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full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start [2017/02/02 17:12] – Added some pics santiagoricoyfull_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start [2024/01/21 14:32] (current) – [WARNINGS] santiagoricoy
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 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
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-**Date:** Last modified on 1/24/17+**Date:** Last modified on 2/4/17
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 **Keywords:** laser cutter engraving etching burning cutting vector raster **Keywords:** laser cutter engraving etching burning cutting vector raster
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 {{ :sricoy:laser_cutter:etching.jpg?nolink&500 |}} {{ :sricoy:laser_cutter:etching.jpg?nolink&500 |}}
  
-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.+The photo above depicts our lab's laser cutter engraving a logo in raster mode (can't tell easily, as it's moving). This tutorial's main focus is to have a student with near zero prior knowledge, up and running a raster engrave on our laser cutter. Other items will be lightly 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.
  
  
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 ===== WARNINGS =====  ===== WARNINGS ===== 
 <fs large><fc red>PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY</fc></fs> <fs large><fc red>PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY</fc></fs>
 +The most important button on the laser cutter is the large red emergency stop button. If you are ever worried, unsure, or overall unconfident that the laser cutter is operating properly, please push down the large red button.
  
   * **NEVER** leave the system unattended during operation   * **NEVER** leave the system unattended during operation
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 4.) **Alignment**: 4.) **Alignment**:
  
-{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:aligning.jpg?nolink&500|}}+**OPTIONAL:**
  
 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, quickly run a check to see if the laser is still in alignment. 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, quickly run a check to see if the laser is still in alignment.
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 +Note that the peripheral devices will likely all be plugged into one surge protector, so some of these steps may be redundant.
  
 Machine power-on steps: Machine power-on steps:
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 The RetinaEngrave3D software is the cutting software made by Full Spectrum Laser. Through it, we get our design files onto the laser cutter. It is here that we specify power, speed, layers, etc.. The RetinaEngrave3D software is the cutting software made by Full Spectrum Laser. Through it, we get our design files onto the laser cutter. It is here that we specify power, speed, layers, etc..
  
-<fc blue> Image of RetinaEngrave </fc>+RetinaEngrave3D can generate rasters from .bmp, .jpg, .png, and .tiff by dragging and dropping. However, other file types require being saved as an .xps file, or can be directed into RetinaEngrave3D through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver, which is the primary way images are put into RetinaEngrave3D.
  
-RetinaEngrave3D can generate rasters from .bmp, .jpg, .png, and .tiff by dragging and dropping. However, other file types require being saved as an .xps file, or can be directed into RetinaEngrave3D through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver. +{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:fsedpic.png?nolink&300|}}
  
-<fc blue> FSED print process picture </fc>+ 
 +{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:keychaincolors.png?nolink&300|}}
  
 The process is simple. From whatever program you are using, go to print and select "Full Spectrum Engineering Driver" from the options. Your file will appear in the RetinaEngrave3D software, allowing you to manipulate its size, settings, and other options to begin your cut. The process is simple. From whatever program you are using, go to print and select "Full Spectrum Engineering Driver" from the options. Your file will appear in the RetinaEngrave3D software, allowing you to manipulate its size, settings, and other options to begin your cut.
 +
 +{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:randnewdesigncircles.png?nolink&500|}}
  
 RetinaEngrave3D has the option to create simple images within the program that do not require any special changes to run as a raster or vector cut. I recommend this option if you only need a simple shape/text in a predetermined size. RetinaEngrave3D has the option to create simple images within the program that do not require any special changes to run as a raster or vector cut. I recommend this option if you only need a simple shape/text in a predetermined size.
  
 Notes: Notes:
-  * It may happen that the print function crashes the image generation software, and does not successfully send your image to RetinaEngrave3D. If you encounter this problem, a retry may work. Otherwise, print to the XPS Document Writer, and then open that file with RetinaEngrave3D or print the .xps file through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver. +  * It may happen that the print function crashes the image generation software, and does not successfully send your image to RetinaEngrave3D. I personally encountered this a couple times. If you encounter this problem, a retry may work. Otherwise, print to the XPS Document Writer, and then open that file with RetinaEngrave3D or print the .xps file through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver. 
-  * Vector information is carried along in the .xps, but within the RetinaEngrave manual, there are additional items to consider that are not covered here.+  * Vector information is carried along in the .xps, but within the RetinaEngrave manual, there are additional items to consider that are not covered here concerning the exact manner that the software will decide to cut objects.
  
  
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 ===== Engraving and Cutting ===== ===== Engraving and Cutting =====
  
-<fc>image (video?) of cutting </fc>+{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:retinaengraverasterengrave.png?nolink&500|}} 
 + 
 +Once gone through the print driver, RetinaEngrave gives a few options to manipulate your image on the left. Those options available include rotating the image 90 degrees; mirroring the image vertically or horizontally; dithering to different extents; and resizing the image. Within the vector cut tab, there is also a vector cross-hatching option, but that is beyond the scope of these instructions. 
 + 
 +{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:retinaengrave3dcontrols.png?nolink&600|}} 
 + 
 +At the top are more controls that concern engraving. Below is a brief list of their functions and usefulness. 
 + 
 +  * ** House icon**: homes the laser head 
 +  * **4 corner arrow icon**: runs the laser head through the perimeter (this is helpful to verify the limits of the cut you are about to make) 
 +  * **1 corner arrow icon**: step laser head through perimeter (you can look more closely where each corner is for your cut to be sure it is cutting within your desired area) 
 +  * **9 red dots icon**: object positioning (we can define where the red dot currently points in relation to our image; useful when we want a certain area of an image lined up with a certain part of what we are cutting
 +  * **Laser beam**: fires a test pulse and allows you to change pulse duration 
 +  * **Cylinder icon**: enables settings for rotary attachment (separate tutorial) 
 +  * **Play/Pause/Stop icons**: Allows you to begin, pause, and stop the current job 
 +  * **Pull-down box**: changes between raster, vector, raster then vector, and simulation modes 
 + 
 + 
 +**Before beginning your cut**  
 + 
 +Triple check that the laser head is positioned where you need it. 
 + 
 +You can use the arrow keys in RetinaEngrave to move around the laser head, or with the laser control panel in fast xy or slow xy mode. 
 + 
 +**Focusing:** 
 + 
 +{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:focusrulerlaser.jpg?500|}} 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +For this step, you can use the up/down arrows in the slow-z or fast-z modes on the laser cutter; using fast-z to get close, and then slow-z to reach the final touching point.  
 + 
 +The focusing ruler (pictured above in use) should be sitting behind the left y-axis track in the laser cutter. Use this on the ledge of the laser head, and raise/lower the head until the end of it just touches the surface of your material.   
 + 
 +**Triple Check:** 
 + 
 +Using the option to run the perimeter (4 corner arrow icon) in RetinaEngrave, you can verify the edges of your cut. This should always be done to ensure you've gotten the right scale, or that your cut fits on your material.
  
-The cutting software gives a few options to manipulate your image on the left. To begin your cutpress the start button.+**Beginning the cut:** 
 +Simply press the start button in RetinaEngrave. Your raster engrave will begin almost immediately. If in vector mode, the software will first process the image, and then begin the cut; that mode was not covered here, so if you intended to do a raster engrave, and the machine pauses before cutting, you may want to hit the "C" key to cancel the cut.
  
  
full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start.1486084330.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/02/02 17:12 by santiagoricoy