Description
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to start an engraving task using the Auto Feeder with Beambox II configured with the Passthrough Add-on (Open Base). This setup allows for effortless handling of longer materials, enabling continuous production and maximizing efficiency.
Please follow the instructions corresponding to this specific configuration.
Auto Feeder Setup Explanation Page
Unboxing:
| Auto Feeder Package | |||
| # | Item Name | Description | Q'ty |
| 1 | Feeder | The main part that controls the material's movement and engraving path. | 1pc |
| 2 | Rail | The part has built-in white ball wheels, allowing the material to move smoothly. | 5pcs |
| 3 | Rail fixing beam | It's the bars or beams that are to be installed horizontally to steady the structure. | 1pc |
| 4 | Belt | It's the timing belt that will be mounted on the feeder, responsible for its movement. | 1pc |
| 5 | Belt clamp | It is the belt's retainer used to fix the belt's position. | 2pcs |
| 6 | Rail connector | It is used to connect the rails to have longer rails. | 6pcs |
| 7 | Edge guide rollers | They are used to limit the material's position from going off in the wrong direction. | 1set |
| 8 | Edge guide roller platform | It's the platfrom where the rollers will be sitting on it. The positon of the platforms can be changed depending on the size of the material. | 2pcs |
| 9 | Rail riser | It can be considered as foot used to raise the setup. | 5pcs |
| 10 | Adapter | It's the cable's adapter which one slot is for the machine's cable and the other is for the feeder's cable. | 1pc |
| 11 | Rail magnet | The purpose of the part is to limit the material's positon similar to the rollers. It is also used to stick the setup to the machine. | 4pcs |
| 12 | L-Shaped Positioning Bracket | The magnet will be installed on the bracket to stick to the machine. | 2pcs |
| 13 | M5 T-Nut | It will be the nut for the magnet. | 4pcs |
| 14 | Rail clamp | This will be used to fix the setup on the machine. Some of the setup won't need this part. | 1pc |
| 15 | Cable | The cable to connet to the machine and the adapter. | 1pc |
| 16 | M5*6 screw | Short screw | 6pcs |
| 17 | M5*12 screw | Midium screw | 6pcs |
| 18 | M5*22 screw | Long screw | 6pcs |
| 19 | M4 Hex screw driver | This tool is used to install the setup. | 1pc |
| 20 | 2.5mm Hex wrench | This tool is used to install the setup. | 1pc |
| 21 | 2mm Hex wrench | This tool is used to install the setup. | 1pc |
| 22 | 10mm Open-end wrench | This tool is used to adjust or replace the feeder's wheel. | 1pc |
| 23 | White Ball Wheel | This is the spare for the white ball wheels that are built-in on the rails. | 3pcs |
| Extension Package | |||
| # | Item Name | Description | Q'ty |
| 1 | Rail | The part has built-in white ball wheels, allowing the material to move smoothly. | 6pcs |
| 2 | Rail connector | It is used to connect the rails to have longer rails. | 6pcs |
| 3 | Rail fixing beam | It's the bars or beams that are to be installed horizontally to steady the structure. | 2pcs |
| 4 | Rail riser | It can be considered as foot used to raise the setup. | 5pcs |
| 5 | M5*6 screw | Short screw | 8pcs |
| 6 | M5*22 screw | Long screw | 6pcs |
| 7 | M5*25 screw | Ultral long screw | 4pcs |
| 8 | 3m (300mm) belt | This belt will be used to replace the original one when using the longest setup. | 1pc |
| 9 | Extension Cable | This cable will be used to extened the cable of the feeder when using the longest setup. | 1pc |
| 10 | White Ball Wheel | This is the spare for the white ball wheels that are built-in on the rails. | 3pcs |
Step F1
Install the following add-ons, referring to the link.
Step F2
Install the Beambox II Extension Pocket Add-on (Feet) and open the bottom cover, referring to the guide below.
Extension Pocket Installation Guide
(Please skip installing the pocket part.)
Step F3
After installing the Extension Pocket Add-on (Feet) and opening the bottom cover, turn off the machine and remove the power cord.
Step F4
Find the main rail (the one with a belt) and remove the rail connectors.
(Other rail connectors may be in other rails.)
Step F5
Loosen the belt retainers on both sides by using the small Allen key.
Remove the belt afterward.
| Short Side of Belt | Long Side of Belt |
Step E5.1
Prepare the long belt (300cm) from the box, 1 belt clamp (the one removed earlier), and 1 rail (the one removed earlier).
Secure the long belt to the rail with the belt clamp, aligning the edges of the belt with the edges of the rail. This side will be the short side of the belt.
The position of the belt should be: with the white rollers facing up, the short side of the belt should be on the right. Also, ensure the belt is directed correctly, with the toothed side facing inward.
For the long side of the belt, leave it unscrewed for now.
Step F6
Prepare the feeder and the main rail (with belt).
Insert the main rail into the pulley with the long side of the belt going in first.
Hook the belt upward onto the gear and guide it downward, forming a peak shape.
It is essential to insert it in this direction, ensuring that the long side of the belt remains on the same side as the feeder's flat surface.
Step F7
Prepare two rail connectors and an extension rail (with white ball wheels).
Each block has four screws. Secure two screws on the main rail and two on the extension rail to achieve a firm clamping effect.
(Note: Ensure the extension rail has white wheels, as the wheels are for the feeders to move. The connectors have to be on the same side of the white wheels and at the bottom of the white wheels.)
Step F8
Fix the belt at the long side with the belt retainer that was removed earlier.
(Please ensure the belt is tight before fixing it.)
Please ensure the belt is well hooked on the pulley. If not, please remove the belt retainer and re-insert the feeder.
Step F9
Find 8 Rails and 8 Rail connectors, then connect each pair to extend them. You will end up with four extended Rail sets in total.
You can refer to this step or the following steps for the installation method.
Step F10
Find 3 Rail fixing beams (without white rollers), 6 Rail risers, and 6 short screws (M5*6 screws).
Please note that the Rail fixing beams do not have white rollers, and the screw holes have an enlarged upper edge.
Use the short screws to install the Rail risers on both sides of each Rail fixing beam. You should end up with 3 sets of Rail fixing beam + Rail riser assemblies.
We recommend attaching all the Rail risers to the hole marked "5," which is the center hole.
The installation method is as follows:
Please make sure that when the rail fixing beam is standing upright, the screw holes are on the sides, not on the top or bottom.
If the holes are not on the sides, please loosen the screws, rotate the rail riser, and then tighten them again.
Step F11
Prepare 2 extended rails, 1 rail fixing beam + riser assembly, and 2 long screws (M5x22).
Mount the rails onto the rail fixing beam at both sides of the center screw hole, as shown in the image.
(During installation, make sure the black rubber feet on the beam are facing downward, and the White Ball Wheels on the rails are facing upward.)
Step F12
Prepare 1 set of rail beam foot pads and 2 long screws (M5x22).
Install on the other side to secure it, with the black foot pads of the rail beam facing down.
Step F13
Prepare the rail feeder assembly and one long screw (M5x22).
Step F14
Prepare two extended rails (x2) and two long screws (M5x22) (x2).
Install the rails onto the crossbeam, on both sides of the feeder, ensuring the white ball wheels face upward.
Step F15
First, rotate the beam so that when it stands upright, the direction of the screw holes is facing upwards.
Install the beam underneath the rail, and the screws need to be fastened from the bottom up.
Step F16
Remove the belt clamp.
Step F17
Prepare 1 extension rail and 2 rail connectors.
Connect the rail to the main rail and extend it backward.
The screws on the connector at the bottom are blocked by the screws on the beam, so they cannot be screwed in too far. Therefore, only three screws need to be fastened.
Step F18
Find the belt clamp that was removed earlier.
Use the clamp to secure the belt, ensuring the direction is correct, with the toothed side facing inward.
Step F19
Prepare 1 rail riser and 1 medium screw (M5*12).
Then, install the rail riser at the rear of the rail.
Step F20
Prepare 1 rail and 1 long screw (M5*22).
Then, install the rail at the rear (the end with the two rails).
Step F21
Find 2 rail magnets, 2 L-shaped positioning brackets, and 2 medium screws (M5*12).
Install the rail magnets onto the L-shaped positioning brackets, with the silver side of the magnet facing left. Place one magnet on each bracket.
The silver side of the rail magnets should face outward on each side.
Step F22
Install the L-shaped positioning bracket and rail magnet assembly (x2) on both sides of the middle beam, and secure them with the silver hand-tightened screws.
(The silver side of the magnet should face the left side, i.e., the side with the two rails.)
Step F23
Find 2 rail magnets, 2 medium screws (M5*12), and 2 T-nuts.
Assemble the nuts and screws, but do not tighten them fully. Just ensure the screws are engaged.
Then, install the rail magnets on top of the beam. Only temporary fixation is required, as their position will be adjusted in the following steps.
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If the entire structure is not level or the tabletop surface is not flat, you can adjust the height of the support risers.
Step F24
Prepare two Edge guide roller platforms.
Then, install them on the center Rail fixing beam, facing backward, towards the Feeder side.
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The platforms can be moved, and they may be moved depending on your material's width, which will be covered later in this article.
Step F25
Move the entire assembly underneath the machine.
Ensure that the magnets in the red circles are securely attached to the machine chassis.
Align the main rail in the center of the machine's rectangular sheet metal as much as possible.
Step F26
Take out the connection cable.
Thread the connection cable through the hole near the Y-axis limit switch.
Insert the connection cable into the rear socket.
Locate the Adapter and insert the other end of the connection cable into it.
Place the Adapter at the bottom left corner of the machine.
Step F27
If there is a cable tie on the Feeder's connection cable, please cut it.
Find the extension cable and connect the female end to the feeder cable.
The connection cable will pass through the hole at the bottom left corner of the machine.
Insert the Feeder connection cable into the Adapter.
Return the Adapter to its original position.
Step F28
Place the material, ensure it is level against the Feeder, and then tighten the thumbscrews to secure the material.
Push and pull the material forward and backward to test while observing the material's appearance under the machine's bottom cover to confirm if it is level.
Step F29
Adjust the position of the limit Rail magnets installed in step 23.
Adjust the Edge guide roller platform position according to the video below, aligning it flush with the outer edge of the limit Rail magnet.
Install the rollers. The spring-loaded rollers can be installed on either the left or right without restriction. Their main purpose is to prevent material deviation.
| Reverse Installation(for material thickness less than 5mm) | |
| Forward Installation(for material thickness greater than 5mm) | |
Step F30
Turn on the machine and insert the USB drive from the lid opening kit.
Step F31
Ensure your focusing lens is set to the far-field focusing mode, providing a 16 mm focal length. If you do not know how to check, please refer to this article. The focusing lens will be at the bottom layer, with a focal distance of 16 mm, meaning the distance between the nozzle tip and the material surface is 16 mm.
| Order of identifying the focusing mode. | |||
| Default Focusing Mode: 4mm | Focusing Mode: 16mm | ||
| Lens | Block | ||
| Block | Lens | ||
| Ring | Ring | ||
| Nozzle | Nozzle | ||
Step F32
Use the tool to perform manual focusing. The middle section of the tool has a thickness of 16 mm, and we will use this to focus. (If your tool is lost, you can cut a new one yourself using this link.)
Step F33
Move the laser head to the area you want to engrave or cut, and then close the lid. You can use the red dot pointer to determine the engraving position.
(If the red dot pointer does not turn on, please go to Panel >> Machine >> Hardware Settings >> Next Page >> Red Light Always On >> Enable)
Step F34
Please ensure you are using the following software and firmware versions to use the automatic feeding function.
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Beam Studio Version 2.5.0 or higher (Tutorial) |
Firmware Version 6.0.9 or higher. (Tutorial) |
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Step F35
- Launch Beam Studio and open the Document Settings.
- Set the Start Position to the Current Position and make it top-left.
- Enable the Auto Feeder function and input the length of your material (approximately).
Step F36
Import or create a file.
Set the correct parameters based on your material.
Step F37
Using "Framing" to preview the engraving path.
Step F38
Start the task.
Step F39
Check the result.
#END
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