The Digital Duplicator is a great accessory that enables the machine to scan an object through a series of "touches" across that object. The information below is supplemental to the existing owner's manual and covers the setting definitions and helpful examples when running the Digital Duplicator through an LCD Pendant compatible control box. (for example: Shark HD4, Piranha FX/XL, Shark II, SD100, SD110, SD120, HD510, HD520). For information on operating the Digital Duplicator through a non-pendant control box (HD3, Shark Pro, Mako) please see the owner's manual linked at the bottom of this article.
Setting definitions
| Scan Speed | The speed at which the Digital Duplicator will operate. |
| Scan Width X | Width in X of the scan area. |
| Scan Length Y | Length in Y of the scan area. |
| dX | The distance between X samples of your scan area. The lower the dX value, the more precise the scan will be. However, lowering the dX value increases run times significantly. |
| dY | The distance between Y samples of your scan area. The lower the dY value, the more precise the scan will be. However, lowering the dY value increases run time significantly. |
| dZ After Sample | The safe height the probe will raise after a touch. A low value is recommended for files with shallow slopes and ridges and will minimize the vertical travel of the probe. |
| Max Z Height | The maximum height permitted on the scan above the workpiece. This value needs to be high enough to reach the tallest point of the file. |
| Max Z Depth | The lowest depth permitted on the scan. Anything lower will appear flat. |
Example 1
In this example, the carving to be scanned is cut into the material and the Digital Duplicator is zeroed to the material surface. Since the probe is zeroed to the highest position the Max Z height is set to 0.1" and the Max Z depth is set to -0.75" so that it will reach the lowest point of the design.
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Scan Speed: 15 inches per minute Scan Width X: 6 inches Scan Length Y: 5 inches dX: 0.025 inches dY: 0.025 inches dZ After Sample: 0.005 inches Max Z Height: 0.1 inches Max Z Depth: -0.75 inches |
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Example 2
In this example, the Digital Duplicator is zeroed in the pocket with the design to be scanned. With the tall ridges around the exterior, the dZ after sample has been increased to lift the probe higher after each touch to traverse the ridges quicker without making the interior points raising to an excessive height. The Max Z Height has been set to 0.75" to reach the top of the ridges with the Max Z depth set to -.01" to ensure the probe will contact the area around the design.
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Scan Speed: 15 inches per minute Scan Width X: 5 inches Scan Length Y: 5 inches dX: 0.025 inches dY: 0.025 inches dZ After Sample: 0.015 inches Max Z Height: 0.75 inches Max Z Depth: -0.1 inches |
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The Digital Duplicator Owner's Manual is available for download in the article "Digital Duplicator for Next Wave CNC machines"