Laser Projection

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Write export parameters in additional text file: Generates a text file with _param.txt suffix when you export laser projection data. It contains the settings and parameters.
By default, Write export parameters in additional text file is not selected.

Default File Path

User Path: Sets the default destination folder for laser projection files.
User Path is not selected.

Export File Structure

Select the desired option:

Nodes

Defines the elements to export as layers.

By default, Plies groups, Sequences and Ply/Core are selected.

For Plies with cut-pieces

Defines the organization of plies and cut-pieces in the export file:

Cut-pieces only: Only cut-pieces are exported, each under its own node.
Parent ply, then its cut-pieces: Exports the ply and its cut-pieces in distinct nodes, at the same level, the ply node being followed by the cut-pieces nodes.
Parent ply only: Only the parent ply is exported, in its own node.
All cut-pieces under parent ply (LASERGUIDE only): Creates an additional level for each ply (this layer is called a SEQUENCE command in the LASERGUIDE file). The ply (if no cut-piece), or the cut-pieces are exported under this level, enabling the projection of all the cut-pieces of a given ply together

By default, Cut-pieces only is selected.

Syntax

Select the desired options.

Replace Tab by Space: Replaces occurrences of tabulation character –typically used to separate normal vector coordinates from position coordinates- by a space. This may be needed when a downstream application reading exported file does not support tabulation character.
Force use of dot as decimal separator: Uses dot as decimal separator even when the operating system is tuned to use a comma instead. This may be needed when a downstream application reading exported file does not support comma as separator.

By default, Replace Tab by Space and Force use of dot as decimal separator are cleared.

Export

Rosette

Exports the rosette.

Defines the size of the rosette transferred at each seed point or ply center.
By default, it is set to 100 mm.
On Tangent Plane places the rosette on a plane tangent to the ply, at the seed point.
Project on Surface places the 0° and 90° curves of the rosette on the ply geometry.
When projected on a surface, very large rosette curves are created up to the limits of the surface.
Note:
For both options
- The 0° curve is longer than the 90° curve.
- Both curves are exported as guide curves.
By default, On Tangent Plane is selected.

Fiber Direction

Exports the fiber direction for plies and cut-pieces. The fiber direction is represented by a curve, starting at the point where the Rosette is displayed.

Enter the Size of the fiber direction curve.

Tips:

For better visibility, it must be larger than the Rosette size and still lie completely inside the ply geometry.
When projected on a surface, a large fiber direction curve is created up to the limits of the surface.

By default, it is set to 200 mm.

Select On Tangent Plane, to place the fiber direction curve on a plane tangent to the ply, or Project on Surface, to place the fiber direction on the ply geometry.
By default, On Tangent Plane is selected.

Additional information for plies & cut-pieces

Specifies additional information to export. Select the required options.

Guide curve (from Producibility): The producibility curve input is exported as a polyline guide curve.
Order of drape (from Producibility): The producibility contours inputs are exported as polylines.
Projected text:Provides an easy way to export a text to project on the mold. This option can be combined with Stacking Text.
- In VIRTEK format, the text is added to the file as a Text Identifier ("T"Key)
- In LPT format, the text is added with a <TEXT> node.
- In LASERGUIDE and LAP formats, the text is added with a <TEXT> command.
The 3D text is placed at the ply/cut-piece seed or central point in the transferred rosette plane and direction. It can contain key words:
- %PARTFILENAME%
- %PARTNUMBER%
- %PLYGROUP%
- %SEQUENCE%
- %PLY%
- %CUTPIECE%
- %PLYORCUTPIECE%
- %MATERIALID%
- %MATERIALNAME%
- %DIRECTIONNAME%
- %DIRECTIONVALUE%

Text size

Defines the size of the text to project.

Note: Text size is ignored in LASERGUIDE format.

By default, it is set to 100 mm.

Preview

Specifies the colors and warning/limit angles between the normal vector and the beam (The beam is the line between the projector and the discretization point).

Predefined Laser Projectors

Specifies where the description file of laser projector types is stored. This description is used to populate the Projector type list in Laser Projector.

Below is an example of a description file:

PROJECTOR_TYPE	MIN_DIST	MAX_DIST	MAX_H_ANGLE	MAX_V_ANGLE	LENGTH	WIDTH	DEPTH	COLOR_R	COLOR_G	COLOR_B
Laser A	       1500mm	  5000mm	  40deg	      40deg	      400mm	 200mm	150mm	100	    100	    100
Laser B	       2000mm	  6000mm	  45deg	      40deg	      500mm	 250mm	200mm	255	    255	    0
Laser C	       2500mm	  7000mm	  50deg	      50deg	      600mm	 300mm	250mm