TAPPER LIGHT is steerage program tool designed to control
hot wire CNC plotter connected to USB port.

What is TAPPER?

In fact TAPPER program is designed for control of any type of CNC machine, connected to one USB ports. The program supports any type of USB port and interprets commands only for 3 axes (XYZ). At the other end of USB cable works CNC driver based on 32-bit ARM7 microprocessor. Steerage is done by sending control signals (pulses) - alternating "high" and "low" voltage - in appropriate frequency and synchronization. These signals are then processed by stepper drivers (type A3977) into movement of each axis. LIGHT version is prepared especially for our LYNX-T series hot wire cutting plotters.

Machine examples:

  • Hot wire foam cutting plotters and cutting plotters,
  • Plasma and acetylene cutting machines (plotters),
  • Any type of routers, milling machines (eg, engraving) and lathes,
  • Other equipment: welding, punching, riveting, drilling, requiring glue and paint, etc.

TAPPER LIGHT interface

Running the program

The program is extremely simple to use. Main program window is "3D view" (on black background) on the left and "Steerage" on the right. After you run the program it will connect with the driver automaticaly. There is nothing more than simply load the object to cut in PLT form into it.

Technical specifications (performance):

  • ARM processor 7 (32-bit) with 4 MB of external memory.
  • Communication via USB.
  • Supports 3 axes with full linear interpolation.
  • Frequency of 25 kHz signal generation with the possibility of smooth adjustment from -95% to +50%, ie from 1250 Hz to 37.5 kHz - a dynamic change in the TAPPER LIGHT.
  • One PWM signal (0-100% change) for hot wire control (or any other smooth control device, such as spindle).
  • Feeds: minimum - 2 mm/min, maximum - by the parameters of the machine. Maximum for the LYNX-T series plotters - 3000 mm/min.
  • Each axis has dedicated 2 end-switches (on both ends + and -).
  • 2 relay service (or two other exits).
  • Separate service for E-Stop signal.
  • Supports 3 binary inputs (which can be used eg to control panel - START, PAUSE, STOP).
  • Work in any Windows 16-bit (98) and 32-bit (NT, 2000, XP, VISTA and the newest Windows 7) systems.

ARM7 based "heart of the driver"

Hardware requirements (minimum/recommended):

  • Windows 98 (Windows XP),
  • Pantium 266 MMX processor (Pentium IV),
  • 128 MB of memory (512 MB),
  • 5 MB (10MB) free hard disk space,
  • one free USB port,
  • 1024x768 screen resolution in 32-bit color mode.

Supported files:

  • G-codes files (*.nc, *.cnc, *.txt) - 2.5D and 3D - coded in ISO standard,
  • HPGL files (*. plt - the so-called - 2.5 D) with the interpretation of the following HPGL commands: IN, PU, PD, PA, AA, LTD. Arguments of the command PU, PD, PA can be separated by a space or comma. These files are "produced" by many graphic programs. EduCAD TERM is recommend program as the best.
  • Machine movements files (*. xyz) - "native" (internal) format containing the TAPPER LIGHT already interpreted the G-compiled code (superior) to command the movements. Such file is loaded much faster than the G-code, which is significant when working with large input files.

The full version of TAPPER (not LIGHT) has also ability to read:

  • Raster image files BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG with automatic conversion of gray-levels into G-coded deep-levels.
  • Excellon drilling files (*. txt) - Files created by programs to perform printed circuit boards (such as Protel, Eagle).

Driver settings and options"

Autoload of files

The program can automatically load the files using the file "toopen.txt" in which the first line is the path and file name to open. You can create a file "manually" and put it in the program's search path. The program can also use the file name as parameter (for example, a command line of Windows Commander). You can also drag icon of any *. plt or *. nc onto TAPPER LIGHT program icon. You can set it in the Windows Manager - file with the extension of *.PLT and *.CNC will be automatically loaded by TAPPER LIGHT program.

Cooperation with other graphical programs generating PLT files and G-codes

TAPPER program will of course cooperate with the various vector graphics programs. However, we recommend program eduCAD 2.7 TERM, which works the best. All options and changes from the old versions of the program have been thoroughly described in the help file.

In summary:

The driver and the software works very stable. Can generate a sufficient number of pulses per second - ideal for use in the all mentioned CNC machines.