ROLAND LV-290 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

The ROLAND LV-290 has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Use only I/O cables that have been designed and manufactured specifically for this device.

Principles of a CO2 Laser:

LASER is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The ROLAND LV-290 uses a CO2 laser that works by electrically stimulating molecules within a carbon dioxide gas mixture. When focused through a lens, this highly-intense and invisible beam vaporizes many materials. Depending on speed and intensity, it can engrave or cut a wide variety of materials.

Safety Ratings:

The ROLAND LV-290 is equipped with a sealed carbon-dioxide laser emitting invisible laser radiation at a 10.6-micron wavelength. Under normal use, it is designated as a Class 1 laser device, meaning it has key safety features and an enclosed laser head to completely contain the laser. It also features a Class 2 red beam safety guidance pointer to show the exact location where the laser will fire. When the front and back doors are open, the machine becomes a Class 4 equipment, and users must wear goggles to operate it.

The ROLAND LV-290 is equipped with a safety interlock system that uses magnetic sensors on the top and side access doors, along with laser-activation and door LED lights on the control panel.

The magnetic sensors will deactivate the laser if either door is open. When this happens, the “door” LED light on the control panel will illuminate, indicating an open or improperly closed door.

When the laser is in operation, the “laser” LED will illuminate to inform the operator that the laser is activated.

WARNING:

If at any time an access door is open and the “laser” LED is illuminated, IMMEDIATELY unplug the laser system and contact your authorized dealer.

DO NOT operate the laser system if any component of the safety system is malfunctioning.

DO NOT attempt to remove or modify any component of the safety interlock system.

LASER RADIATION WARNING: Exposure to laser radiation can result in physical burns and severe eye damage. Proper use and regular maintenance are crucial for safety.

Always follow these safety measures:

• Prior to operation, read and familiarize yourself with all warning labels on the laser system and in the manual.

• Never leave the machine unattended during operation, as it may ignite combustible materials. A fire extinguisher and smoke/fire detector should be nearby.

• Use of controls or adjustments other than those specified may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

• Resulting debris from laser cutting are dangerous and can cause a fire hazard. DO NOT leave debris inside the machine. Keep the machine clean after each job.

• Enable the SmartAIR™ nozzle when engraving or cutting materials that ignite easily (e.g., acrylic, wood, paper).

• Always wear safety goggles. Reflective materials can partially reflect invisible laser radiation, causing severe eye damage.

• Connect the machine to a properly grounded electrical outlet that complies with the machine’s voltage, frequency, and current ratings.

• Ensure the work area is well-ventilated. An exhaust system, vacuum cutting box, and honeycomb table are recommended.

• Do not laser heat-sensitive materials that may generate toxic fumes, like PVC and Teflon.

• Regularly clean and maintain your machine as per the instructions in Chapter 8.

The ROLAND LV-290 should be placed and operated in a standard office-type environment. Follow these guidelines for a suitable location:

• Avoid environments with high levels of dust, high temperature (exceeding 30°C or 85°F), or high humidity (exceeding 70%).

• Avoid small, enclosed areas with poor ventilation.

• Avoid areas with high levels of noise and electrical noise.

• Select a location large enough for the LV-290, an exhaust system, a computer, and a work/storage table.

• Ambient temperature should be between 15°C and 30°C (60°F to 85°F).

• Relative humidity should be between 30% and 40%.

• Choose a location with a short, direct path to the fume exhaust system.

• Place the LV-290 on a completely even floor surface.

• Ensure a functioning smoke or fire detection system is in the immediate area.

• The machine should be at least 60 cm (2 feet) away from the wall.

The noise level of the ROLAND LV-290 was measured under test conditions at a distance of 1 meter from the machinery’s surface and a height of 1.6 meters from the floor. The sound test result is 49.8 dB.

WARNING: More than one person may be needed to unload the shipping crate to avoid injury or damage. It is recommended to store the original shipping crate for future transport.

Before unpacking, ensure the installation location has at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) of clearance on all sides of the machine.

Follow these steps to unpack your ROLAND LV-290:

1. Move the shipping crate close to the desired working location. Place the top board on the floor with the outer side facing up.

2. Remove the two strings securing the machine.

3. Release the 4 screws (2 on each side) to take out the slide step.

4. Place the slide step next to the top board to create a ramp.

5. Loosen the 4 screws to take off the left and right spacers before rolling the machine down.

6. Carefully roll the machine down the ramp and off the packing crate.

NOTE: More than one person may be needed to avoid injury or damage to the machine.

To re-pack the ROLAND LV-290, follow these steps:

1. Set up the ramp using the top board and slide step. Carefully push the machine onto the wood pallet.

2. Insert and lock the left and right spacers and slide step into the packing crate.

3. Fasten the belts to affix the machine to the wood plate. To do this, put the belt through the buckle mechanism as shown in the manual.

4. Move the buckle to tighten the belt and then buckle it up securely.

5. Insert the four side boards into the slots of the bottom plate.

6. The re-pack is complete.

Before you use the ROLAND LV-290 for the first time, you must remove the tape protecting the mirror.

WARNING: You must remove the tape-protected mirror before using the machine. Using the machine with the protected tape may result in fire.

1. Open the front cover.

2. Locate the mirror with the protective tape. Carefully remove the tape. DO NOT touch the mirror surface when you remove the tape.

CAUTION: Make sure both the ROLAND LV-290 and computer are turned off before connecting either to a power source.

1. Connect the male end of the power cord to a quality surge protector, and then connect the surge protector to a properly grounded outlet.

2. Do the same for your computer system.

3. If you have an air compressor and external air extraction system, connect them to the laser machine before powering up.

4. Connect the female end of the power cord to the machine’s power cable inlet, located on the right side of the machine.

NOTE: The LV-290 is designed to automatically switch from 100-240 VAC.

1. The USB port and the SmartVISION™ Pro CCD connection port are located on the right side of the laser machine.

2. After installing the printer driver and SmartCONTROL Vision software, connect one USB cable between the computer and the main USB port on the laser machine.

3. Connect the second USB cable between the computer and the SmartVISION™ Pro CCD connection port on the laser machine.

The ROLAND LV-290 has a built-in LAN port. To set up a network connection using DHCP (dynamic IP), follow these steps:

1. Connect a LAN cable to the LAN port on the machine and turn the machine on.

2. On the machine’s control panel, navigate to Function (``) -> Machine Setting -> LAN Setup Wizard. The IP address, Mask, and Gate will be displayed.

3. On your Windows computer, go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Devices and Printers. Right-click on the ROLAND LV-290 printer and select “Printer properties”.

4. Go to the “Ports” tab, click “Add Port…”, select “Standard TCP/IP Port”, and click “New Port…”.

5. The “Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard” will open. Click “Next”.

6. Enter the IP address from the machine’s control panel into the “Printer Name or IP Address” field. Click “Next”.

7. The system may report that the device is not found. Select “Standard” and choose “Generic Network Card” from the list. Click “Next”.

8. Click “Finish” to complete the wizard. The new port will be created and selected in the printer properties. Click “Close” to finalize.

To set up the ROLAND LV-290 with a static IP address:

On the Laser Machine:

1. Connect a LAN cable to the machine’s LAN port and turn it on.

2. On the control panel, navigate: `` Function -> Machine Setting -> LAN Setup Wizard -> Set DHCP to OFF.

3. Navigate to IP Address. Enter a static IP address (e.g., 192.168.3.X, where X is a unique number from 1-255) and a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0 using the UP/DOWN keys.

On the Computer:

4. Go to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network Connections. Right-click your active network device and choose “Properties”.

5. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”.

6. Select “Use the following IP address”. Enter an IP address on the same subnet as the machine (e.g., 192.168.3.Y, where Y is different from X) and the same Subnet mask (255.255.255.0). Click OK.

In Printer Properties:

7. Go to Control Panel -> Devices and Printers. Right-click the ROLAND LV-290 printer and select “Printer properties”.

8. Go to the “Ports” tab, click “Add Port…”, select “Standard TCP/IP Port”, and click “New Port…”.

9. Follow the wizard, entering the static IP address you assigned to the laser machine in step 3. Finalize the port creation.

If you are having trouble with the Ethernet connection after setting a static IP, follow these steps:

1. Verify the IP addresses are valid:

• Open the Command Prompt on your computer (Press Windows key + R, type `cmd`, and press OK).

• Type `ping [IP address of laser machine] -t` and press Enter (e.g., `ping 192.168.100.101 -t`).

• If you see “Reply from…”, the connection is OK. If you see “Request timed out”, there is a communication problem.

2. Run Diagnostics:

• If the ping test fails, run the `ipconfig` command in the Command Prompt on your PC to see its TCP/IP configuration.

• If the IP addresses seem invalid for your network, ask your LAN administrator for a proper, valid set of IP addresses for both the PC and the ROLAND LV-290.

• Try directly connecting the ROLAND LV-290 to your PC with an RJ45 cable, bypassing any routers or switches. If PING works and you can send files, the issue is with your LAN environment, and you should consult your LAN administrator.

The ROLAND LV-290 can transmit data from a USB flash drive. The drive must be in FAT16/FAT32 format with a maximum capacity of 32G. The USB storage port only supports USB flash drive 2.0.

1. In your graphics software, ensure the page setup and orientation match the ROLAND LV-290.

2. Go to File -> Print.

3. Select the ROLAND LV-290 printer.

4. Check the “Print to file” checkbox and click the Print button.

5. In the “Print To File” dialog, select a save folder, define a file name with a .PRN extension, and click “Save”.

6. Move the converted .PRN file to your USB flash drive.

7. Insert the USB flash drive into the USB Storage port on the machine.

8. On the control panel, navigate to `` Function -> File Management -> USB Drive File.

9. Choose the file from the list and press the Enter button to transmit it to the laser engraver.

10. Press the START button on the control panel to begin the laser job. Do not remove the USB flash drive while the job is processing.

Recommended Computer Configuration:

• CPU: Pentium 90 (or equivalent) or greater

• RAM: 32 MB or higher

• HDD: 1.2 GB Hard Drive or greater

• SVGA: 15″ Super VGA Monitor

• On Board Parallel Mode (Enabled from motherboard’s BIOS): SPP (Preferred Mode) or ECP (Cable less than 1.8 meters)

Software Compatibility:

• The ROLAND LV-290 printer driver is designed for Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or other subsequently developed operating systems.

• The LV-290 is compatible with graphics software that can output HPGL commands, such as CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, and Illustrator.

1. Insert the installation disk from the accessory box into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The CD Manager should start automatically.

2. From the menu, click on `` -> ``.

3. The LV-290 Driver Installation wizard will appear. Click ``.

4. The installation will proceed.

5. In the “Port Configure” window, choose the connection type (LAN or USB) and press ``.

6. A window will show the printer name. Click ``.

7. Click `` to complete the installation.

NOTE: To get proper output, you will need to set the ROLAND LV-290 as the default printer in your graphics software or in the Windows Control Panel.

1. Turn the ROLAND LV-290’s power on.

2. Insert the SmartCONTROL™ installation disk into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The setup should begin automatically.

3. From the menu, click on “Install SmartCONTROL”.

4. Click “Next” to start the installation.

5. The installation will take a few seconds.

6. When the installation is complete, click “OK” to continue to the Device Driver installation.

7. The Device Driver Installation Wizard will appear. Click “Next”.

8. A Windows security dialog box will ask “Would you like to install this device software?”. Check “Always trust software from AISYS VISION CORPORATION” and click “Install”.

9. After the device driver installation, click “Finish”.

10. A “SmartCONTROL” folder will be created on your desktop. Open the folder and double-click SmartCONTRL.exe to run the program.

Adobe applications (like Illustrator, Photoshop) process files via Advanced Printing Features, which must be deselected for the ROLAND LV-290 to recognize files correctly.

Deselect “Enable Advanced Printing Features”:

1. Go to Control Panel -> Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click on the ROLAND LV-290 printer and choose “Printer properties”.

3. Click the “Advanced” tab and uncheck the box for “Enable advanced printing features”. Click “Close”.

File Transfer from Adobe Illustrator:

1. In Illustrator, with your object selected, choose File -> Print.

2. At the print setup screen, for “Printer”, choose the ROLAND LV-290 printer driver.

3. Click the “Print Settings…” button to enter the printer’s preferences.

4. After setting your preferences, click “Print” in the Illustrator dialog to send the file to the machine.

The control panel provides manual control over the ROLAND LV-290. Its main components are:

• LED Indicator Lights:

– Door: Illuminates when the top lid or pass-through doors are open or improperly closed.

– Power: Illuminates when the LV-290 is powered on.

– Laser: Illuminates when the laser is active.

• LCD Display Screen: Shows menus, job information, and machine status.

• Function Buttons (F1-F4): Select functions displayed on the LCD screen above them.

• Directional Buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right): Navigate menus and adjust settings.

• Enter: Confirms the current selection.

• Start/Stop: Starts or stops engraving jobs.

• Delete: Deletes the current job.

• Pause: Pauses the current job; press again to resume.

• Auto Focus: Automatically adjusts the vertical focal distance for the laser.

• Manual Focus (Up/Down arrows on some models): Manually adjusts the worktable’s vertical height (z-axis).

The Main Work Page is the “home base” of the control panel, displaying key job information like file name, Speed, Power, PPI, and DPI. Here are the functions of the buttons on this page:

After setting up your design in your graphics software, you can access the ROLAND LV-290 printer driver by going to `FILE > PRINT > PROPERTIES`. The driver consists of several pages to configure your job:

• Options Page: Select the main operating mode (e.g., Black & White, Manual Color Fill, 3D Mode), set DPI, and use functions like Mirror, Invert, and SmartACT.

• Pen Page: Assign different Speed, Power, and PPI settings to up to 16 different colors for combined raster and vector jobs. Also controls Air Assist, Auto Focus, and Defocus per color.

• Advanced Page: Access advanced functions like Scaling (for dimensional accuracy), Position Modes (Home, Center, etc.), and Vector Functions (Vector Sorting, Optimization).

• Paper Page: Set the work area size (Paper Size), measurement units (Metric/Imperial), and configure settings for the optional Rotary Fixture.

• Language Page: Change the language of the printer driver interface.

• Raster Page: (Appears in Black & White Mode) Adjust dithering and diffusion settings for raster engraving quality.

• Stamp Page: (Appears in Stamp Mode) Customize shoulder and pitch settings for creating rubber stamps.

WARNING: Always turn off and unplug the machine before cleaning to avoid electrical shock or damage.

Cleaning the Work Table and Motion System:

1. Turn off and unplug the machine.

2. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the work table and motion system.

3. Apply a small amount of all-purpose cleaner or acetone to a towel to clean the working table. Never pour liquid directly on the table.

4. Use a towel with soap solution or all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the motion system rails.

5. Ensure all parts are dry before plugging in and operating.

Lubrication of the X & Y Rails:

• On a weekly basis, apply a small amount of light-grade machine oil or PS2 grease to the X and Y rails.

• Every two weeks, apply 0.1ml of NSK Grease PS2 (from accessory box) to the X linear rail.

Cleaning the Optics (Mirrors and Focal Lens):

1. It is highly recommended to remove, clean, and replace each mirror one at a time to maintain alignment.

2. Follow the detailed instructions in Chapter 8.3 of the user manual to access and remove each of the four mirrors and the focal lens.

3. To clean, hold the mirror by its edges. Drape a new lens tissue over it.

4. Apply a few drops of methanol to the tissue and pull it across the mirror surface in one single direction.

5. Ensure the optic is completely dry before reinstalling. DO NOT apply finger pressure or other cleaning solutions directly to the surface.

Efficient exhaust ventilation is crucial for laser cutting quality. To maintain ventilation efficiency, clean the exhaust duct regularly.

1. Remove the screws that fix the rear door panel of the laser machine.

2. Remove the screws that secure the exhaust duct on the rear door panel.

3. Open the rear door and take out the exhaust duct.

4. Clean the exhaust duct with water.

5. Once clean and dry, fix and secure the exhaust duct and rear door panel back to the laser machine.

If the laser on your ROLAND LV-290 does not fire, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. If the red alignment beam is not visible, the laser beam may be misaligned. Adjust the reflection mirrors for exact focus.

2. If the red alignment beam is visible, check the power setting in the printer driver or on the control panel. The power may be set too low for detection. Increase the power percentage.

3. Check if the laser power connector is securely connected.

4. For safety, the laser will not fire if the top lid or front door is open. The door sensors must be closed.

5. If your laser model requires water cooling, check the water level and temperature of the water cooler. The laser tube will automatically shut down if it overheats.

NOTE: Unplug the machine before examining the mirrors, lens, motion system, or any other part of the laser system.

The “Graphic Was Clipped…” message indicates that the size or location of the graphic image is larger than or beyond the legal working area of the ROLAND LV-290. To resolve this, ensure your graphic object, especially vectors, is not placed at the absolute edge of the working area in your design software. Even a thin vector line can have a width that extends beyond the border.

If this message appears randomly on jobs that are within the legal border, it could indicate an issue with the DRAM module (bad contact or faulty DRAM). Check or change the DRAM module if the problem persists.

* Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.