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 D1
Install the following add-ons, referring to the link.
Step D2
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 D3
After installing the Extension Pocket Add-on (Feet) and opening the bottom cover, turn off the machine and remove the power cord.
Step D4
Find the main rail (the one with a belt) and remove the rail connectors.
(Other rail connectors may be in other rails.)
Step D5
Release the belt and find its long side.
Loosen the belt retainer by using the small Allen key.
| Short Side of Belt | Long Side of Belt |
Meanwhile, please tighten the belt retainer on the short side.
Step D6
Prepare the feeder and the main rail.
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 D7
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 D8
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 D9
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 D10
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 D11
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 D12
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 D13
Prepare the rail feeder assembly and one long screw (M5x22).
Install the feeder on one side of the rail beam, ensuring that the white ball wheels on the rail are facing up.
Step D14
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 D15
Prepare the crossbeam foot pad assembly and 3 long screws (M5x22).
Secure the three rails onto the crossbeam, completing the installation. Make sure the black foot pads of the crossbeam face down.
Step D16
Find 2 rail magnets, 2 L-shaped positioning brackets, and 2 medium screws (M5x12).
Install the rail magnets onto the L-shaped positioning brackets, with the silver side of the magnet facing left. Each bracket should have one magnet installed.
The silver side of each magnet should face outwards.
Step D17
Find 2 magnet blocks, 2 medium screws (M5x12), and 2 T-nuts.
Combine 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 Rail fixing beam. Temporary fixation is sufficient, as their position will be adjusted in later 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 D18
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 D19
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 D20
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 D21
If there is a cable tie on the Feeder's connection cable, please cut it.
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 D22
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 D23
Adjust the position of the limit Rail magnets installed in step 17.
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 C24
Turn on the machine and insert the USB drive from the lid opening kit.
Step C25
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 C26
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 C27
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 C28
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 C29
- Launch Beam Studio and open the Document Settings.
- Set the Start Position to the Current Position and make it top-left.
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Enable the Auto Feeder function and input the length of your material (approximately).
Step C30
Import or create a file.
Set the correct parameters based on your material.
Step C31
Using "Framing" to preview the engraving path.
Step C32
Start the task.
Step C33
Check the result.
#END
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