Dragon Machine Library
Click on the Machine Library option in the Dragon software to set up a new machine, make changes to your current machine, or select which machine you are using for the next job.
Machine List
- This list will show your machine(s) labeled in the way you have named them.
Action Buttons
- Delete: Click the Delete button only if you're sure you would like to delete the machine and its information from the machine list. A warning window will pop up asking if you're absolutely sure of this action. If you need to consult a Bend-Tech staff member before making such a significant change to your software, please do so by calling our office at 651-257-8715.
- Clone: Click the Clone button to clone your machine information. This will create a duplicate of the machine you have selected from the machine list.
- Save: Click the Save button to save any changes made to your Dragon machine settings or the list to the left.
Main
Machine Properties
Machine Name:
- Enter the name of your machine in the Machine Name: field.
Size
- Click on the size of the machine you're using in the Size: section.
Calibration Help
- Click on the Wizard button in the Calibration Help: section to go through the Dragon Calibration.
CAD Settings
- Display Action Directions: Check the Display Action Directions check box and the software will display direction arrows withing the designer and nesting interfaces. This is checked as a default.
- Trim Part Ends: Check the Trim Part Ends check box and the Dragon machine will be programmed to remove the excess material from coped and mitered end cuts. This is checked as a default.
- Display Transition Paths: Check the Display Transition Paths check box and the software will display the path taken by the machine from action to action.
- Display Dead Zone: Check the Display Dead Zone checkbox to show the dead zone (or space of tubing that will not reach to the tool changer) in any nesting project.
Colors
- Click the Display Transition Paths to indicate the color of the transition paths as they appear in the software.
Make this machine active
- Check the Make this machine active check box and the settings for the selected machine will become active.
Basic Settings
Default Process Order
- Default Process Order Box: This box will contain the 4 different processes that will take place in the fabrication process (Marking, Engraving, Polyline Cutting and Cutting). To order these in the way you want them, select one from the list and use the Up and Down arrows to decide the procession.
- Order by Part: Click the "Order by Part" option to assign the process order to each individual part.
- Order by Shift: Click the "Order by Shift" option to assign the process order to each individual shift.
Misc Options
- Reposition/Flip between parts: Check this check box if you'd like to have a reposition or flip occur between parts on a nested project.
- Warn about Possible Crashes: Check this check box if you'd like the software to warn you about possible collisions when running the Dragon machine.
- Long Travel Minimum: Enter a value in the "Long Travel Minimum" text field to indicate the least amount of distance that the machine will travel to still be considered a 'long travel'. A long travel will most likely be when the machine travels from one set of contours to another, or one end of tubing to another.
Bend Marks (Default)
- None: Select the "None" option if you would not like the bend marks assigned to an action by default.
- Mark: Select the "Mark" option if you would like the bend marks to be marked with a marker by default.
End Cuts (Default)
- Cut:' Select the "Cut" option if you would like the end cuts to be cut with the machine's plasma cutter by default.
- Mark: Select the "Mark" option if you would like the end cuts to be marked with a marker by default.
Short Leg Override
- Mark: Select the "Mark" option and an end cut will be marked instead of cut by default. The shortest leg can be before this override occurs is defined by the Die Limitations within the Die Library.
- Engrave: Select the "Engrave" option and an end cut will be engraved instead of cut by default. The shortest leg can be before this override occurs is defined by the Die Limitations within the Die Library.
Part ID Marking
- Enable Part ID Marking: Check the "Enable Part ID Marking" checkbox and your part will be either marked or engraved with the part ID information by default.
- Part ID Font: Click on the "Part ID Font" drop down menu to choose the font that the part ID will be marked or engraved in by default.
- Part ID Size: Enter a value in the "Part ID Size" text field to designate a size of the part ID lettering. This will be in inches or millimeters depending on what your units of measurement are set to.
- Part ID Location: Enter a value in the "Part ID Location" text field to designate a location down the length of the tubing where the part ID will be located by default.
Saddles (Default)
Holesaw Info (Default)
- None: Select the "None" option if you would not like the holesaw information assigned to an action by default.
- Mark: Select the "Mark" option if you would like the holesaw information to be marked with a marker by default.
- Engrave: Select the "Engrave" option if you would like the holesaw information to be engraved by default.
Cutter Settings
Cutting Tool
- Lift Amount (Short): Enter the height of the lift amount for a short distance travel of the plasma head in the "Lift Amount (Short)" text field.
- Lift Amount (Long): Enter the height of the lift amount for a long distance travel of the plasma head in the "Lift Amount (Long)" text field.
Cutting Tip
- Shield Width at Bottom: Enter a with of your torch's consumable tip in the Shield Width at Bottom value field. This setting is used to detect collisions with the torch tip and material.
- Angle of Tip Shield: Enter the angle of the torch's consumable tip in the Angle of Tip Shield value field. This setting is used to detect collisions with the torch tip and material.
Pause for Drops
- Enable Pausing: Check the "Enable Pausing" checkbox to cause the plasma torch to pause when finishing a through-cut or cope. This will ensure a clean cut-off.
- Minimum Length: Enter a value in the "Minimum Length:" text field which will determine the minimum length needed before a pause can occur on an end cut.