SAUNO LLC.
Production, sale and service of impact-etching, laser engraving, milling and grinding machines since 1997.
Home / Products / Advantages of SAUNO machines / Precision mechanics / Full automation / Top performance / Unique engraving modes / Electronic level sensor
Electronic level sensor
In the operation of SAUNO machines, the most important role is designated to a tracking system with an electronic level sensor.
Due to its help, machine automatically monitors slope and unevenness of a workpiece during the engraving process.
There are machines without a tracking system.
In such machines, the workpiece must be placed exactly level within a small tolerance.
This is extremely inconvenient, since stone slabs are never level, and even with small differences in level during operation of the machine, the image quality inevitably deteriorates.
In machines with a mechanical tracking system, a feeler gauge in the form of a dipstick or bearing, slides or rolls along the surface of the workpiece, constantly monitoring the inclination.
When the height changes, the tool head, mounted on a floating suspension, moves vertically, compensating for surface unevenness.
SAUNO machines use a high-precision electronic tracking system.
The inclination of the surface is monitored by an electronic level sensor, which touches the surface of the workpiece with its tip point.
At the slightest change in level, the control unit commands the Z drive motor to change the position of the impact head in height.
Fig.1 Mechanical tracking system with bearing
Fig.2 Electronic level sensor of SAUNO machine
Disadvantages of a mechanical tracking system
1. In mechanical systems of other machine manufacturers, a dipstick or bearing presses the entire mass onto the surface of the workpiece. Loads and exposure to “stone” dust worsen the performance of the bearing, friction increases, causing accelerated and uneven wear. As a result of uneven wear, the bearing stops rotating and begins to slide along the surface of the stone, leaving scratches. The friction force creates bending loads that are transmitted to the machine drives. Positioning accuracy deteriorates, lines and stripes are visible on the engraving.
2. During movements along the Y axis (see Fig. 1), for example, when returning to the starting position after completing engraving, the bearing moves along the surface of the workpiece in the transverse direction. When moving transversely, the bearing touches the surface, causing scratches. The tip point of the electronic level sensor moves equally easily in any direction.
3. In machines with a mechanical tracking system, the gap is set manually and requires constant adjustment due to wear of the gap-forming bearing.
4. Floating suspension of mechanical tracking systems is difficult to maintain
Advantages of the SAUNO electronic tracking system
1. The tip point of the electronic sensor does not press on the surface of the workpiece, so it wears out very slowly.
2. The tip point of the electronic level sensor is compact. The distances from the edge of the stone when engraving with an electronic level sensor are much smaller than with a mechanical tracking system with a bearing.
Compare in Fig. 1.2 above the amount of indentation d for the mechanical and electronic tracking systems.
3. The electronic sensor is not afraid of dust and moves equally easily in any direction.
4. A machine with an electronic level sensor, unlike a machine with a mechanical tracking system, can engrave without indentations if a special tip is installed. You can order the tip from the SAUNO company.
5. In the electronic tracking system of the SAUNO machine, the working gap is set automatically.
Learn more about automatic gap setting...
6. In the electronic tracking system of the SAUNO machine, the gap is set anew each time during engraving, so gap adjustment is not required.
7. The electronic servo drive of the SAUNO machine is a simple and reliable design that does not require mechanical adjustments.