Prototext 4 Prototext is a simple & affordable windows based program for custom engraving used with 2 & 3 axis CNC milling machines. Prototext has been used by machinists for over 15 years. Up till now Prototext was created exclusively for the Prototrak line of CNC's. Now Prototext 4 is compatible with most CNC's that use the industry standard Fanuc g-codes. Why use Prototext 4 Prototext can easily code simple text for your CNC with a few clicks. Prototext if fully customized such as height, feed rate, spindle speed, tool clearance and even tells you the text length. Prototext uses lines and arcs for smooth text lettering. Most engraving software use polylines for arc creation causing the program to have thousands of lines of code. Prototext 4 now includes all keyboard characters and symbols. Will work with most 2 & 3 axis machines. Prototext 4 Highlights Simply type your text ( Up to 10 different lines in any position from your machine zero coordinate). You can use any feedrate, height, and justify your text with 9 different options. It also lets you know the length of your text, how many events in your program and a recommended cutter diameter. If you want 3 axis then fill in the RPM, Z Clear, Z Depth and Z feedrate. When all is ready simply click the code button and Prototext will convert it to an industry standard CNC g-code. Load the code via floppy disk, RS-232 or USB and your ready to go. Prototext 4 is compatible with most 2 & 3 axis machines... Additional advantages: Quick tips will help you with the software during programming. Change CNC format ( extension ) to suit your machine type. ( Ex. Prototrak users will use.cam ) You can save the layout for repeat programs or make up to 5 easy access layouts ( L1 - L5 )
Prototext text boxes explained. Text: This is where the text to be engraved is placed. Up to 10 unique text combinations can be entered. Text can have one line of text per text box. If another line is needed use another text box with the proper offset. Height: This is where the height of text is placed. Height can be from.010 to 100 inches tall. Feed: This is where the machine feed rate placed. Feed can be from.1 to 100 inches per minute. Text Origin: This is where the text origin is placed. This works in conjunction with the X & Y Origin. This is where the origin point is located on text to be engraved. There are 9 options to choose from. See example page for visual examples. X Origin / Y Origin: This is where the text origin coordinates from machine zero are placed. Values can range from 100 to 100 inches. Length: This is a reference length to show the exact length of text to be engraved. Events: This is a reference to show user how many events lines and arcs the text will produce. Diameter: This is a reference to show user what size cutter is recommended for optimum text line width. G-Code Viewer: This is the actual g-code produced. It is for reference only and cannot be edited in this window. Prototext 3 axis settings text boxes explained. Tool #: This is the tool number being used in the program. Spindle Speed: This is for 3-Axis programs only. This sets machine spindle speed during operation. Values can be from 100 to 10000 RPM. Z Clear: This sets machine clear distance from test to text. Values can be from.001 to 1 inch. Z Feed: This sets machine up & down Z feed rate. Values can be from.1 to 100 inches per minute. Z Depth: This sets machine cutter depth during engraving. Values can be from 0 to.125 inches. NOTE: This must be a negative value. Prototext buttons explained. Clear Text: This will clear all (10) text boxes. Reset All: This will clear all (10) text boxes and reset all values to their respective defaults. L1 thru L5: This will open user templates for repeat jobs. Set the layout as you want and Save Layout with the names layout1, layout2, layout3, layout4 or layout5. They can now be easily be opened by clicking the buttons. Process Code: This will produce the g-code for 2 & 3 axis machines. Transfer this file to the machine via floppy, RS-232 or USB. NOTE: Most 2 axis machine controllers will ignore 3 axis commands. CNC Format: This is the extension of the g-code file. Ex. (Sample.cam). The g-code produced is a text file. Individual machines use their own file extension. Prototrak line of CNC s us cam. Change accordingly.. Prototext menus explained. Open / Save Layout: This will save all user input values to be used at a later time. You can use this to create a default program or a program for repeat jobs.
Quick tips: This is the yellow box at the bottom. This is a help tool to guide you as you use the interface. Once you are familiar with the software you can turn it off. Info: This will notify you of the current version build of the software. EX Build 4.0. Check periodically to see what version is available. This will change when software improvements or fixes are addressed. Register: If you decide to purchase. A registration code will be sent to you. Enter this code here to unlock full version. This will be removed once you have entered your registration code. Prototext notes: Prototext assumes all cutters are zeroed at top of machined surface. To populate entire column to same value. Set value in first row then double click their respective name. Ex ( Change Height value in row 1 then double click the word Height ). Here are a few examples to help familiarize yourself with the software. Getting a good idea on how these examples work are an important factor in mastering your engravings. Once you understand the concept then the possibilities are endless... Here is a classic example using middle center "green dot". Yellow dot designates machine zero.
Here is another example using middle center "green dot". Red dot designates machine zero. Y origin is offset.75 from zero. Here is an example using bottom left "green dots". Red dot designates machine zero. X Origin is offset.188 from edge. Y Origin is offset accordingly.
Here is an example using 2 text inputs with middle center "green dots". Tag is 2.00 diameter with machine center in center of circle "red dot". Modify the Y Origin up and down to offset text. Different heights can be used to enhance lettering. Here is an example using all 10 text boxes. Tag is 2.00 x 2.00 with a 1/2 hole in center "red dot". Using a cad drawing to figure the coordinates. Modify the X & Y Origin to offset text. Machine zero is the center hole "green dots.".
Here is an example using all Text Origin formats. Tag is (1.50 x 1.00). Machine zero is bottom left "red dot" All text is.100 from edges. Text Origin is shown with a green dot" Modify the X & Y Origins to offset text. Disclaimers: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Prototrak is a registered trademark of Southwestern Industries. Prototext is not responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur using software. Revision 4.0 ( 11/8/2014 ) 2014 Prototext 4 Software