Control Panel 3.0 v10 and firing the "Laser"

** NOT COMPATIBLE WITH LCD CONTROLLED MACHINES**

The Shark Control Panel 3.0 v10 is only used to run laser toolpath files (.tap) on a CNC Shark machine with a Non-LCD Compatible Control box. This means that all of your cutting projects will still run and operate through the Shark Control Panel 2.1 and all laser projects will run through the Shark Control Panel 3.0. 

Non-LCD Compatible Control box - A CNC control box that is not capable of utilizing the LCD pendant. A distinguishing feature is the Red Estop button on the left or right of the front panel. This was the control box for Shark machines made prior to 2016. See Pre-HD 4.0 machine list

Installing CNC Control Panel 3.0 v10:

1. Install CNC Control Panel 3.0 v10 (link below)

  a. CNC Control Panel 3.0 v10 - Download

  b. To avoid user account permission issues, please run the Control panel installation as the Administrator of the computer.

****Depending on the computer settings and browser being used, downloading the installation file may require you to right-click on the link and select "Save Link as" or "Save target as".****

Update Controller Firmware:

***Make sure to have the control box powered on and connected to the computer with an A/B (Printer) USB cable. ***

Once the Control Panel 3.0 v10 has been installed, a small window should pop up for the Firmware Updater V2090. Press the single button to update your firmware to version 2090 for firing the laser. 

Update Vcarve Post Processor:

To add the laser post processor to V-carve, follow these steps:

1) Download the CNCShark-Laser_inch.pp from this link: HD3 Laser post-processor
2) Right-click on the post-processor (CNCShark-Laser_inch.pp) in your downloads folder and select "Copy"
3) Open Vcarve
4) Click File
5) Click Open Application Data Folder
6) Right-click the PostP Folder, and select "Paste"
7) Close V-carve
When Vcarve is re-opened, the laser post-processor will display in the post-processors dropdown box.

Add the Laser to Vcarve's Tool Database:

To add the laser as a tool to the Vcarve/Aspire V10.5 Tool Database follow these steps: 

1) Open Vcarve/Aspire and create a new project.
2) Select Toolpaths at the top.
3) Click Tool Database
4) Select the Plus button in the bottom left corner to add a tool to the database.
5) Change the name to Laser Engraver.
6) Select the End Mill from the Tool Type drop-down
7) Set the Diameter (D) to 0.01"
8) Select Create Settings
9) Enter the following Settings: 7W Laser: Pass Depth: 0.01" Stepover: 0.01" / 100% Spindle Speed: 50 (50%) Feed Rate: 100 inches/minute Plunge Rate: 20 inches/minute 2W Laser: Pass Depth: 0.01" Stepover: 0.01" / 100% Spindle Speed: 100 (100%) Feed Rate: 50 inches/minute Plunge Rate: 20 inches/minute
10) Select Apply then OK.

Test File:

Attached to this article are two files that will test the laser system. If the laser fires successfully, this will indicate the system is set up correctly and the laser electronics are working.

Please follow these steps:

1. Save the attached Laser Circle Test.tap file that corresponds with your laser to a USB Flash drive
   1. "2W Laser Shark Circle Test (NcPod).tap” - is designed for the 2W Laser Accessory
   2. "7W Laser Shark Circle Test (NcPod).tap” - is designed for the 7W Laser Accessory
2. Affix a scrap piece of material or a piece of cardboard measuring at least 6" x 6" onto the deck of the unit
3. Power the CNC system on
4. Open the Shark Control Panel 3.0 software on your computer
5. Load “2W Laser Shark Circle Test (NcPod).tap” or “7W Laser Shark Circle Test (NcPod).tap”
6. Jog the laser head to the center of the test material
7. Use the Z-axis jog button to carefully lower the laser toward the material until the white laser collar touches the surface of the material
8. Press "Zero All"
9. Under Jog Settings - check mark Step
10. Enter "0.1" below Step
11. Press "Z+"
12. Press "Zero All"
13. Select 'Run '

The laser will travel around the test material and will burn four circles. If you have any questions, or if you do not see a blue laser light, please contact Technical Support.