SmartLase 130i Service Guide v18 ENG - SL078004en

Declaration of Conformity
Déclaration de conformité
Konformitätserklärung
Issued by:
MARKEM Corporation
150 Congress Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431, USA
Equipment Description: SmartLase 130i Class 4 Laser Coder
Description de l’équipement: 100-240 VAC 50-60 Hz, 600 Watts
Gerätebeschreibung:
Year of Manufacture: 2008

Année de fabrication:
Herstellungsjahr:
Applicable Directives: 73/23/EEC

Directives applicables: 89/336/EEC
Angewandte Richt Linien:
Applicable Standards: EN 60825-1 (1994) Laser

Normes applicables: + A1: 2002 to EN60825-1: 1994
Angewandte Normen: + A2: 2001 to EN60825-1: 1994
EN 60204-1 (1997)
EN 61000-6-4 (2001)
EN 55011 AC Line Conducted Emissions Test (Class A)
EN 55011 Radiated Radio Frequency (RF) Emissions Tests (Class A)
EN 61000-3-2 Power Line Harmonics Test
EN 61000-3-3 Power Line Fluctuation / Flicker Test
EN 61000-6-2 (2001)
IEC 61000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge
IEC 61000-4-3 RF Radiated Fields
IEC 61000-4-4 Electrical Fast Transients
IEC 61000-4-5 Lightning Surge
IEC 61000-4-6 RF Common Mode
IEC 61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field Immunity, (Exempt)
IEC 61000-4-11 Voltage Dips / Short Interruptions
EN 61010-1 (2001)
Authorized by:
Autorisé par:
January 2008
Unterzeichnet von: Joe Parisi Date
Vice President, Product Development & Engineering
Part Number: SL043006 0879319

Rev. 10
11-03
Markem-Imaje SmartLase® SL130i Service Guide
Acknowledgements
The SmartLase® SL130i Service Guide was written at:

Markem-Imaje
150 Congress Street
Keene, NH 03431 USA
Trademarks
Markem is a registered trademark of Markem Corporation.
Disclaimer
To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this guide was correct at the time
of printing. However, due to our policy of continuous improvement, information is
subject to change. This guide version represents the design at the time of sale, but may not
represent the current software design.
Copyright® 2008 All rights reserved.
SL078004enc 6/08 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 General Information
1 Welcome to the SmartLase® 130i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.1 What’s in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.2 Contacting Markem-Imaje . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.3 Related Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.4 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
2 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
2.1 Environmental Operating Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
3 Dimensional Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
4 Contacting Markem-Imaje . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
4.1 Training Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
4.2 Reference List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
4.3 Ordering Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Section 2 Safety Information

1 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
2 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
2.1 CDRH Requirements and Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
3 Warning Label Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
4 Warning Label Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
5 Hazardous Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
5.1 Laser Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
5.1.1 Class 4 Lasers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
5.1.2 Laser Safety Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
5.1.3 Laser Safety Officer Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
5.2 Fire Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
5.3 Eye and Skin Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
5.4 Electrical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
5.5 Fume, Vapor, and Particulate Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
5.6 Regulatory Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
5.7 Guarding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
5.8 OEM Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
6 Foreseen Use/misuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
7 Alarm and Fault Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
7.1 Alarm Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
7.2 Fault Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
8 Training Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
9 Removal from Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19
Section 3 Machine Description - Overview
1 Machine Description - Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Printing Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
1.2 User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
1.2.1 Operational and Programming Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
1.2.2 Menu Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
1.3 Warnings and Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Section 4 Installing the Hardware

1 Unpacking and Initial Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
2 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
2.1 Explanation of Controls and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
3 Pre-installation Equipment Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
4 Mounting Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
5 Installing External Input Signal Devices (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
5.1 Installing an External Encoder (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
5.1.1 Using Both an Encoder and a Trigger Sensor. . . . . . . . . . 4-9
5.1.2 Packaging Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
5.2 Installing Package Sensors (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10
5.2.1 Fiber Optic Photo Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
5.2.2 Multicolor Film Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
6 Installing Exhaust Evacuation (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
7 External Connection Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
7.1 Digital Interface Connector (CTRL OUT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
7.2 Trigger Connector (CTRL IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
7.3 User Connector (P1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Section 5 Setup
1 Adjusting the SmartLase to the Product Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
1.1 Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
1.2 Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
2 Specifying Machine Setup Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
2.1 Specifying Laser Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
2.2 Setting Encoder Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
2.2.1 Specifying the Encoder Diameter/viewing Settings . . . . . . 5-7
2.2.2 Specifying the Pulse Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
2.2.3 Using the Encoder Divider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
2.3 Setting Sensing Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
2.3.1 Setting Fault Condition Auto-recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
2.4 Setting Directional Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
2.4.1 Enabling Dynamic Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
2.4.2 Specifying Image Rotation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
2.4.3 Specifying Product Feed Direction (Velocity Rotation) . . 5-15
SL078004enc 6/08 6
2.4.4 Specifying Settle Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
2.4.5 Relating Setup Parameters to Velocity Mode . . . . . . . . . 5-17
2.5 Storing and Retrieving Setup Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
2.6 Setting the System Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
2.7 Setting System Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
2.7.1 Factory Default Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
2.7.2 Setting New Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
2.7.3 Setting Startup Security Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
2.8 Setting Signal Tower Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
2.9 Checking Parameter Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
2.10 Multiple Lasers Connected to a Single User Interface . . . . . . . . 5-28
2.10.1 Create an IDList.did File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
2.10.2 Configure the UI200 and the Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
2.10.3 Remove Termination Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
2.10.4 Connect the Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
2.10.5 Switching Between Lasers in the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
2.10.6 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
2.11 Icon Reference Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Section 6 Programming the SmartLase

1 Operating the SmartLase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
1.1 Starting the Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
1.2 Adjusting the Screen Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
1.3 Displaying the Software Version Level and Laser Statistics . . . . . 6-4
1.3.1 Viewing Laser Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
1.4 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
1.5 Selecting a Job File for Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
1.6 Printing in Run (Automatic) Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
1.7 Printing the File in Demo (Manual) Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
1.8 Shutting Down the Laser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
2 Managing Job Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
2.1 Creating New Job Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
2.2 Accessing Existing Job Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15
2.3 Deleting Job Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17
2.4 Recovering Unsaved Job Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
2.5 Resetting Job Counters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
2.6 Editing Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
2.6.1 Selecting Text Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
2.6.2 Specifying Legend Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26
2.6.3 Repositioning Text Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
2.7 Zoom Out/in Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
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2.8Setting Trigger Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-35
2.8.1 Setting Normal Print Trigger Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-36
2.8.1.1 Fine Tuning Trigger Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-37
2.8.1.2 Active Triggers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
2.8.2 Setting Minimum Product Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
2.8.3 Specifying Multiple Prints per Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
2.8.4 Specifying Distance Between Each Print . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39
2.8.5 Multiple Prints per Trigger Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-39
2.8.6 Specifying Second Trigger Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-40
2.8.7 Sensing Product Presence (Skipping Prints). . . . . . . . . . 6-40
2.8.8 Relating Trigger Values to Velocity Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
2.9 Setting Velocity Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-43
2.10 Offsetting the Legend from the Center of the Aperture . . . . . . . .6-46
2.10.1 Returning the Legend to the Centered Position . . . . . . . 6-47
3 Using Dynamic Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-48
3.1 Understanding Dynamic Data Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-49
3.2 Inserting Factory Default Dynamic Data Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . .6-49
3.3 Creating Custom Dynamic Data Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-53
3.3.1 Creating Individual Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54
3.3.2 Types of Custom Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
3.3.3 Julian Date Variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-56
3.3.4 Specifying Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-56
3.3.5 Specifying User-defined Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58
3.4 Creating Multi-field Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-58
3.5 Specifying RTC Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-60
3.5.1 Specifying the Offset Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60
3.5.2 Specifying Update Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61
3.5.3 Specifying Reference Date Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-64
3.5.4 Using Rounding Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65
4 Database Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-72
4.1 Database Fields - An Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-72
4.2 Database Fields - An Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-72
4.3 Building a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-73
4.3.1 Database Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-73
4.4 Sample Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-74
4.4.1 Running Legends Containing Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-80
5 Using Sequence Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-85
5.1 Using Sequence Numbering - An Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-85
5.2 Using Sequence Numbering - An Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-85
5.3 Specifying Serial Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-86
5.3.1 Resuming the Count After Interruptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-88
5.3.2 Viewing the Running Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-90
8 SL078004enc 6/08
5.4 Editing Existing Sequence Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-91
5.5 Understanding Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-91
5.6 Updating the Start Value When Loading the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-92
5.7 Counting with Different Increment Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
5.8 Batch Counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-95
5.9 Using Pad Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
5.10 Enabling the Reset Fault Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
5.11 Using Sequence Numbering with Traversing Systems . . . . . . . . 6-99
5.11.1 Icon Reference Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-104
5.12 Reset Count Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-107
Section 7 Maintenance
1 Maintenance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
1.1 Cleaning Lens Saver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
1.2 Replacing Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
1.3 Inspecting Optional Guard Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
1.3.1 Cleaning Exterior Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
2 Basic Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
2.1 Basic Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
2.2 Additional Troubleshooting Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Section 8 SmartLase 130i Menu Trees

1 Top-level Menu Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
2 Job Edit Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
3 Modify Dynamic Data Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
4 Motion Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
5 Sequence Number Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
SL078004enc 6/08 9
SECTION 1
General Information
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 1 General Information
1 Welcome to the SmartLase® 130i
The SmartLase 130i system offers the latest technology in laser
marking from Markem-Imaje. The system features a printing device
with an ergonomically designed User Interface touchpad that
displays specially developed, icon-based graphical software. The
operator makes all input and changes via the touchpad.
This Model 130i is a true international system...introducing
advanced font technology that permits coding in a variety of
non-Latin characters. The marker also introduces the capability of
letting the operator edit one job setup while another job is currently
printing. It is not necessary to stop coding when creating the new
legend.
1.1 What’s in This Guide
This manual and other manuals in the documentation set tell how to
safely install, operate, and service your SmartLase laser marking
system. The actual design of your system depends on options
installed and system configuration.
1.2 Contacting Markem-Imaje
Thank you for choosing Markem-Imaje to provide printing solutions.
If questions should arise, please contact the local business center
that assisted with your purchase.
Online Service and Support: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
myMARKEM Website: www.MARKEM.com
Markem-Imaje's website (myMARKEM) provides registered
customers with immediate electronic access to information such as
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), software downloads, machine
manuals, advanced troubleshooting data, and additional online
technical support. Markem-Imaje customers can register for access
to myMARKEM on the www.MARKEM.com website using their valid
customer number to gain access.
1.3 Related Documentation
Additional documentation was shipped with your system. Depending
on options ordered and system configuration, the following will be
included:
• Markem-Imaje SmartLase 130i Operation Guide (SL076013)
• Notice of CDRH compliance and certification
1.4 Glossary
A Glossary of Terms is located in the SmartLase 130i Operation
Guide, SL076013.
SL078004enc 6/08 1–1

2 Specifications
Table 1–1
User Interface
Display Type 1/4 VGA backlit graphics display
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
Input Keypad Membrane QWERTY touch pad

Character Type Number pad, navigation keys and graphic
character subset
Mode Control Run (auto), Stop (standby) and Demo
(manual)
Laser Intensity One-touch Function key
Graphic Layout Color-coded functionality
Size (H x W x L) 6.25” x 9.45” x 1.75” (159mm x 240mm x
44mm)
Printer
Lines of Print Unlimited within physical print area
Characters Per Unlimited within physical print area
Line
Printing Area (H 2.0 " x 3.2 " (50mm x 80mm) max. for 5” lens.
x W) (NOTE: Printing area depends on the lens
installed. Also available are 3”, 4”, 7.5”, and
10” lenses, with corresponding print areas.)
Character Mixed matrix capability up to 256 x 256 spots
Format
Character Type Alphanumeric, graphics and symbols
Character Size Adjustable from 0.02" to 2.0" (0.5mm to
51mm) max.
Image 0-360° in .01° increments
Orientation
Print Aperture 0-90° in .01° increments
Orientation
Laser Type 30 Watt, air cooled RF excited CO2 laser
1–2 SL078004enc 6/08

Table 1–1
Line Speed Up to 300 ft./minute (90 m/minute)

Protection IP20C, Standard
Dust No
Washdown No
Operating 5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F)
Temperature
Connectivity RS 232, standard/Ethernet, optional
Input 48 VDC, 600 Watts maximum
Size (H x W x L) 5.2” x 6.5” x 23.5” (13.2cm x 16.5cm x
59.7cm)
Weight 27 lbs. (12 kg)
Power Supply
Output 48 VDC, 600 watts maximum
Input 100-240 VAC/50-60 Hz
Protection IP20C
Operating 5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F)
Temperature
Size (H x W x L) 4.18” x 7.3” x 13.5” (10.62cm x 18.54cm x
34.3cm)
Weight 12.3 lbs. (5.5 kg)
RS 232 Settings
Communications COM 1
Port
Baud Rate 9600
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow No flow control
SL078004enc 6/08 1–3

2.1 Environmental Operating Considerations
The performance of the SmartLase may be affected by
environmental conditions. In order to gain a sense of acceptable
operating range for particular environments, certain conditions must
be known:
1. Temperature of operating environment
2. Duty cycle of printing operation, defined as:
a. The number of prints per second
b. The amount of time it takes to print a particular legend
(print time)
The duty cycle may be calculated as follows:
Duty cycle % = (Print time in milliseconds)*(Prints per
second)/10
NOTES:
• To determine the print time of any given legend, enter the Check
Print (Demo) mode. This will provide you with general operating
limits for that legend as well as “Print Time,” in milliseconds. This
number is used in the Duty Cycle formula.
• To calculate temperature in degrees C from degrees F:
Degrees C = (Degrees F - 32) times 5 divided by 9
Find your operating space on the chart below by going to the point
intersected by the operating temperature with the duty cycle.
Figure 1–1
1–4 SL078004enc 6/08

Duty cycles above the effective duty cycle curve will cause
premature failure of the laser.
SL078004enc 6/08 1–5

3 Dimensional Drawings
SmartLase 130i
1–6 SL078004enc 6/08

4 Contacting Markem-Imaje
As mentioned in Section 1, paragraph 1.2 (Contacting Markem-
Imaje), Markem-Imaje offers:
• Online Service and Support: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• myMARKEM Website: www.MARKEM.com

Markem-Imaje's website (myMARKEM) provides registered
customers with immediate electronic access to SmartLase
information.
4.1 Training Programs
See Section 2 (Safety), paragraph 8 (Training Programs) of this
guide for training information.
4.2 Reference List
The information on your printer packaging slips can be written below

for reference. When contacting Markem-Imaje, please give your
Printer Model, Serial Number and Customer Account Number.
SmartLase® Printer Model: ___________________________
Serial Number: ____________________________________
Customer Account Number: __________________________
Date Installed: ____________________________________
Other Information: _________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
4.3 Ordering Optional Equipment
Table 1–2
Item Part Number

Laser Safety Glasses (1 pr.) 0958902
Fiber Optic Sensor, Break Beam SL020041
Fiber Optic Sensor, Bifurcated SL020029
Registration Pigtail Cable SL560354
Color Logic Sensor SL020022
SL078004enc 6/08 1–7

Table 1–2
Item Part Number

Optical Encoder Kit 10012477
Signal Tower Assembly SL560425
Signal Tower Cable SL560365
Floor Stands
SmartLase Lead Screw Stand Top 0829132
Horizontal Lead Screw Option 0829137
SmartLase Stand Base with Casters 0829133
Guarding
Conveyor Guard Installation Kit - Side 0828797-VAR
Conveyor Guard Installation Kit - Top 0828801-VAR
Bracket Options
Label Bracket with Guard 0828779
Safety Interlock
Remote Interlock Pigtail Cable SL560355
Recommended Spare Parts
Fuse 6.3A, CE, 5 mm X 20 mm SL310007
Fuse, ceramic, 15 Amp, 250 Volt SL310008
Nozzle Assembly with Lens SL500112
Service Replacement Parts
Power Cable, 10 ft (3m), IEC SL421000
User Interface UI-200 - U.S. SL020120-1
User Interface UI-200 - China SL020120-2
User Interface UI-200 - European SL020120-3
User Interface UI-200 - Cyrillic SL020120-4
User Interface UI-200 - Arabic SL020120-5
Programming Adapter, RJ11 to DB-9 SL391004
SmartLase Data Cable SL560361
1–8 SL078004enc 6/08

Table 1–2
Item Part Number

Remote Interlock Pigtail Cable SL560355
SL078004enc 6/08 1–9

1–10 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 2
Safety Information
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 2 Safety Information
1 Definitions
Applicable safety information depends on options installed and

system configuration.
DANGER:
Danger is used to indicate an imminently hazardous situation

which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING:
Warning is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation

which, if not avoided, may result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION:
Caution is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation

which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–1

2 Certification
2.1 CDRH Requirements and Safety Features
SmartLase lasers are designed to comply with requirements

imposed by the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968.
Under this Act, the Food and Drug Administration issued a
performance standard for laser products, 21 CFR 1040.10 and
1040.11. This performance standard was developed to protect
public health and safety by imposing requirements upon
manufacturers of laser products to provide indication of the
presence of laser radiation, by providing the user with certain means
to control radiation, and by assuring adequate warnings to all
personnel of the potential hazard, through use of product labels and
instructions.
Federal regulations require that all laser products manufactured on

or after August 2, 1976, be certified as complying with the
performance standard. The manufacturer must demonstrate the
product’s compliance with the standard prior to certification or
introduction into commerce by furnishing to the Center for Devices
and Radiological Health (CDRH) reports pertaining to the radiation
safety of the product and the associated quality control program.
Failure to provide the required reports or product certification is a
violation of Section 360B of the Radiation Control and Health and
Safety Act of 1968.
Product features incorporated into the design of the SmartLase

lasers comply with CDRH safety and are integrated as panel
controls or indicators, internal circuit elements, or input/output signal
interfaces installed on the rear panel of the laser. Specifically, these
features include a keyswitch, remote interlock for power on/off, a
laser aperture shutter switch, an over-temperature condition and a
7-second delay between power on and lasing. Incorporation of
certain features is dependent on the laser version.
To prevent exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation, follow all

safety precautions specified throughout this guide.
In addition to the above described safety features, common safe

operating practices should be exercised at all times when actively
lasing. Use of controls or adjustments other than those specified
herein may result in exposure to hazardous invisible laser radiation.
Damage to or malfunction of the laser may also occur. Severe
burns will result from exposure to the laser beam. Always wear
laser safety glasses with side shields to reduce the risk of damage
2–2 SL078004enc 6/08

to the eyes when operating the laser without proper guarding
installed.
Safe operation of the laser requires the use of an external beam

block to safely block the laser from traveling beyond the
desired marking area. Use a firebrick or similar non-scattering,
non-combustible material as the beam block. NEVER use
organic material or reflective metals as the beam blocker.
Organic materials, in general, may combust or melt, and metals
may act as specular reflectors.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–3

3 Warning Label Description
The warning labels located on the SmartLase Model 130i are as

follows. Refer to Figure 2-1 in paragraph 4.0 (Warning Label
Location) for the placement/location of these labels.
Warning Label 1 - International hazard symbol that warns of laser

radiation:
Warning Label 2 - Explanatory laser radiation warning:
Warning Label 3 - Laser shutter position indicator:
2–4 SL078004enc 6/08

Warning Label 4 - Identifies actual laser aperture:
Warning Label 5 - Markem-Imaje rating label. (This information is

necessary when corresponding with or communicating with
Markem-Imaje.)
Warning Label 6 - Electrical hazard warning risk of electrical shock.

Do not remove cover. No user-serviceable parts.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–5

Warning Label 7 - Aperture explanatory laser radiation warning:
Warning Label 8 - Options:
2–6 SL078004enc 6/08

4 Warning Label Location
The locations of warning and other important labels on the

SmartLase are as follows:
Figure 2- 1 SmartLase® 130i Warning Label Location

Top and Side Views
SL078004enc 6/08 2–7

5 Hazardous Conditions
Depending on the options installed and system configuration, the

following potentially hazardous conditions may exist. Be aware that
these conditions require special attention.
5.1 Laser Safety
Always observe the safety precautions and operating procedures

found in this guide when operating the SmartLase to prevent
possible injury from exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation.
5.1.1 Class 4 Lasers

WARNING: Never operate the SmartLase with the covers
removed. Safety interlocks must never be bypassed or
defeated.
The SmartLase is a class 4 laser. Class 4 lasers are those which

emit hazardous laser radiation when operated. The power level of a
class 4 laser is greater than 500 mW. Class 4 lasers may present a
serious fire, skin and eye hazard from both direct and indirect
exposure, including diffuse reflections.
5.1.2 Laser Safety Officer
SmartLase users should appoint a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) who

is thoroughly familiar with, and understands, the provisions outlined
in ANSI standards relating to laser users (Reference ANSI Z136.1).
The LSO has the responsibility and authority to monitor and enforce
the control of laser hazards. The LSO is also responsible for the
evaluation of laser hazards and the establishment of controls.
5.1.3 Laser Safety Officer Training
Training classes for Laser Safety Officers are available through the
Laser Institute of America. Contact them at:
Laser Institute of America
13501 Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128
Orlando, Florida 32826
Tel: (800) 345-2737;
Fax: (407) 380-5588
Web: www.laserinstitute.org
2–8 SL078004enc 6/08

5.2 Fire Safety
Class 4 lasers represent a possible fire hazard.
• The beam contains enough energy to ignite some materials.

• Never allow combustible materials to be exposed to the laser
beam for extended periods of time.
• Never expose flammable materials to the laser beam.
• The area around the laser and laser beam must be kept clear of
flammable and combustible materials.
5.3 Eye and Skin Hazards
The SmartLase is a carbon dioxide laser that emits infrared laser

radiation at the wavelength of 9.2 - 10.6 microns. This radiation is
invisible to the human eye. Direct and diffuse laser radiation at this
wavelength can inflict severe injuries to the cornea of the eye and
cause burns to the skin.
Always wear laser protective eyewear when in the same area as the
exposed beam. Always keep exposed skin out of the path of the
direct or reflected radiation from the laser.
The nominal hazard zone for an unguarded SmartLase is a

minimum of 10 feet (3.05 m) from the focal point. Always observe
these precautions when within the nominal hazard zone of the laser.
Never look directly at an exposed laser beam. Laser protective

eyewear may not provide adequate protection from exposure to the
direct beam or from a specular reflection.
Ceramic materials, including anodized aluminum, will create

hazardous visible collateral radiation when printed with a laser. Do
not attempt to print such materials unless the print area is
completely shielded by opaque materials. If you have any questions
or concerns, please contact a Markem-Imaje sales representative.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–9

5.4 Electrical Safety
Hazardous voltages and currents are present in electrical

components utilized in the operation of the SmartLase.
WARNING: Never remove any cover on the SmartLase. There

are no user serviceable parts within the unit. Refer all service
requirements not referenced in this guide to a Markem-Imaje
service representative.
5.5 Fume, Vapor and Particulate Emissions
Lasers can generate fumes, vapors and particles that may be

noxious, toxic or even fatal. The fumes, vapors or particles must be
identified and the hazards evaluated. It is recommended that
ventilation be installed to prevent exposure to hazardous
substances and contamination of the laser optics. Contact a
Markem-Imaje sales or service representative for further
information.
Information concerning the exposure levels for hazardous materials

can be found in the OSHA regulations, 29CFR1910.1000 subpart Z.
Additional information is available from the American Conference of
Government and Industrial Hygienists and the American Industrial
Hygiene Association.
5.6 Regulatory Requirements
The SmartLase complies with the requirements of 21CFR1040.10

and 21CFR1040.11 administered by the Center for Device and
Radiological Health (CDRH), a part of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
It is recommended that users of the SmartLase be familiar with

ANSI standard Z136.1 or IEC 60825-1 depending upon their
location. The SmartLase should be installed in accordance with
requirements including, but not limited to, IEC 60825-1, IEC 60825-
4, and IEC 61010-1 where applicable. Users should check with state
and local officials to determine if there are any additional
requirements.
5.7 Guarding
While the SmartLase has been designed with many important safety
features, it is intended only for use in production environments that
are equipped with properly interlocked guarding assemblies.
2–10 SL078004enc 6/08

Markem-Imaje offers conveyor guarding kits as optional equipment
that can provide both side and top protection.
As part of the installation process, make sure that appropriate

guarding is provided and correctly installed. Before operating the
SmartLase, be sure that the guarding is in place and is properly
interlocked.
5.8 OEM Applications
OEM applications must meet certain regulatory requirements.

Check with your Markem-Imaje sales or service representative for
further information.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–11

6 Foreseen Use/misuse
The SmartLase is a Class 4 laser product. Be sure to read all safety
information in the Safety Section before operating this equipment.
Using the SmartLase in any manner other than its intended use is
considered a misuse, and information contained in this guide would
not be applicable. Consult your Markem-Imaje representative before
using the SmartLase for anything other than the foreseen use.
The SmartLase is not to be used other than as advised in this guide.
Misuse of this equipment may be hazardous.
Misuses include, but are not limited to:

• Operating a system that is incomplete, unserviceable, or has
been modified without authorization.
• Failing to observe hazard levels in the guides and on the safety
labels
• Operating a system with interlocks defeated.
• Combining or interfacing non-Markem-Imaje equipment with this
system, other than as Markem-Imaje intended.
2–12 SL078004enc 6/08

7 Alarm and Fault Indicators
To aid safe and productive operation, the SmartLase user interface
announces a variety of alarm and fault conditions by means of
popup screens. The screens display a characteristic icon together
with a button for clearing away the screen. Pressing the ? key
(located in the lower left corner of the keyboard), while the alarm or
fault is displayed, will bring up a textual description of the alarm or
fault condition. The icons are listed below together with their
descriptions:
7.1 Alarm Conditions
Icon Alarm Type Description/Solution
Laser Laser tube is above temperature

overheating threshhold. Check for adequate
ventilation and proper fan function.
Case Laser housing is above temperature

overheating threshold. Check for adequate
ventilation and proper fan function.
Laser off with The laser was not on for the entire
print time during which a print occurred.
Too many More than the maximum of allowable

trigger queued trigger signals have
signals accumulated. Possible causes
include:
• product packages too close
together
• optical trigger is too far from
nozzle
• trigger distance is too large
• conveyor is moving too fast
You must clear this alarm. It will

appear only once even if the
prompting condition occurs more than
once. The alarm will never appear if
the check sensor is turned off.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–13

Optical Either the optical sensor or the

trigger error encoder is not connected to the back
panel.
Tried to enter This action is not allowed. You must

Run mode clear this alarm.
while in
Tuning mode
Tried to enter This action is not allowed. You must
Tuning mode clear this alarm.
while in
Run mode
Tried to edit This action is not allowed. You must
a User clear this alarm.
Variable
while in Run
mode
Tried to enter This action is only possible from the
Demo mode Edit screen when trying to do an edit
while in print. You must clear this alarm.
Run mode
Attempted The laser is not ready to fire at this
Demo print time. You must wait seven seconds
during while the laser energizes. You must
seven- clear this alarm.
second delay
Insufficient The target packages are spaced too
product closely together, or the conveyor is
spacing moving too fast. A target package has
tripped the trigger sensor and moved
into the aperture for printing. However,
the laser has not yet finished printing
the preceding package.

2–14 SL078004enc 6/08


Too many Triggers are occurring too often in a
triggers static print application. A print was
triggered to occur while the laser is
currently printing. The trigger signal is
then ignored.

Laser Laser tube is in a 10-second interval
regenerating where it is trying to regenerate itself.
(30 Watt only) You must clear this alarm.
Different You cannot select a new job to print in

velocity Run mode if it has a different velocity
modes mode than the job that is currently
printing. You must clear this alarm.
Sequence A sequence number field in the current
rollover active job has either rolled over or
rolled under.
Exceeded The laser has printed more than the

print allocated number of allowed prints.
allocation
Too many The activated job contains too many

columns of columns of text, and it cannot be
text printed. Reduce the number of
columns.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–15

7.2 Fault Conditions
Icon Fault Type Description/Solution
Laser over Laser has exceeded its maximum

temperature threshold temperature.
Case over Laser housing has exceeded its

temperature maximum threshold temperature.
Laser Laser is reporting an error with its

voltage/RF internal RF circuitry, or voltage levels
are incorrect relative to the laser.
Laser Slide shutter switch, located on the top

shutter of the unit, to the “on” position as
closed indicated by the shutter label.
X motor error X motor driver is reporting an error.
Y motor error Y motor driver is reporting an error.
Both motor Both axis drivers are reporting errors.

error
Laser Caused by closed shutter or electrical

shutter noise.
electrical
error
Laser boot Appears when:
time-out • Laser cannot energize
• During boot up laser times-out
• Shutter is closed while booting
• Power signal is missing.
Laser ready Laser top cover LED is disconnected
LEDs or burned out.
2–16 SL078004enc 6/08

Icon Fault Type Description/Solution
Remote Remote interlock for emission guard is

interlock activated. Make sure emission guard
open is properly closed. If this error
message cannot be cleared, contact
a Markem-Imaje technical
representative.
Electrical Fault is caused by ineffectively
error filtered electrical noise; laser has shut
off for unknown cause.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–17

8 Training Programs
Operators or service personnel are considered “qualified” when they
have gained, through training and experience, an understanding of
safe and correct methods of operation, maintenance, or repair.
Markem-Imaje conducts training programs for operators and service
personnel. In addition to ongoing courses on current machine
models, customers are encouraged to inquire about any training
need.
Class 4 laser training includes, but is not limited to:
• Familiarization with system operating procedures
• The proper use of hazard control procedures, warning signs
and labels
• The need for personal protection, eye wear and clothing
2–18 SL078004enc 6/08

9 Removal from Service
Follow these instructions to remove the SmartLase 130i from
service. These instructions also pertain to transporting or storing the
coder.
1. Turn off all power.
2. Turn off the key switch and remove the key.
3. Remove the AC power cord from the electrical source.
4. Disconnect all power from the coder.
5. Disconnect all cables and/or connections if applicable.
6. Move the SmartLase 130i to the desired location, and package
the coder, key, cables, and any associated parts in the original
shipping container with shock absorbing packaging material.
7. Package guides and documentation with this coder if necessary.
SL078004enc 6/08 2–19

2–20 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 3
Machine Description - Overview
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 3 Machine Description - Overview
1 Machine Description - Overview
1.1 Printing Device
The SmartLase printing device contains an air cooled RF excited
CO2 laser. The laser incorporates the latest technology in sealed
carbon dioxide devices, combining the best features of both
waveguide and free space CO2 laser technology, ruggedness,
stable optical support, and small size. Its larger bore (4.8 mm)
eliminates the high optical power density of waveguide lasers with
their predisposition to optical degradation, and it incorporates the
mode purity and easy optical alignment of free space TEMoo lasers.
The printer emits a laser beam with a wavelength of 9.2 --10.6 µm.
1.2 User Interface
The user interface device has a status/input display window and a
touch pad equipped with soft-touch tactile buttons. The touchpad
buttons include a numeric keypad, a QWERTY keyboard, and many
navigation and selection buttons. Start-up procedures, system
verifications, and changes are all made using this device.
1.2.1 Operational and Programming Modes
• Run/select Jobs
• File Management
• System Setup
• Check Print (Demo)
1.2.2 Menu Trees
Refer to Section 8 of this guide for SmartLase 130i menu trees.
1.3 Warnings and Indications
• CAUTION - Use of controls or adjustments or performance
of procedures other than those specified herein may result
in hazardous radiation exposure.
• Use of the device or performance of procedures other than those
specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
• All warnings and precautions stated in the SmartLase 130i
Operation Guide (SL076017) for the SmartLase laser printing
system must be observed when using this device.
• Ensure that all personnel in the product coding area have been
provided with wavelength specific eye protection. Refer to the
labeling and guides of the SmartLase system for indications
regarding specific wavelength and power.
SL078004enc 6/08 3–1

SECTION 3 Machine Description - Overview
• Never discharge a laser without a target to absorb it or without
knowledge of what lies distal to the target. Energy absorbing
material may be placed behind the target area.
• The use of flammable materials or oxidizing gases, such as
nitrous oxide or oxygen, should be avoided. Some materials,
when saturated with oxygen, may ignite by the high
temperatures produced during the normal use of laser
equipment. Laser energy can penetrate a thin or transparent
surface and ignite any underlying flammable material.
• Solvents and flammable solutions should not be present when
the laser is used.
• The SmartLase laser printer should be placed in the Stop mode
whenever coding has been interrupted. Preventive measures
discouraging unqualified use of the SmartLase system should be
taken.
• The lowest possible power settings required to achieve the
desired printing effect should be used.
CAUTION: Any disassembly of screws, covers, optics, cables,

or any other hardware will endanger the operator and void all
warranties. Only the manufacturer or an approved
representative should perform all service other than general
cleaning and inspection covered in this guide.
3–2 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 4
Installing the Hardware
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 4 Installing the Hardware
1 Unpacking and Initial Inspection
NOTE: Initial installation should be performed by a factory
technician.
1. Unpack the SmartLase carefully. Do not discard custom
cushioning and packing materials. They will be required if the
unit is ever returned to Markem-Imaje for service.
2. Refer to the packing list enclosed with the SmartLase. Verify that
all items listed have been received.
3. Inspect the outer case of the SmartLase and the User Interface
for any visible signs of shipping damage.
4. Verify that all external labels and placards are attached to the
housing. For more complete label information, refer to Section 2
(Safety Information), paragraph 4 (Warning Label Location),
of this guide.
SL078004enc 6/08 4–1

2 Connections
NOTE: Do not connect or disconnect any connectors while
SmartLase is powered on.
1. Connect the User Interface (UI200) by inserting the 9-pin

connector in the socket labeled “remote” (e) at the rear of the
SmartLase.
2. Connect the emission shield interlock shunt connector (c).
3. Connect the trigger sensors to the 9-pin connector socket
labeled “CTRL IN” (f) at the rear of the SmartLase. (This step
may be delayed until final installation on the line; disconnect
power cord prior to connection.)
4. Connect the digital output device (optional) to the 9-pin
connector socket labeled “CTRL OUT” (g) at the rear of the
SmartLase. (Disconnect power cord prior to connection.)
5. Connect the system power cord into the power receptacle at the
rear of the power supply. Plug the power supply power cord into
the receptacle on the power supply unit and then into a 115/230
VAC outlet.
6. Activate the on/off switch (d).
Figure 4–1
2.1 Explanation of Controls and Connections
a. Laser - firing LED
b. Laser - ON LED
4–2 SL078004enc 6/08
c. Stby - (Remote Interlock) - provides for remote interlock capability
d. On/off Switch - used to power up or power down the SmartLase
e. Remote - provides connection for the User Interface (UI200)
f. CTRL IN - provides for trigger signal inputs (encoder and start
signal) and supplies +12.5 volts DC to the sensors
g. CTRL OUT - provides for RS 232 (standard) and 485/422
(optional) communication, output for the Laser On, Laser Ready,
and Error Signals; also supplied is +12.5 volts DC
h. 15A/250V Fuse
i. AC Power - AC power input, 115-230VAC, 50-60 Hz supply
voltage
SL078004enc 6/08 4–3

3 Pre-installation Equipment Test
Prior to installation on the production line, the SmartLase should be
tested to ensure that it is in good working order.
A brief overview of the test procedure is stated below. Please review
the instructions in Section 5 (Setup) of this guide before proceeding
with the test. The test should be performed using the factory
settings.
1. Press the on/off switch on the power supply.

2. Insert the key on the power supply and turn 1/4-turn clockwise.
3. Turn the system on, using the rocker switch located on the back
panel of the SmartLase (Figure 4-1).
4. Press the L key, and log into the system by entering your
password on the screen that appears.
NOTE: For more information about security passwords, see
Section 5 (Setup), paragraph 2.6 (Setting System Security)
of this guide.
5. Verify that the Home screen appears on the user interface
display. A test image should appear in the text display and the
“STOP” button red LED should be illuminated. The Home screen
icon should appear in the upper left corner of the display.
6. Icons (all four at security Level 3) should appear above the blue
arrow keys located just below the display.
7. Place a sample product in front of the nozzle, and press the F1
key just below the Run Job icon.

8. The Job List appears, which at this time only contains the job
named “Enjoy By.”
9. Select the Enjoy By job.
10. Press F1 (below OK) to confirm your selection.
The Enjoy By legend appears in the editing panel with its associated
job values below.
11. Press the F4 key just below the Check Print icon.
NOTE: The Check Print (Demo) screen should appear. This is
indicated by the appearance of the Check Print icon in the

upper left corner of the display.
4–4 SL078004enc 6/08

NOTE: If the seven-second delay feature is enabled, the yellow

LED will blink until the delay interval ends. When the LED is
steadily illuminated, the laser is fully charged for printing.
The User Interface will display a WYSIWYG representation of the

legend to be printed, together with status information, similar to the
following:
WARNING: The laser will fire in the next step. Be sure all safety
precautions listed in Section 2 (Safety) have been adhered to
before continuing.
12. Press the F4 key below the Print icon to mark the
sample product with the code.
NOTE: Each time the F4 key is pressed, the laser will again
mark the code. The value next to the Counter icon ( )
tracks the number of times the laser has fired. The number
increases by one each time the code is printed in Run, Demo,
or Edit modes.
If there are any problems with the test print, please contact your
local Markem-Imaje representative.
SL078004enc 6/08 4–5

4 Mounting Options
The SmartLase must be installed in a clean and dry environment
unless equipped with the optional washdown enclosure. Protection
for the standard enclosure is IP20C.
The SmartLase can be mounted on any axis. However, there must
be adequate smoke and air evacuation around the unit to ensure no
particulate matter collects on the optics.
CAUTION: When installing the lead screw laser stand, if the

stand is to be permanently bolted to the floor, it is critical that
the laser be positioned perpendicular to the product flow +/- 3°.
4–6 SL078004enc 6/08

5 Installing External Input Signal Devices (Optional)
5.1 Installing an External Encoder (Optional)
This procedure describes how to install an external encoder for most
conveyor systems.
NOTE: Make sure laser power is off during this procedure.
1. Determine a location to mount the encoder within 13 feet

(3.96m) of the laser.
Figure 4–2
2. Remove the rubber cap (1, Fig. 4-2), and verify that the
set-screw (3, Fig. 4-2) in the spring adjustment collar is loose.
The pivot shaft (2, Fig. 4-2) should rotate easily by hand.
Figure 4–3
3. Install the threaded end of the pivot shaft (2, Fig. 4-2) through
either side of a typical mounting bracket (1, Fig. 4-3).
SL078004enc 6/08 4–7

NOTE: The mounting bracket is not supplied with the
encoder. The bracket is typically supplied by the user and
can be expected to vary from application to application.
The recommended hole diameter in the mounting bracket
should be just large enough for clearance of the 1/4" or
6mm pivot shaft and between .5" to 1.5" above the material
surface.
4. Install the washer and nut provided, and tighten by hand.
5. Hold one end of the pivot shaft with a 5/32" or 4mm hex “L” key
(4, Fig. 4-2) while securely tightening the nut (2, Fig. 4-3). At this
point, the encoder housing assembly should rotate easily around
the pivot shaft.
6. Rotate the housing so the measuring wheel contacts the surface
to be measured.
7. Insert the 3/32" hex L key into the setscrew on the spring
adjustment collar.
Figure 4–4
8. Using the hex key arm for leverage, rotate the collar around the
pivot shaft in the direction necessary to increase the spring force
that holds the measuring wheel against the surface to be
measured (1, Fig. 4-4).
9. While maintaining pressure, tighten the setscrew very securely
to avoid loss of spring pressure. (A torque of 15-18 in-lbs is
recommended; however a torque wrench is not required as long
as the setscrew is tight.)
NOTE: The spring adjustment collar should not be
rotated so far that it bottoms out against the internal stop
or the encoder will not have sufficient travel to
accommodate variations in the surface height of the
material being measured. For most applications, the
spring setting in its mid range (about 2 pounds) is
satisfactory. The spring force can be checked by
carefully lifting up on the wheel. You should be able to
4–8 SL078004enc 6/08
lift the wheel 1/8" to 1/4" off the surface being measured.
If not, repeat Steps 6 and 7.
10. Plug the encoder cable into the "CTRL IN" connector on the rear
panel of the SmartLase, being sure to route the cable away from
sources of electrical noise that could interfere with encoder
signals.
CAUTION: Use cable ties to place all encoder cables safely

out of the operator’s way.
11. Enter the correct encoder values into the SmartLase with the
handheld User Interface. (Refer to Section 5, Setup, of this
guide). The encoder wheel is 2.13" (5.41cm) in diameter. The
encoder measures 500 counts per revolution.
5.1.1 Using Both an Encoder and a Trigger Sensor

You can plug the cable from an encoder or a trigger sensor directly
into the "CTRL IN" connector on the rear panel of the SmartLase.
However, if you want to use both an encoder and a trigger sensor,
you need to use the Y-cable illustrated below (Figure 4-5):
Figure 4–5
The cable (SL560317) terminates at the CTRL IN connector and
divides into two identically wired connectors that can
interchangeably receive either the encoder cable or the cable from
the trigger sensor.
5.1.2 Packaging Films

If it is not possible to mount the encoder drive wheel directly on the
packaging film, it can be mounted to ride on a web roller driven by
the packaging film. Choose a web roller where the packaging film
makes at least a 90° angle wrap.
SL078004enc 6/08 4–9

NOTE: If the laser is mounted after a dancer arm, mount the
encoder after the dancer arm also. If the laser is mounted
before the dancer arm, mount the encoder before the dancer
arm.
NOTE: As you install the encoder, its drive wheel

(1, Figure 4-6) must be spring-loaded against the drive
web roller (2, Figure 4-6).
Figure 4–6
5.2 Installing Package Sensors (Optional)
If fixed spacing is not suitable for start signals in your application,
you may use one of the following options:
• Photo Sensors
Break Beam Configuration
Bifurcated Fiber Optic Sensor
Multicolor Film Sensor
• Input Signal Cable (Registration Pigtail Cable SL560354)

For Solid-state Input
For Dry Contact Closure Input
5.2.1 Fiber Optic Photo Sensors

Photo sensors are mounted before the laser and can be adjusted to
send the signal upon detecting the leading edge or trailing edge of
the product. For best code registration, mount the sensor close to
the laser and in a location that will minimize excessive movement
4–10 SL078004enc 6/08

and vibration. Make sure background objects are as far behind the
sensing point as possible.
NOTE: Do not power on the laser.
1. Although the bifurcated (Figure 4-7) and break beam

(Figure 4-8) sensors utilize the same sensor body, their fiber
optic cables differentiate them. The maximum sense distance is
150mm (5.9") for the bifurcated fiber optic cable and 1m (39.4")
for the break beam fiber optic cable.
Figure 4–7
Figure 4–8
2. Remove the protective caps from fiber optic cable ends and slide
the provided o-rings (1, Figure 4-9) over the ends up to the
shoulder. Insert the fiber optic cable ends into the sensor body
SL078004enc 6/08 4–11

and lock them in place by sliding the key (2, Figure 4-9) into the
slot and engaging the cables’ grooves (3, Figure 4-9). Ensure
that the key is locked in position.
Figure 4–9
3. Slide the cable end through the clearance hole in the mounting
bracket (1, Figure 4-8) and lock it in place with the jam nuts.
Mount the bracket so the cable end is within the sense range of
the product without interfering with the product flow. The bracket
can be bent to suit some applications.
4. Attach the sensor body to the sensor mount (2, Figure 4-8) and
then securely fasten the sensor mount in a desired location. Plug
the sensor cable connector into the connector on the rear panel
of the SmartLase labeled "CTRL IN" or into the available end of
the Y-cable (SL560317) connector if being used in conjunction
with an encoder.

5. Power the laser on to "teach" the sensor. Place the product in
front of the sensor in its normal position and press and hold the
white button (4, Figure 4-9) on the back of the sensor until the
indicator light (5, Figure 4-9) turns on. This setting will provide a
gain sensitivity of three times the required signal input. If there is
false triggering from excess background interference, place the
product in front of the sensor in its normal position and press and
hold the white button until the indicator light begins to blink. This
setting will reduce the excess gain to the minimum value.
4–12 SL078004enc 6/08

5.2.2 Multicolor Film Sensor
The same mounting considerations with regard to position and
location of the fiber optic photo sensors should be applied to the
multicolor film sensor. Consideration should also be given to the
amount of movement of the packaging film. The sensor should be
mounted in an area with as little flutter as possible, preferably where
a roller or platen backs up the film. The sensor should be mounted
where its controls are visible and accessible.
NOTE: Do not power on the laser.

1. Read the included manufacturer’s instructions prior to mounting
the sensor.
2. Assess the mounting location of the sensor and fabricate a
bracket to suit. (A bracket has not been supplied.) Mount the
sensor to the bracket.
3. Plug one end of the sensor cable to the sensor and the other end
into the connector on the rear panel of the SmartLase labeled
"CTRL IN" or plug it into the available end of the Y-cable
(SL560317) connector if it is being used in conjunction with an
encoder.

4. Refer to the manufacturer’s instruction documentation for sensor
operating modes and function.
SL078004enc 6/08 4–13

6 Installing Exhaust Evacuation (Optional)
The interaction of laser energy with various types of target materials
can generate gaseous or particulate airborne contaminants. These
contaminants can be of varying levels of toxicity, and it is therefore
highly recommended that they are properly filtered and vented away
from work areas. Commercially available fume extraction devices
trap contaminants in filters made of carbon and other media. Filter
replacement frequency will vary with the application and material
lased.
Fume extraction units typically include feedback systems that

monitor important performance factors such as particle counts, gas
concentrations, and filter saturation. These devices are typically
designed to not circulate air during equipment malfunction.
Organizations should train employees in the proper use and

operation of fume extraction systems. Air quality monitoring should
be performed on a routine basis to ensure safety of personnel.
Markem-Imaje can recommend appropriate fume extraction

equipment for your application. For more information, contact your
local Markem-Imaje sales representative.
4–14 SL078004enc 6/08

7 External Connection Reference
7.1 Digital Interface Connector (CTRL OUT)
Figure 4–10
Key to Above Diagram (Figure 4-10):
1) Laser On (current sinking 25 mA), Flag 1
2) RS 232TX (HTX)
3) RS 232RX (HRX)
4) Laser Ready (current sinking 25 mA), Flag 3
5) GND
6) RS 485/422 A (+) (not active)
7) RS 485/422 B (-) (not active)
8) Error (current sinking 25 mA), Flag 2
9) +12.5 Volts @ 200 mA.
NOTE:
“Laser On” is enabled when the laser is in the process of
lasing.
“Laser Ready” (“Flag 3”) is enabled when the laser tube is
energized and ready to fire. Laser ready is user selectable and
can be set to be active in either Run (Auto) mode only, or in
both Run and Demo (Manual) modes.
“Error” is enabled when any error is active.
“RS232” is straight serial.
SL078004enc 6/08 4–15

7.2 Trigger Connector (CTRL IN)
Figure 4–11
4–16 SL078004enc 6/08

7.3 User Connector (P1)
DB9-S (Female)
Figure 4–12
Key to Above Diagram (Figure 4-12):

1. Ground
2. URX+ User Receive (+)
3. URX- User Receive (-)
4. UIL
5. Ground
6. UTX+
7. UTX- User differential transmit, serial (+) comms (-)
8. VOUT (10 watt = 30 VDC; 30 watt = 24-27 VDC)
9. Not used
SL078004enc 6/08 4–17

4–18 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5
Setup
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 5 Setup
1 Adjusting the SmartLase to the Product Presentation
Software controls let you adjust the laser to any of the ways that
automated machinery presents products for coding. These controls
give the SmartLase great flexibility regarding mounting options.
Adjusting the machine for a given presentation requires setting
control values related to two important attributes — direction and
speed.
1.1 Direction
The direction settings specify how the machine “sees” the products
as they move past the laser aperture. Most typically, conveyors
present products in a left or right flow across the aperture, while web
and film applications move in an up or down orientation. The
SmartLase lets you account for this hardware orientation by
selecting the appropriate degree of rotation:
Once a product flow direction is established, you can further rotate

the printed appearance of the legend on the target package.
The examples above illustrate specifying direction in basic 90°

increments. However, beyond simple left/right and up/down
orientations, the SmartLase controls let you specify any values
between 0° and 359°, with a precision to hundredths (0.01) of a
degree.
This flexibility lets you fine tune your setup, providing several
important benefits. You can:
• Print legends at angles
SL078004enc 6/08 5–1

SECTION 5 Setup
• Correct for mountings that are not precisely level
• Adjust for conveyors intentionally operated at an incline
• Adapt quickly to a new machine mounting configuration.
1.2 Speed
Regarding product line speed, the important control consideration is
whether the speed is variable or constant. On product lines with
varying speed, the SmartLase tracks incoming product position
through the use of an encoder. The setup process requires you to
enter encoder-related variables such as wheel diameter and pulse
counts per revolution.
In most typical conveyor applications, the encoder is used in

conjunction with an optical sensor. The sensor provides a trigger
signal, while the encoder pulse count tracks the position of the
product. You supply the trigger distance value as part of the job file.
In printing code continuously on rolled film material, an encoder
pulse count interval alone can provide the proper triggering time.
Where line speed is constant, an optical sensor alone is sufficient to

continuously trigger the laser. The SmartLase can also operate in a
Static mode where the target product is effectively stationary in front
of the aperture. Here the logical line speed is zero. Static mode is
used where an index table repeatedly positions products in front of
the aperture by momentarily stopping during the printing interval. In
these applications it may be necessary to provide the SmartLase
with a settle time value that delays the laser firing until the target
has become fully stopped. Static mode is also used where bottles
on a turntable receive a counter rotation that presents them as
essentially still in front of the aperture.
5–2 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2 Specifying Machine Setup Parameters
The machine setup parameters let you control how the SmartLase
interacts with its automated production environment. It lets you
specify the direction and speed by which products pass before the
laser nozzle, the input signals that trigger the laser, the attributes of
the optics, the timing, and so on. The machine setup parameters
also let you establish the system clock and security configuration.
NOTE: You cannot change setup parameters while the

SmartLase is in Run mode. Attempting to do so displays a
popup screen that notifies you that the update did not occur.
NOTE: To access the machine Setup parameters, you must first

log into the system, using a Level 3 security password. For
more information about security passwords, see Section 5
(Setup), paragraph 2.7 (Setting System Security) of this
guide.
To access the machine setup parameters:
1. From the Home screen, press the machine setup function key.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–3

SECTION 5 Setup
The Machine Setup screen appears.
2. Use the function keys to select one of the following areas

of machine setup:
Icon Function
Accesses the laser setup parameters
Displays a popup screen that lets you set the

date and time of the system clock - See
Section 5 (Setup), paragraph 2.6 (Setting
the System Clock) of this guide.
Use to set multi-level passwords for system
security - See Section 5 (Setup),
paragraph 2.7 (Setting System Security) of
this guide.
Lets you specify when the laser ready output

signal (“flag 3”) on the back panel is asserted.
The signal is used on a light tower or other
device in either Run and Demo mode or Run
mode alone. See Section 5 (Setup),
paragraph 2.8 (Setting Signal Tower
Operating Mode) of this guide.
5–4 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.1 Specifying Laser Setup
To access the laser setup parameters:

1. From the Machine Setup screen, press the laser setup function
key.
The Laser Setup screen appears.
Icon Function
Load setup data from a file.
Save setup data to a file.
2. Use the function keys to select one of the following areas

of machine setup.
Icon Function
Set encoder parameters: wheel diameter, pulses

per revolution, and encoder divider.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–5

SECTION 5 Setup
Icon Function
Enables fixed speed application printing that

does not utilize encoder input; line velocity is set
in meters per minute
Set laser seven-second delay and auto-recover

parameters.
Access advanced laser parameters: dynamic

direction, velocity and image rotation, and settle
time.
2.2 Setting Encoder Parameters

On the Machine Setup screen, selecting the Encoder icon displays
the encoder popup screen.
The encoder popup displays three icons that access specific areas
of encoder control:
Icon Function
Specify the diameter of the encoder wheel.

(Factory default = 5.41 cm (2.12"). Also view the
trigger state, encoder pulse count, and line
speed.
Specify the number of encoder pulses per
revolution. (Factory default = 500 pulses per
revolution.)
5–6 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
Icon Function
Set the value for the encoder divider. (Factory

default value = 1.)
2.2.1 Specifying the Encoder Diameter/viewing Settings

The encoder diameter popup presents a type-in field for specifying
the diameter of the encoder wheel. The screen also displays
current pulse time value and trigger status.
Velocity mode determines the value displayed for line speed. The
value will be zero when the current running job has a velocity mode
of Static or Constant. The encoder supplies the value when the
running job is in Encoder mode. The encoder also supplies the line
speed value when the current job is off-line (red Stop button is
pressed).
2.2.2 Specifying the Pulse Count

The pulse count popup presents a type-in field that lets you specify
a value for encoder pulses per revolution, if you substitute a non-
standard encoder or need to make fine adjustments from the default
value of 500.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–7

SECTION 5 Setup
2.2.3 Using the Encoder Divider
The encoder divider lets you maintain an accurate pulse count as
conveyor speed increases or necessary dwell time decreases. The
divider popup lets you set the program to read every second, fourth,
or eighth pulse as needed to let the processor keep up with the
more rapidly incoming encoder data.
2.3 Setting Sensor Parameters

On the Machine Setup screen, selecting the Diffuse Beam icon
displays the sensor parameters popup:
5–8 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
The popup displays four icons that access specific areas of
sensor-related controls:
Icon Function
Enables or disables the Sensor Check photo eye

alarm. If enabled when entering Run mode, an
alarm reports that the optical cable is not
connected. Pressing F1 displays a popup
screen with two new icon buttons that let you
enable or disable the alarm:
F2 disables the alarm.
F3 enables the alarm.
This control also enables or disables the

following alarms:
• Insufficient Product Spacing

• Too Many Triggers
• Too Many Trigger Signals
Lets you enable or disable a seven-second

delay. As a safety feature, the SmartLase is
programmed to delay operation for seven
seconds when transitioning to run mode or when
an interlock fault has occurred and then been
cleared. The feature is enabled by default, but
you can also disable it. Pressing F2 displays a
popup screen with two new icon buttons that let
you specify the polarity:
F2 Specifies delay ON.
F3 Specifies delay OFF.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–9

SECTION 5 Setup
Icon Function
Auto-Recover — Lets you select individual

interlock errors for an automatic recovery to Run
mode, following correction of an error condition.
Use to specify trigger polarity, firing the laser at

either the leading or trailing edge of a target
package. Pressing the F4 key displays a popup
screen with two new icon buttons, that let you
specify the polarity:
F2 Specifies a positive going

signal.
F3 Specifies a negative going

signal.
2.3.1 Setting Fault Condition Auto-recovery

The SmartLase provides an auto-recovery capability that returns the
system to Run mode after a fault condition has been cleared.
Selecting the Auto-recover icon displays the popup shown below:
The far left column displays the current status (ON/OFF) of the
faults shown abbreviated in the next column. Pressing the F3 key
below the right pointing button displays a Continuation screen
showing the status of additional faults. Pressing the left pointing
button on the Continuation screen re-displays the original
screen.
5–10 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
The table below explains the abbreviations:
Abbreviation Icon Meaning
LOT Laser Over Temperature
COT Case Over Temperature
LV Laser Voltage
LS Laser Shutter
MX Motor X
MY Motor Y
BM Both X and Y Motors
LB Laser Boot Time-out
LR Laser Ready LED Error
RI Remote Interlock Open
EE Electrical Error
S/E Shutter/electrical Error
As the popup first appears, the topmost ON button is highlighted,

and the cursor is in traveling mode. Pressing the right arrow key
moves the cursor down through the list, switching between ON and
SL078004enc 6/08 5–11

SECTION 5 Setup
OFF buttons. The left arrow key moves the cursor back up the list.
Pressing the Select or Enter keys, while a button is highlighted,
selects that status, and the column at the left immediately displays
that selection.
NOTE: Automatic return to Run mode remains subject to the
current setting of the seven-second delay option. If the delay is
on, a SmartLase unit will pause for seven seconds before
returning to Run mode, even though the fault in question had
an autorecovery status of “On.”
2.4 Setting Directional Parameters

On the Machine Setup screen, selecting the Directional
Parameters icon displays its associated popup screen.
The directional parameters popup displays four icons that access

specific areas of direction control.
Icon Function
Dynamic Direction — Allows configuration of

the laser for use in a traversing system.
Image Rotation — Use to match the rotation of

the image to the orientation of the target print
surface.
Product Feed Direction — The product’s

orientation to the print aperture (velocity
rotation). Use to set the target print surface
angle of motion through the center of the print
aperture.
Settle Time — The amount of time to wait for the
product to settle before printing.
5–12 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.4.1 Enabling Dynamic Direction

The Dynamic Direction setting applies when the SmartLase is used
in a traversing system that moves the laser in a back and forth
motion, perpendicular to the product flow. The setting enables the
use of a second trigger distance value and a 180° reversed velocity
rotation value that together govern continuously reversing
mechanical motion. Dynamic Direction is used in conjunction with a
second trigger value. (See Section 6 (Programming the
SmartLase), paragraph 2.7.6 (Specifying Second Trigger
Distance) in this guide.)
Dynamic Direction requires a special Y cable (10030552),
connected to the CTRL IN of the laser. Traversing systems use an
external electrical signal to indicate the mechanical direction of the
laser. The Dynamic Direction feature allows for the coordination of
the output signal state to the direction of travel.
To enable Dynamic Direction:

1. On the Directional Parameters screen, press F1 beneath the
Dynamic Direction icon.
The Dynamic Direction popup appears with the current setting “checked.”
2. Select the desired Dynamic Direction option:
Dynamic direction disabled
SL078004enc 6/08 5–13

SECTION 5 Setup
Dynamic direction enabled - When the external

signal is “off,” the product feed direction is
unchanged. When the signal is “on,” the product
feed direction is rotated 180 degrees.
Dynamic direction reverse operation enabled -
When the external signal is “on,” the product feed
direction is unchanged. When the signal is “off,”
the product feed direction is rotated 180 degrees.
3. Select OK, or press Esc to return to the Directional Parameters

screen.
2.4.2 Specifying Image Rotation

Image rotation specifies the angle at which the actual legend prints
through the aperture. Use this setting to intentionally print at an
angle in alignment with a tilted target zone on a package, to rotate
the legend to a different orientation, or to compensate for conveyor
incline or misalignment.
To specify the image rotation:

1. Place a typical production run package in front of the nozzle at
the normal distance.
2. On the Directional Parameters screen, press the F2 key below
the Image Rotation icon.
The image rotation popup appears on the User Interface screen, displaying
the default or current degree setting along with the cursor in text entry mode.
Also, the SmartLase red diode aiming beam transforms into a box and arrow
5–14 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
shape that indicates the image rotation angle. The arrow indicates where the
top of the legend prints.
3. Use the right and left arrow keys to rotate the red indicator
arrow in15° increments per key press.
4. Use the up and down arrow keys to rotate the indicator arrow in
1° increments per key press, and to fine tune the rotation angle.
5. As needed, further fine tune the angle by typing in an exact
value, including tenths or hundredths of a degree.
6. When the top of the box is aligned with the target area, press the
Select key to save the setting.
7. Press F2 under the OK button to return to the Directional
Parameters screen.
2.4.3 Specifying Product Feed Direction (Velocity Rotation)

The product feed direction is described by the angle of its movement
past the aperture. This angle can be set in one degree increments
through a full 360° rotation. Use this feature to compensate for
installations on uneven flooring and conveyors that move at an
incline.
To specify the product feed direction:

1. Place a typical production run package in front of the nozzle at
the normal distance.
the Feed Direction icon.
The feed direction popup appears on the User
Interface screen, displaying the default or current
degree setting along with the cursor in text entry
mode.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–15

SECTION 5 Setup
Also, the SmartLase red diode aiming beam transforms into an arrow shape
that indicates the angle of the product feed direction.
3. Use the right and left arrow keys to rotate the red indicator
arrow in15° increments per key press.
4. Use the up and down arrow keys to rotate the indicator arrow in
1° increments per key press, and to fine tune the rotation angle.
5. As needed, further fine tune the angle by typing in an exact
value, including tenths or hundredths of a degree.
6. Press the Select key to save the setting.
7. Press F2 under the OK button to return to the Directional
Parameters screen.
2.4.4 Specifying Settle Time

As a conveyor moves forward and stops, positioning a product
target in front of the laser, there may be a slight delay needed to
allow it to become still enough to create a high quality print. Use this
setting to specify this time in milliseconds.
To specify settle time:

the Settle Time icon.
The settle time popup appears on the User Interface
screen, displaying the default or current time value along
with the cursor in text entry mode.
2. Enter a new value.
3. Press the Select key to confirm the setting
and exit to the previous screen.
5–16 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.4.5 Relating Setup Parameters to Velocity Mode
The table below indicates what setup parameters are used with
each velocity mode.
Velocity Modes
Setup Parameter Fixed

Constant
Encoder Trigger Static
Velocity
Spacing
Encoder Divider
X --- X ---
Trigger Polarity
X X --- X
Dynamic Direction
Enabled
X X --- ---
Dynamic Direction
Polarity
X X --- ---
Velocity Rotation
X X X ---
Settle Time
X X X X
Constant Velocity
Value (unit/min.)
--- X --- ---
SL078004enc 6/08 5–17

SECTION 5 Setup
2.5 Storing and Retrieving Setup Data
The two icons shown below that appear in the center of the laser
setup screen allow the user to store and retrieve the setup data.
and
Use the right and left arrow keys to navigate to the desired
operation and press the Select key.
Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate to the desired file,
and press the Select key to load the setup data from the file.
Enter the file name to store the data under.
5–18 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.6 Setting the System Clock
To set the system clock:

1. Starting from the Machine Setup screen, select the Clock icon
function key.
The Date/time popup window appears with the cursor positioned on the Hour
field at the top left.
2. Enter the correct time and date values, using the arrow
keys to advance through the fields and the Enter key to
confirm the values.
To set the hour value: To set the values for
minutes, seconds, or the
calendar date:
1. Type in replacement 1. Press the Select button
values. to change the cursor to
travel mode.
2. Press the Select button 2. Press the right arrow
to change the cursor to key to advance to the
traveling mode, or… field you want to change.
3. Press the OK function 3. Press the Select key to
key to confirm your enter edit mode.
settings and return to the
Machine Setup screen.
4. Type in replacement
values.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–19

SECTION 5 Setup
5. Press the Select button

to change the cursor to
traveling mode, or…
6. Press the OK function
key to confirm your
settings and return to the
Machine Setup screen.
4. Press the OK function key to confirm your settings and return to

the Machine Setup screen.
2.7 Setting System Security
For enhanced system security, the SmartLase 130i series lasers
give you multiple levels of password security and let you replace the
factory default passwords with your own. You can also specify a
startup security condition, locking the system to a minimal level or
defaulting to the last level used.
The 130i series lasers provide five distinct levels of password-
protected user access. Each level progressively adds new functions
to those enabled by the preceding level, displaying the associated
icons as the function keys become available. Designated 0 through
4, the levels build increasing functionality as described below:
Level 0 – Lets you simply login and stop the machine. Level 0
requires no password. The system defaults to level 0 when there is
no valid password logged in at boot-up.
Level 1 – Lets you also select a job to run in production and print it
in Demo mode
Level 2 – Adds the ability to create new and edit existing job files,
adjust encoder registration (R key), and reset counters (C key)
Level 3 – Adds access to system setup parameters
Level 4 – Adds access to factory setup parameters

NOTE: Password access to level 4 functionality is reserved to
authorized Markem-Imaje service personnel.
5–20 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.7.1 Factory Default Passwords
Your SmartLase comes with factory-assigned default passwords for
security levels 1, 2, and 3, as shown in the table below:
Security 0 1 2 3 4
Level
Factory None 111 1482 1143 Reserved for
Default Required authorized
Markem-Imaje
Password service
personnel
You can continue to use the default passwords or replace them with
site-specific versions as described below. You can also eliminate
the passwords entirely, using The SmartLase File Transfer Utility.
Contact your local Markem-Imaje representative for more
information.
To logon using security passwords:

1. From the Home screen, press the L key.
The Login screen appears, displaying a text entry cursor:.
2. Type in the password.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–21

SECTION 5 Setup
The entered characters appear as asterisks (*).
3. Press either the Select or Enter keys to validate the password.
If you enter an invalid password, question mark characters

(?) replace the asterisks. If you enter a valid password, the
Home screen replaces the Login screen.
NOTE: If you entered an invalid password, press the F1 key to

log out and return to security level 0.
2.7.2 Setting New Passwords

A user with Level 3 access privileges can assign new, site-specific
passwords for Levels 1, 2, and 3. Such users can specify
passwords from any combination of 1-10 alphanumeric characters.
NOTE: The passwords assigned to each level should be

unique. If you assign the same password to multiple levels, the
password will only work for the lowest level.
To change an existing password:
1. From the Level 3 Home screen, press the F3 key twice.
5–22 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
The first keystroke displays the Security Password icon; the second
displays the Password screen with a cursor at Level 1.
NOTE: If you need to change passwords for levels 2 or 3:
A. Press the Select key to put the cursor into traveling

mode.
B. Use the right arrow key to move to the level you
want.
C. Press the Select or Enter key to return the cursor
to text entry mode.
2. Type in the new password, and press the Select or Enter key.
The password characters appear as asterisks, and the cursor

changes to traveling mode.
3. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor beneath the
Verification icon and press the Select or Enter key to return the
cursor to text entry mode.
4. Retype the password in the verification column.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–23

SECTION 5 Setup
The password characters appear as pound signs (#).
5. Press the Select or Enter key to change the cursor into traveling
mode.
Each correctly repeated password character changes from a pound

sign (#) to an asterisk (*); each mismatched character appears as a
question mark (?).
6. As needed, fix any incorrect characters.
7. Repeat the procedure for each password you want to change,

and move the traveling cursor to the OK button.
8. Press the Select or Enter key to confirm your password

changes.
5–24 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.7.3 Setting Startup Security Level
If you have Level 3 access privileges, you can specify what security
level the system will use following startup. You can either lock the
system into using its minimal function, Level 0 default state, or you
can unlock it, to automatically reboot to the last level used. If you
tend to keep your system operating at a higher security level, this
feature can save the time you would spend reentering your
password each time you start up again.
To specify a startup security level:
1. From the Level 3 Home screen, press the F3 key twice.

The first keystroke displays the Security Password icon; the second
displays the Password screen.
2. Press the F1 key beneath the Locks icon.

The Security Level Lock screen appears with the locked
option icon highlighted and the cursor in traveling mode. The
Triple Caret icon indicates the currently selected option.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–25

SECTION 5 Setup
3. As needed, press the right or left arrow key to move the cursor
to the other option.
4. Press the Select or Enter key to confirm your choice.
Return to the Home screen. When you next display the screen, the Triple
Caret icon will appear next to the option you chose.
2.8 Setting Signal Tower Operating Mode

The SmartLase is frequently used in conjunction with a signal tower
that uses three lights to annunciate machine status. A white light
temporarily illuminates when the laser fires; an amber light signals a
fault condition; and a steadily illuminated blue light indicates the
normal laser ready state. The signal light function key displays a
popup screen with two mode options for the laser ready signal:
Function keys let you choose to annunciate the laser ready

condition in either Run mode or Run and Demo modes. The icon in
the center of the screen shows the currently selected mode option.
The pre-selected close box lets you exit the screen after you chose
your option.
Icon: Use to:
(F2) Use to specify that the laser ready

condition is annunciated in Run (Auto) mode
only. This is the default mode.
(F3) Use to specify that the laser ready

condition is annunciated in both Run (Auto) and
Demo (Manual) modes.
NOTE: The laser ready signal can be used with alternative

peripheral devices. Contact Markem-Imaje customer support
for more information.
5–26 SL078004enc 6/08
SECTION 5 Setup
2.9 Checking Parameter Status
After you complete the Smartlase setup, you can view a series of
screens that display the current active job parameter settings, as
well as values associated with some global setup parameters.
To view parameter status:
1. From the Home screen, press the P key.
The First Parameter screen appears, showing the status for laser power, dwell
time, velocity mode, trigger distance, and velocity rotation.
2. Press either F3 or F4 to view additional parameter status

screens.
Pressing either function key repeatedly cycles through the three

screens. The screens let you view the current settings for:
• Encoder divider
• Encoder pulses per revolution
• Encoder wheel diameter
• Velocity mode and rate
• Trigger polarity
• Dynamic Direction
• Settle time
SL078004enc 6/08 5–27

SECTION 5 Setup
• Image rotation
• Minimum product spacing
• Distance between each print
• Second trigger distance
• Multiple prints per trigger
2.10 Multiple Lasers Connected to a Single User Interface
The multi-drop feature allows as many as 14 lasers to be connected
to a single User Interface. This feature requires special cabling and
setup data loaded into each of the connected lasers.
The following procedure describes the process required for setting
up three lasers (Figure 5-1) for a multi-drop application.
Figure 5–1
Equipment Required
• One UI200
• Three lasers (currently no mixing of washdown and standard
lasers)
• Two multi-drop Y cables (10030552)
• One PC with SmartLase Series 1xxi File Transfer Utility V3.0 (or
higher) and UI programming cable
2.10.1 Create an IDList.did File
This file contains the ID number and the name for each laser in the
system. Using any PC text editor, such as Notepad, create a file with
5–28 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
the following information for each laser in the system:
ID#,LaserName. The ID# is the laser ID, and LaserName is the
name attached to that laser. ID# can be any number between 1
and 14.
NOTE: At least one of the ID#s must be 3. The Laser name
can be anything.
See Notes (paragraph 2.10.6, in this section) for constraints on

configuring your multi-drop network.
2.10.2 Configure the UI200 and the Lasers
In this step, the lasers and UI200 are loaded with the configuration
data. Refer to the SmartLase Series 1xxi File Transfer Utility
User Guide (10003905) for instructions on how to copy files.
First Laser
• Make sure the laser is turned off.
• Connect the UI200 to the laser.
• Connect the serial cable female DB9 to the computer’s COM
port.
• Connect the other side of the serial cable to the UI200.
• Turn on the laser.
• On the PC, use the SmartLase File Transfer Utility, and copy the
IDList.did file to both the UI200 and the laser.
• Login to the UI200 and create a database entry with an access
key of IDPoll and a value of 3.
On the UI200, press F2 (file icon), Select (edit database), F1
(new database entry); type IDPoll (case sensitive).
Press Select, down arrow, Select, type 3, Select, down

arrow, Select, Home.
• Turn off the laser, and disconnect the laser from the UI200.
Second Laser
• On the PC, use the Smartlase File Transfer Utility, and copy the
IDList.did file to the laser.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–29

SECTION 5 Setup

Third Laser
• On the PC, use the Smartlase File Transfer Utility, and copy the
IDList.did file to the laser.

NOTE: After adding the IDPoll database entry and cycling

power, the second and third lasers will no longer talk to a UI200
in a single-laser configuration. Upon power on, the UI200 will
only talk to a laser with an ID of 3. The default ID for a laser is 3.
To restore a laser configured for multi-drop operation to a
non-multi-drop configuration, see Notes (paragraph 2.10.6, in this
section).
2.10.3 Remove Termination Jumpers
WARNING: This step requires removing the motherboard from
the laser and should only be done by a trained technician.
The termination jumpers (shunts) JP6 and JP7 (Figure 5-2) on the
motherboard in the laser need to be removed from all of the lasers
except the last one in the series. In this example, the jumpers need
to be removed from the laser that will be connected to the UI (ID 3)
and the middle laser (ID 4).
5–30 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
Figure 5–2
2.10.4 Connect the Lasers
Follow these steps to connect the lasers (Figure 5-3):
1. Remove power and all cable from the lasers and the UI200.
2. Connect the first multi-drop Y cable to the first laser, ID 3.
3. Connect the UI male DB9 to the Y cable’s female DB9.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–31

SECTION 5 Setup
Figure 5–3
4. Connect the second multi-drop Y cable to the second laser
(Figure 5-4).
Figure 5–4
5–32 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
5. Connect the Y cable male DB9 to the second laser Y cable
female DB9 (Figure 5-5).
Figure 5–5
6. Connect the second laser Y cable male DB9 to the third laser’s
back panel (Figure 5-6).
Figure 5–6
7. Power up all the lasers.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–33

SECTION 5 Setup
2.10.5 Switching Between Lasers in the Network
From the Home screen, press M on the UI key pad, and the three
laser names will appear in a selection menu:
• Lane 1
• Lane 2
• Lane 3
Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the laser to talk to,
and press Select. The UI will switch communications to the
highlighted laser. While switching to the selected (highlighted) laser,
the following screen will appear:
When communications are established with the laser, the UI200 will
switch to the Home screen. If communications are not established,
this screen will remain active. When this condition occurs, pressing
Enter will cause the UI200 to return communications to the previous
laser.
2.10.6 Notes
• The UI200 always powers on while talking to ID 3 for the laser.
• The UI200 should be connected to the laser with ID 3.
• ID 3 is the default for all lasers.
• If the system contains 110i and 130i lasers, the UI must be
connected to a 130i.
• To return a laser to the default, non-multi-drop configuration,
connect the SmartLase File Transfer cable directly to the laser.
From the SmartLase File Transfer Utility menu, expand the My
Computer tab, click on Laser3, and delete the IDPoll.dbs entry.
5–34 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
2.11 Icon Reference Table
Icon Reference Table

Icon Purpose
Enables seven-second delay. As a safety

feature, the SmartLase is programmed to
delay operation for seven seconds when
transitioning to run mode or when an interlock
fault has occurred and then been cleared. The
feature is enabled by default, but you can also
disable it. (See below.) Selecting the icon
restores the feature after it has been disabled.
Disables the seven-second delay feature
Enables encoder input with trigger printing for

a variable speed application
Enables fixed speed application printing that

does not utilize encoder input; line velocity is
set in meters per minute
Enables static printing mode, disabling
velocity related inputs
Enables fixed space printing mode; enter

legend spacing in millimeters
Specify an encoder divide-by factor to adjust

the encoder pulse rate for best sensitivity;
choices are 1, 2, 4, or 8; factory default = 1.
SL078004enc 6/08 5–35

SECTION 5 Setup
Settle Time — The amount of time to wait for

the product to settle before printing
Image rotation — Use to match the rotation of

the image to the orientation of the target print
surface
Motion Correction Rotation (Velocity Rotation)

— Use to set the target print surface angle of
motion through the center of the print aperture
Auto-Recover — Lets you select individual

interlock errors for an automatic recovery to
Run mode, following correction of an error
condition
Encoder Diameter — Sets the diameter of the
encoder wheel
Encoder Pulses/revolution — Sets the

number of pulses per revolution of the
encoder
Dynamic Direction — Allows configuration of
laser for use in a traversing system
Enables or disables the Sensor Check; if

enabled when entering Run mode, an alarm
reports if the optical cable is not connected
Trigger Distance — Icon found in the screen
of trigger distance parameters; select this
Trigger Distance icon, press the Select key
to put the cursor in the traveling mode, and
move to the Product Sensing Feature icon.
Pressing the Select key to display the
Product Sensing Feature popup will then
show the currently selected state of the
option.
5–36 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 5 Setup
Setting Normal Print Trigger Distance — Sets

normal print trigger distance when you use a
photoeye sensor to trigger printing; value
specifies the space between the center of the
laser aperture and the center of the printed
legend at the moment the photoeye trigger
signal is made
Second Trigger Distance - Setting is for
traversing systems only
Setting Minimum Product Spacing —

Minimum value allows you to specify a
conveyor travel limit, following an initial trigger
sensor signal, that must be met before a
following signal can occur; value lets you
calibrate for electrical or sensor variables that
might prompt a spurious signal
Specifying Multiple Prints per Trigger —

SmartLase can be set up to print a legend
multiple times following a single trigger event;
you can print a repeating legend along the
length of the product that will continue to
identify the separate portions
Specifying Distance Between Each Print —
After specifying the number of prints, you
must also specify a value for the distance
between each print; this value is the distance
between the center of one printed legend to
the center of the next in the series; SmartLase
prints all subsequent legends at the center-to-
center interval specified as the distance
between prints
Trigger Sensor On — In the Product
Sensing Feature popup, which shows the
currently selected state of the option, use the
arrow keys to select this Enabled feature
icon
SL078004enc 6/08 5–37

SECTION 5 Setup
Trigger Sensor Off — In the Product

Sensing Feature popup, which shows the
currently selected state of the option, use the
arrow keys to select this Disabled feature
icon
5–38 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 6
Programming the SmartLase
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 6 Programming the SmartLase
1 Operating the SmartLase
This section describes daily operation of the installed equipment
and assumes that the factory installer or system administrator has
already programmed product specific job files into the unit.
This section explains how to:
• Start up the laser
• Adjust screen contrast
• Select a job file for printing
• Print a file in Production (Automatic) mode
• Print in Demo (Check Print) mode
• React in case of a problem.
NOTE: Paragraph 2 (Managing Job Files) of this section
contains detailed information and instructions on creating
new files and modifying existing ones.
1.1 Starting the Laser

To begin daily operation, power up the unit; the Start-up Laser
Waiting screen will appear. Then, log into the system.
To start the unit:

1. Press the on/off switch on the power supply, and verify that the
switch LED illuminates.
2. Insert the key (Figure 6-1, B), and turn the key-switch
1/4 turn clockwise on the power supply.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–1

Figure 6–1
3. Turn on the on/off switch (FIgure 6-2) on the back panel
of the laser.
Figure 6–2
6–2 SL078004enc 6/08

The green LED above the key-switch illuminates; the display panel on the
User Interface lights up; and the Home screen appears there. The SmartLase
fan motor starts, and the Home screen appears on the User Interface.
4. Press the L key.

The Password screen appears.
5. Enter your password, and press the Select or Enter key to

display the Home screen.
NOTE: For more information about security passwords, see
Section 5 (Setup), paragraph 2.7 (Setting System Security) in
this guide.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–3

1.2 Adjusting the Screen Contrast
You can adjust the appearance of the screen for best viewing at
your site. Used in combination with the Shift key, the up and down
compass arrow keys change the contrast as shown below:
1.3 Displaying the Software Version Level and Laser Statistics

The software that operates the SmartLase 130i is distributed in
distinct, controlled versions. The different versions are identified by
number. You can access a screen that displays the version number
of the currently running software.
NOTE: A separate instance of the software resides in both the
hand-held user interface and in the laser unit itself. Both the
user interface and the laser should have the same version of
the software.
At some time in your use of the SmartLase 130i, you may want to
upgrade to a newer version of the software, or you may need to
report the version level to Markem-Imaje customer service person-
nel. In either situation, you can learn about the version level from the
UI display.
To display the software version level:
1. Display the Home screen on the user interface.
2. Press the S key.
6–4 SL078004enc 6/08

A screen appears that displays the version number of the currently running
software in both the Laser (LSR) and the User Interface (UI).
1.3.1 Viewing Laser Statistics

The same S key screen also displays cumulative operational
statistics for the laser:
= The total cumulative hours that the laser is on
= The total number of times the laser has

discharged to print a legend
NOTE: While you can reset the total print counter for a given
job file, you cannot reset these laser counters. For more
information about job counters, see paragraph 2.5 (Resetting
Job Counters) in this section.
1.4 Getting Help
The SmartLase 100i series user interface is equipped with a Help
program to assist you as you use the system. The Help program
displays text panels that describe the functions available on the
current screen.
Access the help information through the yellow question mark key in
the lower left corner of the keyboard. When you press and hold the
Help key, and then press any of the numbered blue arrow keys, an
explanation of the icon appears in a popup panel. Holding down the
SL078004enc 6/08 6–5

question mark key also displays a similar panel for any currently
selected attribute icon.
1.5 Selecting a Job File for Printing

When you first start up the SmartLase and the Home screen
appears, the job file currently selected is the one last used to print.
Its legend appears in the center display area, and the job file is
ready to run. To select a different job file from among those
available, follow the procedure below.
To select a job file for printing:

1. On the Home screen, press the F1 key under the Run icon.
A list of job file names appears with one file already selected (indicated by the
reversed color). The currently selected file name appears at the top of the list.
2. Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through the list
to the name of job file you want to select.
3. Press the Select button.
6–6 SL078004enc 6/08

The Confirm screen appears, displaying the file name and legend text.
4. Press one of the function keys:
To confirm the file selection and

return to the Home screen with
the file ready to run
To cancel the current file

selection
To scroll the currently

displayed job backward
through the list of files
To scroll the currently
displayed job forward
through the list of files
1.6 Printing in Run (Automatic) Mode

When you have selected the appropriate job file, you can set it to
print automatically as triggered by sensor and/or encoder input.
To print in automatic mode:
1. Press the green Run button in the upper right corner of the User
Interface.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–7

The LED on the button illuminates and the Run mode icon appears at the top
right corner of the Display screen.
If the seven-second delay feature is enabled, the LED flashes during the delay
and illuminates steadily when the interval is over. The red aiming beam then
appears on a target package, indicating that the system is ready for operation.
2. You can now start production.
1.7 Printing the File in Demo (Manual) Mode
Having selected a job file, you may want to test how it prints. To
check print quality, you use Demo mode. Demo mode lets you
manually position a target package in front of the nozzle, fire the
laser by push button command (F4) to make a test print, and
precisely adjust the quality before you start an automated
production run.
The Demo mode screen provides controls to finely adjust the laser
power and dwell time.
Increase or decrease the laser power by 1% with each press of a

key. Similarly increase or decrease dwell time in 5 microsecond
increments
NOTE: The adjustments you make in Demo mode are only

temporary. They remain in effect as you exit directly into Run
6–8 SL078004enc 6/08

mode. However, the changes are lost if you lose power or load
a new job file. To make them permanently part of the job file,
you need to specify the new values in a regular editing session.
Note the values and settings that you finally chose in Demo
mode, and use these in that later session.
Pressing the Run button cancels Demo mode and returns you to
the Home screen where the Demo mode function key is no longer
available. Pressing the Stop key will reactivate the Demo mode
function key (F4).
If a fault condition occurs while the SmartLase is in Run or Demo

mode, the program re-displays the Home screen together with the
fault popup screen. Once the fault is cleared, you can return to Run
or Demo mode.
The Demo mode screen also displays information about the current
job, especially interrelated time and motion values:
The name of the current job file
The number of times the job has been

printed this session
The amount of time in milliseconds
needed to print the complete legend
Maximum velocity (in meters per
minute) allowed before running out of
aperture space; the SmartLase adds
spacing in the appropriate locations to
allow printing in the aperture without
degrading the appearance of the
legend
Minimum velocity (in meters per
minute) required to print an entire
legend without having to wait for part of
the legend to enter the aperture; at a
velocity below this minimum, the
SmartLase pauses to permit the entire
legend to enter the aperture; the value
is non-zero by codes larger than the
size of the aperture
Print time and velocity values change relative to the dwell time
value. Thus, as you might increase the dwell time of a given legend,
SL078004enc 6/08 6–9

you would increase the print time and decrease the conveyor speed.
Using these values together, you can determine the appropriate line
speed and the potential throughput of a given legend on a particular
product.
To print in Demo mode:

1. If currently in Run mode, press the Stop button to exit this mode.
2. Position a target package at the same distance from the laser as
the normal production flow.
3. From the Home screen, press the F4 (Demo mode) key.
The Demo mode screen appears.
If enabled, the seven-second delay takes place at this time. The LED on the
laser will at first flash; then it will illuminate steadily when the delay is over.
WARNING: The laser is ready to fire at this time. Make sure that
all proper safety precautions have been followed.
4. Press the F4 (Print icon) key.
The SmartLase marks the legend on the target surface.
5. As needed, press the F3 key to toggle between the laser power

and dwell time controls.
6. Use the up and down arrow keys to adjust the dwell time or
laser power, noting how the values change in the main display.
6–10 SL078004enc 6/08

7. Position a new test target, and print the adjusted mark.
8. Repeat the procedure until you achieve the desired quality mark.
1.8 Shutting Down the Laser
To shut down laser operations:

1. Turn off the on/off switch (Figure 6-3) on the rear panel of the
laser to shut off the power to the laser.
Figure 6–3
The space in the top right corner of the screen displays the Stop
mode icon.
2. Turn the key 1/4 turn counterclockwise (Figure 6-4, B) on

the rear panel to shut off the power to the laser.
Figure 6–4
3. Follow the site-specific lock-out and tag-out procedures.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–11
2 Managing Job Files
Before you can apply codes, establish the operating parameters for
each package type that you intend to mark. Specify the power of the
laser energy and how long the beam will dwell on a pixel. Also,
indicate the words and numbers you want to mark.
You specify these parameters in a Job File — a group of settings
that, working as a single package of instructions, tells the laser
everything it needs to know to mark a specific code on a given type
of material.
This section explains how to:
• create new job files
• access existing job files
• delete files that are no longer useful
• reset the counter that tracks how many times the laser has
printed a job file
• edit legends — how to specify text appearance attributes
such as the size and spacing of characters and lines, the
orientation of the lines, and so on
• specify trigger distance values that target the legend on
the package
• Specify the velocity mode and associated parameters that
describe how the package is physically presented to the
laser for coding
• include dynamic data, such as date codes and serial
numbers, that change during marking.
2.1 Creating New Job Files

Create new job files to match each entirely new product. New
products require new legends and most likely new trigger distance
values to match the new packaging.
To create a new job file:

1. From the Home screen, press the F2 (File Management) key.
6–12 SL078004enc 6/08

The File Management screen appears.
2. Press the F1 (Create New Job File) key.

The New Job File Edit screen appears, displaying a cursor in the central text
edit area and numerous text attribute controls.
3. Press any letter or number key.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–13

The Ruler Grid screen appears with the cursor at the origin of the two rulers.
NOTE: Most keys on the handset will display the Ruler Grid
screen. These include the Enter, Select, letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys. Only the Home, Shift,
Backspace, and Help keys will not display.
4. Use the keyboard to enter the text of your legend, pressing the
Enter key to start each new line.
5. When you finish the text portion of your legend, press the Select
key to return to the Edit screen.
6. If desired, press the Dynamic Data function key (F1) to:
• Insert factory default format codes
• Create custom format codes
• Create database records.
7. To customize the appearance of the legend, position the cursor

at the start of the text you want to edit.
8. Hold down the Shift key and press the Select key to highlight the
whole legend, or advance the cursor to a starting point, hold down
the Shift key, and use the arrow keys to select parts of the text for
editing.
9. Press the Select key to enter Traveling mode, and then use the
left and right compass arrow keys to move the cursor to the
6–14 SL078004enc 6/08

various text attribute icons; apply your specifications to the
selected text.
As you select an attribute, a popup screen appears that lets you enter the
appropriate value for your selected attribute.
10. Type in a new value, and press the Enter or Select keys to
associate the new value with the job file.
11. When finished, press the F3 (Save) key.
The screen displays the message: “Please specify a file name.”
12. Type in a name for the new job file, and press the Enter or
Select keys.
The system stores the new job file to the job file list.
NOTE: If you type in the name of an existing job file, a popup

warns you about overwriting the file.
2.2 Accessing Existing Job Files

As production circumstances change, you may want to make
modifications to some of your existing job files. The SmartLase lets
you change the existing job file, or create a new job file, using the
existing file as a baseline.
To edit an existing job file:

SL078004enc 6/08 6–15

2. Press the F2 (Edit Job File) key.

A list of the names of the currently available job files appears.
3. Use the up and down arrow keys to move to a job file name and
press the Select button to choose the job file.
The Legend Edit screen appears, displaying the text of the selected job file.
The cursor appears at the left of the top line of the text.
BEST IF
USED BY
4. Press any letter or number key.

5. Use the compass arrow keys to move the cursor to the
appropriate position for editing.
6. Use the Backspace key to remove unwanted text to the left of the
cursor, or use the Shift/Delete keys to remove text to the right of
the cursor.
6–16 SL078004enc 6/08

7. Type in new text from the keyboard.
8. Use the compass arrow keys to select text display and laser
attributes, and adjust these values as needed.
NOTE: Also, refer to paragraph 2.0 (Creating New Job Files)
of this section for additional editing parameters.
9. When finished making changes, press the F3 (Save) key.
The Save screen appears, displaying these two options.
Saves the file with the current

changes
Prompts you for a new file

name, saving the file, as edited,
as a new job file
10. Press the function key to choose an option and end the editing
session.
NOTE: If you type in the name of an existing job file, a popup
warns you about overwriting the file.
2.3 Deleting Job Files

In time, you may want to remove job files from the current inventory.
As jobs become obsolete, delete them using the following
procedure.
To delete an existing job file:
SL078004enc 6/08 6–17

2. Press the F3 (Delete Job File) function key.

A list of the names of the currently available job files appears.
3. Use the up and down arrow keys to move to a job file name,
and press the Select button to choose the job file.
The Confirm Delete screen appears, displaying the name of the selected file.
4. Use the middle function keys to confirm the deletion or

abandon the selection .
2.4 Recovering Unsaved Job Files

While it is always best to save your changes before exiting the
Editing screen, you may occasionally need to exit before saving.
You may want to interrupt your editing session to look at the
currently running job file, to test new power or dwell settings on it in
Demo mode, or to run a different file. All of these tasks require
switching from the Editing screen to the Home screen. If you return
to the Home screen, leaving unsaved changes to a job file, the
SmartLase lets you recover your unfinished work.
To recover an unsaved job file:
6–18 SL078004enc 6/08

2. Press the F4 (Recover Unsaved Job) function key.

The Editing screen reappears with your unsaved job displayed just as
you left it.
When editing an existing, previously saved job file, and you interrupt
the session to go the Home screen, the recovery function does
retain your yet unsaved changes. However, the interruption
disassociates the changes from the original file name. If you
returned to the Home screen to run the original file, it would not have
any of your new changes added. But, be aware that when you
recover your editing session, you will not have the option of simply
saving the file as you would following a normal editing session. The
Save icon presents the Save As screen, prompting you to type in a
file name. If your intent was to save the changes under the original
file name, be sure to have the file name memorized or noted.
NOTE Your unsaved legend will not be recoverable if you lose
power.
2.5 Resetting Job Counters

Each time the laser prints a job, a system counter tracks the event to
keep a running total. The running total for the currently selected job
appears on the Home screen.
In ongoing use, this total may be associated with specific production

runs, batches, or lots. Eventually, you may want to reset the counter
back to zero.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–19

To reset a job counter:
1. From the Home screen, press the C key.
The Job Counter popup appears.
2. Press F2 (OK) to reset the counter.

You return to the Home screen where the displayed total has reset to zero.
2.6 Editing Legends

Create new and edit existing job files starting from the screen shown
below.
The rectangular area in the center is the text edit panel which
displays the current legend data. The row of icons below the panel
consists of the legend editing controls. When you select individual
6–20 SL078004enc 6/08

icons, popup screens appear, displaying options and control
parameters specific to your selection.
To input text, you must switch to the text edit panel. To access the
text edit panel, press the Select key when the text view panel is
selected, or press any number or letter key.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–21

To apply text appearance specifications, you must first do two
things:
1. Select the text you want to change — the whole legend or any
part.
2. Change the cursor to its Traveling mode so you can move to the
attribute icons of your choice.
As you create and change legends, the cursor switches between

two operational modes:
1. Traveling mode — The cursor moves from item to item, directed
by the left and right compass arrow keys, highlighting the item
for selection by a black background.
2. Keypad entry mode — The cursor marks the entry point for
legend text or numerical values, appearing as a small vertical line.
The switch between cursor modes happens automatically when you
select an icon and its popup screen appears — the cursor changes
from the Traveling mode. That lets you move to the icon and to the
Keyboard Entry mode that lets you specify values.
6–22 SL078004enc 6/08

To edit the text edit panel, press the Select key. This will return you
to Traveling mode.
2.6.1 Selecting Text Blocks

The SmartLase gives you the flexibility to define any amount of
legend text as a block — a defined unit that you can position freely
and to which you can apply a variety of customized appearance
attributes. (This same flexibility applies to graphics used within
legends.) You can define an entire legend as a single block, or you
can apply the block definition down to the level of a single text
character. You define blocks by selecting them — highlighting
specific legend content with the keypad controls and then modifying
these entities as you choose.
To select the whole legend:
1. Press Shift and Select.
All the text becomes highlighted, indicating that it is selected.
2. Press Select.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–23

The editing panel becomes highlighted as the cursor enters its Traveling
mode. You are now ready to move the cursor to a text attribute icon.
To select individual characters:

1. As needed, use the right arrow key to move the cursor to the
start of the text you want to select.
2. Hold down the Shift key, and repeatedly press the right arrow
key.
With each press of the key, another character becomes selected.
3. When all the text you want is selected, press Select.

The editing panel becomes highlighted as the cursor enters its Traveling
mode. You are now ready to move the cursor to a text attribute icon.
To deselect individual characters:

1. Position the cursor at the end of text you want to deselect.
6–24 SL078004enc 6/08

2. Hold down the Shift key, and repeatedly press the left arrow key.
OR:
1. Position the cursor at the start of text you want to deselect.
2. Hold down the Shift key, and repeatedly press the right arrow
key.
To select separated parts:

1. Move the cursor to the start of the text you want to select.
2. Hold down the Shift key, and press the right arrow key to select
each character in the first text portion.
3. Release the Shift key, and press the right arrow key to advance
to the start of the next portion.
4. Again, hold down the Shift key, and press the right arrow key to
select each character in the next text portion.
5. Repeat the preceding steps for each additional portion.

To deselect all text in a legend:
1. Hold down the Shift key, and press the Select key twice.
The entire legend is highlighted, then deselected, leaving the cursor in Text
Entry mode.
To select text by lines:

1. Move the cursor to the start of the line you want to select.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–25
2. Hold down the Shift key, and press the down arrow key.
The entire line is selected.
3. Repeat step two for each line you want to select.
To delete an entire legend:

1. Hold down the Shift key, and press the Select key.
All the text becomes highlighted, indicating that it is selected.
2. Either press the Backspace key, or hold down the Shift key,
and press the Delete key.
To replace text in an existing job file:

1. As needed, press the right arrow key to move the cursor to the
starting point of the text you want to replace.
2. Hold down the Shift, and repeatedly press the right arrow key to
select the text character by character.
3. Type in the replacement text.
OR:
1. Move the cursor next to the text you want to replace.
2. Press the Backspace key to remove unwanted characters to the
left of the cursor, or hold down the Shift key, and press the Delete
to remove unwanted characters to the right of the cursor.
3. Type in the replacement text.
NOTE: If you insert new text, dynamic data, or a graphic, any
legend content that is currently selected is deleted and
replaced by the new content.
2.6.2 Specifying Legend Attributes
Once you have keyed-in the text of your legend, you can specify
appearance attributes that can apply to all or any selected part of a
6–26 SL078004enc 6/08

legend. For example, you might want to make a calendar limit
appear in bolder print than the text that accompanies it:
Or you might want a lot code to appear larger than its

associated text:
NOTE: While you can specify text to be marked in a

bolder appearance, such text will not appear bolder in the
text editing panel.
You can specify these attributes and many others on the

Editing screen for both new and existing job files. The icons
that display the attribute controls appear in a row below the
text edit panel on either screen.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–27

The table below identifies the icons and summarizes their use.
Icon Meaning
Font Matrix — The SmartLase printed
characters consist of small spots called pixels. The
pixels are arranged in the form of a matrix. The
larger the number of pixels in the matrix, the greater
the resolution — the precise detail with which the
characters are drawn.
Selecting the Font Matrix icon lets you choose from
a popup list of available fonts, including as standard:
7 x 5, 9 x 7, 11 x 9, 13 x 9, and 16 x 10.
NOTE: Higher resolution fonts that can create
clear, non-Latin characters, are available as
options. If you use the SmartLase to print such
characters, you will use a higher resolution font,
together with the special extended character
keypad.
6–28 SL078004enc 6/08

Character and Line Attributes — The icon

displays a popup screen that lists values for four
attributes.
Character Width
Character Height
Character Spacing
Line Spacing
As the popup first appears, the cursor is in Text

Entry mode and positioned to change the Character
Width value.
To set the attribute values:
1. Press the Select key to make the cursor appear
in Traveling mode over the character width value.
2. As needed, use the left and right arrow keys to

navigate to the value you want to set.
3. Press the Select key to change the cursor into
Text Editing mode, and enter the new value.
4. Press the Select key to return to Traveling mode,
and move to another attribute.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–29

Pixel Size — The pixels that

create printed characters.
are themselves formed out
of individual dots called
atoms. The density of
printed characters is a factor
of how many atoms (1, 3, or
7) you specify to make up a pixel. The effect may be
compared to forming characters with thicker pen or
brush strokes. Along with laser power and dwell
time, pixel size is one of the attributes that can
control how bold a character appears. The option
shown in the bottom right corner of the Pixel Size
screen above (and shown left) is an advanced
feature that allows the user to specify a custom
pattern and spacing. Please contact Technical
Support for details on using this feature.
Graphics — Selecting
the Graphics attribute
displays a list of any
downloaded graphics
files that can be printed in
the legend. Graphics
such as a corporate logo
or regulatory agency
compliance symbol can be used alone or in
conjunction with other text in the legend.
Displayed inside the text editing panel, graphics

operate as text blocks. They can be selected using
the text cursor together with the Shift/select keys
and can be freely maneuvered using the
positioning tool .
The printed appearance of graphics files are

influenced by the rotation, alignment, power and
dwell time specifications. Each of these attributes
can be individually specified for a selected graphic.
6–30 SL078004enc 6/08

Rotation — Specify the angle of rotation for the

selected characters.
Text Alignment — Change text block alignment

from Centered, Flush Right, or Flush Left
(default).
Laser Power — Specify the

intensity of the laser energy
by percent. The default value
is 80%. 80%
Dwell Time — Specify the

number of microseconds
that the laser remains on its
target. The default value is
220 µs.
NOTE: After making text attribute changes, if you want to make

further text edits to a legend or select a different portion of the
text to change, move through the icons until you return to the
editing panel, switching from Traveling mode to Keyboard
Entry mode.
To deselect text after attribute editing:
1. Use an arrow key to move the traveling cursor back to the text
editing panel.
2. Press the Select key to change to traveling mode.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–31

3. Hold down the Shift key, and press the Select key twice.
4. Press the Select key again.

5. The text assumes its normal deselected appearance with the
cursor where it was last positioned and ready to move.
BEST IF
USED BY
DEC 15
2.6.3 Repositioning Text Blocks

The flexible positioning capability of the SmartLase lets you create
complex legend designs that can emphasize and prioritize the
printed information. This ability is enabled by the text block
concept, which is the capacity to define any piece of text (down to
the level of a single character) or a graphic as a distinct,
manipulable unit. In addition to the usual typographical attributes,
you can rotate a block to any angle and move it anywhere within the
legend.
When you select the icon just to the right of the text editing panel,
you can then use the compass arrow keys to move the selected
6–32 SL078004enc 6/08

block. Each press of an arrow key moves the block up, down, to the
right or left:
To reposition text blocks:

1. Complete all other changes to your selected block.
2. Press the Select key to put the cursor into Traveling mode.
3. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor to the Positioning
icon and press the Select key.
4. Use the compass arrow keys to move the block to a new
position in the legend.
5. Press the Select key to re-highlight the Positioning icon.
6. Press the left arrow key to move the traveling cursor back to the
text editing panel.
7. Hold down the Shift key and press the Select key twice.
8. Press the Select key again.
The block is deselected, and the cursor returns to Keyboard Entry mode,
permitting you to select another block for modification and repositioning.
NOTE: In moving blocks relative to each other, unselected text

may temporarily appear to move outside of the editing panel.
This appearance is only an effect of the limited display area of
the panel, and no parts of the legend that fit within the aperture
will fail to print through the aperture.
In repositioning blocks, you should generally follow the sequence

below:
SL078004enc 6/08 6–33

1. Lay out all the elements of the legend first.
2. Select and modify the text attributes of the block next.
3. Reposition the block last.
2.7 Zoom Out/in Feature
In both the edit and drag and drop screens, a zoom feature is
provided to enable a more detailed look at the characters or of the
total legend.
While in either the edit or drag and drop screen, the F2 key displays
the image at 200% scale.
The F3 key displays the image at 50% scale.
The F1 key returns the image to normal size.
6–34 SL078004enc 6/08

2.8 Setting Trigger Values

Trigger values control SmartLase printing behavior relative to a
signal it receives from a photoeye sensor positioned at some
distance away along the product flow. These control parameters
are specific to a particular type of product package and therefore
part of its related job file. There are five values that may need to be
specified:
1. Print trigger distance
2. Minimum product distance
3. Multiple prints per trigger
4. Distance between multiple prints
5. Second trigger distance (for traversing systems only)
Access these controls from a popup that you display from the Text
Editing screen. When you have a job file selected, pressing the F2
(Trigger icon) key reveals the popup. The popup displays a new
function key icon for Trigger Distance settings (F1) and for the
Velocity mode selection (F2).
SL078004enc 6/08 6–35

The Trigger Distance icon displays a popup screen that shows the
icons for all five trigger settings:
To set the trigger values:

1. Press the Select key to make the cursor appear in Traveling
mode over the Normal Print Trigger Distance value.
2. As needed, use the right and left arrow keys to navigate to the
value you want to set.
3. Press the Select key to change the cursor into Text Editing
mode, and enter the new value.
4. Press the Select key to return to Traveling mode and move to
another attribute.
2.8.1 Setting Normal Print Trigger Distance

Print trigger distance specifies the space between the center of the
laser aperture and the center of the printed legend at the moment
the photoeye (PE) trigger signal is made.
6–36 SL078004enc 6/08

2.8.1.1 Fine Tuning Trigger Distance

You can make precision adjustments to the normal trigger distance
value specified for the currently selected job. You can make coarse
adjustments in 5mm increments and finer adjustments in 1mm
increments.
NOTE: For your new distance value to take effect, you must
reselect the job file.
To adjust the normal trigger distance setting

1. From the Home screen, press the R key.
The Trigger Adjustment popup appears.
2. If needed, press F3 to switch the increment to the coarse (5mm)

option.
3. Press the F1 and F2 keys to increase or decrease the distance
value.
The current value displayed in the center of the screen changes with each key
press.
4. As needed, press F3 to switch the increment to the fine (1mm)
option and further adjust the value.
NOTE: The changes take effect immediately and will stay active
until power is shut off or you load a new job.
5. Press F4 to permanently save the new settings.
You return to the Home screen.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–37

2.8.1.2 Active Triggers
The SmartLase 100i series lasers can manage up to five active
trigger events at any one time, meaning the laser can hold data that
tracks up to five incoming target packages.
As each package trips the photoeye sensor, the SmartLase

calculates its speed and distance for a firing solution as target
passes the aperture. This capability gives you more flexibility in
locating the sensor upstream in the conveyor flow.
NOTE: While the SmartLase can manage multiple triggers, it is
best practice to avoid pushing the system to its limit. If you
find you must use this capability, try to achieve the shortest
product spacing possible.
2.8.2 Setting Minimum Product Spacing
The minimum product spacing value lets you specify a conveyor
travel limit — following an initial trigger sensor signal — that must be
met before a following signal can occur. The value lets you calibrate
for electrical or sensor variables that might prompt a false signal.
2.8.3 Specifying Multiple Prints per Trigger
You can set up the SmartLase to print a legend multiple times
following a single trigger event. Multiple printings are particularly
useful with extruded products, such as tubing, that is manufactured
in standard lengths and cut to smaller sizes by consumers. You can
print a repeating legend along the length of the product that will
continue to identify the separate portions. To do so, you need to
specify three things:
1. The distance between the trigger point and the first print (See
paragraph 2.7.1, Setting Normal Print Trigger
Distance, in this section.)
2. The number of prints per trigger
3. The distance between the following prints
6–38 SL078004enc 6/08

2.8.4 Specifying Distance Between Each Print
Having indicated the number of prints, you also need to specify a
value for the distance between each print. This value is the
distance between the center of one printed legend to the center of
the next in series. Once the first print is made — as located by the
print trigger distance value ( ) — the SmartLase prints all
subsequent legends at the center-to-center interval specified as the
distance between prints.
2.8.5 Multiple Prints per Trigger Example

Following is an example of Multiple Prints per Trigger: You want to
print on 3m PVC tubes, marking a new legend at 0.5m intervals.
With the space between the center of the laser aperture and the
photoeye sensor at 18cm, set the trigger parameters as
follows:
The legends print as shown below, deriving the first print location
from the trigger distance value and the following prints from the
distance between each print interval.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–39

2.8.6 Specifying Second Trigger Distance
The second trigger setting is used with a traversing system that
moves the SmartLase in a back and forth motion, perpendicular to
the product flow. The distance value is used in conjunction with the
normal trigger distance setting. See paragraph 2.6.1 (Selecting
Text Blocks) in this section.
Similar to the normal trigger setting, the value you enter specifies
the space between the center of the laser aperture and the center of
the printed legend at the moment the photoeye (PE) trigger signal is
made. However, the setting takes effect when the laser is moving in
the opposite direction from the normal path defined by the velocity
rotation.
For the second trigger setting to operate, the Dynamic Direction
function must be enabled. Dynamic Direction uses an external high/
low signal to toggle the laser printing direction 180 degrees from the
angle specified for the velocity rotation. See Section 5 (Setup),
paragraph 2.4.1 (Enabling Dynamic Direction) of this guide.
2.8.7 Sensing Product Presence (Skipping Prints)
While you can use sensors to trigger printing at specified intervals,
you can also use them to sense the absence of products in front of
the laser and to stop printing until product again moves into the
aperture. This technique is useful where products of different size
continuously move past a laser programmed to print in a fixed
trigger spacing velocity mode.
Consider, for example, PVC building materials extruded in varying

lengths. Encoder input prompts the SmartLase to print a legend at
regular intervals, but a sensor is employed to turn off the laser in the
gaps between extrusions:
When using a sensor to effect the print skipping feature, the

SmartLase does not resume printing at a specified distance as a
new target enters the aperture. The fixed spacing interval continues
6–40 SL078004enc 6/08

to control printing. Since the sensor is not acting as a trigger, the
laser does not locate the printed legend along the length of the
product with the precision of a specified distance value. As a new
product enters the aperture, the location may vary according to the
fixed spacing interval and may even produce partial prints at the
ends of the product:
To avoid partial prints and provide the most accurate sensing of the
product position, be sure to mount the photoeye sensor as close as
possible to that edge of the laser aperture where the product first
enters the aperture.
NOTE: To detect product presence with a sensor you need to

take into account the trigger polarity setting that is appropriate
to your installation. This setting specifies firing the laser at
either the leading or trailing edge of moving product.
For more information, see Section 5 (Setup), paragraph 2.3
(Setting Sensor Parameters) in this guide.
NOTE: You can only use the print skipping feature when you
have specified fixed trigger spacing as your velocity mode.
Using any other velocity made can create unpredictable
results.
To specify product presence sensing:

1. From the Home screen, press the File Management icon (F2).
2. Select either a new ( F1) or existing ( F2) job.
3. From the Text Edit screen, press the Trigger icon (F2).
SL078004enc 6/08 6–41

4. Press the Trigger Spacing icon (F1) to display the trigger
distance parameters popup:
5. Press the Select key to put the cursor in traveling mode, and
move to the Product Sensing Feature icon.
6. Press the Select key to display the product sensing feature
popup, showing the currently selected state of the option:
7. Use the arrow keys to move to either the disable feature
or enabled feature icon, and press the Select key.

The check mark appears in the box next to your selection.
8. Use the arrow key to move to the OK button, and press Select.
6–42 SL078004enc 6/08

2.8.8 Relating Trigger Values to Velocity Mode
The table below indicates what trigger parameters are used with
each Velocity mode:
Velocity Modes
Trigger Parameter Fixed

Constant
Encoder Trigger Static
Velocity
Spacing
Normal Trigger
Distance
X X X ---
Second Trigger
Distance
X X X ---
Multiple Prints per

Trigger/Distance
Between Each Print X X X ---
Minimum Product
Spacing
X X --- ---
2.9 Setting Velocity Mode

Velocity modes specify the movement and control conditions under
which products are presented to the SmartLase for coding. The
various modes include static printing, fixed speed, fixed spacing,
and trigger actuated. Similar to the related trigger values, these
control parameters are specific to a particular type of product
package, and therefore, part of a specific job file.
Access these controls from a popup revealed on the Text
Editing screen. While you are editing, pressing the F2 (Trigger icon)
SL078004enc 6/08 6–43

key displays a popup screen that shows function key icons for
Trigger Distance and for Velocity mode.
Pressing F2 displays a new popup, showing the Velocity mode

options:
The table below describes the options.
Icon: Function:
Enables Encoder mode, using input from an
optical sensor print trigger together with an
encoder
Accesses and enables Constant Velocity mode

where a conveyor or film moves past the laser
nozzle at a fixed speed and an encoder is
unnecessary; requires a trigger
Enables printing in Static mode; requires a
trigger; does not require constant velocity
Enables Fixed Trigger Spacing mode or

continuous printing without input from an optical
sensor; requires an encoder; does not require a
trigger
6–44 SL078004enc 6/08

The table below summarizes control requirements.
Uses
Uses an Uses a
Mode Continuous
Encoder Trigger
Velocity
YES YES ---
--- YES YES
--- YES ---
YES --- ---
As the popup first appears, the Encoder mode icon is highlighted

and the cursor is in traveling mode. A triple caret symbol appears
next to one of the options. The symbol indicates the currently
operating velocity mode. If you select a new mode option, the
symbol appears beside it when the screen next appears.
To select the velocity mode:

1. As needed, use the right and left arrow keys to navigate to the
option you want to select.
2. Press the Select key to make your choice.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–45

The Trigger Values screen reappears. If you selected a different option and
then press F2 to redisplay the Velocity mode popup, the Triple Caret symbol
will have moved to the option you chose.
2.10 Offsetting the Legend from the Center of the Aperture

The SmartLase normally centers a legend within the aperture.
However, in Static Velocity mode, the software also lets you
specify an offset value to adjust for changing production
circumstances.
Consider, for example, where a SmartLase is installed and perfectly
adjusted for marking a legend on a particular type of package. If the
size of the package or ink-printed art work on the package change,
slightly shifting the position of the target marking area, the aperture-
centered legend may no longer mark in the right place on the
package. The horizontal and vertical offset controls let you
reposition the legend to adjust for the change.
When specifying legend offset, positive values move the legend

upward and to the right. Negative values move the legend down
and to the left.
To offset the position of a legend:
1. With the new or existing legend in the Text Editing screen, press
the Trigger Distance icon ( F2).
2. On the Trigger Settings popup that appears, press the Velocity
mode icon ( F2).
6–46 SL078004enc 6/08

3. Use the arrow keys to select the Static mode icon, and press
the Select key.
4. The Offset Value popup appears with the close box selected.
5. Use the arrow keys to move to one of the directional values, and
press the Select key.
6. As the cursor changes to text input mode, type in the offset value
you want, and press the Select key.
7. As needed, move to the other offset value, press the Select key,
and type in the offset value you want.
8. Press the Select key to change the cursor into traveling mode;
move to the close box, and press the Select key again.
The Trigger Settings popup reappears.
9. Press the Escape key to return to the Text Editing screen.
10. Press the Save button (F3), and then press F1 on the displayed
Save Screen.
2.10.1 Returning the Legend to the Centered Position

When you specify offsets and save the job file, the offset values
become part of the job. However, the SmartLase always relates
those values to a centered, zero-value default position. It calculates
all further offset changes from the position. Thus, if you specify to
return the legend to its original, centered position, use the procedure
just described to return the offset values to zero.
NOTE: The offset capability applies only to the Static Velocity
mode. All other modes that work with moving targets need to
utilize the full width of the aperture and thus retain the
centering behavior.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–47

3 Using Dynamic Data
In the example of a typical product legend (an expiration date), the
text message USE BEFORE is a static, unchanging element. The
date appearing below will dynamically change according to the shelf
life of the product. The SmartLase lets you specify exactly how the
values displayed as dynamic data formats appear and increment.
The SmartLase lets you include dynamic data through three

different methods:
1. Selecting from the Factory Default format list

2. Building Custom formats from their component fields
3. Creating new User Defined formats with the Toolkit
Factory Default formats are pre-defined for you and part of the
standard product package. The SmartLase lets you choose from an
extensive list of formats commonly used throughout industry. You
insert them directly into a legend without needing any further
definition. If these formats match your needs, the factory default list
is the simplest way to include dynamic data.
Custom formats are “built” by specifying the appearance and

operational attributes of the individual component fields within the
format. Field specifications let you choose, for example, between
showing a year with two or four digits. Other options let you custom
specify the offset interval and frequency of data updates and to
apply those operations to several fields as a unit.
NOTE: You can start with one of the factory default formats,
and customize it using the same modifiers that are available for
built-up, custom formats.
User Defined formats are created using a set of PC-based

programs that are part of a separate SmartLase 100i Series Toolkit.
Toolkit programs let you build new, entirely custom formats by
defining individual component fields on the PC and then
downloading the new formats to the SmartLase where they will
appear as additions to the factory default list. User defined coding
schemes let you display date and lot values in ways that are unique
to your organization instead of their customary appearance.
6–48 SL078004enc 6/08

NOTE: The Toolkit functionality is not part of the regular 130i
Series product package, but is instead implemented through
the Markem-Imaje support organization. Contact your local
customer service representative for more information.
3.1 Understanding Dynamic Data Updates

The SmartLase derives current time values from its internal real time
clock (RTC). This clock can be sampled for updated print outs at
any frequency you specify. Each time an update occurs, the
software starts with the value from the RTC and then:
1. Adds any specified offsets to the value
2. Factors rounding, if it was specified
3. Stores the resulting value to the legend
3.2 Inserting Factory Default Dynamic Data Formats

Your SmartLase 130i includes a large list of factory default dynamic
data formats. The list includes numeric counters that change with
each firing of the laser and a wide variety of date and time formats.
The table below shows the factory default options as they appear
listed in the SmartLase menu, together with descriptions or
examples of how the format appears when marked by the laser.
NOTE: Any time the time and date are changed through the UI
by the operator, it is possible that a selected job containing
time and date fields (which is ready to print or is actively
printing) may print the incorrect time and date. To overcome
this issue, such jobs should be reselected to run as described
in paragraph 1.5 (Selecting a Job File for Printing) in this
section.
Table 6–1
Format Example/description
001 Counts sequentially, starting at a user

designated start point, with two leading
zeros. This counter will use three (3) spaces
for this format in the printed text.
designated start point, with three leading
zeros. This counter will use four (4) spaces
for this format in the printed text. Counter will
start over when it reaches 9,999.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–49

Table 6–1
designated start point, with four leading
zeros. This counter will use five (5) spaces
designated start point, with five leading
zeros. This counter will use six (6) spaces for
this format in the printed text. Counter will
designated start point, with six leading zeros.
This counter will use seven (7) spaces for this
format in the printed text. Counter will start
over when it reaches 9,999,999.
designated start point, with seven leading
zeros. This counter will use eight (8) spaces
start over when it reaches 99,999,999.
designated start point, with eight leading
zeros. This counter will use nine (9) spaces
start over when it reaches 999,999,999.
12345678 Counts sequentially starting at a user
designated start point using no leading zeros.
DD MON YY 12 JUL 00
DD.MON.YY 12.JUL.00
DD/MM/YY 12/07/00
DDMMY 12070
DDMMYY 120700
DDMONYY 12JUL00
HH:MM 12Hr 01:25 PM
HH:MM 24Hr 13:25
6–50 SL078004enc 6/08

Table 6–1
HHMM 24Hr 1325

HHMM 12Hr 0125 PM
JJJY 1940
JULIAN DAY 194
MM/DD/YY 07/12/00
MM/YY 07/00
MM/YYYY 07/2000
MMDDY 07120
MMDDYY 071200
MO DD JL 12
MO YY JL 00
MON DD JUL 12
MON DD YY JUL 12 00
MON YY JUL 00
MON YYYY JUL 2000
MONDDYY JUL1200
WW 28 (28TH week of the year)
Y 0
YJJJ 0194
YMMDD 00712
YY 00
YY.MM.DD 00.07.12
YY/MM/DD 00/07/12
YYMMDD 000712
YYYY 2000
YYYY.MM.DD 2000.07.12
YYYY/MM/DD 2000/07/12
SL078004enc 6/08 6–51

Table 6–1
YYYYMMDD 20000712
NOTE: All factory default dynamic data fields use the current
time provided by the RTC. You may access and modify these
definitions by the same methods you use to create custom
formats. For more information about RTC modifications, see
Section 6 (Programming the SmartLase), paragraph 3.3
(Creating Custom Dynamic Data Formats), and in particular,
paragraph 3.5 (Specifying RTC Modifiers).
To insert a factory default dynamic data format:

1. Position the text cursor at the point in the legend where you want
the dynamic data format to appear.
DATE OF MFG:
2. Press the dynamic data function key.

The popup screen appears, showing options for factory default data formats.
3. Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice, and press the
Select button.
6–52 SL078004enc 6/08

NOTE: You can also use the letter keys to move more
quickly to the format option of your choice. For example, if
you press the M key, you jump to the first format that uses
M for month (MM/DD/YY).
The dynamic data format appears in the legend.
4. Select the legend text, and change the appearance to your

preferences.
DATE OF MFG:
11/16/04
3.3 Creating Custom Dynamic Data Formats

To create the wide variety of codes used throughout industry,
SmartLase provides an extensive capability to create custom
dynamic data formats. You specify each field independently, and
multiple fields can operate simultaneously within a given legend, all
dynamically controlled by the RTC. Once you have defined a field,
you can apply a variety of RTC Modifiers that change the
operational characteristics of the field relative to the RTC such as:
• The offset interval between the current time and the future date
needed for marking freshness or expiration dates in the future
• The real time clock sampling frequency so that you can update a
repeating legend at a defined interval
• A rounding mode used to hold an expiration date for a required
time period, usually called a pull date; rounding mode is typically
used with perishable and extremely short shelf-life products,
such as bakery goods.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–53

You can also combine multiple fields together to create formats
that operate as one unit under the control of the RTC Modifiers.
3.3.1 Creating Individual Fields
To create individual fields, follow the process shown below:
1. Select a type of custom field.
2. Specify the number of digits in the field.
3. Specify the starting position of the digit sequence.
4. Specify user-defined content, if any.
6–54 SL078004enc 6/08

3.3.2 Types of Custom Fields
The table below shows the various custom dynamic data field
options available with the SmartLase 130i.
Field Option Displays

12345 The Sequence Number Parameters
screen
AM/PM The text AM or PM, depending on the
current time; used in a field that includes
an hour field
Day of Month The calendar day of the current month
(1-31 as applicable)
Day of Week The numerical day designator (1-7)
Day of Year The sequential day number in the Julian
Day of Year/365 calendar; the three different options
provide for variations in the way that
Day of Year/366
Julian year length and day number
sequences appear throughout industry;
these variations are described in the
Julian date variation table that
immediately follows
Hour/12 The current hour value in the 12 hour
format; one ‘o clock PM appears as 01
Hour/24 The current hour value in the 24 hour
format; one ‘o clock PM appears as 13
Minute The current minute value tracked by the
RTC within an hourly cycle of 0-59
Minute of Day The number of the current minute tracked
by the RTC within a daily cycle of 0-1439
Month The number of the month within the year
(1–12)
Second The current second value derived from
the RTC
Shift Code The number designator of a work shift or
other identifiable work interval.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–55

Week The number of the week within the year

(1–52)
Year The calendar year, in the number of digits
you specify
3.3.3 Julian Date Variations
Julian Day Julian Day Julian Day Last

Option Year Type Number Number Number Printed
Printed On Printed On Printed On
Day of
Feb. 28 Feb. 29 Mar. 1 Year
Day of Leap 59 60 61 366

Year Non-leap 59 60 365
Day of Leap 59 366 60 365
Year/365
Non-leap 59 60 365
Day of Leap 59 60 61 366
Year/366
Non-leap 59 61 366
3.3.4 Specifying Field Contents

Selecting any of the options displays a popup screen similar to the
one shown below. The options on the popup display scrolling lists
that let you specify the number of digits and the starting position.
Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through your options.
6–56 SL078004enc 6/08

Number of Digits (#):
Your code fields can contain between one and nine digits. These
options allows you to, for example, represent the year in the full four
digits (2005), the in-century, two-digit format (05) or the in-decade,
single-digit format (5).
Starting position (1st):
The starting position is a left-to-right ordering of digits displayed in

a given field. This value lets you indicate which digit (of the number
you have specified) will be displayed first. Taking the year date
used in the example above, the starting position values are as
follows:
Date Digit 2 0 0 5
ª ª ª ª
Starting Position 0 1 2 3
Number of Starting Year as

To specify:
Digits = Position = Marked:
Full four-digit year 4 0 2005

In-century, two-digit 2 2 05
format
In-decade, single- 1 3 5
digit format
NOTE: The zero option remains the appropriate starting
position value to use for the typically two-digit format such as
Month and Day-of-Month. Specify both of these formats as
follows:
Number of Digits = 2
Starting Position = 0
SL078004enc 6/08 6–57

Tip: Since zero is the default starting position value (and you are
apt to use it frequently), you can specify it by simply indicating OK
with the function key.
NOTE: If you enter a number that exceeds the appropriate

number of digits for a particular value, the software
automatically adjusts for an appropriate value.
3.3.5 Specifying User-defined Formats

Using a special set of utility programs, you can define new dynamic
data formats in ways that are unique to your organization instead of
their customary appearance. Formats created with the toolkit
appear (as on the field contents popup) as three-digit codes,
replacing the default Numeric designation.
These utility programs are included in a Toolkit package that is not
currently part of the regular 100i Series product package, but is
instead implemented through the Markem-Imaje support
organization. Contact your local customer service representative
for more information.
3.4 Creating Multi-field Formats

While all dynamic data fields update individually according to the
RTC, we typically think of groups of them working together as a
single marked entity. For example, a date field might include fields
for month, day, and year. Similarly, hour and minute fields combine
to present a time field.
NOTE: You can use separators such as dashes, parentheses,

or slashes with your dynamic data fields. Simply type them
into the legend panel as part of regular text editing.
However, an extended power of the SmartLase 130i is its ability to
apply modifications of the RTC values such as offsets, update
frequency, and rounding, and to apply them across multiple fields.
The SmartLase UI lets you combine these groups of individual fields
6–58 SL078004enc 6/08

into formats and apply RTC modifications to the format as a whole.
Consider the example of the date format shown below:
The format consists of three fields: separate, two-digit displays for

the month and day, and a four-digit display for the year. Each field
was defined individually. Left alone, as part of a legend, all simply
display their respective current values as supplied by the RTC.
However, as the intent is to mark an expiration date, you would
combine the fields together into a format by applying an offset equal
to the shelf-life of the product. With each update from the RTC, the
legend marked on the product would reflect the sum of the offset
(shelf-life) value added to the current date values and applied to all
the fields in the format.
To create a multi-field format:
1. Display the fields in the text editing panel.
2. Position the cursor to the text you want to select as a block.
USE BEFORE
11/15/2005
3. Hold down the Shift icon, and repeatedly press the right arrow
key to select the text.
4. Press the Select icon to put the cursor into traveling mode.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–59

5. Move the cursor to the RTC Modifier icon, and press the Select
icon.
The RTC Modifier screen appears.
Minutes
6. Select the Offset, Update Frequency, or Rounding values you

want to apply.
As you apply the modifier, the fields combine into a format and, when marked,
reflect the selected operation across all fields.
3.5 Specifying RTC Modifiers

You can apply the following modifications to the RTC current value
to individual fields or across entire formats:
• Οffsets — The interval between the current time and the
future date needed for marking freshness or expiration
dates
• Update Frequency — The real time clock sampling
frequency used to update dates and times at a defined
interval
• Rounding Mode — Used to hold an expiration date for a
required time period
3.5.1 Specifying the Offset Values
Offsets specify the increment between the current date/time values
and the values that you want to mark on products. They are
especially useful for marking expiration dates. For example, to
ensure that a product is consumed when its freshness and quality
are dependable, you would want to mark the package with a date
that reflects a six-month shelf-life. Accordingly, product
manufactured today would not necessarily be marked with the
current date, but would definitely bear the month, day, and year
values of the corresponding day, six months into the future. As the
days of the calendar advance, you want the marked expiration date
6–60 SL078004enc 6/08

to change in lockstep with the current time.
Having defined the day, month, and year fields of this expiration
date format, you can specify the six-month offset, using the RTC
Modifier popup shown below.
Minutes
You enter offset values into the type-in fields here shown in the top
area of the screen.
To specify the six-month offset used in the example, you would type
in the following.
Typing 6 in the month field specifies the actual offset. When any
offset value is not changed from zero, the system uses current value
from the RTC.
3.5.2 Specifying Update Frequency
Update frequency specifies the time interval between RTC-based
updates of the values in a dynamic data field. While the RTC could
update a given field as frequently as every second, it might be more
SL078004enc 6/08 6–61

reasonable to continue marking the same code for an amount of
time that better matches the lot or batch sizes of your standard
production, distribution, or quality assurance monitoring practices.
You need to specify three components:

1. The interval between RTC updates
2. The exact time for the change to take effect
3. A starting point (prior to the RTC current time) that positions the
current time correctly within the update cycle
You set the interval between RTC updates and the exact time for the
change to take effect with the controls on the lower part of the RTC
Modifiers popup. Selecting the Clock icon in the center displays a
list of frequency options.
Minutes
Days
Hours
Minutes Minutes
Months
Weeks
6–62 SL078004enc 6/08

Selecting any of the options displays a secondary popup screen.
Each screen provides type-in fields that let you specify the update
frequency in a progression from the largest selected time unit down
to the exact minute.
Option Screen Detail
SL078004enc 6/08 6–63

As an example, if you wanted a given code to change with an
update frequency of every two months on the 15th of the update
month, you would type the following into the screen.
Leaving the minute and second values at zero specifies that the
update occurs precisely at the stroke of midnight that marks the
transition between the 14th and the 15th day.
3.5.3 Specifying Reference Date Values

You use a reference date in conjunction with a specified update
frequency. The date provides a starting point prior to the current
RTC value for the repeating pattern defined by the update
frequency. This defined starting point is necessary to position the
current time correctly within the update cycle.
You enter reference date values in the bottom area of the RTC
Modifiers popup, where a series of type-in fields similar to the offset
values appears.
6–64 SL078004enc 6/08

3.5.4 Using Rounding Mode
Rounding mode applies a relative offset based on a specific day of
the week or month. You access the rounding mode options on the
RTC Modifiers popup shown below.
Minutes Minutes
The default setting of None specifies that no rounding is applied.
Selecting either Day of Week or Day of Month displays a popup

with two type-in fields.
The number you enter under Round Day Date specifies the target
day around which the floating offset value operates.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–65

The days of the week follow the “zero through six” sequence shown
in the following chart.
Day Number
Sunday 0
Monday 1
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
Friday 5
Saturday 6
For Day of Month, you enter a value of 1 through 31 to specify the

target day within the month.
The number you enter under Round To specifies the offset value
and its direction in time. Leaving the default zero selected specifies
rounding to the nearest occurrence of the target date. Negative
values specify rounding the offset to the previous occurrence.
Positive values specify rounding to the next occurrence.
Consider the examples below where the larger number indicates the
code date marked through the days of the calendar. The clock
symbol indicates midnight on the day that the program samples the
RTC and updates the code.
6–66 SL078004enc 6/08

Example 1: Products are coded to identify the week of production with the
week designated by the calendar date on Wednesday:
Example 1a:
Rounding = Day of
Week
Round Day Date = 3
(Wednesday)
Round To = 0 (Nearest)
Example 1b:
Rounding = Day of
Week
Round Day Date = 3
(Wednesday)
Round To = -1 (Previous)
Example 1c:
Rounding = Day of
Week
Round Day Date = 3
(Wednesday)
Round To = 1 (Next)
SL078004enc 6/08 6–67

Example 2: Products are coded to identify the month of production,

rounding to the target date of the 15th day of the month:
Rounding = Day of
Month
Round Day Date = 15
(The 15th day of the month)
Round To = 0 (Nearest)
NOTE: 30-day months

contain a final day that is
equidistant between the
15th day in both the
current and following
months. When the 30th
is the last day of a given
month, the program
updates the legend,
rolling the day forward
into the next update
period.
6–68 SL078004enc 6/08

Accounting for Leap

Year:
NOTE: Following the

rounding mode options
used in this example, the
code will always change
on the last day of
February regardless of
whether or not the
current time is a leap
year or a non-leap year.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–69

Rounding = Day of
Month
Round Day Date = 15
Round To = -1 (Previous)
6–70 SL078004enc 6/08

Rounding = Day of
Month
Round Day Date = 15
Round To = 1 (Next)
SL078004enc 6/08 6–71

4 Database Fields
4.1 Database Fields - An Introduction
Database fields derive their content from user-defined records
stored in a non-volatile database within the SmartLase firmware.
They permit operational changes to printed legends without
otherwise editing the contents of the job file. For example, an
operator could use the database to change a shift designator while
being unable to tamper with the rest of legend. This limited access
provides for enhanced data security and more efficient content
changes.
Database records provide the further advantage of not being

associated with any individual job — multiple jobs can share the
same database record. In the example above, if the operator
selects a new job that includes the database record for the shift
designator, it will mark the correct data.
Database records can be used to make Sequence Numbers non-

volatile. Following a power loss, counts can resume at the next
value in sequence. When shared between different jobs, a
continuous count can be maintained though the job is changed to
reflect a new product.
Database records can also be accessed through the Command

Line Interface (CLI), allowing data within jobs that include database
records to be modified using the CLI.
4.2 Database Fields - An Overview

Database fields are a new type of legend component whose variable
content is drawn from a database of user-defined entries. They
provide an alternative method for changing the content of specific
parts of a legend without needing to actually edit the job file.
They let you make operational changes to printed legends in less
time than would otherwise be needed to change job files. Database
entries are not associated with any individual job, but can be shared
between different jobs.
Database fields provide enhanced security by limiting change

access to database entries instead of the entire job. For example,
when selecting a standard job file to run, a supervisor could enter a
new product code, or a line operator could enter a new work shift
code without exposing the other parts of the legend to unintended
6–72 SL078004enc 6/08

change. You can also specify that jobs containing database fields
provide a prompt, when selected, to help ensure that operators
make intended changes when they should make them.
Database fields can also contain sequence numbers. As part of a

non-volatile database, these sequential counts can maintain
continuity despite power interruptions or switched jobs. See
Section 6, paragraph 5.0 (Using Sequence Numbering) of this
guide for more information.
The SmartLase database is also accessible and editable by the

Command Line Interface (CLI).
Once included in a job, you can freely edit individual characters of a

database field, adjusting the text appearance, power and dwell time
specifications, and so on. Likewise, you can use the flexible
positioning functionality to move the individual character fields within
a database field to any position in the legend. You can also delete
characters.
4.3 Building a Database
Before you can use these special legend fields, you must first build
your database, creating a list of text records as potential contents.
The 100i series SmartLase let’s you create a table of individually
identified text strings that the software can then use to populate
these database fields upon command.
A data base record consists of two parts:

1. A key — identifies the text string
2. A string — the actual text that populates the field in the legend
After you have entered records into your database, you can access
and edit the text string of the record at any time. Likewise, you can
delete any entire record you have created.
4.3.1 Database Limitations
Be aware that the size of the database is fixed, limiting the number
and size of available records. The database orders its records in a
list. When a record is created, read, or updated, it moves to the top
of the list. When you exceed the space limit, the database
automatically deletes the oldest unused records from the bottom of
the list. While this automatic delete feature saves you the task of
maintaining the database, it does create a potential for records to be
SL078004enc 6/08 6–73
lost. Short-lived records can displace currently inactive, but
otherwise useful, more permanent records.
4.4 Sample Procedures
The procedures that follow illustrate the creation of a sample legend
that contains two database fields, along with other static and
dynamic elements. The procedures show how to:
• Create records for the database fields
• Specify database fields within a legend
• Edit database records
• Delete database records
The sample legend below is explained in the table that follows.
STR 035 TCB 1 A 1330

Code Part Meaning Field Type -- Purpose
STR Plant Code Static -- Meant to remain the same for
all printing
035 Julian Day Dynamic data field -- Automatically
updated by the SmartLase
TCB Product Database field -- A change of product
Code type on this line prompts supervisors
to change the code to match a catalog
of three-letter product codes. As
supervisors are presumed to be aware
of the product schedule, they do not
need the automatic prompt, but
instead, change the field directly.
1 Line Code Static -- Meant to remain the same for
all printing
A Shift Code Database field -- Operators will
change this code to match a
progression of time intervals through
the work day. To ensure that they
change the code, the software
prompts the operators when they first
load the job.
1330 Time Code Dynamic data field -- Automatically
updated by the SmartLase
6–74 SL078004enc 6/08

To create database records:
1. From the Home screen, press F2.

The File Management screen appears with the Edit Database
icon highlighted.
2. Press the Select key.
The Edit Database screen appears.
3. Press F1, selecting the Add Database Record icon.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–75

The Database Record screen appears with the cursor positioned
below the Key icon.
4. Enter Key text (Product) to identify the record, and press the
Select key to put the cursor into Travel mode.
5. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor below the Record
icon, and press the Select key to return the cursor to Text Entry
mode.
6. Enter the text of the record (“TCB” -- any one of the three-
letter product codes replaced as needed by supervisors),
and press the Select key to put the cursor in Travel mode.
NOTE: While the example suggests a constant three-letter

code, you may need to use a field of variable length. To leave
enough space for varying length codes, make this first
specified string equal to the longest text you anticipate to
occupy that field. Thirty-five characters is the maximum length
allowed for database strings entered through the UI. Longer
strings can be entered using CLI. If you edit a string, changing
its character length to something larger than its original size,
the system will truncate the database record to length
originally associated with the key. Entering less than the
maximum length creates pad characters to the right of the
string.
6–76 SL078004enc 6/08

7. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor to the OK button,
and press the Select key.
The database record is accepted as you return to the Edit

Database screen.
8. Completing the database records needed for the sample legend,

you repeat the procedure adding a key for (“Shift”) and a
text string (“A” -- first of a series replaced by operators) as a
shift code designator.
To specify database records within a legend:
1. From the Home screen press F2, and then F1 to

display the Legend Edit screen.
2. Enter the first static (Plant) and dynamic (Julian Day) parts of
the legend, and press F1 to display the Dynamic Data
insert popup:
SL078004enc 6/08 6–77

3. Press F3 to display the database key list:
4. Choose PRODUCT from the list, and press Select.
The Prompt popup appears with the Apply Prompt option

selected and the cursor positioned at the OK button.
5. Use the up arrow key to move the cursor to the

No-prompt option, and press Select.
The check symbol moves from the Apply Prompt to the

No-Prompt option.
6. Use the down arrow key to move the cursor to the OK button,
and press Select.
The three-letter product code appears in the legend.
6–78 SL078004enc 6/08

7. Enter the static line code, and then press F1 followed by

F3 to redisplay the database key list.
8. Choose SHIFT from the list, and press Select to display the
Prompt popup.
9. Move the cursor to the Apply Prompt option, and press Select.
The check symbol moves from the No-Prompt to the Apply

Prompt option.
NOTE: Apply Prompt is the default setting at system startup.
Until power is cycled, the last selected prompt option is the
default.
10. Move the cursor down to the OK button, and press Select.
The Shift code designator appears in the legend.
11. Enter the last part (the dynamic data time code -- “HH:MM
24HR”) of the legend, and save the job file.
NOTE: Once the database field appears in the legend, you can
freely edit individual characters, adjusting the text appearance,
power and dwell time specifications, and so on. Likewise, you
can use the flexible positioning functionality to move the
individual character fields within database field to any position
in the legend. You can also delete characters.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–79

4.4.1 Running Legends Containing Databases
With the sample legend now created, each time it is selected to run,
the prompt screen appears with the cursor to the left of the text
string:
When the operators want to indicate the start of the next shift, they
follow these steps:
1. Erase the current shift designator with the backspace key and
type in the next in the sequence (“B”).
2. Press Select to put the cursor into Travel mode, and press the
right arrow key to move the cursor to the OK button.
3. Press Select to accept the change.
The Home screen reappears, displaying the new shift code in the
legend.
When supervisors want to change the printed product code, they

edit the product database record, using the following procedure.
To edit a database record:
6–80 SL078004enc 6/08

The File Management screen appears with the Database
Management icon highlighted.
The Database Management screen appears.
3. Press F2, selecting the Edit Database Record icon.
The Edit Database screen appears, displaying a list of database

key names.
4. Scroll through the list to the key name you want (“Product”),
SL078004enc 6/08 6–81

The Database Record screen appears, showing the text of the
selected key and string. The cursor appears positioned to the
right of the string text.
5. Use the Backspace key to remove unwanted string text

(“TCB”), and type in its replacement (“TLD”).
6. Press the Select key to change the cursor to Traveling mode.
7. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor to the OK button,
The Edit Database screen reappears. The new string text is

accepted and will appear in the legend.
To delete a database record:
6–82 SL078004enc 6/08

The File Management screen appears with the Edit Database
icon highlighted.
The Edit Database screen appears.
3. Press F4, selecting the Delete Database Record icon.
The Delete Database Record screen appears, displaying a list of

database key names.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–83

4. Scroll through the list to the key you want, and press the Select
key.
The Confirm Delete screen appears, showing the text of the

selected key.
5. Press the F2 key below the OK button.
The home screen reappears as the selected record is deleted.
Note: When you delete a database field from a job by deleting

its record, the change may not take effect immediately. Certain
data maintenance preconditions (typically selecting and
printing a different job), may need to take place first.
6–84 SL078004enc 6/08

5 Using Sequence Numbering
5.1 Using Sequence Numbering - An Introduction
Sequence numbers are a type of dynamic data field within a legend.
They contain numeric data that increments or decrements while the
job runs.
They can be used to define serial numbers that identify individual

production units. The sequence number software gives you many
options for defining ranges and reset values to match appropriate
lot and batch schemes.
The software also includes advanced features that let you:

• Specify Pad characters to manage the display of leading zeros
• Specify a base range for any choice of alphanumeric counting
units
• Manage serial number counting in a traversing system
• Specify either a reset or fault display upon count rollover
• Associate a sequence number with a database field, making the
number:
• non-volatile between job selections and power cycling
• editable by the operator, or the CLI
• readable by the CLI
5.2 Using Sequence Numbering - An Overview
You can specify sequence numbers in dynamic data fields to keep a
running count of how many times the laser prints a code on a target
product. Sequence numbers can contain up to 18 alphanumeric
characters, each with its own independent range of values. You
can specify that a sequence number value increase or decrease
while the job is running. This flexibility lets you specify identifying
numbers that operate in any pattern that matches your production
needs. For example, you can specify:
• Serial numbers that uniquely identify each unit of production

within a specified range
• Carton codes that identify each unit within a container as
belonging to that container
• Fill head/lane number codes that identify product associated
with specific product dispensing equipment in a production flow
NOTE: An icon reference table appears at the back of this

section. The table shows each parameter icon used in
SL078004enc 6/08 6–85
sequence numbering and explains each function. The icons
are also interspersed throughout the procedures that follow.
5.3 Specifying Serial Numbers
Serial numbers are the most common use for sequential counting.
A basic serial number that identifies a specified range of individual
production units requires you to specify four value settings:
1. Maximum count
2. Minimum count
3. Start count
4. Count direction
The minimum/maximum values define the opposite limits of a

sequence number range, while the direction (increasing or
decreasing) of the count affects their action. In the typical
increasing count, when the maximum value is exceeded, the count
will reset to the minimum value. For example, in applying serial
numbers to a production lot of 1000 pieces, the settings would be:
• Maximum count = 999

• Minimum count = 000
• Start count = 000
• Count direction = Increase (+)
In operation, when the count reached one thousand (serial number

999), the count value would reset to 000 for the first piece of the
next lot. Section 5, paragraph 5.5 (Understanding Ranges),
explains how to include lot designators into the sequence number.
To insert a basic serial number:
1. Create or open an existing job file.

2. Position the cursor where you want the serial number to appear
when the job runs.
3. Press F1 to select the Dynamic Data icon.
The Dynamic Data format list appears.
4. Press F2 to select the Custom Dynamic Data icon.
6–86 SL078004enc 6/08

The Custom format list appears with the 12345 option
selected.
5. Press the Select button to display the Sequence Number
Parameters screen:
6. Press the Select button twice to make the cursor appear below
the Count Maximum parameter, and then change from
Traveling to Text Editing mode:
7. Change the value as necessary; press the Select key to change

cursor mode; and use the right arrow key to move to the Count
Minimum parameter.
NOTE: Changes made to the Count Maximum value are
reflected in appropriate changes to other values on the
screen.
8. Change or accept the Count Minimum value, and advance the
cursor to the Count Start value.
9. Change or accept the Count Start value, and change to
Traveling mode.
10. Advance to the Next Screen button and press the Select key.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–87

A second screen of sequence number parameters appears.
11. Press the Select key to put the cursor in Traveling mode and
advance to the Count Direction parameter field.
12. Press the Select key to display the Count Direction popup list:
13. Use the up and down arrow keys to chose a direction symbol (+
for an increasing count; - for decreasing, +/- applies to traversing
systems discussed later), and press the Select key.
14. Advance the cursor to the OK button, and press the Select key.
The sequence number field appears in the legend, showing
the Start Count value.
15. Save the changes to an existing job, or name and save a new
job.
5.3.1 Resuming the Count After Interruptions
When a loss of electrical power or product flow interruptions
temporarily suspend your printing operation, you may want to
resume your count precisely at the next value following where the
interruption occurred. However, you cannot simply edit in the
number appearing in the legend display. If you backspace over the
value and simply type in new digits in the text editing panel, you turn
it into plain text, deleting and overwriting the dynamic field.
The best way to manage such interruptions is to use a database

field to program an automatic resumption using the next sequential
value. An example of this method is shown in the following
procedure.
6–88 SL078004enc 6/08

To set a sequential count with a database field:
1. Enter a database record with a key name (for this example

“COUNT”) and a text string of eight digits (“12345678”) -- a string
large enough to accommodate the largest number that might
appear in your legend.
2. Open a new or existing job file; position the cursor where you
want the count fields to appear.
3. Press F1, and then press F2 to display the

Custom format list.
The list appears with the 12345 option selected.
4. Press the Select button to display the Sequence Number

Parameters screen:
5. Change the Maximum Count value to eight digits

(99999999), and press Select.
The Minimum Count value automatically changes to
00000001.
6. Move the cursor to the Count Start value, and press the
Select key.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–89

The list of database keys appears.
7. Use the arrow key to select COUNT, and press the Select key.
The key word COUNT appears as the Start Count value:
8. Move the cursor to the OK button, and press the Select key.
The Legend editing screen reappears with the COUNT string
inserted as a database field.
NOTE: Once the database field appears in the legend, you can
freely edit individual characters, adjusting the text appearance,
power and dwell time specifications, and so on. Likewise you
can use the flexible positioning functionality to move the
database field (or any parts of it) to any position in the legend.
5.3.2 Viewing the Running Total
The changing count of sequence numbers does not appear in the
legend editing panel. The Count Start value appears in the field by
default. However, when you press the Home key, the display
updates to reveal the current count.
Each press of the Home key updates the display to the new total.
6–90 SL078004enc 6/08

5.4 Editing Existing Sequence Numbers
While we recommend anticipating all the parameter settings you will
want for a Sequence Number when you first define it in the job, you
can still make changes to the parameters afterward if necessary. If
you simply display a job in the editing panel, and then follow the
usual sequence of keys to display the Sequence Number screen,
the parameter values shown will be the default values as though you
were setting up a new field. Follow the procedure below to access
the values currently associated with the job.
To edit an existing sequence number field:
1. Press F2 to select the File Management icon.

2. Press F2 to display the list of available jobs.
3. Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through the list to the
job you want, and press the Select key.
The Edit screen appears with the selected job legend in the
editing panel.
4. Use the combination Shift and arrow keys to select the
characters in the Sequence Number field.
5. Press F1 to select the Dynamic Data Field icon, and then press
F2 to select the Custom format list.
6. Press the Select key to choose the Sequence Number option.
The main Sequence Number screen appears, showing the
parameter values currently specified for the job.
7. Press the Select key to change the cursor into Traveling mode,
and navigate to the parameter you want to change.
8. Make the change and navigate to the OK button.
9. Press Select to accept the change, and press F3 to save the
modified job.
10. Press F1 to finish the save operation or press F2 to save the
changed job under a different name.
5.5 Understanding Ranges
Each alphanumeric character in a sequence number can have an
associated range of values. As the count on a running job reaches
the limit of the range, the count resets to a specified starting value
SL078004enc 6/08 6–91

and begins counting the range sequence again. Sequence number
characters can have the following ranges:
• 0-9
• A-Z
• a-z
• 0-9,A-Z
• 0-9,a-z
• 0-9,A-F
• 0-9,a-f
The numeric characters are base 10. The case-sensitive Alphabetic
characters are base 26 (A-Z, a-z) and base 16 (hexadecimal 0-9, A-
F /0-9, a-f).
Different combinations of alphanumeric characters can work

together to create complex serial number sequences that count both
individual units within a range as well as counting the completed
ranges that designate production batches. For example, a serial
number that tracks individual products in thousand-piece lots might
operate as follows:
The batch would start with:
AA000 ...
and continue through the unit range ...
AA001 AA002 AA003 AA004 AA005 AA006 AA007 AA008 AA009 AA010
until reaching the end of its 1000-piece limit, whereas the numeric
range resets to zero, and the alpha lot designator rolls over to the
next letter, indicating the start of the next 1000-piece lot in the
sequence:
AA999 AB000 AB001
5.6 Updating the Start Value When Loading the Job
As you load a job to run, you have an opportunity to change the start
value in any of its sequential count fields. The example procedure
below describes the function:
To change a start value at run time:
1. Select a job to run.
6–92 SL078004enc 6/08

The the Run Confirm screen appears.

The cursor highlights the first sequence number field in the
legend, and a new editing icon replaces the job selection
arrow keys.
NOTE: Where a legend contains more than one sequence

number field, pressing the arrow keys moves the selection
cursor to the next field.
3. Select a field, and press F3.
The Start Values screen appears, showing the current count

(00037) of selected field below the Count Start icon and its
SL078004enc 6/08 6–93

current setting (1) for the Counts to Wait parameter. The
cursor appears to the left of the current count.
4. Replace the current count with a new starting value. (Use the
Backspace key when changing only a few digits at the end
of a long field.)
5. Change the cursor to Travel mode, and move to the Counts to

Wait value to change it; or, move through it to the OK button.
6. With the cursor at the OK button, press Select.
The Start Values screen reappears showing the new start
count value.
7. As needed, repeat Steps 3 through 6 with other sequence

number fields in the legend.
8. Press the OK button to confirm the changed start count job as
selected to run.
5.7 Counting With Different Increment Values
For anti-counterfeiting or other security-related needs, you might
want to specify that your serial numbers change by an interval other
than simple whole number counting. As you set the parameters for
your Sequence Number, use the following procedure.
6–94 SL078004enc 6/08
To specify incremental counting:
1. On the primary Sequence Number screen, move the traveling

cursor to the Increment parameter:
2. Press the Select key to change the cursor, and enter the
increment value you want to use.
3. If important to the goal of the sequence, move to the Count Start
icon and enter an appropriate value.
4. Change the cursor, move to the OK button, and press the Select
key.
5. When the Editing screen reappears, press F3 to save or name
and save the file.
5.8 Batch Counting
It might be important in your application to count batches of product
rather than marking a serial count of each unit. For example, you
might ship your product in a specified carton, containing a standard
number of units within each carton. In this scheme, each product
unit within the carton would receive the same numerical designator.
As the next carton batch of product is handled, the sequence
number increments so that the SmartLase applies this new number
to the individual product units as shown below:
SL078004enc 6/08 6–95

To specify batch counting:
1. On the primary Sequence Number screen, move the traveling

cursor to the Counts to Wait parameter:
2. Press the Select key to change the cursor, and enter the number
of times you want the same code to be marked before it
changes.
3. If important to the goal of the sequence, move to the Count Start
icon and enter an appropriate value.
4. Change the cursor, move to the OK button, and press the Select
key.
5. When the Editing screen reappears, press F3 to save or name
and save the file.
5.9 Using Pad Characters
You can use pad characters to replace the many leading zeros (or
letter As in alphabetic sequences) that are often part of a serial
number. For example, specifiying a dash as a pad character would
change a serial number’s appearance during a counting sequence
as shown below:
00001 ... 00002 ... 00003 ...00004 ... 00005 00010 ... 000011
- - - -1 ... - - - -2 ...- - - -3 ...- - - -4 ...- - - -5 - - -10 ... - - - -11
Pad characters also feature a replacement direction setting that

permits the increasing count total to replace the pad characters to
either the left or right of the whole number. For example:
Replacement from the left Replacement from the right
6–96 SL078004enc 6/08

The default setting replaces characters from the right. The
procedure below includes steps to change the setting from the
default to replacement from the left.
To specify a pad character:

1. On the primary Sequence Number screen, navigate to the arrow
(screen advance) button, and press the Select key.
The secondary screen appears with the cursor in text edit
mode and positioned to enter a pad character.
2. Enter the character you want to use as a pad character, and
press the Select key to change the cursor to Traveling mode.
3. Press the right arrow key to move to the Replacement
Direction icon, and then press the Select key.
The Replacement Direction popup screen appears.
4. Use the up arrow key to move to the Left direction option, and
press the Select key.
The check symbol moves to the Left direction box.
5. Press the down arrow key to move to the OK button, and press
the Select key.
When the Sequence Number screen reappears, it displays
the Left direction arrow icon as the selected option.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–97

The Edit screen reappears.
Press F3 and then F1 to save the job file.
5.10 Enabling the Reset Fault Message
The nature of your production process may make it more beneficial
for the software to halt production and notify you that a sequence
number limit has been exceeded rather than automatically resetting
the count. In this circumstance, you can specify that the system
display the fault icon on the UI shown below.
When the fault message appears, the Clear button is preselected.

When you press the Select key, you “clear” the fault, leaving the
system in a stopped condition. Pressing the green Run key will
resume the counting cycle at the Start Count value.
To specify a count limit fault display:
1. From the main Sequence Number screen, navigate to the Arrow

button, and press Select.
2. As the next screen appears, press Select to put the cursor in

Traveling mode.
3. Advance the cursor to the fault display option, and press Select:
6–98 SL078004enc 6/08

A fault or reset popup screen appears, showing the checkbox
for the default reset-count-at-limit setting selected and the
cursor in traveling mode, positioned at the OK button.
4. Press the up arrow key to move to the fault icon, and press the
Select key.
The check symbol moves to the fault box.
5. Press the down arrow key to move to the OK button, and press
the Select key.
When the Sequence Number screen reappears, it displays
the fault icon as the selected option.
The Edit screen reappears.
7. Press F3 and then F1 to save the job file.
5.11 Using Sequence Numbering with Traversing Systems
Traversing systems, that physically move the SmartLase unit,
require special settings to use sequence numbering. Typical
applications move a product flow in a single direction past a
stationary laser. A simple, sequential count, in a single progression,
is adequate to code the product in these applications. In a
traversing system, the laser repeatedly moves back and forth in a
perpendicular action relative to multiple product flows. Coding for
product traceability in such applications requires more complex
sequence number settings in order to account for the changing
direction of the SmartLase.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–99

NOTE: In order to implement a traversing system, the
SmartLase Dynamic Direction functionality must be enabled.
For more information, see Section 5, Setup, paragraph 2.4.1
(Enabling Dynamic Direction) of this guide.
In the illustration that follows, a series of filler heads distributes a

product into flowing lines of container cups. One goal of the coding
is to associate each finished cup with the head that filled it. The
illustration simplifies the coding to emphasize the filler head
association.
As the conveyor moves four distinct lines of product forward, the

SmartLase moves left and right across the belt width, marking the
cups in each advancing row with the numerical designator of its filler
head. In one pass, it marks 1,2,3,4 across the cups; on the return
6–100 SL078004enc 6/08

sweep, it marks 4,3,2,1. The procedure below uses this illustration
as an example.
To specify sequence numbers on traversing systems:
1. Follow the usual steps to insert a sequence number in a legend:
2. On the Sequence Number screen; set the Count Maximum value

to 4.
3. Move to the Count Minimum parameter, and set it to 1.
4. Move to the Start Count parameter, and set it to 1.
5. Move to the Screen Advance Arrow button, and press the

Select button.
The Second Sequence Number screen appears.
6. Press the Select key to change the cursor to Traveling mode,

and move to the Count Direction parameter.
7. Press the Select key to display the list of options:
SL078004enc 6/08 6–101

8. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to one of the traversing
options, and press the Select key.
9. Advance the cursor to Reset Count Input value,

The Reset Count popup appears.
10. Move the cursor to either of the Reset Count icons, and press
the Select key.
Since the traversing Count Direction option is selected, a
check mark appears at both of the directional icons,
indicating that the count will reset as the SmartLase
completes its motion in both directions.
12. As the Second Sequence Number screen appears, move the
cursor to the Reset or Fault icon, and press the Select key.
6–102 SL078004enc 6/08

The Reset or fault popup appears.
13. Make sure the Reset option box is checked, and press the
Select key. (In a traversing application, you would want the
count to reset as opposed to displaying a fault.)
14. Move the cursor to the OK button and press the Select key.
The legend edit screen reappears.
15. Save the changes to the traversing legend.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–103

5.11.1 Icon Reference Table
Icon Reference Table

Parameter Description
Count Maximum – If the count is decreasing, this is
the value that is rolled over to when the minimum
value is exceeded. If the count is increasing, when
the count is greater than this value, it will reset to the
minimum value. Up to 18 characters long, valid
characters are 0-9, A-Z, a-z. Default value is 9999.
Count Minimum —If the count is increasing, this is
the value that is rolled over to when the maximum
value is exceeded. If the count is decreasing, when
the count is less than this value, it will reset to the
maximum value. Up to 18 characters long, valid
characters are 0-9, A-Z, a-z. Default value is 1.
Count Start – This is the value that is first printed
after a job is loaded at power on or when the
operator selects the job to be loaded. This is a static
value and does not change while the job is running.
This value will not be used if the Count Start Data
Field has a valid entry. Up to 18 characters long,
valid characters are 0-9, A-Z, a-z. Default value is
1.
Count Start Data Field – The value referenced by
this data field is the first value printed after a job is
loaded at power on or when the operator selects the
job to be loaded. This is a dynamic value and is
updated whenever the next sequence number to
print is updated. It retains its value through power
cycles. The user must create the data base entry on
the Data Field input screen prior to including it in a
sequence number. To input the desired data field,
the user will be presented with a list of valid data
fields.
Increment – This is the amount to change each
time. Up to 18 characters long, valid characters are
0-9, A-Z, a-z. Default value is 1.
6–104 SL078004enc 6/08

Counts to Wait – The number of prints to wait

before incrementing/decrementing. Default value is
1. Minimum value is 1. Maximum value is 65536.
Accept Data – When all of the data has been
entered, the user selects OK to enter the sequence
number into the job.
Screen Advance – Allows access to a second
screen of sequence number parameters.
Pad Character – The character used to replace

preceding 0’s or A’s if in base 26. The character
can be any valid printable character. Default value
is none, meaning that the leading 0’s will be printed.
Maximum length is 1 character.
Pad Justification – If set to , the pad characters
will be placed to the left of the count. If set to , the
pad characters will be placed to the right of the
count.
Base – The range of characters used in the
specified position. This has the same number of
characters as the Count Maximum.
0,9 = base 10
a,A = base 26 (alphabet A-Z or a-z)
z,Z= base 36 alphanumeric 0-9,A-Z or 0-9,a-z)
f,F= base 16 hex, 0-9,A-F or 0-0,a-f
Default value is 0000. This value is automatically
updated based on the values entered for the
maximum value.
SL078004enc 6/08 6–105

Count Direction – Adjusts the increment value

according to one of four options:
+ Adds the increment value to the current value.
When value exceeds the maximum, it resets to
minimum or faults.
– Subtracts the increment value from the current
value. When the value is less than the minimum, it
resets to maximum or faults.
+/- Works in conjunction with the dynamic
direction input. When the direction input is “false,” it
adds the increment. When the direction input is
“true,” it subtracts the increment.
- /+ Works in conjunction with the dynamic
direction input. When the direction input is “true,” it
adds the increment. When the direction input is
“false,” it subtracts the increment.
Reset or Fault – Determines the behavior when a
rollover condition occurs. If set to , the count
resets. If set to , a fault is declared.
Reset Count Input – When set to , it has no

effect on the sequence number. When set to , it
forces the count to reset when the dynamic direction
input changes as shown in the following Reset
Count Input table.
6–106 SL078004enc 6/08

5.12 Reset Count Input
Reset Count Input

Direction Dynamic Direction Count Reset Behavior
Setting Input Transitions to Selection
+ True Resets the count to
Minimum
- True Resets the count to
Maximum
+ False Resets the count to
Minimum
- False Resets the count to
Maximum
+/- True Resets the count to
Maximum
+/- False Resets the count to
Minimum
-/+ True Resets the count to
Minimum
-/+ False Resets the count to
Maximum
SL078004enc 6/08 6–107

6–108 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 7
Maintaining the System
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
SECTION 7 Maintaining the System
1 Maintenance Procedures
1.1 Cleaning Lens Saver
The focusing lens is protected against dirt by a transparent shield
called a lens saver. Dirt absorbs laser power and can cause poor
quality codes. For this reason, frequent cleaning of the lens saver is
necessary. Use acetone and six-inch cotton applicators or alcohol
wipes (Markem-Imaje p/n 8000189) to clean the nozzle lens saver
as follows:
1. Turn off the key switch and remove the key from the power
supply.
2. Remove the nozzle for the SmartLase machine.
3. Dip the cotton applicator into the acetone or isopropyl alcohol,
and swab off the lens surface.
4. Using a new cotton applicator, wipe off all residue on the lens.
5. Reinstall the nozzle onto the SmartLase.
6. Reinsert the key into the key switch.
1.2 Replacing Fuses
If the laser power is not on (indicated by green power on LED) when
the toggle switch (A) is in the on ( I ) position, check the fuses as
follows:
1. Turn off the key switch (B) and remove the key from the power
supply.
2. Disconnect the DC power line (C) from the power supply.
3. Open the fuse block and check the continuity of the fuses.
4. Replace with Fuse 6.3 A, 250 V 9 (p/n SL310007).
5. Install fuse block and reconnect power.
SL078004enc 6/08 7–1

1.3 Inspecting Optional Guard Assembly
If the SmartLase is supplied with an optional conveyor guard, the
integrity of the guard should be inspected every eight hours or after
unforeseeable damage or misuse. A visual check of all panels and
their fixtures should be performed.
Any cracked, discolored, missing, or otherwise damaged panels
should be replaced prior to activating the SmartLase. Call a
Markem-Imaje service representative for assistance.
For general cleaning of the panels, any mild detergent or isopropyl
alcohol may be used.
1.3.1 Cleaning Exterior Surfaces

1. Turn off the key switch and remove the key.
2. Disconnect the AC power line.
3. Spray all purpose cleaner onto a clean cloth.
4. Wipe exterior surfaces.
7–2 SL078004enc 6/08

2 Basic Troubleshooting
2.1 Basic Troubleshooting Guide
Problem Probable Cause Solution

No display on User No power Check AC mains supply
Interface (On 30W units, check DC from PSU
in IPC cabinet.)
UI contrast level incorrect Adjust UI contrast level
Software corruption Cycle the power to the unit
Replace the UI with a known good

UI; if display reappears, the software
in the faulty UI will need to be
re-flashed.
Not possible to “LOG IN” The UI has lost Cycle power to the unit
using the correct communications with the laser
Check UI cable connector on the
password or PIN back of the laser
Also, no current code Re-flash the software in the laser

visible in the center of unit
the display
Not printing No power Check AC supply
Not in “RUN” mode Select “RUN” mode at the UI
No print signal Check print signal input in diagnostic

menu
Encoder not rotating Check encoder input in the

diagnostic menu
Numbers in code Encoder slipping Check tension spring on encoder
overlapping
Check point of contact between
encoder wheel and main turret for
contamination
SL078004enc 6/08 7–3


Numbers in code Insufficient aperture to print Check that the dwell time value has
spreading code not been increased
Check that trigger distance is not

less than 4.0 cm
Check that line speed has not been

increased

Numbers in code slanting Laser mounting not Re-adjust laser on bracket until
(stair stepping) perpendicular to the bottle perpendicular

Numbers appear over Laser firing too early or too Adjust the trigger distance until the
size at one end of the late character dimension is consistent
across the whole code
code
Numbers in code Water on bottle Ensure air knife position correct
incomplete (broken)
Laser overheating Check air supply to the laser
(minimum 4.0 bar)

Numbers in code “faint” Power set too low Increase power setting in 1%
increments until the code quality
returns
Dwell time too low Check and increase dwell time

Laser over temperature Compressed air supply too low Check to make sure pressure set to
at least 4.0bar
Line speed has been Reduce line speed

increased (bpm)
Print time set too high Reduce dwell time and or power
setting
2.2 Additional Troubleshooting Assistance

If you have questions, or for additional help troubleshooting the
SmartLase, contact Markem-Imaje Technical Support.
7–4 SL078004enc 6/08

SECTION 8
SmartLase 130i Menu Trees
SmartLase 130i
Service Guide
1
Top-level Menu Hierarchy
SL078004enc 6/08
Home Screen
View selected job,

print count, laser
power and dwell time
F1 F2 F3 F4
Top-level Menu Hierarchy
Demo Print
Select Job File Menu Setup Laser
Adjust Laser
Parameters
F1 F2 F3 F4 F1 F2 F3 F4
Enter, Select
Confirm job or Access Create Select Select Resume Editing Decrease Laser Increase Laser Adjust Dwell Test Print
scroll through Database New Job Job to Edit Job to Delete Power Power
jobs Edit Job
“E” Enter Enter F1 F2 F3 F4
Edit sequence Confirm Return to Home Scroll Through Scroll Through See edit job Confirm Deletion
numbers in job Selection Screen Jobs Jobs hierarchy
selected Decrease Dwell Increase Dwell Adjust Power Test Print
Time Time
Edit database
fields in selected
job that are
configured for
edit when job is
loaded
“L”, Enter, “P” “M” “D” “C” “R”
Select
Parameters Multi-drop Display Serial Reset Count Adjust Trigger
Enter Password Display for Laser Select Numbers for Selected Distance for
Selected Job Job Selected Job
SECTION 8 SmartLase 130i Menu Trees
8–1
2
8–2
Job Edit Hierarchy
Edit
Job
Enter, F1 F2 F4 F3
Job Edit Hierarchy
Select
Assign Select a Assign Text Assign Assign Assign Enter and Modify
Select and Assign dimensions graphic rotation to justifi- pixeli- laser power laser dwell select text Motion Test print dynamic Save job
enter text in Insert
font to to selected from a list selected cation zation to to selected to selected parameters data file
WYSIWYG Dynamic
selected text of graphics text selected text text attributes
text Data text
If new file If existing If existing

file file
Assign one Enter File F1 F2
Assign Assign Assign Assign atom per Assign Assign
character Character Character line three atoms/ seven Trigger Velocity Name
pixel to
width to height to spacing to spacing to selected text pixel to atoms/pixel parameters and
selected selected selected selected selected to selected trigger Save with Go to
text text text text text text mode original enter file
name name
Enter
check for
Trigger Minimum Reverse Spacing Prints per Trigger Encoder Con- Static Con- existing file
distance product trigger between trigger sensor velocity stant print tinuous with matching
spacing distance multiple inhibits with velocity mode print no name. If none,
prints print trigger mode save job file
sensor
with and go to home
trigger
F2 F3
Trigger Trigger
sensor does sensor Overwrite Return to
not inhibit inhibits existing enter file
print print job file name
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3
Modify
Dynamic
Data
Attributes
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Year Month Day Rounding Reference Reference Reference Reference Reference Reference Update
Hour Minute year for
offset offset offset minute for month for day for hour for second for frequency
offset offset update
update update update update update
“Day of “None” “Day of “Days” “Hours” “Minutes” “Months” “Weeks”

Month” Week”
No
rounding
Modify Dynamic Data Attributes
“Round “Round “Round “Round

Day To” Day To”
Date” Date”
Day Hour Minute Hour Minute Minute Month Day of Hour Minute No. of Day of Hour Minute
to to to to to to To Month to to to Weeks to Week to to to
Update Update Update Update Update Update Update Update Update Update Wait Update Update Update
8–3
4
8–4
Motion
Setup
Motion Setup
Load from Save to Configure Manual Laser Motion

File File Velocity Configuration Parameters
Encoder
Select
Setup File Enter File
to Name Encoder Pulses Encoder Sensor Seven Trigger Dynamic Image Direction Settle
Load Wheel Per Divider Check Second Configure Polarity Direction Rotation of Motion Time
Diameter Revolution Delay Auto-
Recovery
“Enter” Enter
if File Diameter
Already View Enable Disable Enable Disable Rising Falling Disable Active Active Accept
Exists Velocity Sensor Sensor Delay Delay Edge Edge Dynamic Right Left Dynamic
Pulse Freq Check Check Direction Direction
F2 F3
Overwrite Return to
Existing Job File Enter File Name
SL078004enc 6/08
5
Sequence Number Editing
Sequence
SL078004enc 6/08
Number
Editing
Maximum Minimum Starting Non-volatile Prints Between Insert Field Increment

Increment Increments
Count Count Value Database Edit Job Additional
Parameters
Sequence Number Editing
Count
Pad Character Justification Base by Digit Direction Insert Field Sequence On Reaching
Reset on Input
Job Edit Number Count
Editing
“+” “-“ “+/-“
Count Up Count Down Input

Right Left Accept Selects Reset on Fault on Accept on
No Reset Reset on Reset on Accept
Justified Justified Justification Limit Limit Reaching
Input Input True Input False Reset on Input
Count
8–5
8–6 SL078004enc 6/08

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Declaration of Conformity

Year of Manufacture: 2008

Applicable Directives: 73/23/EEC

Applicable Standards: EN 60825-1 (1994) Laser

Part Number: SL043006 0879319

The SmartLase® SL130i Service Guide was written at:

Markem is a registered trademark of Markem Corporation.

Copyright® 2008 All rights reserved.

Section 2 Safety Information

Section 3 Machine Description - Overview

1 Machine Description - Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

Section 4 Installing the Hardware

Section 6 Programming the SmartLase

Section 8 SmartLase 130i Menu Trees

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Input Keypad Membrane QWERTY touch pad

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Line Speed Up to 300 ft./minute (90 m/minute)

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SL078004enc 6/08 1–5

1–6 SL078004enc 6/08

• myMARKEM Website: www.MARKEM.com

The information on your printer packaging slips can be written below

Item Part Number

SL078004enc 6/08 1–7

Item Part Number

1–8 SL078004enc 6/08

Item Part Number

SL078004enc 6/08 1–9

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Applicable safety information depends on options installed and

Danger is used to indicate an imminently hazardous situation

Warning is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation

Caution is used to indicate a potentially hazardous situation

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SmartLase lasers are designed to comply with requirements

Federal regulations require that all laser products manufactured on

Product features incorporated into the design of the SmartLase

To prevent exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation, follow all

In addition to the above described safety features, common safe

2–2 SL078004enc 6/08

Safe operation of the laser requires the use of an external beam

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The warning labels located on the SmartLase Model 130i are as

Warning Label 1 - International hazard symbol that warns of laser

Warning Label 2 - Explanatory laser radiation warning:

Warning Label 3 - Laser shutter position indicator:

2–4 SL078004enc 6/08

Warning Label 5 - Markem-Imaje rating label. (This information is

Warning Label 6 - Electrical hazard warning risk of electrical shock.

SL078004enc 6/08 2–5

Warning Label 8 - Options:

2–6 SL078004enc 6/08

The locations of warning and other important labels on the

Figure 2- 1 SmartLase® 130i Warning Label Location

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Depending on the options installed and system configuration, the

5.1 Laser Safety

Always observe the safety precautions and operating procedures