Telesis BenchMark 320 User manual

BenchMark 320/BM470 Marking System
34753A ©2020 Telesis Technologies, Inc. –All Rights Reserved 1of 10
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notice.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The Telesis®BenchMark®320 marking system
permanently prints messages into materials such as
steel, aluminum, and plastic. An electric solenoid
accelerates a hardened pin to indent dot matrix
characters into the item being marked. Character
shape, size, density, and location are determined by
the user through the marking system software.
Marking Head.The BenchMark 320 marking head
is an electromechanical marker. A thermoformed
cover houses the internal, mechanical components
that position the pin cartridge and fire the marking
pin. A spring returns the pin to its idle position
within the cartridge. The marking head moves the
pin cartridge through X- and Y-axis motions to
reach the correct position for each dot of the
characters to be marked. The system software
controls pin extension to mark the message.
The marker’s two stepper-motor drives rapidly and
accurately position the pin at coordinate-defined
locations in the marking window within 0.032 mm
(0.00125 inch). The marker accommodates the
rigorous dynamics of impacting, rebounding, and
rapid positioning of the marking pin through a
system of rigid rails and ball bearing saddles, timing
belts, and direct-drive, toothed pulleys.
The pin design permits high-quality, consistent
marks on irregular, slightly curved surfaces. It also
accommodates applications where marking surfaces
cannot be positioned at a consistent distance from
the marker.
The unique design of the BenchMark 320 provides
liberal access for securing and positioning parts for
printing. Using a gantry arm and a programmable
Park position, you can tuck the impact pin out of the
way when the marker finishes printing. Parts can be
easily secured and removed in front of the marking
head.
Marker Cable.The marker cable connects the
marker to the BM470 controller. The cable is 4 m
(13 feet) and is prewired to the marking head.
Pin Cartridge. The pin cartridge is machined from
engineered plastic materials and offers long life with
little maintenance. Screws attach the pin cartridge
to the marking head for easy removal, cleaning, and
pin replacement.
Marking Pins. The 25XLE-series marking pins are
made of tungsten carbide and are available in 30°
and 45° cone angles.
Controller. The BM470 controller allows full
operational control of the marking head. It contains
an integrated keyboard with an LCD display and
provides a text-only operator interface. The back
panel provides an electrical interface for connecting
optional remote I/O sources. Refer to BM470
Controller Specifications for details.
BenchMark320/BM470 Marking System – General Arrangement

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Tool Stand. The tool stand holds the marking head
and provides a base for securing parts to be
marked. A screw jack with an adjustment wheel
positions the marker above the marking surface.
Adjustment locks secure it in place. The generous
vertical adjustment accommodates parts up to
298.4 mm (11.75 inches) high. The tool stand base
contains slots to accommodate part fixtures. The
tool stand comes with two 8 mm T-nuts to aid in
securing the parts for marking.
SYSTEM OPTIONS
·Auxiliary Axis Driver Board Kit
·Motorized Theta-Axis with Programmable
Rotary Drive Unit
·BM470 Controller Wall-Mounting Bracket Kit
·Barcode Scanner or Barcode Wand with Cable
·Foot Switch (Start Print) or Push Button
Station (Start/Abort)
·Backup Utility Software
·Upgrade Utility Software
·Logo/Font Generator Software
·BM470+ Enhanced Communications Software
SYSTEM SETUP
1. Position the tool stand assembly in the
appropriate location.
2. Mount the marking head to the tool stand
assembly using four M8-1.25 socket head cap
screws.The screws must extend at least 9
mm (0.375 inch) but not more than 12 mm
(0.5 inch) into the back plate. Refer to the
BenchMark 320 Marking Head Dimensions
drawing for details.
CAUTION
The BM470 controller is not a sealed unit.
Protect it from potentially damaging
conditions and contaminants. Do not
block the vents in the bottom of the case.
Ensure the marking system is electrically
isolated from devices that may generate
extreme electromagnetic interference
(EMI).
3. Locate the controller as close as practical to the
marking head. Standard marker cable length is
4 m (13 feet).
4. Ensure the controller power switch on the back
panel is OFF. Connect the power cable to the
controller.
5. Connect the marker cable from the marking
head to the controller, and securely tighten.
6. To start the marking system software, position
the controller power switch on the back panel to
ON.
7. Adjust the pin stroke for proper pin impact
depth.

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BENCHMARK 320 MARKING HEAD
Specifications
The BenchMark 320 marking head specifications are
subject to change without notice.
Dimensions...................... see the BenchMark 320 Marking
Head Dimensions drawing
Weight
Marker ....................... 5.84 kg (12.865 lb)
Marker & Cable ........... 6.39 kg (14.055 lb)
Tool Stand.................. 16.0 kg (35.200 lb)
Noise (maximum)........... 65.4 dB
59.1 dB (LEQ)
see Marking Noise
Operating Temperature... 0° to 50°C
(32° to 122°F),
non-condensing
Marking Area.................. 150 x 100 mm
(6.0 x 4.0 inches)
Pin Types ....................... 25XLE-series
Pin Material.................... Tungsten Carbide
Marking Characteristics
The BenchMark 320 can accommodate character
sizes from .762 to 100 mm (.030 to 4.0 inches) in
.025 mm (.001-inch) increments. Characters can be
rotated in 1° increments with printing resolutions
from 4 dots/cm (10 dots/inch) to 32 dots/cm
(80 dots/inch) for an engraved look.
Marking Speeds
The system generally marks three characters per
second using 5 x 7 font, 3 mm (.118-inch) high, 2
mm (.080-inch) wide characters. Speeds vary
slightly depending on the selected character size,
style, and dot density. Specific times can be verified
by a Telesis representative.
Marking Noise
Although every attempt is made to reduce noise,
the material being marked significantly influences
the noise level. For example, marking a solid lead
block produces less noise than marking a thin-
walled steel pipe.
Marking Depth
The BenchMark 320 can obtain a marking depth of
.127 mm (.005 inch) in mild steel (Rb53) using a
25XLE carbide pin with a 45° cone angle. The depth
of mark can be adjusted over a significant range by
changing the impact force (via software parameter)
or by changing the impact distance (pin stroke).
Specific depths can be verified by a Telesis
representative.
Pin Life
Pin life depends largely on the type of material
being marked, how hard or abrasive it is, and the
required marking depth. On typical metals with a
hardness of Rockwell Rb47, marking at a depth of
.127 mm (.005 inch), carbide pins average
approximately 9 million impressions before needing
sharpened.

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BenchMark 320 Marking Head Dimensions

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BM470 CONTROLLER
Specifications
The BM470 controller specifications are subject to
change without notice.
Compliance .................. CE, RoHS
Rating ......................... NEMA 1 (I. P. 30)
Mounting Configuration.. Tabletop
Dimensions.................... see the BM470 Controller
Dimensions drawing
Weight ........................ 1.68 kg (3.69 lb) controller only
Power Requirements...... 95 to 250 VAC, 2 amps, 50-60
Hz, single phase
Operating Temperature ...0° to 50°C (32° to 122°F),
non-condensing
Operating Humidity ....... 10% to 80% non-condensing
Cooling.......................... Internal, thermostatically
controlled fan
Communications ........... TTL, RS232, and USB*
Input Signals** .............. Two available (Start Print,
Stop/Abort)
10 VDC (minimum voltage)
30 VDC (maximum voltage)
12 to 24 VDC (nominal voltage)
2.3 mA @ 12 VDC;
4.9 mA @ 24 VDC (nominal
current)
**USB for data backup and transfer
** Additional I/O signals available with the optional
BM470+ Enhanced Communications Software
Environmental Considerations
The following environmental considerations must be
taken into account when installing the BM470
controller.
Contaminants. The vented and fan-cooled
controller is rated NEMA 1 (I. P. 30). In
environments where solid or liquid contaminants are
present, the contaminants can be drawn into the
controller and cause the electronic components to
fail. For that reason, in these types of
environments, the controller must be located in a
sealed industrial enclosure.
EMI Susceptibility. Although the system has been
found to be in compliance with pertinent
susceptibility standards, care should be taken when
installing near welders and other extreme
generators of electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Particular care should be taken to ensure welder
currents are not injected through the marking head
chassis. The marking head chassis is connected to
the electrical service earth ground through the
marking head cable. The marking head should be
electrically isolated from all surfaces which could
become part of a welder current path.

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BM470 Controller Dimensions

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Interface Panel
The back panel of the BM470 controller provides
ports for connecting the marker and optional
accessories.
Marker Port. The Marker port connects the
BenchMark 320 marking head to the BM470
controller. It supplies the marking head with
electrical power and provides input and output
signals to and from the controller for marker
operation.
TTL Port.The TTL port is configured only for VDC
input. It allows the system to connect with a simple
contact closure circuit, such as a remote push
button station or foot pedal switch. These types of
devices can remotely control Start Print and Stop
(Abort) Print operations.
Comm Port.The Comm port allows connection to a
remote serial device. The Comm port can be used to
connect an optional customer-supplied PC to access
Telesis software utilities. Utility software can be
used to back up patterns stored in the controller,
download a custom font to the controller, or
download controller software upgrades. The Comm
port also allows you to connect an optional barcode
scanner. The software reads the scanned input and
inserts the data into a variable text field within the
currently loaded pattern.
USB Port. The USB port allows you to connect a
memory stick or flash drive for pattern storage or
retrieval and for software upgrades.
Auxiliary Axis Port (optional). The optional
Auxiliary Axis port is available only if the controller
is configured with the optional auxiliary axis circuit
card. This configuration allows connection to a
rotational drive unit to use the software Theta-axis
features.
System Software
The system software is permanently installed in the
controller and provides the user interface for the
operator to control the marker. The software also
provides a library for storing, loading, and editing
user-defined patterns.
Patterns are files stored in the controller’s memory.
Depending on the size of the pattern files, the
controller can store up to 200 patterns. Each
pattern contains one or more fields; each field
defines a single object.
Printable objects can be created to define text
strings, arc-text strings, geometric shapes,
graphics, and machine-readable data matrix
symbols.
Printable text fields can include alphanumeric
characters, symbols, and special message flags.
Message flags insert data, such as serial numbers,
times, dates and user-defined codes, into the text
string.
Non-printable objects can be defined to specify
commands for the marker to execute (for example,
Go To, Print, and Stop).
BM470+ ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONS
SOFTWARE
The optional BM470+ Enhanced Communications
software allows you to expand the controller’s
communication capability. It makes full use of the
available I/O port and allows you to configure the
Comm port communication parameters. See I/O
Control Signals and Host Communications.
I/O Control Signals
Additional input and output signals are available
through the I/O port only if the system uses the
optional BM470+ Enhanced Communications
software.
The I/O port is configured for 12 to 24 VDC I/O only
and can be used to connect a PLC or other DC I/O
source. The optically isolated I/O port allows you to
remotely select and load patterns, start and stop
printing, place the marker online, and monitor the
system output signals.
Cable connectors and connector pins for
constructing appropriate interface cables are
supplied with the controller.
Input Signals. Input signals provide the following
controls:
INPUT COMM..............For all inputs (+ or – supply)
START PRINT .............Begins the print cycle
STOP ........................Stops the print cycle
SEL_0 thru _6*..........Remotely selects & loads up to
127*pattern files
SPARE_1, 2, 3............Three (3) spares for custom
applications
*The system software allows the SEL_6 signal to be
configured for remotely selecting patterns or for
remotely placing the marker online. If used to place
the marker online, pattern selection is reduced to a
maximum of 63 patterns.
Output Signals. Output signals indicate the
following states:
OUTPUT COMM...........For all outputs (+ or – supply)
DONE .......................Print cycle is complete
READY ......................System is ready for message or
for start print command
PAUSED ....................System is paused (waiting
timeout or command)
NO FAULT .................System status (normal or fault
detected)
SPARE_1, 2................Two (2) spares for custom
applications

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Host Communications
The BM470+ Enhanced Communications software allows you to configure the RS-232 parameters for the
Comm port.
The serial interface is most often used to connect a host computer, a data terminal, or a barcode scanner.
The serial data character format for all transmissions to and from the BM470 controller is:
·Asynchronous
·1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, or 115200 Baud
·1 or 2 Stop Bits
·7 or 8 Data Bits
·None, Even,or Odd Parity
In addition to defining Comm port communication parameters, you can select Extended Protocol or
Programmable Protocol.
Programmable Protocol. Use this protocol when very simple one-way communications are required,such
as with barcode scanners. Programmable Protocol provides no error checking or acknowledgment of the
transmitted data. Note XON/XOFF Protocol applies even when Programmable Protocol is selected.
Starting Character specifies where the software begins to count character positions. This number must
be entered in decimal format (for example, "2" for the ASCII Start of Text "STX").
Terminating Character identifies the end of the transmitted string (usually "13" for the ASCII carriage
return character).
Character Position counts from the starting character and ignores all characters preceding it.
Character Length accepts variable-length messages (if set to 0) or messages of a pre-specified, fixed
number of characters.
Ignore Character identifies the character to ignore when sent from the host (usually "10" for the ASCII
line feed character).
Message Type allows message-type recognition, which defines how the marking system uses data it
receives from the host.
1Message type 1 overwrites the first line of the first text field with data extracted from the host
PMessage type P loads a specific pattern identified by data extracted from host
QMessage type Q updates the text in the first query buffer with data extracted from the host
VMessage type V updates the first variable text flag found in the pattern with data extracted from the host
0Message type 0 (zero) indicates the host will provide message type, field number (if applicable), line number (if
applicable), and data; delegates message type selection to the host on a message-by-message basis. The host
message must use the format:
Tnn<string>
where:
T = 1, P, Q, or V to indicate message type
nn =two-digit field number or query text buffer where data will be placed.
Note: Not used with Message Type P.
<string> = For Message Type P, indicates the pattern name to be loaded.
For Message Types 1, Q, or V, indicates the data to be inserted into the field or the query text
buffer.

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Extended Protocol. This protocol selection includes error checking and transmission acknowledgment. It
should be used in applications where serial communication is a vital part of the marking operation. All
communications are carried out in a parent/child relationship with the host being the parent. Only the host
can initiate communications. If the host does not receive a response within three seconds, it should retransmit
its original message. If no response is received after three tries, it should declare the link to be down.
The Extended Protocol message format as sent from the host to the BM470 controller is described below.
SOH TYPE [##] STX [DATA] ETX BCC CR
where:
SOH ASCII Start of Header character (001H). The
controller ignores all characters received prior to
the SOH.
TYPE A single, printable ASCII character that defines
the meaning (type) and content of the message
downloaded from the host, where:
1Message Type 1 overwrites a specific field in
currently loaded pattern with data supplied in
the host message. See [DATA] for details.
GMessage Type G initiates a print cycle to
mark the currently loaded pattern.
IMessage Type I requests the marker return
the status of standard output and input
signals. The system will return a hexadecimal
code for the 6 output signals and 12 input
signals in the following format:
OO;III
where:
bit 1 READY 0x01
bit 2 DONE 0x02
bit 3 PAUSED 0x04
bit 4 NO_FAULT 0x08
bit 5 SPARE_1 0x10
bit 6 SPARE_2 0x20
bit 1 START 0x001
bit 2 STOP 0x002
bit 3 SEL_0 0x004
bit 4 SEL_1 0x008
bit 5 SEL_2 0x010
bit 6 SEL_3 0x020
bit 7 SEL_6*0x040
bit 8 SEL_4 0x080
bit 9 SEL_5 0x100
bit 10 SPARE_1 0x200
bit 11 SPARE_2 0x400
bit 12 SPARE_3 0x800
*Input SEL_6 can be configured
to place the machine online (default) or
to remotely select a pattern.
OMessage Type O resets the marker and
places it online.
PMessage Type P specifies the pattern name
to be loaded for printing. See [DATA].
QMessage Type Q updates a specific query
buffer with data supplied in the host
message. See [DATA].
VMessage Type V updates the variable text in
a specific text field of the currently loaded
pattern with data supplied in the host
message. See [DATA].
[##] Optional two-digit ASCII number that specifies
the Station ID of the controller when used in
multi-drop network applications. The Station ID
may range from 00-31. Note “00” is reserved for
applications where only one controller is used. In
such applications, this field can be eliminated and
“00” will be assumed.
STX ASCII Start of Text Character (002H).
[DATA] Optional character string that may be required for
certain message types (for example, Type 1, P,
Q, and V).
Data is typically sent in the format:
nn<string>.
where:
nn =two-digit field number or query
text buffer where data will be
placed.
Note: Not used with Message
Type P.
<string> = For Message Type P, indicates
the pattern name to be loaded.
For Message Types 1, Q, or V,
indicates the data to be inserted
into the field or the query text
buffer.
ETX ASCII end of text character (003H).
BCC Optional Block Check Code that is generated and
sent to improve link reliability by providing fault
detection. The BCC is calculated by taking an
eight-bit addition of the TYPE and DATA TEXT
characters and transmitting them as a three-digit
ASCII decimal number in the range from 000 to
255. If the sum is greater than 255, the most
significant bit overflows and is discarded.
CR ASCII Carriage Return Character (00DH).

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TRADEMARKS
Telesis and BenchMark are registered trademarks of Telesis Technologies, Inc. in the United States.