Follow the steps below to assess if the positioning errors for the camera are within acceptable limits.

1. Set up a “Process on baseplate” mode (previously known as “laser flat” mode in XCS version 1.0 ); place a 3mm flat material on the baseplate; for this test, you may use a 3mm basswood plywood sheet.
2. Select "Score" in the processing type to etch on the material and click process.
3. After the processing is completed, click the "Refresh" button (See the picture below). 
4. Observe the discrepancy between the scored pattern and the designated position on XCS. This represents the camera positioning error, typically within 1.5mm in the central processing area at a height of 3mm. 

💡Note
Generally, the accuracy of the camera’s positioning decreases as the distance between the camera and the calibration surface increases. Specifically:
1. Increased vertical distance from the calibration surface: If the vertical distance between the camera and the calibration surface increases (for example, if the material is placed at a higher position), the camera positioning error will increase.
2. Increased horizontal distance from the camera: If the material is placed further away from the camera in the horizontal plane (for example, if the material is placed at the edge of the camera’s field of view rather than in the center), the camera positioning error will also increase.

This article applies to troubleshooting the issues below.

1. Major errors in M1 camera positioning.
2. Significantly deformed baseplate image with M1 camera in laser flat mode.
3. Camera refreshing failure due to missing calibration file.

 

Tools Needed

1. Several sheets of A3-sized (297mm*420mm) blank paper.
2. Windows 10 or above (Mac not supported).
3. A roll of transparent or white tape.
4. One A3-sized 3mm flat material or two A4-sized flat materials, e.g., acrylic sheet, specifically:
    A3-sized 3mm flat material: 297mm*420mm
    A4-sized 3mm flat material: 210mm*297mm

💡Note
Since the material's flatness will affect the camera positioning accuracy, it is advisable to ensure the material is as even as possible. Otherwise, the expected calibration effect will not be achieved. 

 

Calibration Software

 xTool M1 First Calib

 

Calibration Procedure

1. Download and extract the calibration software to a disk other than the C drive, as some computers may deny the software's access to the C drive.

 

2. Place two 3mm A4-sized acrylic boards or one 3mm A3-sized acrylic board with even surfaces on the baseplate along the red line as indicated in the picture below.

 

3. Secure one piece of A3 blank paper with tape on the board(s). Make sure the paper is spread evenly.

 

4. Close the lid of M1 and connect your computer to M1 via USB.

 

5. Run the calibration software (See the picture below). If it fails, run it as Administrator.

 

6. Click "Connect".

 

7. Click "Process" for engraving and wait for processing.

1. Before processing, turn off the Air Assist Set and Smoke Purifier (if available)  to prevent airflow from blowing the paper during processing.
2. For the sake of the expected calibration effect, it is advisable to avoid using the air assist during processing. Otherwise, the paper may be blown away.
3. During first-level calibration, click on "Process" to initiate the process instead of pressing the machine's physical start button.
4. Usually, the exhaust fan is automatically deactivated to prevent paper from being blown away, which could disrupt the calibration process.
5. During first-level calibration, do not open the lid or press the machine's physical start button; if this occurs, please restart the M1 and recalibrate.

 

8. Click "Snapshot" to capture the image.

• If the internal LED lights of M1 turn off automatically, reactivate the LED lights by opening and closing the lid. Click “Snapshot” to capture the image again.

 

9. Click "Generate" to create the calibration file.

 

10. Check the calibration grid.

1. If you see red circles as shown in the picture below, these indicate significant calibration deviations. Please repeat the calibration procedure.
2. If you observe yellow circles, they suggest minor deviations. Check for grid line deformation. 
   1. If there are fewer than 20 yellow circles without obvious deformation, you may proceed to the next step.
   2. If, however, there are more than 20 yellow circles exhibiting apparent deformation, please perform the calibration procedure again. 

 

11. Click "Update" to upload the calibration file. After the uploading is complete, close the pop-up window.

 

12. Check M1 camera positioning accuracy again in XCS according to the steps in the Camera Positioning Error Test above.

• If the test result falls short of the expectation, please recalibrate.
• If it indicates a high degree of accuracy, you may proceed to calibrate M1 auto-measure according to this link.

 

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