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X-laser SkyWriter HPX M-5 Product Manual And User Manual

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Product Manual and User Guide
For Professional Use Only - FDA Variance Required in the United States
X-Laser strongly recommends keeping this manual with your laser projector at all times as a field
reference.

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Summary of Contents for X-laser SkyWriter HPX M-5

  • Page 1 Product Manual and User Guide For Professional Use Only - FDA Variance Required in the United States X-Laser strongly recommends keeping this manual with your laser projector at all times as a field reference.
  • Page 2 Review the safety and legal notices in this manual carefully before use. If you have any questions about any of the content of this manual or the safe operation of your new laser projector, please do not hesitate to contact your dealer or X-Laser directly. 301-543-1981 866-702-7768 Sales –...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Introduction ..............................5 A note on Mercury equipped projectors ...................... 5 Product Labeling ............................6 Safety Notices ............................... 7 Legal Notice ..............................8 Unpacking Your Laser Projector ........................8 Projector Layout and Functions ........................9 Mercury Interface layout and functions ..................... 10 Power Variations .............................
  • Page 4 Content Menu ............................27 Restoring settings ........................... 27 System Update Menu ..........................28 Controlling your laser projector ........................29 Master and builders ..........................29 DMX/Art-Net Control ..........................31 Personalities ............................31 Control Groups ............................ 32 Correlation with moving lights ......................33 DMX Parameters ..........................

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction Thank you for purchasing an X-Laser product! You now own one of the most powerful and best crafted aerial laser display systems ever created for the entertainment industry. Before leaving our factory, every projector is carefully checked in a comprehensive quality assurance process to ensure proper and safe operation.

  • Page 6: Product Labeling

    Product Labeling The following label is affixed to the top of your laser projector; if at any point the label becomes illegible, please contact X-Laser for a replacement. Caution--use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those...

  • Page 7: Safety Notices

    Safety Notices Failure to follow the above precautions and other precautions contained in this user manual, particularly with regard to human exposure to laser radiation and electrical safety, may result in serious injury, loss of vision, electric shock, skin damage, and death. Please refer to the section on safe laser projector usage later in this manual for more detailed operation guidelines.

  • Page 8: Legal Notice

    Unpacking Your Laser Projector Your new X-Laser Skywriter HPX laser projector box should contain the following items: 1. X-Laser Skywriter HPX M-5 laser projector 2. A grounded powercon True1 cable 3.

  • Page 9: Projector Layout And Functions

    Projector Layout and Functions 1. PowerCON True One inlet 2. PowerCON True One outlet 3. Power Switch 4. Fuse holder 5. Key Switch 6. 5 pin DMX Through 7. 5 pin DMX Input 8. DMX status indicator 9. etherStop ports 10.

  • Page 10: Mercury Interface Layout And Functions

    Mercury Interface layout and functions 1. LCD Screen 2. USB Port for firmware and content updates 3. Signal status indicators 4. Laser emission indicator 5. Keypad Directional buttons Back button Enter button Menu button Laser button...

  • Page 11: Power Variations

    Laser systems often exhibit minor variations in power level between units, especially between systems of different ages. X-Laser systems are built to match from unit to unit within a small tolerance that is usually not noticeable. Variations within that tolerance are not considered a defect, even if they may be noticeable in certain applications.
  • Page 12 X-Laser or your dealer for an RMA number and we will repair the unit to bring it back into working operation and US Federal compliance. Training and Qualification In the United States, Class 3B and 4 laser products may only be used by a person or employees of an organization which holds a Laser Light Show Variance.

  • Page 13: General Guidelines For Proper Usage

    Care for it as you would a video projector. 2. Mercury-equipped X-Laser systems including the Skywriter HPX M-series are designed to work well with professional production lighting control systems. More basic control systems may not be able to present the capabilities of the Mercury control system in an intuitive or easy to use manner leading to a frustrating experience.

  • Page 14: Installation

    Installation You may hang or otherwise mount your new X-Laser product in any suitable orientation provided the requirements of this guide and all other applicable rules and regulations are observed. Before every show, verify that the programming and hard beam blocks are suitable for the application, especially if you have changed the orientation of the laser or if you are operating it in a new environment.

  • Page 15: Physical Beam Blocks

    Physical beam blocks After your projection area has been set up in your laser controller, make sure to block off the laser aperture to make sure the projection area remains safe, even in the event of a laser or controller malfunction.

  • Page 16: Operation

    Laser Startup To provide safe and reliable operation and meet the requirements of US Federal regulations and international standards, X-laser projectors generally require a multi-step startup procedure: 1. After power on, the laser starts in the “Startup” state. 2. If any key switches are not in the enabled position or any remote interlocks are open, the laser will enter the “Not Ready”...

  • Page 17: The Etherstop System

    The etherStop system X-Laser’s etherStop control interface combines network-based control (such as Art-net) and a remote E- stop interface into a single cable. The interface includes 10/100Mb Ethernet, a remote interlock loop, an emission signal, and a reset signal, all in a single CAT5 or CAT6 network cable. We recommend etherCON connectors and rugged CAT5 or better cables for best durability, but standard networking cables can be used for less demanding setups.

  • Page 18: Etherstop Pendant

    etherStop Pendant etherStop connections The etherStop pendant has 3 etherCon connectors. These provide connections for: Network – this connector is for data input (Art-Net or SACN) from your control source Laser - etherStop LASER control out (green connector). This connector carries the combined emergency stop signal, reset signal from the pendant itself and the Remote connector and...
  • Page 19 etherStop interface The front of the etherStop interface contains: BIG RED BUTTON – Depress this button to emergency stop your laser. The button will latch in the down position when pressed, twist it clockwise to reset the switch. Reset button/Emission indicator – The laser requires a reset signal to begin laser emission after startup or after an interlock has been opened.
  • Page 20 etherStop system examples...
  • Page 21 While the etherStop interface has been designed with reasonable protections against miswiring, damage to the laser through improper use of the etherStop interface may be possible and is not covered under the warranty. X-Laser is unable to provide support for external E-stop systems implemented by others.

  • Page 22: The Mercury Menu System

    The Mercury Menu system Lasers equipped with our Mercury laser control system have a large, full color LCD menu system to navigate all the available settings and options. This menu system is navigated using the 8 keypad buttons. Directional buttons Back button Enter button Menu button...

  • Page 23: System Menu

    Laser Status: This indicates the status of the laser’s internal safety systems. Statuses include: Enabled - The projector is capable of emitting laser when an appropriate control signal is sent Turn Key – The key switch is in the disarmed position Interlock Open –...

  • Page 24: Dmx Menu

    Control Source Sets the control source to Manual, DMX or Art-Net DMX Timeout (ms) The DMX timeout setting in milliseconds. Default is 100 Art-Net timeout (ms) The Art-Net timeout setting in milliseconds. Default is 2000 Load Defaults Resets the system to the factory defined default settings About Important information about your system such as the model of laser, serial number of the Mercury interface and MAC address of the system The DMX and Art-Net timeouts should be set to the minimum value that provides reliable operation.

  • Page 25: X/Y Menu

    X/Y Menu Zoning your laser is one of the most important setup steps and this menu is essential to accurate and safe zoning. While many may choose to do all their zoning from the Master fixture via DMX or Art-Net, it’s still essential to learn this menu.

  • Page 26: Colors Menu

    Colors Menu The colors menu allows you to do basic color balancing across your projectors. Red Min The minimum level of the Red laser source when there is any red laser commanded to be on Red Max The maximum level of the Red laser source when there is any red laser commanded to be on Green Min The minimum level of the Green laser source when there is any Green laser commanded to be on...

  • Page 27: Manual Operation Menu

    The projector can store 2 separate content packs. To install a new content pack, insert a USB drive into the USB port on the laser that has an X-Laser content file (*.XLC) on it, select content pack 1 or 2, then select Install and follow the on screen prompts.

  • Page 28: System Update Menu

    Install update from USB This allows you to update the firmware on your laser projector. Insert a USB drive into the USB port with the X-Laser firmware (*.XLB file) on it. Select this setting and follow the on screen prompts. Detailed instructions are included with all software update files.

  • Page 29: Controlling Your Laser Projector

    Controlling your laser projector Master and builders The Mercury laser control system built into your Skywriter HPX M-5 was developed from the ground up as a new and uniquely powerful way to control laser projectors with DMX or Art-Net. With this novel design, there’s a new concept of how to set up the laser.
  • Page 30 Advanced builder is 85 channels and contains many more parameters for color, size, waves and motion effects. The advanced builder is extremely powerful but has a much steeper learning curve. When starting out with the advanced builders, we highly encourage you to check out our tutorial videos on youtube.

  • Page 31: Dmx/Art-Net Control

    Your Skywriter HPX M-5 has 9 different operating personalities. These personalities are crucial to the proper operation of the system and must be understood. The Skywriter HPX M-5 is designed to be patched into your DMX/Art-Net control system as multiple fixtures, one master and 1-4 either basic or advanced builders.

  • Page 32: Control Groups

    Control Groups The Mercury laser control system in your Skywriter HPX M-5 laser is simplified by breaking the control up into groups relevant to different features of the system. These control groups are: 1. Master Group 2. Builder Main Group 3.

  • Page 33: Correlation With Moving Lights

    You can learn more about how this works and why it matters by visiting www.x-laser.com/mercury-advanced Motion Macro group provide access to a number of pre built motion effects in Basic Builder modes.

  • Page 34: Dmx Parameters

    DMX Parameters The Master channel block controls overall fixture function and final size and position of the projection area. The Master Mode channel is used to enable or disable the fixture, and to switch the fixture between external input and builder modes. In Fixture Disabled mode, the fixture is active but will not project any content.
  • Page 35 Basic Builder - 27 channels used Master must be patched to enable the basic Builder Builder Main Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Gobo 0-14 15-253 Page Gobo pages Reserved Optimized test Non- patterns optimized test patterns 8 bit...
  • Page 36 8 bit Green 2 0-255 0-100% 8 bit Blue 2 0-255 0-100% Intensity Effect Group (not yet active) Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved Prism control group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Prism 0-51 52-255 selection Prism Selection Reserved 8 bit...
  • Page 37 Geometric Post group (applied after prism) Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit X Scale 0-127 129-255 100% - 0% 0 - 100% Inverted 8 bit Y Scale 0-127 129-255 100% - 0% 0 - 100% Inverted 20/21 0-127 129-255 Position Left Center Right...
  • Page 38 Advanced Builder - 85 channels used Master must be patched to enable the Advanced Builder Builder Main Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Gobo Page 0-14 15-253 Gobo pages Reserved Optimized test Non- patterns optimized test patterns...
  • Page 39 Color Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Color 4-31 Function - No color override Overall Color H/S/I Pointwise Reserved Base Override Manipulation gradient Color Function - No color override Linear Angular Gradient Radial Linear Angular Radial Linear Linear Rainbow Angular Rainbow Angular Pre 1...
  • Page 40 173-255 The Post position applies color effects after all other geometric, wave and motion effects. This allows your color effect to act as an overlay that you can move your beams through to change their color based on their position Radial Rainbow Radial Reserved...
  • Page 41 Intensity Effect Group (not yet active) Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Reserved 0-255...
  • Page 42 Prism control group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Prism 0-51 52-255 selection Prism Selection Reserved 8 bit X Spacing 0-127 129-255 100% - 0% 0 - 100% Inverted 8 bit Y Spacing 0-127 129-255 100% - 0% 0 - 100% Inverted 8 bit Facet 0-255...
  • Page 43 Wave Effect 1 Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Wave Effect 6-10 - Pre No effect Linear Sine Linear Ramp Linear Linear Linear Reserved Radial Sine Radial Ramp Radial Ramp Radial position Ramp Triangle Square Reverse Triangle Reverse Wave 16-31 Radial Square Reserved...
  • Page 44 Wave Effect 2 Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Wave Effect 6-10 - Pre No effect Linear Sine Linear Ramp Linear Linear Linear Reserved Radial Sine Radial Ramp Radial Ramp Radial position Ramp Triangle Square Reverse Triangle Reverse Wave 16-31 Radial Square Reserved...
  • Page 45 Motion Effect 1 Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Motion 7-31 Effect - Pre No effect Elliptical Orbit Elliptical Orbit Linear Linear Ping Triangle Square Reserved position and Rotate Scroll Pong Orbit Orbit Motion 39-63 Effect - Mid No effect Elliptical Orbit Elliptical Orbit Linear...
  • Page 46 Motion Effect 1 Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Motion 7-31 Effect - Pre No effect Elliptical Orbit Elliptical Orbit Linear Linear Ping Triangle Square Reserved position and Rotate Scroll Pong Orbit Orbit Motion 39-63 Effect - Mid No effect Elliptical Orbit Elliptical Orbit Linear...
  • Page 47 Geometric Correction Group Channel 8/16 Function Values 8 bit Control 0-255 Reserved 8 bit Top Left X 0-127 129-255 Left Center Right 8 bit Top Left Y 0-127 129-255 Center Bottom 8 bit Top Right X 0-127 129-255 Right Center Left 8 bit Top Right Y...

  • Page 48: Gobo Guide

    Gobo Guide Your laser projector has over 400 digital gobos already loaded, with more to come in future firmware updates. Here’s a quick guide to how they are organized: Page 1 – Circles Page 2 - Lines Page 3 – Dangerous Curves Gobo Gobo Name Gobo...
  • Page 49 Page 4 – Triangles Page 5 - Squares Page 6 – Other Polygons Gobo Gobo Name Gobo Gobo Name Gobo Gobo Name triangle square 4 point star big triangle 4 spine square 8 spine star 1 point in triangle 8 spine square 5 point star concave triangle fading quadrant square...
  • Page 50 (Page 7 – Points (Page 8 – Abstract (Page 9 – Mixed continued) building blocks continued) point hexagon continued) circle and triangles 3 point septagon big wave Circle and a squiggle point octagon starting to unravel circle and squiggles point nonagon infinitely broken bisected circle point decagon...
  • Page 51 ALPHA LASERS sunflower ALPHA PROM Remulak HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONGRATUALTIONS ALPHA 2018 ALPHA 2019 ALPHA 2020 ALPHA X-LASER ALPHA SPACE *Note that DMX values begin at 0, so a DMX value of 0 will select gobo 1 on a page, DMX1:Gobo2, etc...

  • Page 52: Prism Modes

    Prism Modes Your Mercury equipped laser comes with 12 digital prisms. You can also adjust the X and Y spacing on these prisms and rotate the segments for an even wider range of looks. DMX Channel Value Prism type Example None 8-11 12-15...

  • Page 53: Basic Builder Color Presets

    Basic builder color presets For ease of operation there are many color presets built for use with the basic builder modes. Please note that these are presets for the color effects, to use these presets you still need to select RGB1 and RGB2 colors.

  • Page 54: Basic Builder Motion Presets

    Basic builder motion presets For ease of operation there are many motion presets built for use with the basic builder modes. These motion effects all have a default size and speed, but you can override these defaults using the Motion Macro speed and size controls on channels 27 and 28.

  • Page 55: Ilda Control

    X-Laser recommends the use of Quickshow-XL or Beyond by Pangolin Systems for controlling your laser projector by ILDA. For comprehensive information on how to control your projector by ILDA please consult the video tutorials that come with your software package.

  • Page 56: Ilda Settings

    ILDA Settings When using Quickshow or Beyond there are some specific settings to use for your Skywriter HPX. Go to the settings menu and select “Projector Settings” 1. Set your scan rate for 30000 and leave the other settings at their default. 2.

  • Page 57: Troubleshooting

    If any of the 25 pins on the ILDA connector are broken on a cable, replace it with a new cable. If any pins are broken on your laser contact X-Laser for service. Verify that your ILDA interface and/or software is functioning properly--refer to the manufacturer(s) for proper troubleshooting steps.
  • Page 58 Problem Solutions Verify that the DMX profile you are using, if any, matches the projector’s configured DMX profile. Try controlling the laser directly via channel values to rule out problems with your DMX profile. Refer to the user manual for the correct DMX parameters. Verify the function of your DMX controller with other known-good DMX equipment or with professional DMX testing tools.
  • Page 59 Laser makes a This is usually a sign of a failing cooling fan. If the sound does not stop within one minute of power on rattling or contact X-Laser to return the unit for service. "growling" sound that persists even when not outputting.
  • Page 60 ILDA software settings and cables in particular before attempting to power the laser back on. If pitched these problems occur in DMX or auto modes, or continue to occur in ILDA mode, contact X-Laser to "squealing" noise return the unit for service.

  • Page 61: Repair And Return Information

    Please first contact X-Laser for an RMA number. Our support team will most likely spend a few minutes trying to diagnose the issue over the phone to find the fastest resolution for you. If the laser needs to be returned, you will be given an RMA number and a URL to complete the RMA process.

  • Page 62: Manufacturer's Limited Warranty

    Return Policy We want you to love using your X-Laser. If you don’t love it, for whatever reason, please contact us so that we may help resolve whatever the issue may be. Factory sealed products may be returned to your dealer in accordance with their return policies.

  • Page 63: Sample Laser Operator Show Checklist

    Some blank rows have been added for your convenience. This checklist was designed for US compliance, for other countries please consult local laws. For a copy of the template so you can place your own logo, please contact support@x-laser.com. Operator Name: _____________________________...

  • Page 64: Sample Laser Signage

    Signage is not typically required, but is never a bad idea. Here’s a sample laser notification sign you can use, just fill out the power level of your laser. Be aware that this is not accurate for audience scanning shows. For a copy of the template to put your own logo on, contact support@x-laser.com.

  • Page 65: Questions? Feedback

    If you have any questions about any of the content of this manual or the safe operation of your new laser projector or would like to give us some feedback on our products or documentation, please do not hesitate to contact your dealer or X-Laser directly. 301-543-1981 866-702-7768 Sales –...

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