Ⅰ. Introduction

• • Before importing parts, you can enable【Add Text】 in 【Auto Technique】or 【Pre-process】. Thus, the part name will be added automatically on all parts.
  •  
  • If Replace the locating graphic is checked, then the small graphics on the parts will be replaced with the marked text. Thus, the marked text can be placed anywhere on the parts.

Ⅱ. Function Selections and Operating Steps

1. Function Selections

• • If the current software you're using is TubesT Small Tube, TubesT 2-Chuck, or TubesT Professional, you can use Add Text from【 Auto Technique】.
  •  
  • If the current software you're using is TubesT Steel Section, TubesT Steel Structure, or TubesT Professional with Steel Structure package, then we recommend you use Add Text from【Pre-Process】. 

2. Operating Steps

(1) Steps in 【Auto Technique】

① Click Auto Technique → Add Text before importing parts.

② Configure parameters as desired, and click OK.

(2) Steps in 【Pre-Process】

① Click Pre-Process → Add Text before importing parts.

② Configure parameters as desired, and click OK.

Ⅲ. Parameter Explanation

1. Text Position

There are two types of text positions, namely <Dist to left end> and <Replace the locating graphic>.

Method	Dist to left end	Replace the locating graphic
Description	Select this, and the marked text will be displaced a certain distance to the left end.	When selecting the setting Replace locating graphic, eligible small graphics will be replaced with marking text.   Notice: The small graphic to be replaced must be uniquely present in the part and must meet the replacement size range criteria. If multiple small graphics within the replacement size range exist, the message "Auto Process addition failed error" will be displayed, and the corresponding parts in the parts list will be highlighted in light red.
Parameter	Distance to the left end =  The distance in the Y-direction from the marking text to the left end (i.e., the origin point).	① Frame box = The dimensional range of the small graphic, i.e., the length, width, or diameter of the small graphic when drawn. Notice: The frame box range uses exclusive inequalities (less than signs), i.e., XX mm < Frame Box < XX mm. ② Zero Ref = The relative position between the small graphic and the marking text, i.e., the directional position where the original small graphic would be located relative to the generated marking text. As shown in the figure below:
Example		The diameter of the small circular hole is 8. Set the parameters as follows: ① 0.1 < Frame Box < 8.1; ② Zero Ref = Mid The small circle will be replaced with the part name, and the circle will be centrally located relative to the part name.

For H-beam parts, you can configure which surface to mark the text in 【Pre-Process→Add Text】.

2.  Text Content

The text content includes two types, namely <Part name> and <Part name separated by symbol>.

Method	Part name (Check to mark all text of part name)	Part name separated by symbol (Check only to mark the part text of the part name)
Description	The part name will be added	Add symbols to separate the parts name into different columns. And you can select the text column to add. Notice: The default symbol is #, and the first column will be added.
Example		Eg. The part name is HW1++2_3_1++Test.Set . Set symbol as " ++" and cols as 1, and the HW1 will be set as the added text.   Set symbol as " ++" and cols as 2, and the 2_3_1 will be set as the added text.

3. Text Parameters

TubesT offers multiple text parameters.

Parameters	Description	Example
Font	There are multiple fonts for selection. The  effect can be previewed in the dark area. For aesthetic purposes, the normal (hollow-out) font is optional. To shorten the processing time, the single-line font is optional.  Notice: the fonts end with *.shx are the single-line font.
Height	The size of the text. The bigger the height value, the larger the text. You may configure it according to the  text size. Height is determined by the pipe size—the larger the height value, the larger the text. Notice: Tests have shown that a height of 8 to 12 mm is sufficient for clear visibility and part identification.
Marking	If not checked, cutting toolpath will be generated. If checked, marking toolpath will be generated.
Rotate by 90°	If not checked, the text will be displayed in Y-axis direction while in X-direction if checked.
Explode Text	Check it if Bridge is required to add for text. Not recommended for adding marking.

Ⅳ. FAQs

1. Can marking text be placed on a specified surface?

• • H-shaped steel parts: Marking text can be placed on a specified surface through Pre-process.

  • For other parts, currently, the placement of automatically added marking text is random and cannot be specified.
    • Notice: For channel steel parts, marking text will be prioritized on the web. If it cannot be placed on the web, it will be placed on the flange.

• • If you want to place marking text at a specific location, it is recommended to Add text manually.

2. What should I do if automatic text addition fails and an "Error message for failed Auto Technique" appears?

If there is no suitable location on the current part to place the marking text, a pop-up prompt will appear after the addition fails or the placement is incorrect, and the parts list will be highlighted with a pink or deep blue background:

• Pink background: Indicates that the parameters for marking the text do not meet the marking requirements, and the text has not been added to the part. For example, the text length exceeds the part length, making marking impossible.

• • For parts in pink background, the text needs to be re-added.
    ① It is recommended to add text manually and appropriately reduce the text height.
    ② Modify the parameters for drawing the text and re-import the part. For example, reduce the text height or check/uncheck Rotate 90 °.

• Deep blue background: Indicates that the marking text has been added to the part, but the position does not meet the "Distance from the Left End Face" requirement.

• • For parts in deep blue background, check the text position. If it is acceptable, it can be ignored. If the position is unsatisfactory, delete the text on the part, adjust the value of Distance to left end, and re-add the text, or Add text manually.

3. How to set up marking in the cutting software?

In TubesT, the marking toolpath has been set as a separate layer. In TubePro, simply configure the techinique for the marking layer separately.

For example, if the marking toolpath is set to Layer 2 (blue), in TubePro, you need to configure a set of marking parameters for Layer 2.

If you are unsure how to adjust the marking parameters, refer to the following example:

The general approach is to increase the speed, raise the nozzle height, reduce the peak power, and lower the duty cycle.