5 Point Test - NOVA

Video

Steps

1. Power the machine ON and allow it to fully reset. 
2. Jog the laser head to the center of the bed (+/- 5 mm).
   Coordinates for bed center:
   • NOVA10: X = 500                Y = 350
   • NOVA14: X = 700                Y = 450
   • NOVA16: X = 800                Y = 500
3. Take a 1” to 2” piece of painter’s tape and press firmly into the nozzle. The goal in pressing the tape into the nozzle is to form a divot, which will show where the beam is hitting in reference to the edges of the hole in the nozzle.
   • If the tape is getting blown off by the air coming through the nozzle, use the Air Regulator Dial to lower the flow.

   

4. Close the lid and quickly press “PULSE” on the keypad.
5. Open the lid and gently remove the tape from the nozzle. Be careful not to touch the divot or pulse spot on the tape.

   NOTE: Do not fold or rotate the tape when removing. The direction the tape was stuck on matters, as the location of the pulse mark will be used as reference to make the necessary adjustments.

   To help maintain a constant direction orientation, a little arrow or something similar can be drawn on the tape for reference.

6. Inspect the pulse mark. Look for the shape of the pulse, as well as where the mark is located in relation to the center of the divot.

   

7. Adjust the alignment as needed (process detailed below) to get the pulse mark as close to the center of the divot as possible.

   NOTE: After adjusting, ALWAYS pulse into a fresh spot on the tape after to check where the pulse mark has moved to.

8. Once the pulse has been aligned to the center of the divot in the center of the bed, grab a fresh piece of tape and apply it to the nozzle as done in Step 3.
9. Pulse the machine in 5 points, moving the tape in tandem to correlate to where the machine is being pulsed.
   • The 5 points to pulse are: center of the bed, back left corner, back right corner, front left corner, and front right corner.

   

10. Inspect the results of the full 5 point test. Do all of the pulses look like they are hitting in the same spot across the bed? If so, the 5 point test is complete!

    

How to Adjust the 5 Point

The alignment knobs on the Mirror 3 bracket serve a dual purpose, facilitating adjustments for both the general alignment of Mirror 3 and the precise positioning of pulse marks during a 5-point test. It's worth noting that, unlike the Mirror 3 alignment procedure where the sliding lens housing is detached from the laser head, adjustments for pulse marks require heightened precision due to the lens being in place during the fine-tuning process.

NOTE: All adjustments should be made in reference to the center pulse point. Only perform the full 5 point test if the center pulse mark is acceptable.

Leftward Adjustment

The circled brass alignment knob will be used for leftward movement of the pulse mark.

1. Loosen the lock nut on the brass alignment knob.

   

2. Slightly tighten the alignment knob (turn clockwise).
3. Tighten the lock nut.

   

4. Get a fresh piece of tape and put it on the nozzle as instructed in the previous section.
5. Pulse in the center of the bed.
6. Remove the tape and inspect the location of the pulse mark.
7. Repeat the process as needed until the pulse mark is centered in the divot.

Rightward Adjustment

The circled brass alignment knob will be used for rightward movement of the pulse mark.

1. Loosen the lock nut on the brass alignment knob.

   

2. Slightly tighten the alignment knob (turn clockwise).
3. Tighten the lock nut.

   

4. Get a fresh piece of tape and put it on the nozzle as instructed in the previous section.
5. Pulse in the center of the bed.
6. Remove the tape and inspect the location of the pulse mark.
7. Repeat the process as needed until the pulse mark is centered in the divot.

Downward Adjustment

The circled brass alignment knob will be used for downward movement of the pulse mark.

1. Loosen the lock nut on the brass alignment knob.

   

2. Slightly tighten the alignment knob (turn clockwise).
3. Tighten the lock nut.

   

4. Get a fresh piece of tape and put it on the nozzle as instructed in the previous section.
5. Pulse in the center of the bed.
6. Remove the tape and inspect the location of the pulse mark.
7. Repeat the process as needed until the pulse mark is centered in the divot.

Upward Adjustment

The circled brass alignment knob will be used for upward movement of the pulse mark.

1. Loosen the lock nut on the brass alignment knob.

   

2. Slightly tighten the alignment knob (turn clockwise).
3. Tighten the lock nut.

   

4. Get a fresh piece of tape and put it on the nozzle as instructed in the previous section.
5. Pulse in the center of the bed.
6. Remove the tape and inspect the location of the pulse mark.
7. Repeat the process as needed until the pulse mark is centered in the divot.

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