Epilog Driver & Firmware Update

[Dave Fifield]

Just got this email from Epilog about a driver/firmware update.

Peck et al, the question I have is "Which should I update first, the driver or the laser firmware?" Does it matter?

Cheers,
Dave Fifield


Epilog Mini, Helix & EXT Driver and Firmware Update
Epilog Laser has released a new version of the driver and firmware for your Epilog Mini, Helix, and EXT laser systems.


Driver Upgrade:

• Adds center-to-center, center-to-top, and center-to- left engraving to the system.
• Download the instructions for using Center-Center Engraving.

Important! This new driver requires a firmware update to your machine to work properly.

Firmware Upgrade:

• Adds center-to-center, center-to-top, and center-to- left engraving to the system.
• Enhancements to the USB connection make the connection much more robust and easy to set up.
• Adds Relocateable X-Axis home position for the Rotary Attachment.
• Laser Tickle: Enhancements have been made to the way CO2 laser tubes pre-ionize. This change can be set by the user and will ensure that the laser tube fires immediately, even after having set idle for long periods of time.
  • To access Mode and Intensity on the EXT, use the Calibration menu and scroll to Laser T.M. for Mode and Laser T.I. for Intensity. To access Mode and Intensity on the Mini and Helix press the RESET + Up keys simultaneously. To access Intensity, press the RESET + Down keys simultaneously.
  • Settings of 1 and 1 typically control any cold start issues.

To download the new firmware and drivers for the Mini/Helix, go to www.epiloglaser.com/downloads_minihelix.htm .
To download the new firmware and drivers for the EXT, go to www.epiloglaser.com/downloads_ext.htm.

[Bill Cunningham]

Just a quick note:
If you get a 'page not found' error, take the period off the end of the url

[Peck Sidara]

Dave,

Doesn't matter which you do first. A few notes:

• Firmware is real easy to upload, I say do the driver first, firmware last.
• Be prepared to update your configuration data files. Use Configmerge 2.0
• Be really CAREFUL using the new center-center engraving function, it's so easy and so handy, it's addicting!

Regards,

[Shane Turner]

Hey that's for the heads up on the new drivers!

I installed the firmware, deleted to old driver (printer), then installed the new driver (printer). Works just fine. Must say it's a great functional improvement. Nice going Epilog.

Just a question. Does anyone have any information about the new "Laser Tickle" functionality. It says I can change the Mode and Intensity, but I have no idea what altering this will do?

[Frank Corker]

I'm with Shane on this one. They mentioned it but never went any further. From what I read it was something to do with tickling the laser to fire at it's most optimum as soon as you hit the button. I assumed it was going to do that anyway.
This is what they say the new firmware and drivers will allow

Adds center-to-center, center-to-top, and center-to- left engraving to the system.
Enhancements to the USB connection make the connection much more robust and easy to set up.
Adds Relocateable X-Axis home position for the Rotary Attachment.
Laser Tickle: Enhancements have been made to the way CO2 laser tubes pre-ionize. This change can be set by the user and will ensure that the laser tube fires immediately, even after having set idle for long periods of time.

• To access Mode and Intensity on the EXT, use the Calibration menu and scroll to Laser T.M. for Mode and Laser T.I. for Intensity. To access Mode and Intensity on the Mini and Helix press the RESET + Up keys simultaneously. To access Intensity, press the RESET + Down keys simultaneously.
• Settings of 1 and 1 typically control any cold start issues.

[Jeff Chumbley]

Peck, I take it this does not include the 24TT?

[Peck Sidara]

Jeff,

Unfortunately not. The new features are only available on the Mini/Helix/EXT and FiberMark systems.

Regards,

[Peck Sidara]

Shane & Frank,

The settings for the new laser tickle are noted but doesn't go into detail as it's a setting that customers typically shouldn't adjust. The mode setting determines if the tickle signal is on or off. The intensity setting determines the amount of time the tickle is on for. For all intent and purposes the default settings are 1 & 1. The defaults are preloaded when the firmware is uploaded.

Only if you have a delay in laser fire after uploading the firmware should you contact technical support to determine what the ideal setting should be adjusted to.

[Ed Maloney]

Dave,

Doesn't matter which you do first. A few notes:

• Firmware is real easy to upload, I say do the driver first, firmware last.
• Be prepared to update your configuration data files. Use Configmerge 2.0
• Be really CAREFUL using the new center-center engraving function, it's so easy and so handy, it's addicting!

Regards,

Peck - Are there any "undocumented" features and/or fixes with this upgrade? I'm a little hesitant to upgrade since I would like to keep the same playing field while I 'm experimenting with some new techniques. If I do the upgrade and something I do doesn't work, I won't know if it's the new firmware or new approach.

[Frank Corker]

Ed, there have been no problems with my Helix and the change over was straightforward and nothing to worry about. The new feature that they have added is a GODSEND, the centre/centre just takes any worry out of put an engraving in a particular spot and using the laser pointer to pinpoint it has worked 100% accuracy. Worth installing for that feature alone.

One annoying thing that used to happen to me (all to regular as well) was I would start Corel, then turn on the laser, send the job and it wouldn't find the USB. Always required me to switch off and restart the laser. Touch wood and up until now it has found it every time since I upgraded firmware/software. So far only improvement

[Shane Turner]

Shane & Frank,

The settings for the new laser tickle are noted but doesn't go into detail as it's a setting that customers typically shouldn't adjust. The mode setting determines if the tickle signal is on or off. The intensity setting determines the amount of time the tickle is on for. For all intent and purposes the default settings are 1 & 1. The defaults are preloaded when the firmware is uploaded.

Only if you have a delay in laser fire after uploading the firmware should you contact technical support to determine what the ideal setting should be adjusted to.

Thanks Peck. That answered my questions. Much appreciated.

[Peck Sidara]

Ed,

I understand the concern. Epilog's pretty good about documenting all changes as along as they're significant and will affect the operation of the machine. With that being said, I don't beleive you'll see any changes to the operation of the machine you currently have. You're machine is fully functiional with the current driver/firmware you currently have installed, waiting until your preliminary testing is complete is also an option.

[Scott Shepherd]

Pay close attention if you use the Merge program to convert your old .DAT files. I could select all my files, but when I did, the merge function was not available. I had to select 6 at a time, and on several tries, when I had 6 selected, it gave me the message that 3 files were merged. I had to double check all my existing files to make sure they were actually updated.

No big deal, but pay attention if you have .DAT files, as some of them might not get converted.

[Dave Fifield]

I just did the update to the driver without any trouble, then tried to do the firmware update. Everything went smoothly, I thought, and I dutifully re-booted my EXT when told to do so. It came ON, but now has a permanently fixed message that says "System Error!" and "Please Reprogram" on the display!!! No button pushing seems to make any difference. Rebooting again makes no difference. Sending the firmware update to it does not work - the print job times out with an error.

I left a voicemail on the Epilog Tech Support line, but it appears no one is there until 6am MT on Monday. That doesn't help me much - I'd like to use my laser THIS WEEKEND!!!

Anybody got any ideas for me to try that might un-stick it?

HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Fifield]

OK, so I installed the EXT as a USB printer instead of an Ethernet networked one and I was able to download the hex update file to it - the one that I downloaded from the EXT page on the Epilog website last week - which was labelled version 1.0.1.8.

This did exactly the same thing as before - "System Error!" + "Please Re-program!" on the display after a re-boot. NBG!

So, just in case, I went to the Epilog website again to re-download the new firmware. Imagine my surprise when I see that NOW the version that's there is version 1.0.1.4, not 1.0.1.8!!!!

So, I downloaded it, unzipped it, and sent it on over to my EXT, and IT WORKS!!! Well, almost.....the laser engraver is now alive again, BUT I STILL CAN'T USE IT because the CAL menu values were all zero'd out!!!

The serial number read 00999 (but I managed to change it to the original setting which luckily I remembered), the IP/mask I was able to change to my normal settings, BUT, in the CAL menu, my X and Y home and R home positions are all now 0,0 which is WRONG, and all my other settings - laser match, stamp match, encoder X match, encoder Y match, and laser TM and TI - are all ZERO too!!!

I have NO IDEA what these settings are supposed to be or how to re-cal the machine!!! Certainly, since the laser home position is all screwed up there's no way I can use it still.

How the heck am I going to get these values all set tonight? Any ideas?

Also, has anyone any idea how come I managed to download a "rogue" version of the firmware that doesn't work?!