Our marking software has been designed to meet the needs of all types of users of laser marking systems. The software was developed to be a retrofit package for existing systems, or as original software on new systems. The package provides significant advancements over previous laser marking control systems, while remaining extremely user-friendly. It's an object oriented, graphically interactive, PC control system providing a user the ability define and execute laser marking jobs. Multiple hardware interfaces are supported giving the software the ability to control most Nd:YAG and CO2 laser marking systems.
Unlike some marking software, the operator never has to remember what fonts and logo's need to be loaded for a particular job. The software automatically performs all required graphic loading. The software does not require users to learn any programming languages or special codes, and yet the software provides all of the flexible, graphic control users are accustomed to, including radial marking, aspect control, character spacing, angular rotations, and full justification. Text to be marked can be fixed or variable. Variable text can be retrieved at runtime from a variety of sources including, the keyboard, a bar code reader, and disk files. Automatic date coding and alphanumeric serialization are included as variable text types. Fonts include laser engraving fonts and Window’s True Type fonts. True Type fonts can be vector filled using user specified density, angle and kerf. Graphics (sometimes called "logo's" on other systems) can be imported from a large variety of common vector formats. All graphic features are either menu controlled or graphically controlled via the mouse and keyboard.
The software can create various objects such as barcode, DataMatrix, text, simple geometrical objects (such as line, rectangle, round-corner rectangle, polygon, circle, ellipse etc), complex graphic objects (such as PLT & BMP files), automatic date coding and alphanumeric serialization.
There are two series of marking cards (interface cards) and relevant software: LMC and STEL. Custom-design is available upon request..
Our marking software has been designed to meet the needs of all types of users of laser marking systems. The software was developed to be a retrofit package for existing systems, or as original software on new systems. The package provides significant advancements over previous laser marking control systems, while remaining extremely user-friendly. It's an object oriented, graphically interactive, PC control system providing a user the ability define and execute laser marking jobs. Multiple hardware interfaces are supported giving the software the ability to control most Nd:YAG, CO2 and fiber laser marking systems such as adjusting currents, frequency, duty ratio . and red light indication.
Unlike some marking software, the operator never has to remember what fonts and logo's need to be loaded for a particular job. The software automatically performs all required graphic loading. The software does not require users to learn any programming languages or special codes, and yet the software provides all of the flexible, graphic control users are accustomed to, including radial marking, aspect control, character spacing, angular rotations, and full justification. Text to be marked can be fixed or variable. Variable text can be retrieved at runtime from a variety of sources including, the keyboard, a bar code reader, and disk files. Automatic date coding and alphanumeric serialization are included as variable text types. Fonts include laser engraving fonts and Window’s True Type fonts. True Type fonts can be vector filled using user specified density, angle and kerf. Graphics (sometimes called "logo's" on other systems) can be imported from a large variety of common vector formats. All graphic features are either menu controlled or graphically controlled via the mouse and keyboard.
The software can create various objects such as barcode, DataMatrix, text, simple geometrical objects (such as line, rectangle, round-corner rectangle, polygon, circle, ellipse etc), complex graphic objects (such as PLT & BMP files), automatic date coding and alphanumeric serialization.
PCIE card (control CO2 and YAG laser) and PCIE-F card (control fiber laser) are also available. Their functions are same as digital cards's functions.
DA converter is an integrated product for digital to analogue single conversion, to enable higher marking accuracy and long distance signal transmission which is less susceptible to electrical noise.
There are two types:
Software |
Type (I/O) |
Model |
Remarks |
EzCAD2 (version 2) XP/WIN7/WiN8/WIN10 32/64Bit |
USB |
LMC-V4-USBFIBER |
For fiber lasers. 12 inputs, 8 outputs, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
LMC-V4-USBDIGI |
For CO2/YAG/UV lasers. 16 inputs, 14 outputs, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
||
LMC-V4-SPI |
For SPI lasers, 68-PIN SCSI3. 13 inputs, 8 outputs, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
||
PCIE |
LMC-PEIC-FB |
For fiber lasers. DB25, 6 inputs, 2 TTL outputs, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
|
LMC-PEIC-SZ |
For CO2/YAG/UV lasers, ON/OFF, PWM, power/frequency, 10 inputs, 8 TTL output, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
||
Economic & simple |
LMC-LMCV4-FIBER-M |
For fiber lasers. 2 inputs, 2 TTL outputs, 1 extension, digital galvo |
|
LMC-LMCV4-DIGIT-M |
For CO2/YAG/UV lasers, ON/OFF, PWM, power/frequency, 2 inputs, 2 TTL outputs, 1 extension, digital galvo |
||
LMC-FBLI-B-LV1 |
DB25, 2 inputs, 2 TTL outputs, digital galvo |
||
LMC-FBLI-B-LV4 |
DB25, 2 inputs, 2 TTL outputs, digital galvo |
||
Extensions |
LMC-RangeFinding |
For measuring distance or fixed distance marking. USB port, 2 inputs + 2 series input, 1 OC output + 2 TTL outputs |
|
LMC-DynamicFocusing |
USB port, 8 inputs, 4 TTL/OC outputs, 2 extensions, digital galvo |
||
LMC-DAboard |
XY2-100, 3 analog outputs |
||
LMC-Rotation |
Digital galvo, RS232, 2D/ratary/scan marking |
||
LMC-Auto-focusing |
USB or RS232 |
||
LMC-Synchronization |
4 inputs, 4 outputs |
||
EzCAD3 (Version 3) WIN7/WIN8/WIN10, 64BIT |
USB |
LMC-DLC2 |
For all lasers. USB2.0, DB25, XY2-100 (16/18BIT), 4-axis, 10 inputs, 8 outputs |
LMC-DLC2-M4 |
For all lasers. USB2.0, DB25, XY2-100 (16/18BIT), 4-axis, 10 inputs, 8 outputs |
||
LMC-DLC2-M6 |
For all lasers. XY2-100 (16/18BIT), 6-axis, 26 inputs, 24 TTL/OC outputs |
||
LMC-DLC2-MC |
For all lasers. XY2-100 (16/18BIT), SL2-100 (20BIT), 10 inputs, 8 TTL/OC outputs |
||
LMC-DLC-3D-PRINT |
For all lasers. USB2.0, DB25, XY2-100 (16/18BIT), 4-axis, 10 inputs, 8 outputs |
||
PCIE |
LMC-DLC2-PCIE |
For fiber laser. USB2.0, DB25, 10 inputs, 8 TTL/OC outputs, XP/WIN7/WIN8/WIN10, 32/64BIT |
|
LMC-DLC2-PCIE-MP4 |
DC-3-20PIN, DC3-10PINN-2.54, 4-axis (X,Y,Z,A) |
||
LMC-DLC2-PCIE-MP6 |
6-axis (XYZABC), 11 inputs, 8 outputs, 2 PWMs, 4 analog inputs, 4 analog outputs |
||
DLC extensions |
LMC-SPI |
Converted to SPI laser |
|
LMC-IPG |
Converted to IPG-E laser |
||
LMC-STD |
Converted to Co2/YAG laser |
||
LMC-QCW5V |
Converted to QCW IPG-YLM laser |
||
LMC-QCW24V |
Converted to QCW IPG-YLM laser |
STEL-PMC2 is a PCI bus advanced laser marking card, support digital galvo motor, compatible with XY2-100 protocol, and through DA-1 6 daughter board can control analog galvo motor precisely.
STEL-UMC4 is a USB bus advanced laser marking card, and support digital galvo motor, compatible with XY2-100 protocol. STEL-UMC4 built-in full offline marking functions could access up to 16 files.
MM3D marking software has combined the third marking axis(focal shifter) control ability, which could help user marking on irregular curve surface. After user imports the 3D model in STL format, MM3D will paste the drew graphic on the model surface. At this time, user could put the working-piece on the proper marking position to complete marking task. Not only MM3D allowed user import 3D model in STL format, but built in several most frequently used curve surface; or user could import 3D DXF file as marking path.
STEL-MM MarkingMate is window-based laser marking software developed which is easy and friendly to use powerful tool. Support variety vector and bitmap graphic, and provide library and OCX component for marking solution provider. Easily to mark on plane or non-plane surface, also support variety PCI or USB marking controller, able to control almost all kinds of laser.
Beside different other, common scanner cards STH-BeamConstruct also supports the only modular scanner controller card worldwide: the STH-E1701A analog scanner card. This is a low-cost scanner card with the smallest ground-size out there* and it is the only one which can be extended by additional boards* providing different signals and outputs. So it is not necessary to buy one fully featured card and to pay for functions that are not needed. Via its extension boards only these functions and I/Os can be added, that are really required.
These extension boards are plugged onto baseboard. Several of them can be combined freely according to required functionality.
STH-E1701A Baseboard is an analogue scanner card which can be extended by options described by below and provides following features:
STH-LP8 Extension Board requires STH-E1701A baseboard as described above and provides additional signals for controlling lasers and external equipment. It offers following features and functions:
STH-Digi I/O Extension Board requires a baseboard as described above and provides additional I/Os for controlling external equipment. It offers following features and functions:
Beside different other, common scanner cards STH-BeamConstruct also supports the only modular scanner controller card worldwide: the STH-E1701D digital XY2/100 scanner card. This is a low-cost scanner card with the smallest ground-size out there and it is the only one which can be extended by additional boards providing different signals and outputs. So it is not necessary to buy one fully featured card and to pay for functions that are not needed. Via its extension boards only these functions and I/Os can be added, that are really required.
These extension boards are plugged onto baseboard. Several of them can be combined freely according to required functionality.
STH-E1701D Baseboard is an XY2/100 scanner card which can be extended by options described below and provides following features:
STH-LP8 Extension Board requires STH-E1701D baseboard as described above and provides additional signals for controlling lasers and external equipment. It offers following features and functions:
STH-Digi I/O Extension Board requires a baseboard as described above and provides additional I/Os for controlling external equipment. It offers following features and functions:
Secondary Head Extension Board gives possibility to connect an additional scanhead which then works fully parallel to the primary one connected to the baseboard and makes use of the same laser:
The optional STH-E1701base Mounting Kit allows faster and easier mechanical installation of all types of STH-E1701 controller boards:
Beside common laser scanner controller cards STH-BeamConstruct also supports the only modular, 5-axis CNC controller card worldwide: the STH-E1701C. This is a low-cost CNC controller card with the smallest ground-size out there and it is the only one which can be extended by additional boards providing different signals and outputs. So it is not necessary to buy one fully featured card and to pay for functions that are not needed. Via its extension boards only these functions and I/Os can be added, that are really required.
Due to its future-proof design and its extensive interfaces and software options, it is not limited to laser applications, but it is also able to control mechanical tools such as mills. Our STH-BeamConstruct control application fully supports such machinery, beside the common laser parameters it is also able to handle the STH-E1701C and the specialities of such mechanical tools. These extension boards are plugged onto baseboard. Several of them can be combined freely according to required functionality.
STH-E1701C Baseboard is a 5-axis CNC controller card which can control lasers as well as other tools with suitable hardware interfaces. It can be extended by options described below and provides following features:
STH-LP8 Extension Board requires the STH-E1701C baseboard as described above and provides additional signals for controlling lasers and external equipment. It offers the following features and functions:
The STH-Digi I/O Extension Board requires a baseboard as described above and provides additional I/Os for controlling external equipment. It offers following features and functions:
Beside some other motors and controller cards STH-BeamConstruct supports the STH-E1701M stepper motor controller board. This is a Ethernet and USB controllable card which provides following features:
Summary
Part number/combination |
Descriptions |
STH-E1701D baseboard |
XY2-100/XY3-100 controller for CO2 and YAG, can be optionally extended with 1x LP8, 1x DigiIO and/or 1..3x Secondary Head Extension |
STH-E1701D equipped with STH-LP8 and STH-Digi IO Extension |
XY2-100/XY3-100 controller for CO2, YAG, MOPA and others plus 8 digital in- and outputs, can optionally control up to four stepper motor drivers |
STH-Digi IO Extension for STH-E1701C or STH-E1701D |
Extends STH-E1701D by 8 digital in- and outputs, can optionally control up to four stepper motor drivers |
STH-LP8 Extension for STH-E1701C or STH-E1701D |
Adds STH-LP8, Latch. MO and 5V analogue output for control of MOPA lasers and others |
Secondary Head Extension for STH-E1701D |
Adds possibility to connect an other, paralle lrunning scanhead to STH-E1701D up to 3 scan heads. |
STH-E1701C Baseboard |
5-axis CNC controller for CO2 and YAG, can be optionally extended with 1x LP8 and/or 1x DigiIO |
STH-E1701C Mounting Kit |
Mounting kit for easy mechanical installation of STH-E1701D, STH-E1701C and STH-E1701M controllers in machines and e.g. on standard DIN rail |
Combinations
|
STH-LP8 Extension |
STH-Digi IO Extension |
Secondary Head Extension |
STH-E1701base |
STH-E1701A |
X |
X |
|
X |
STH-E1701C |
X |
X |
|
X |
STH-E1701D |
X |
X |
X (up to three) |
X |
STH-E1701M |
|
|
|
X |
The STH-E1803 controller is not a successor or replacement of the STH-E1701D Modular Scanner Controller but an own product with a different area of application.
Technically it is fully compatible with a STH-E1701D controller with STH-LP8 Extension and Digi I/O Extension plus additional:
Now all incorporated in one compact card. With all these features it is still a low-cost scanner card which can be used with all XY2-100, XY2-200, XY2-100E, XY2-200E and XY3-100 compatible scanheads.
The STH-E1803 Controller provides following general features:
Beside of that it provides following connectivity features and interfaces:
The optional STH-Intelli-IO Extension Board...
In digital I/O mode:
In motion control mode:
The optional STH-Multi-IO Extension Board...
Please note: the STH-Multi-IO expansion can not be used together with the STH-E1803dock!
The optional STH-E1803dock Extension Board provides an easy and simple way to connect different laser types with a 1:1 cable connection. The STH-E1803dock is a full-size extension which is plugged on very top of the STH-E1803D controller. Using this breakout-board connection of a laser is done within minutes as only some standard cables need to be plugged. It is available in several variants which can be used for different families of laser types each:
The optional STH-E1803base Mounting Kit allows faster and easier mechanical installation of an STH-E1803D controller board:
Summary
Model/combination |
Descriptions |
STH-E1803D |
XY2-100/XY2-200/XY3-100 scanner controller board, can be extended by STH-Intelli-IO- or STH-Multi-IO-Extension |
STH-E1803D equipped with optional STH-Intelli-IO extension |
XY2-100/XY2-200/XY3-100 scanner controller board, extended by 6 digital in- and outputs or 4 stepper motor axes via STH-Intelli-IO extension board |
STH-E1803D equipped with optional E1803dock |
XY2-100/XY2-200/XY3-100 scanner controller board, extended by E1803dock which allows easy connection via simple 1:1 cables |
STH-Intelli-IO extension board |
Can be used to control 4 stepper motor axes or 6 digital in- and outputs, provides 3 analogue inputs for process data measurement |
STH-Multi-IO extension board |
Can be used to connect a second, parallel scanhead, provides a second, separate serial interface (RS232 and RS485) and 3 analogue inputs for process data measurement |
STH-E1803base Mounting Kit |
Mounting kit for easy mechanical installation of STH-E1803D controller in machines and e.g. on standard DIN rail, provides several mounting positions and orientations to choose from |
The converter is an adapter module to operate analogue scanheads together with a XY3-100 scanner controller card. It is fully adjusted, ready to be used and needs to be electrically connected only for operation. It provides the following features:
So it can be used to connect a XY3-100 digital controller board to an analogue scanhead and will guarantee a low-latency, fully synchronous operation.
The XY3-100 protocol itself is a new, open, future-proof and non-proprietary standard for communication between scanner controller card and scanhead. It provides variable position resolutions in range 16..26 bit and an extended backchannel. It is hardware-compatible to its predecessor XY2-100 and therefore can be implemented in existing hardware via a firmware upgrade easily.
Following tables give a quick overview about all hardware available. This includes an overview about all electronics and control boards.
Model |
STH-E1701A |
STH-E1701D |
STH-E1701C |
STH-E1701M |
STH-E1803D |
Type |
Modular Analogue Scanner and Laser Controller |
Modular Digital XY2/100(E) Scanner and Laser Controller |
Modular 5-Axis CNC Controller |
Motor Controller |
Compact Digital XY2/100(E) and XY2/200(E) Scanner and Laser Controller |
Controllable Devices / Interfaces |
* Analog Scanhead * Laser (may require extensions) * Stepper Motors (requires Digi I/O Extension Boardand power driver) |
* XY2/100 Scanhead * XY2/100E Scanhead * Laser (may require extensions) * Stepper Motors (requires Digi I/O Extension Boardand power driver) |
* XY/XYZ/5-Axis CNC Gantry/Table * Laser (may require extensions) * Additional Stepper Motors (requires Digi I/O Extension Boardand power driver) |
* Stepper Motors (requires power driver) |
* XY2/100 Scanhead * XY2/100E Scanhead * XY2/200 Scanhead * XY2/200E Scanhead * Laser * Stepper Motors (requires power driver) RS232/RS485 |
Interface to Scanhead |
±2,5..10 V (analogue) |
XY2/100 (digital) 26 pin |
|
|
XY2/100 (digital) D-SUB25 and 26 pin |
Secondary Scanhead |
|
Up to 3 via Secondary Head Extension Board |
|
|
One via Multi-IO Extension Board |
Interface to Laser |
may require extension boards |
may require extension boards |
may require extension boards |
|
Yes |
Motion Axes |
up to four independent axes via Digi I/O Extension Board |
up to four independent axes via Digi I/O Extension Board |
5 CNC axes via baseboard, |
up to four independent axes |
up to four independent axes via integrated digital IOs |
Expandable by Extension Boards |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Supports stand-alone operation |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes, manual jog-mode |
Yes |
Supports marking on-the-fly |
requires Digi I/O Extension Board |
requires Digi I/O Extension Board |
|
|
Yes |
STH-BeamConstruct PRO License included |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Power Supply |
±15 V |
+5 V or USB |
+5 V or USB |
+5 V or USB |
±12..24 V or USB |
SLS/3D Printing (Rapid Prototyping) |
Yes. Laser via scanhead |
Yes. Laser via scanhead |
Yes. Laser via XYZ-table/gantry |
|
Laser via scanhead |
STH-BeamConstruct is an integrated, stand-alone laser marking software solution for nearly all kinds of laser scanner, laser CNC and mechanical CNC applications. It can be used for laser welding, cutting, engraving, marking, natural branding, milling as well as for rapid prototyping / SLS / 3D printing.
It offers more than only the common features, supports several laser scanner and CNC controllers and provides full support for industrial usage. Laser marking or milling projects created within STH-BeamConstruct can be sent to a scanner system or a mill out of the application directly or they can be used within a custom visualisation and process control application created using the OpenAPC software package.
So material processing projects generated with this application can be integrated seamless into existing machine control, there is no need to run the CAD-interface of this application within a production environment.
Some of the key features of STH-BeamConstruct:
STH-BeamConstruct - extensive but easy to use features:
Here shows some of the STH-BeamConstruct key functions but is far away from being a complete feature list. There are several more functions than the ones described here.
|
Barcodes
|
|
Texts and Font Styles
|
|
Fill Patterns / Hatching
|
|
Raster Images / Bitmap Marking
|
|
Serial Numbers, Date/Time, Best-Before-Dates
|
|
Splitting Geometries into Tiles
|
|
Projection of geometry to 3D ground shapes
|
|
Slicing of solid 3D models to 2D layers
|
|
Multi-head Support
|
|
Immersive Projection View
|
|
Vision
|
|
3D Editing / Split View
|
|
Pen Parameter Wizard (STH-BeamConstruct PRO only)
|
|
User- and Privilege-Management (STH-BeamConstruct PRO only)
|
|
Industry 4.0 Smart Interface (STH-BeamConstruct PRO only)
|
Marking Heads Marking Heads (LSSL) Marking Heads (LSRM) 3D Marking Heads