddatatoallowtostartanotherproject
Job‐Print(oranicon)canprintpreviewimageforchecking
Job‐ExportPhotoplotterBitmap(oranicon)convertsloadedGerberdataintohi‐resolutionbitmapfilefor
selectedplottinglayer,withspecifiedoutputresolutionandsavesitunderspecifiedname.Usernote
attachedtothefilemaybehereentered.(Exportname).AfterexecutingOKprogramcalculatesnewraster
dataanddisplaysitforchecking.Pleasenotethatthisoperationmaytakesometime,bepatient.
Job‐Preview(oranicon)allowspreviewingimage(s)asitlooklikeontheplotforselectedlayer.
Job‐ImportMasterGerberloadsmain(independent)Gerberfile(s)
Job‐ImportAssociatedGerberloadsGerberfile(s)associatedwiththeMasterfile(soldermask,etc…)on
selectedlayer(film)
Job‐ImportAperturesloadsaperturefileforselectedlayer(film)
Job‐Exitendstheprogram
EDIT:
Edit‐InsertMarkallowstoinsertasmallGerberimagetothefilm–seePreference‐Mark
Edit‐CopytoClipboard
Edit‐DeleteBoard(oranicon)deletesselectedboardimage(s)andassociatedGerberandaperturefile.Edit‐
LockAllBoardsgluesimagestotheirlocationinplottingareatopreventanyshiftormove.
Edit‐UnlockAllBoardsungluesallimages,sotheymaybemovedinsideplottingareaasneeded.Edit‐
RelativemoveofLockedBoardsallowstomovegluedimagesrelativelytotheircurrentpositioninXandY
coordinates.Pleasenote,thatYcoordinatehasreversepolarity(positivevaluemovesimageverticallydown).
TOOLS:
Tools‐PaneliseBoardsallowstodosimplefilmpanelisation.ThenumberofcopiesinXandYdirectionand
spacingbetweenimages(edgetoedge)canbesetinopeneddialogwindow.
Newcopiedimagesappearsasgreenrectangles.Greencolourmeansthatthisimageisnotactive(cannotbe
moved,deleted,…).Tosetanygreenrectanglesasactive,clickrightmousebuttononitanduse
SetActivecommand.Note,thatonlyoneactiveimage(board)atthesametimewillbeinsideplottingarea.
ImportMasterGerber
PaneliseSelectionBoard
DeleteSelectedBoard
Preview
ExportGerbertoBitmap
PrintPreview
ViewandEditApertureTable
ImportApertures
Tools‐PanelizeDrillpanelisesdrillforpenalizedfilm(only).TheoriginalExcellondrillfile(.drl)hastobe
selected,aswellasanew(panelised)drillfilenamehastobespecified.IfoffsetbetweenpanelisedGerber
dataandpaneliseddrilldataisrequired,thenthiscanbealsospecified.AfterexecutingOK,program
calculatesnewdrilldataforpanelisedfilm–itmaytakesometime,pleasebepatient.Onceitisdone,it
displayspanelisedfilmincludingdrillmarksofnewpaneliseddrilldata.Tools‐ViewTextFileallowstoviewa
textfile(forexampleapertureorGerberfile)Tools‐ConvertApertureallowstoconvertselectedaperturefile
PREFERENCE:
Preference–MemorySettingallowstospecifycomputermemorysizeusedforcalculations.Recommended
size=RAMmemory–20MB.Themorememoryavailable,thefastercalculationofbitmap.
Preference‐PlottingAreaSizeallowsoperatortosetmax.Sizeofdisplayedplottingarea
Preference–DataFormatallowsoperatortosetformatofloadedGerberfile
Preference–ApertureTableoriconallowstoviewandeditD/codesofloadedaperturefile
Preference–Unitsallowstosetunitsofmeasurement
Preference‐MarkallowstospecifynamesandfilepathforvariousMark‐smallGerberimagesused
automaticallyonallplottinglayers.TheycanbeinsertedtotheboardimagebyEdit‐InsertMark.
Preference‐Coloursallowstodefineplottinglayernamesandtheircolours.
Preference–Tech.Areaallowstosetparametersforsocalledrobberstrip‐copperstriparoundboard
outlineusedforboardmanufacturingpurposes
Anexampleof“Tech.Area”–therobberstrip
Program Run_Photo_USB
Thisprogramcontrolsconnectedphotoplotter.ReadsinbitmapfilesinFPF(proprietary
photoplotterformat)andstandardBMPformat,allowstocalibratephotoplotter,pre‐setvaluesfor
intensityoflaserlightandtosetoutputparametersforplotting(plotresolution,negativeand/or
mirrorplotting).
File‐Open
(orF3)commandallowstoreadininputfilegeneratedpreviouslyinGerb2bitmapprogram(FPF
format)orWindowsBMPformat(seepictureonthenextpage).
FPFfilecanbepreviewedbeforeloadinganditsimagesize,resolutionandusernotescreatedin
Gerb2Bitmapisdisplayed.
Pleasenote,thatimagesizeisextendedby10mmoneachside.
IncaseofBMPfile,itsimagecannotbeviewedhere.ItsresolutionMUSTbeenteredindialogwindow
(InputResolution).Ifinputresolutionvalueisenteredwrong,thefinalplotwillhavewrongdimensions.
SelectedfileisloadedintoprogrambyOKbutton.Loadingmaytakesometime,dependingonfilesize.If
loadedfilesizeissmallerthan14MB,thanitsimageisdisplayed,otherwiseamessage„Fileistoobigto
display,butplottingwillbeOK“isdisplayed.
Pleasenote,thatloadedimagedoesnotneedtoappearcorrectlyinbothaxis,usuallyitiscompressedin
verticaldirectiontosavespaceonthescreen.Youcandragbottomsideofthedialogwindowtomakeimage
lookright,butkeepinmind,thatthisimageisheredisplayedonlyforyourinformation.
Whenimageisdisplayed,useTools‐Runphotoplotterorbutton
Anewdialogboxappears,whereitispossibletosetplotoutputresolution,reversed(Negative)andmirrored
(Mirror)plotting.Timeneededforplottingisshownautomatically.ClickonPlotwillstarttheplotter.
Thehigheroutputresolution,thelongerplottingtime.
Setup‐SetupTable
opensdialogwindowforplottersetup–hereitispossibletodefineadjusteddrumdiameter,measured
inaccuracyvaluesinbothscrewaxisanddrumrotation(circumference)directionsaswellasplotangleerror
usedforanautomaticcorrection.Thissetupisuniqueforeachphotoplotterandthatiswhysetupfile(.phs)
issuppliedwitheachphotoplotter.UseSetup‐Importfile(.phs)toloadthisdataintosetuptable.Usermay
modifythissettinginsetuptableifneededandsaveitasanewfile(.phs)usingSave,aswellasexportitby
Setup‐Export.
DrumDiameterisarealdrumdiameterplusapproximately(0.8xfilmthickness).Asitisanexactdrum
diameter,itisimportanttoknowthepropervalue–whenthisvalueisgreater,theplottedlinelengthin
drumcircumferencedirectionisshorterandviceversa.Itmaybenecessarytomodifythisvaluealittlebit,to
reflectdifferentplottingconditionsattheusersite(temperature,humidity,film).
AngleErrorrepresentsalinearinaccuracybetweentherightangleplotandthereal(non‐rightangle)ploton
aline360mmlongalongdrumaxis.Thisisonehalfofverticaldistancebetweencorrespondinghorizontal
linesofthetwofilms,measured360mmfromtheleft0position,whileoneofthefilmsisflippedupside
down.
ScrewErrorrepresentsalinearinaccuracyofascrewinitsaxisdirectionfor300mmdistance.
DrumLinearityismeasuredinaccuracyforevery10mmindrumrotationdirection.Ifmeasureddistanceis
longerforgivendistancefromthebeginning(forexamplemeasureddistanceis120.09mmfrom120mm
distance),thenthispositivedifferenceisentered(0.09).
Ifmeasureddistanceisshorterforgivendistance(forexamplemeasureddistance119.92for120mm
distance),thennegativedifferenceisentered(‐0.08).Softwarewillthenautomaticallycompensatefor
entereddifferences.
ScrewLinearityismeasuredinaccuracyforevery20mminscrewaxisdirection.).Softwarewillthen
automaticallycompensateforentereddifferences.
Tools‐GenerateTestGrid
Generatestestplotfileinshapeof10mmlinegridofspecifieddimensions(drumcircumferenceanddrum
axisdirection)anddefinedlinethickness.Thisplotfilewillbeautomaticallyplottedwithresolution1016dpi.
Testplotcanbeusedasacheckplot,whereplotteraccuracymaybemeasured–anyinaccuraciesindrum
circumferenceordrumaxisdirectionmaybeenteredintosetuptableforrelateddistance.
PlotsizedependsonvalueswritteninfilesDrumaxisandDrumcircumference.
ThegridlinesareplottedwiththicknessspecifiedinfieldLinewidth.IfIncludesetuptableischecked,then
setuptablewillbeautomaticallyincludedatthebottomoftheplot.
IfserialnumberofthephotoplotteriswritteninfieldS/N,thenthisinfowillbealsoincludedontheplot.
ClickonOKtocontinue–softwarewillautomaticallygeneratetestplotfile,whichcanbenowplottedasany
otherplotfile.
Continueaswithanyotherplotfile–useRunphotoplotter(Tools–RunPhotoplotterorbutton)
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