Author: Santiago Ricoy Email: [email protected]
Date: Last modified on 1/24/17
Keywords: laser cutter engraving etching burning cutting vector raster

Photo here!

The photo above depicts our lab's laser cutter engraving a logo in raster mode. This tutorial's main focus is to have a machine that has been sitting/neglected, up and running a raster engrave. Other items will be touched on, including vector cuts. The importance of this lies in having a quick-reference for lab members to quickly learn to use and innovate with the laser cutter.

This tutorial's motivation is to teach a student new to the laser cutter how to prepare, check, and run the machine. The tutorial assumes the reader has the following background:

* Know how to manipulate bitmap images
* Perhaps also know how to work with vectorized images in Inkscape, Illustrator, or another related program
* Possible additional background needed in vectorizing and layering in image manipulation programs, and CAD software.
* This tutorial may also attract readers who intend to use the laser cutter to create layers for 3 dimensional projects.

The rest of this tutorial is presented as follows:

• Items Required
• Familiarizing with Controls
• Machine Prep and Check
• Image Creation
• Engraving and Cutting
• Final Words

To complete this tutorial, you'll need the following items:

• Computer running Windows 7 or higher
• Material of choice to cut/engrave
• Laser Cutter Manual
• RetinaEngrave Manual

Control Panel Picture Here

Note: This panel is

This section gives step-by-step instructions along with photos to reference while walking through them.

1.) Water Chiller: WATER CHILLER PICTURE

The water chiller circulates water through the laser tube of the machine. This is important because the plasma arcs generated within the tube can create a lot of heat, which needs to be removed.

Our main concern with the chiller is ensuring that all of its connections are secure with no leaks, and that while it is running, no air bubbles are cycled through the laser tube.

There are two tubes coming from the chiller. Make sure that these are:

• Connected securely to both the chiller and the laser unit
• Connected to the correct inputs and outputs on both the chiller and the laser unit (i.e. NOT connected to the air assist input)
• Not leaking at any point on their lengths

LASER TUBE PICTURE

The chiller directs water continuously through the laser tube and maintains the water at or near room temperature. However, to maximize the life of the laser tube, we must make sure that heat is removed evenly from the tube by ensuring there are no air bubbles present. Air bubbles create local hotspots along the tube, which will ultimately reduce the tube's life over time.

Picture of bubbles.

After turning on the water chiller, often bubbles can be observed entering and leaving the laser tube. Watch all of these bubbles leave, and search for smaller bubbles (they generally get caught at the ends of the tube). There may be some minuscule debris inside the tube, along with persistent bubbles of similar size, that we cannot remove without specialized equipment, but its impact is relatively small; thus it can be ignored.

For other bubbles, (generally identified as those that appear to “wiggle” in the current) they can usually be moved by gently squeezing one of the input or output tubes, and quickly releasing it. The sudden slowdown and rush of water can dislodge most if not all bubbles that can be moved.

2.) Air Assist:

AIR ASSIST PICTURE

Our air assist compressor provides a steady stream of air that projects from the laser head onto our cutting surface. It allows the laser to make cuts that would otherwise ignite the working material. While the air assist should always be used, it does have one downside. When working with lighter materials, the stream of air very easily blows away parts intended for cutting.

Please check that the air assist is connected to the correct input port. It automatically turns on when plugged into an electrical socket.

3.) Exhaust fan: EXHAUST FAN PICTURE

The exhaust fan blows away smoke and other potentially harmful vapors created while cutting. Simply slide the blue exhaust tube from the back of the laser unit onto the exhaust fan's input port, and route the output tubing outdoors.

The fan can be powered on by plugging it into an electrical socket.

4.) Alignment: picture of realignment process

After many uses (perhaps prolonged periods of disuse), or after moving the laser cutter, the mirrors may come out of alignment, and though it may not always be obvious, the cut quality will suffer. If the laser has not been operated for an extended period of time,

Fortunately there is a fairly simple process for realigning the mirrors, and it is found in the manual, which is included in the “required items” section of this tutorial.

The method of realigning mirrors requires thermal paper, but I used old receipts for this purpose. You may consider storing thermal paper or old receipts in one of the compartments on the laser unit for this eventual purpose.

This tutorial's objective was to get a student up and running with the FSL Pro 36×24 Laser Cutter.

Speculating future work derived from this tutorial, you may want to consider reviewing 3D projects created using a laser cutter, and an alternate post discussing engraving and cutting a variety of materials. In the big picture, the problem of disseminating knowledge about the laser cutter can be solved with this tutorial.

For questions, clarifications, etc, Email: [email protected]