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1. Software Setup

1. Software Installation

Download OpenPnP from the OpenPnP website and install the software package. https://openpnp.org/downloads/

Note

The latest version is 2023-03-15. You should not install a version older than this.

The installation should not encounter any issues.

The following contents will be based on the Windows 10 system. On other operating systems, the difference should not be significant.

Start OpenPnP, the software interface will display successfully. You can briefly browse the original software settings.

The default .openpnp2 folder is now generated in the system after first run.

Exit the program before next step.

2. Import The Configuration Files

Configuration Files

You can download the configuration files from the Download section.

Before proceeding to the next step, please turn on the power of the machine.

Find the .openpnp2 folder where the OpenPnP configuration is stored. The path to the folder may vary between operating systems, so please check the relevant documentation.

Tip

  • On Windows systems, this folder is usually located in the C:\Users\<UserName>\.openpnp2 folder.

  • For MacOS this folder is ~/.openpnp2.

Before next step, it is recommended to backup the entire .openpnp2 folder.

Copy all the contents of the .openpnp2 folder provided by Pandaplacer to the local .openpnp2 folder (Replace/Overwrite files with the same name).

Because of differences in computer hardware and operating systems, there are still some manual setups. See the next step.

3. Edit The Configuration

Turn ON the power of the machine.

Before running OpenPnP, check the serial port and camera status in the system.

Launch OpenPnP.

3.1. Configure The Serial Port

Tip

  • For Windows: the motion controller uses the COM11 port and the feeder controller uses the COM3 port.
    • For MacOS: the motion controller uses the tty.usbmodem48F2753E39381 port at 115200 baud rate and the feeder controller uses the tty.usbserial-141110 at 19200 baud rate.

After each operation, click Apply to save and enable the settings.

3.2. Configure The Cameras

Menu: Machine Setup > Cameras > BottomCam

Click Apply to save and enable the settings.

Menu: Machine Setup > Heads > ReferenceHead H1 > Cameras > TopCam

Click Apply to save and enable the settings.

Save the configuration: File > Save configuration

3.3. Camera Adjustments

It is possible (mostly on MacOS machines) that one or both cameras have the default image settings presenting a picture that is too bright. This is due to the default exposure settings and can be adjusted.

The Device Settings panel in the Machine Setup section for the respective camera must be configured and the exposure value adjusted accordingly.

4. Functionality Test

After completing the above settings, we can start the functional testing.

4.1. Machine Homing

Click the Enable/Disable button on the Machine Controls panel to establish a connection.

After the communication is successfully connected and before the machine is homed, the button status is as shown in the figure:

Click the Homing button for machine homing.

The machine will follow the preset workflow in the configuration file to complete the homing of X, Y, Z, A, B axis.

The button status is as shown in the figure:

The machine is now finished homing and is ready for manual control.

4.2. Checking Basic Movements

To make it easier to test, adjust the default distance and speed.

Testing XYZ axes:

Use the arrow keys to test the XYZ movement of the machine.

Use the P button to return the XY coordinates to the Park-Location.

Testing nozzle motors:

Switching the nozzle motor to be tested in the tool menu.

Use the counterclockwise and clockwise buttons to test the rotation of the nozzle motor.

Use the P button to return the nozzle motor to 0 degrees.

Switch to other nozzle motors in the menu and test again.

4.3. Checking The Actuators

Switch to the Actuators tab on Machine Controls panel and test the machine's actuators.

4.4. Testing Camera Backlight

Click the BottomCamLight and H1:TopCamLight buttons respectively, and in the pop-up dialog box, control the status of the actuator with the On and Off buttons, and observe whether the corresponding camera backlight is working properly.

Alternatively, you can also control the camera lights by click the light button in the upper right corner of the camera view.

4.5. Testing Vacuum Pumps

Click the H1:N1_VPUMP , H1:N2_VPUMP and H1:N1N2_VPUMP buttons respectively, and in the pop-up dialog box, control the status of the actuator with the On and Off buttons, and observe whether the corresponding vacuum pump is working properly. H1:N1N2_VPUMP controls two vacuum pumps at the same time.

4.6. (Optional) Testing The SLFC Feeder Controller

It is assumed that the SLFC feeder controller system has been properly installed on the machine and is powered up to 5V.

Please connect one RC servo/AS1 feeder properly to the controller interface with port number 100.

Switch to the Feeders tab.

Click on the pre-set feeder with port number 100 (PPBF-AS1-N100). At the bottom of the software interface, you can select the different advance distance options.

Click on the Test post pick button, if the servo/ AS1 feeder completes the corresponding movement, then the feeder system is operating properly.

5. Initial Software Setup Completed

Congratulations, you have completed the initial software setup!

Now, all the major components of the Pandaplacer A1 machine can be controlled correctly by the OpenPnP.

The next step is to complete the calibration of the cameras and the nozzles.