Crystalmark Training SOP

Last edited: Rachel Lin (8/14/23)
Tool Lead: Yanis Yankauskas
Contact: ckwok520@ucsb.edu

• Components Overview: CrystalMark DV-1, FlashCut CNC, camera, etching nozzle, part mount
• Safety: hot printheads & bed, moving components
• Job Setup
  • At FlashCut CNC and CrystalMark: Open air pressure valve → turn on FlashCut CNC → turn on CrystalMark DV-1 → plug camera into computer → fixture piece onto part mount
  • At the computer: export .dxf → Zeroing
  • After cut: inspect and remove piece → vacuum area
• Part Removal Cleaning
  • Vacuum
  • Sharps
• Rates

• Inhaling large aluminum oxide abrasive is hazardous. Wear a mask and safety glasses during use.
• Silicon and glass pieces may have sharp edges. Handle with caution.
• Keep hands clear of etching during operation. Press any key on the keyboard in FlachCut CNC to stop operation.

• DV1 not applying abrasive
  • Check to see if valve on air pressure tube is open (handle is parallel to tube)
  • Check to see if DV1 is switched on
• FlashCut CNC 4 app is not connected
  • Ensure FlashCut CNC is on and reconnect with FlashCut CNC 4 by going to the “Controller” tab and selecting “Connect…”

1. Open air pressure valve (to the left of FlashCut CNC)
2. Turn on FlashCut CNC
3. Turn on CrystalMark DV-1 (under table)
4. Plug in camera to computer (USB connection)
5. Fixture piece onto part mount

There are two ways to use the CNC: Etching with a .dxf file or manually etching: using .dxf file or manually

If .dxf:

1. At computer: Load .dxf into the “DXF to G-Code Converter” application:
   
2. For each shape in the display window, right click and select “Cutter Compensation” → select either “Right Compensation” or “Left Compensation” depending on whether you want the positive or negative compensation (the blue outline is the new cut path)
3. Select “Export” → “Optimize and Export Shapes” → save as .ngc
4. open .ngc in “FlashCut CNC 4”:
   
5. open “DinoCapture 2.0” (Used to monitor operation):
   
6. Place the acrylic plate on the crystalmark mount
7. Jog the nozzle into the hole
8. “Set” → “Zero X and Zero Y”
9. Jog the CNC down to the surface of your piece
10. “Set” → “Zero Z”, be careful not to crash etching nozzle
11. After zero-ing the Z axis, move up in Z until Z is at 1.1 mm. This will be your cutting height.
12. Select “Jog” and jog CNC to where the .dxf origin should be on your piece
13. “Set” → “Zero X”, “Set” → “Zero Y”
14. Note that origin is displayed in “DXF to G-Code Converter” (You can modify the origin in the software your .dxf was created):
    
15. Use tape and/or turn on vaccum to fixture part (optional)
16. Begin etching : “G-Code” → “Start”
17. Monitor operation
18. Select any key while in “FlashCut CNC 4” to stop operation

If manual:

1. open “FlashCut CNC 4”:
   
2. open “DinoCapture 2.0” (Used to monitor operation):
   
3. Place the acrylic plate on the crystalmark mount
4. Jog the nozzle into the hole
5. “Set” → “Zero X and Zero Y”
6. Jog the CNC down to the surface of your piece
7. “Set” → “Zero Z”, be careful not to crash etching nozzle
8. After zero-ing the Z axis, move up in Z until Z is at 1.1 mm. This will be your cutting height.
9. Use tape and/or turn on vaccum to fixture part (optional)
10. Select “CrystalMark” switch and set to “on”
11. Let the Etcher create a through hole
12. Select “CrystalMark” switch and set to “off”
13. In “DinoCapture 2.0”, center the red lines about the hole
14. Jog X and Y to desired location, A hole will be made where the red lines intersect
15. Select “CrystalMark” switch and set to “on”
16. Monitor operation
17. Select “CrystalMark” switch and set to “off”

• Jog CNC up in Z axis
• Remove piece from mount
• Blow aluminum oxide off part
• Use ShopVac to vacuum excess aluminum oxide
• Dispose of excess sharps in sharps container
• Unplug camera, close air valve, turn off FlashCut CNC, turn off CrytalMark DV1

• Vacuum area before leaving.

You can record your cuts in DinoCapture

If the Crystalmark is not cutting, the abrasive canister may be empty. Please contact workshop staff to refill tool.