Laser engraving machine. How to choose a laser engraver for your home? Manufacturer Tips and Feedback How to Choose a Laser Engraving Machine

Are you attracted by creativity and creativity?

Have you decided to start a business that can quickly generate profits?

Or is it time to expand production?

The laser engraving machine is the perfect solution!

There are a lot of earning opportunities with a laser engraving machine. The scope of application depends only on your imagination and your goals. But in any case, with him you are guaranteed:

• Stable profit
• Cost optimization
• Comprehensive cost management
• Business development at any stage

And the correct choice of a laser engraving machine and its competent operation will provide you with a low production cost and, as a result, a decent income.

How to choose a laser engraving machine

Before purchasing a laser engraving machine, you need to determine the following parameters:

• What material will you work with
• What will be the size of the workpieces to be processed
• Production volumes
• Type of products
• Budget

The price of a laser engraving machine also depends on these parameters.

Interested in professional advice? Call us or write, our technicians will help you choose a laser engraving machine according to your wishes.

I'll go to engravers, let them teach me

Of course, the purchase of a laser engraving machine is a profitable investment in your business. But buying it inexpensively is only half the battle. We still need to find a worthy use for it.

The first place in popularity is occupied by advertising and information products:

• Souvenirs
• Photo studio props
• Indoor and outdoor advertising
• materials made of plastics, plexiglass or acrylic

The second group of highly profitable business includes:

• Plywood laser processing
• Furniture and decor
• Jewelry
• Manufacturing of seals and stamps
• Industrial marking and engraving

The laser engraving machine can work with a wide variety of materials: plywood, wood, plastic, cardboard, glass, metal (using a special paste), stone, textiles, rubber, acrylic, ceramics and many others. And processing each of them can be profitable for you.

The power of the laser engraving machine. Which one to choose?

In order for your laser engraving machine to work as efficiently and productively as possible, special attention should be paid to its performance, which is determined by the power of the laser tube filled with a gaseous mixture.

	Appointment
	Small Desktop Laser Engraving Machine
	Medium Production Laser Engraving Machine
	Professional large format laser engraving machines
100-160	Industrial Large Format Laser Engraving Machine

The table shows the power of the laser tubes of the standard laser engraving machines. In some devices, you can change them to more powerful ones, increasing the productivity of the equipment in accordance with the needs of production. For example:

• from 40 W to 100 W
• from 60 W to 130 W
• from 80 W to 160 W

The area of ​​the working field of the machine for laser engraving

The laser engraving machine can be with height-adjustable and fixed work table. The first is the most practical. Such a table makes it possible to process both sheet materials of small thickness and bulk workpieces. In addition, a rotary device can be installed on a laser engraving machine with such a table, which will allow engraving cylindrical objects, for example, glasses or bottles. Another plus of this option - it will be easier for you to maintain the focal length of the lens to the material.

The fixed table is suitable for engraving materials that fall within the thickness of the distance between it and the laser head.

Height-adjustable tables are available with manual adjustment or electronic control system. In the second case, you will save a lot of time when processing materials of different sizes.

Also, the work tables of devices for laser engraving can be divided into three more types: vector, honeycomb and lamella.

Our technical specialists will help you understand the design features of the desktops.

Laser tube power (W)	Working area (mm)
	500x300
	from 600x900 to 1000x600
	from 1200x900 to 2000x3000
100-160	from 500x300 to 2000x3000

Using the table, you can determine the approximate ratio of the laser power and the area of ​​the working field. However, these are not final options, you can choose the one you need.

Laser engraving machine performance

Can the laser engraving machine work continuously for a long time? Maybe, but not everyone. Of small devices, the VENO 530 model with a small working area will successfully cope with this. However, with any model, it is necessary to constantly cool the laser tube, the water temperature in which should not exceed 25 ° C.

For this, there is a specialized device called a chiller that prevents laser engraving machines from overheating, extending their service life.

But even in this case, no one canceled the life of the laser tube itself. The larger it is, the better, respectively. You can buy laser tubes with a service life of 1,500 to 10,000 hours from us.

Setting up and maintaining a laser engraving machine

A laser engraving machine is not a spaceship, so you can independently cope with its setup and operation without much work and knowledge. If you have any questions, you can always consult with our technical specialists, including via Skype. Do you need diagnostics, repair or replacement of broken parts? Then we will come to you!

The company "Lazerkat" takes care of its customers and provides them with a full range of services for diagnostics, maintenance and repair of laser equipment.

Choosing and buying an inexpensive laser engraving machine at an affordable price means making your business not only profitable, but also very exciting!

How much does a laser engraving machine cost?

The price of a laser engraving machine depends primarily on what materials you will engrave on it, what volume of production you intend to open, as well as some other factors.

Large selection of laser engraving machines in our online store

Artistic metal engraving is a rather rare and expensive decor. You can create such a decoration manually or with a special machine for metal engraving. Most often, engraved items are exclusive and look very presentable.

Metal engraving is the process of applying an image to a metal base. This process is carried out at home with the necessary tools or a special engraving machine. Engraving is carried out in several ways, using various equipment. This process is not particularly difficult, therefore, it can be performed even in simple conditions. They are performed on the metal parts of weapons, tobacco pouches, wedding rings, watches, gift dishes and other metal products.

Methods for decorating metal products

Various techniques are used in metal engraving. Their entire set is divided into two ways: manual and mechanical engraving.

With the manual method, the master applies a drawing or inscription with a special tool. The quality of the engraving depends on the skill of the master. For engraving on a complex surface, it is necessary to use this method - the technique will not cope here.

It is carried out using an engraving machine, a computer and the skill of a master. In this case, the quality of the product depends on the quality of the hardware and software. The image accuracy is higher than with the manual method.

Necessary equipment

If the technology is followed, it is possible to achieve an in-depth or, conversely, a convex image, depending on the idea.

For mechanical engraving, special machines are used - engravers. They work from the mains and help to apply a high-quality image to the surface of polished metal. They work on the basis of the impact engraving method, performing polishing and surface cleaning. With a convenient size, the engravers are simple and easy to use.

The principle of operation of the engraving machine is to rotate a movable element, which is driven by an electric motor through a gearbox. As a rule, such machines have a low power - only up to 200 W, but it is quite enough for engraving at home. Some machines are supplied with fasteners, and therefore, having fixed the engraver on the table, the master rotates the part with both hands, performing a complex pattern.

Decorating machines

All metal engraving machines are divided into three groups.

Milling machines. Used to decorate thick parts. Designed for processing metal, wood, plastic. Such engravers are large in size, but they are convenient to work with due to the absence of vibration and ease of use. Such a machine is equipped with a working field over which the milling cutter rotates. The cutters move with great speed and precision, which eliminates human waste.

Laser-based machines are used to decorate not only metal, but also glass, wood, stone, cardboard, plastic, leather, and many other materials. Very comfortable machines, high quality products. The thickness of the processed surface and the speed of the machine depend on the laser power. The technology is based on the application of a special paste to the product, then the device directs the laser to the surface, under its action the metal melts and evaporates.

Slightly similar in principle to the dental apparatus. Works complete with special milling attachments. Before starting work, such a machine must be tested in order to get a high result from the first moments of use.

Engraving machines are also available in various configurations. Removable parts allow not only drawing and writing, but also polishing, grinding or making holes in the metal. Lettering and drawings are created by rotating a small cone-shaped bit, which grinds the metal. Machine attachments can be of several varieties:

• cutter;
• wire brush;
• grinding wheel;
• polishing tip;
• drill;
• disks;
• borax.

Engraving technology

Laser engraving of metal has the greatest durability, which determines its high price. Jewelry with lettering or laser-engraved designs is quite expensive. But the most beautiful one is diamond engraving. It is performed with a special cutter, which, removing the top layer of metal, forms tetrahedral pits that can sparkle in the light. It is used in jewelry and souvenir production. But the price for such products is high.

Types of engraving techniques:

• Dashed line. It is a shallow carving for metal in the form of strokes, contour lines, dots and various recesses. It is carried out with a special tool - a graver.
• Dropped or three-dimensional engraving. This is a mechanical way. Represents deep three-dimensional images. Volumetric drawings are obtained using machine tools or engraving machines.

In the process of engraving, a pattern is applied to the metal with a cutter. Engraving technology includes both planar and three-dimensional engraving.

It is carried out on flat or three-dimensional products and is intended for the application of inscriptions, contour drawings and graphic works. It is made with a cutter. To carry out the process of planar engraving, you must complete the following steps:

1. Drawing preparation. The drawing is performed on paper, in full size, all shadows and transitions in the drawing are shaded.
2. Surface preparation. Clean and polish the metal surface. Perfect results are achieved with fine sandpaper or pumice.
3. Transferring the image to the surface. The surface is covered with a small layer of paint - white watercolor or liquid white gouache will do. The drawing is transferred to the dried paint using a sharp pencil and carbon paper.
4. The finished sketch must be covered with alcohol-based varnish or nitro-varnish to fix it, otherwise it will be erased during work.
5. Engraving is carried out manually or mechanically.

The process is best performed on a matte surface - so glare from the polished metal will not interfere with the work. If a glossy effect is required, then polishing should be done after engraving.

3D engraving

A more common type of engraving than flat engraving. The image can be embossed, or even sculpted. And you can also make a convex or in-depth image. It is widely used not only in the manufacture of art objects, but also in industry. Step-by-step implementation of three-dimensional engraving:

1. Drawing translation using watercolors and a sharp instrument. The image is translated using carbon paper and wax.
2. The surface is covered with a thin layer of molten wax, and then the pattern is transferred onto it.
3. Engraving. If the image is convex, then first make a contour with a sharp tool, and then remove the metal layer around the image. A relief is applied to an already deepened surface.
4. If the drawing is in-depth, then after the contour is outlined, the metal inside the image is removed, constantly comparing the depth with a sample made of plaster or plasticine.

The finished image is cleaned, polished and polished to obtain the final result. High-quality grinding will be provided by a special device - a straight grinder. Modern production provides the availability of special dies that facilitate the process. But in this case, mass production is obtained, and not an individual unique work. This engraving is suitable for releasing a series of identical works when needed.

Engraving at home

Engraving at home can be done either with an engraving machine or by hand. Milling engraving is very convenient due to the simplicity of the machines.

Stages of work with a milling machine

When using a mechanical engraver, follow the steps:

1. Apply a pattern to the metal surface.
2. The cutters of the machine must be moved in one direction, repeating the lines of the image.
3. The image must be fixed with colorless varnish or a thin layer of wax.

You can purchase an engraving machine with a whole range of different attachments. Their use diversifies the drawing by applying different line thicknesses.

Stages of work with the help of improvised means

If it is not possible to purchase a milling or laser engraving machine, then you can use the materials that are always at hand: nail polish, sharp toothpicks, salt, a phone charger, nail polish remover and a glass. Stages of work:

1. Liberally varnish the surface.
2. Scratch a drawing on it with a toothpick.
3. In a glass, mix 2 tablespoons of salt and a little water.
4. Attach the end of the charger with the plus to the metal to be engraved and the minus to any other metal. Place this other metal object in the mixture in a glass. Plug the charger into a power outlet.
5. After 5 minutes (it can be less if the engraving depth is less required), turn off the device.
6. Wipe off the remaining varnish from the product.

This method, with minimal costs, will help you engrave inscriptions and simple patterns on stainless steel gift spoons and other metal products yourself, at home.

Until recently, the execution of artistic engraving extended only to specialized areas of production and decorative design. Today, thanks to the development of the segment of compact and at the same time effective laser engravers, anyone can join this amazing occupation without leaving their home. True, the variety of devices on the market can make it difficult for a beginner to choose. In order to purchase the optimal laser engraver for your home for your specific needs, you should have an idea of ​​the device's design and basic operating parameters. A small overview of manufacturers will also help you navigate a wide range of offers.

Varieties of engravers

First of all, the general direction of work with the device is determined. It is impractical to choose a model for a specific material, since in the future it may be necessary to expand the functionality, and a narrowly focused laser engraver for the home will not be able to perform more complex tasks. Nevertheless, there is a main division of such devices, depending on the nature of the processing of materials with different characteristics - these are gas models and solid-state ones.

That is, the two varieties differ in the source from which the laser beam is formed. Consequently, the processing quality also changes. Gas models are cheaper and at the same time cover a wide range of materials - we can say that this is a universal device for plastic, metal and other workpieces. In turn, solid-state devices are distinguished by special radiation properties, but the range of materials in this case is extremely small. It can be said to be a highly directional metal laser engraver, although it is also used in working with some types of plastics. The main advantage of this device is the high processing accuracy on metal surfaces.

Power selection

If you plan to work with small parts, then it is better to turn to models with a power of up to 40 watts. Such devices are distinguished by a short-focus lens that is optimal for miniature processing. For example, using such a model, you can make a seal with detailed drawing of small characters. But if a stone laser engraver is required, which also provides a cutting function, then the power must be higher. At a minimum, you should focus on devices with a power potential of 60 watts. Typically, these devices are equipped with a mid-focus lens of 2.5 inches.

It should be borne in mind that the power is chosen not only according to the characteristics of the material being processed. What matters is the range of operations that are planned to be performed with its help, as well as the thickness of the surface. In addition to the power options described, there are 20 W models and 120-watt versions. So, if you plan to process a metal sheet with a thickness of more than 1 cm, then a desktop laser engraver with a power reserve of 100 watts or more will do. Conversely, for a delicate operation with a flexible material, one should focus on the lower limit of the force potential.

Additional features

If the choice fell on a productive device, then it should provide for the presence of a cooling system. This add-on will provide a seamless workflow that is user-friendly and safe for the tool itself. The most technologically advanced versions are equipped with automatic focusing. This is, again, a desktop laser engraver that will allow you to do large volumes of work while maintaining high quality. However, the cost of such devices is significantly higher than that of simple models. For home use, the most convenient and practical devices are usually selected. Manufacturers take this into account when endowing the internal stuffing of engravers with programmability. That is, the user only needs to set a working program, and then the most complex pattern will be implemented. Thus, it is possible to transfer the image from the photograph to the metal sheet.

Laser mini engraver - what is special?

These are portable models that are small in size, but at the same time have wide functionality. This class of engravers is quite common among amateurs, so manufacturers are striving to endow such models with new ergonomic properties. For example, a mini laser engraver can be used in conjunction with a laptop or computer. It is enough to connect the device via the USB port and get ready to transfer the digital image to the work surface. However, this is precisely where one significant drawback lies. For obvious reasons, mini-devices are low in power, so they are not suitable for working with solid-state materials. But the mini-engraver is convenient to use in the design of glass, wood, leather and plastic parts.

Reviews of the model Neje

One of the most famous manufacturers of home engraving machines is Neje. The range of this manufacturer is regularly updated with interesting versions. In particular, the inexpensive JZ-5 series laser engraver is praised by users for its build quality and automatic positioning capability. The model works with different types of materials, including wood, plastic, glass and leather.

The features of the model include high processing speed, which is 10 times higher than the capabilities of competitors. Users also note high accuracy. This device is focused on miniature engraving - again, according to the owners, the device can make a distinguishable inscription even on a toothpick. If you need a laser engraver for plastic or wood, then this option may be optimal. It can be purchased for 10 thousand rubles, which is not bad for a technological and functional device.

Chapter 1. Introduction.

Laser engraving machine is a high-tech product that integrates computer, laser technology, automatic control and optics in one machine. These machines are widely used in many fields: advertising, cutting of various materials, electronics, arts and crafts, funeral services, light industry, souvenir production, etc.

Price list for laser machines.

The main advantages of laser engraving machines: Uses an advanced laser that replaces the traditional mechanical engraver.

If we compare these machines with mechanical engraving machines, then laser engraving machines have many advantages, here are the main ones:

1. No gripping devices are required, the working material is placed on the table surface, which is convenient and efficient.

2. There is no special requirement for the hardness of the material, thus increasing the range of their application.

3. High precision engraving, on plastic, plywood, wood, as well as on stone.

4. When using a cnc laser machine, the efficiency of work increases at least 2 times.

5. Modern and convenient control panel: The laser engraving machine uses a modern keyboard, reliable and convenient in operation, combined with a digital control system. Stepper motors are also used, which provide faster and more accurate work.

6. The operating interface ensures easy operation.

7. Fully enclosed body makes the machine safer and more comfortable.

Scope of laser engraving machines: The laser beam of the machine is capable of cutting and engraving all non-metallic materials, and when using special tools (paste for metal engraving), it becomes possible to engrave metals. The positioning accuracy of the laser head of the machine is 0.015mm, which achieves very high precision in engraving and cutting. The stepper motors used in the machine provide high speed and high performance. Depending on the material, they are cut and engraved into complex shapes with an exclusive design. The multifunctionality of the computer program for the machine allows you to obtain finished products, simultaneously cutting and engraving them.

One of the most popular materials for laser cutting and engraving is organic glass. When cutting it, the edges are mirror-like, the butt is slightly melted. When joining the resulting blanks, there is practically no optical gap. The area of ​​application of organic glass products is limited only by imagination. These are mainly advertising products and design and interior elements.

The next most popular material is wood and its derivatives. Cutting of material can be carried out along a complex contour with a sufficiently high speed up to 3 m / min. The resulting products are used for the manufacture of furniture, complex parquets, souvenirs, and much more.

Small working area machines such as HX-40a, HX-3040 are ideal for making seals and stamps. Manual creation of seals and stamps cannot provide a high quality product. If a company is interested in increasing productivity and product quality, then it chooses advanced technologies.

The laser engraving machines presented by our company are ideal for these purposes. Fully computer controlled, advanced laser technology and digital control technology, all this solves the problem of low quality and low efficiency in making seals and stamps. Their small size does not require large floor space for them.

The list of materials is endless. Here is just a part of it: acrylic, anodized metal, cardboard, paper, coated metals, paranite, cork, crystal, crystals, fabrics, glass, quartz, laminated plastic, two-layer plastic, leather, marble, natural stone, artificial stone, melamine, plastic film, rubber, wood, ceramics.

Chapter 2 Description of equipment and its application.

Equipment description:

Built-in FLASH memory of 32 MB;

LCD display with function keys, making operation simple and convenient;

The software is built into the interface of AutoCAD and CorelDraw and others, allows you to perform a variety of cutting and engraving tasks (vary the power, cutting and engraving speed, change the fill, etc.), control the laser parameters to obtain various visual results;

Operating mode: raster vector graphics (BMP, HPGL (PLT), JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PCX, TGA, CDR, DWG, DXF);

Made on the basis of a CO2 laser;

A sealed gas tube with a power of 80 W is used as an emitter in the complexes, the service life of which is from 1500 to 10,000 hours;

The dimensions of the working field are from 300x500 mm to 2000x3000 mm, which allows cutting and engraving of large-area products;

High-precision motion control, allowing to increase the speed of engraving and cutting, to ensure accurate and even movement of the laser beam;

High speed USB port for data transfer and control from one computer.

Chapter 3. Installation

Workplace requirements.

The working conditions must meet the requirements listed below. Failure to comply with suitable operating conditions can result in equipment malfunction or damage.

The indoor temperature should be between 15-35 ° C. When the ambient temperature is higher than the maximum specified, the equipment will overheat and damage it. At ambient temperatures below the minimum specified, rapid wear of the guides, jamming of the mechanisms for moving machine parts is possible.

Humidity should not exceed 80%. Condensation will damage the electronic device and threaten the safety of the operator.

The laser engraving machine must operate at one constant power, avoid sudden power surges. If the voltage fluctuates, the device will not work properly. If the voltage is too high, the power supply to the machine will be completely damaged. To prevent fire and damage to the machine due to high voltage, install a voltage stabilizer of 2000W or more.

The laser engraving machine must be well grounded. Poor grounding will shorten the life of the laser tube, and high voltage discharge is damaging to the electrical circuit and life-threatening. Make sure the machine is well grounded so that static electricity will not harm human beings!

Avoid confined spaces and areas without ventilation. The workplace should be close to the ventilation device.

The work table should be located next to the engraving machine, on which the operator can put the necessary tools, materials, drawings, etc.

Persons who have no experience with the device or who have not been instructed in commissioning are not allowed to work, otherwise the company is not responsible for the resulting breakdowns.

Machine installation

The laser engraving machine is in a sealed wooden box and should be lifted and lowered carefully. First, the machine must be emptied of all packing materials. When installing the laser engraving machine, at least 1 meter of free space should be left on all sides of it. In front of the machine, more free space must be left for the convenience of work and material movement. Place the machine on a firm, level surface. For best results, the laser engraving machine must be properly leveled. Alignment should only be carried out after securing the machine. After moving the machine to a new location, a new alignment is required.

Next, you need to install the exhaust device using the fasteners included in the kit. The exhaust pipe from the machine must be connected to the exhauster, and from the exhauster to the street. The maximum distance from the machine to the exhauster is 2m. From the smoke exhauster to the street 2 m.If the chimney length is longer, then an additional smoke exhauster is required

The machine must be grounded. The machine is connected to a 220 V AC power supply, it consumes 3000 W, so make sure your wiring is secure.

Attention: It is forbidden to ground the machine to the neutral conductor of the mains!

The laser engraving machine uses an external submersible pump to supply water to the laser tube. It is necessary to prepare a container for the coolant-water. The difference in height between the machine and the submersible pump should be no more than 0.5 meters. The circulating cooling water must be clean, free of dust and dirt. The temperature of the cooling water must be within the range of + 5- + 25 ° С.

If you find that there is not enough cooling water in the tank, turn off the machine and the coolant pump. Add water and turn on the pump for at least 30 minutes, or until the laser tube has cooled down. If water does not flow, the laser tube will be damaged. The pump must be completely submerged in water. There should be no obstacles to the free circulation of water at the inlet and outlet.

Connect the water and air pumps to the laser engraving machine through the hoses, following the signs on the machine. WaterOutlet - coolant outlet. This hose must be immersed in a container with coolant. WaterInlet - coolant inlet. This hose must be connected to a water pump. AirInlet - This hose needs to be connected to the air compressor.

Laser tube - made of thin glass, is very fragile and can break easily. It is necessary to check if the laser tube is broken, and each component is loosely installed in its place. Install the tube carefully so as not to damage it. Remove the laser tube from the package. Open the rear cover of the machine and install the laser tube in its original place in the “C” -shaped mounts with the exit hole to the reflecting mirror using the rubber pads (included with the fasteners). Fix the laser tube lightly to avoid breakage. Using the hardware and wrench (included), connect the tubing to the coolant hoses.

Solder the red wire to the left end of the tube and the blue to the right. Do not heat the laser tube with a soldering iron for more than 3 seconds. The wires must be securely soldered to the laser tube. Working voltage 20 kV. Insulate the contacts carefully with electrical tape. Once installed, the laser tube must not be rotated to avoid damaging the connections.

Plug the power cable into the machine connector and install the fuse in its original place.

Connect the USB cable to the computer and insert the dongle into the USB port. It is impossible to start the car without an electronic key.

Install the software on your personal computer. It is impossible to work on the machine without installing unique software. Be sure to close the machine after completing work to avoid dust settling on the working parts!

Preparing for customization.

Please make sure the following requirements are met:

1.the equipment is securely fixed;

2. the system is grounded;

3. there is sufficient clean distilled water in the water tank;

4. the water pump and compressor are plugged into the mains;

5. the equipment is reliably connected to the network;

6. there should be no cooling water leakage;

7. the difference in height from the pump to the laser tube should not be more than 0.5 meters;

8. the water temperature should be within 20 ° С;

9. The machine must stand on a firm, level surface without vibration.

The operation of a laser machine is based on the movement of a laser beam along a changing trajectory. Laser tube, 3 mirrors, laser head and alignment system define the trajectory of the laser. The engraving and cutting results depend on the accuracy of the laser movement, therefore the operator must correctly set the trajectory of the laser movement. The lens in the tube is fixed with the lens mounting bolt and lies with the convex part down. A tube is connected to the laser head from the side, through which air is supplied, it is necessary to cool the focusing lens. The air from the laser head escapes through the nozzle.

Adjusting the movement of the laser beam

Note!

When adjusting, you must protect your eyes and make sure that no body parts are caught in the laser beam. Select the required laser power to avoid ignition of the chipboard. DO NOT touch the power cord while the machine is running to avoid an accident. The adjustment must be done by two people. One adjusts the path of the laser, the second presses the "pulse" button. The laser used in this laser engraving machine creates an invisible infrared beam. Before starting the adjustment, make sure that there are no foreign objects in the path of the laser beam and it is not directed towards people.

To adjust the lenses, a chipboard is used, upon hitting which the laser beam leaves a trace. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the laser power in order to avoid ignition of the chipboard. Safety precautions must be observed when adjusting the laser beam. Remember that the path of the laser beam must be inside the machine and not outside.

Adjusting the laser beam movement:

A: Turn on the water pump or chiller and make sure there is water circulation, then turn on the laser machine.

B: Attach three chipboards (or cardboard circles) slightly larger than the reflectors in front of the first, second and third reflectors.

C: Press the "pulse" button which turns on the operating group of the laser engraving machine. A laser beam will be shot (the laser power must be set to no more than 80%). Make sure the spot you leave is centered on the first reflector. If it is offset to the side, it is necessary to center the laser tube in the "C" -shaped mount. After centering, remove the chipboard (thick cardboard circle) on the first reflector.

D: By pressing the Pulse button a second time, the laser will pass through the first reflector and form a spot on the chipboard mounted on the second reflector. If the beam does not hit the center of the second reflective mirror, it is necessary to adjust the first and second reflectors using the brass bolts located behind the lens support so that they are on the same horizontal line, and the laser beam hits the center of the second mirror. Adjust the angle of reflection in the first mirror, and the horizon in the second. After adjusting, remove the chipboard (thick cardboard circle) in front of the second mirror.

E: The second and third mirrors are adjusted in the same way as the first and second. It is necessary to adjust the second mirror so that the laser beam hits the middle of the chipboard mounted on the third mirror at all four corners of the laser machine.

F: The third mirror must be adjusted so that the beam hits the center of the laser head lens. By adjusting the angle of the reflector lens. Upon completion of the configuration, it is necessary to check the operation of the machine. During the tuning process, it is necessary to observe safety measures, monitor the cooling connections of the laser tube.

Note!

1. When adjusting, you must protect your eyes and watch so that parts of your body do not fall into the laser beam.

2. Select the required laser power to avoid igniting the chipboards (thick cardboard circles).

3. When the machine is in operation, DO NOT touch the power cable to avoid an accident.

4. The adjustment must be done by two people. One adjusts the path of the laser, the second presses the "pulse" button.

Adjusting the focal length The focal length needs to be adjusted. This affects the engraving depth and material thickness when cutting.

Focal length adjustment:

Place the working material (it is better to use organic glass) on the working surface of the machine. Loosen the screw on the laser head. By changing the distance from the laser head to the material and pressing the "pulse" button. Spots of various depths and sizes are formed on the working material. It is necessary to adjust so that the spot is the deepest and the smallest in diameter. This will be the optimal focal length. In the future, when changing materials and servicing the laser head, the focal length will remain the same.

The laser equipment uses three reflection mirrors and one focusing lens. Reflective mirrors are mounted on the first, second column and laser head. The focusing lens is located inside the laser head. The clarity of the optics affects the depth and quality of engraving and cutting. It is necessary to timely maintain their cleanliness with special means for optics.

The mirrors are secured with three spring screws. Carry out the installation carefully, without touching the surfaces of the mirrors.

The focusing lens is mounted inside the laser head with a ring and a rubber gasket. To install it, you need to remove the nozzle of the laser head. For installation, it is necessary to dismantle the nozzle. Carefully insert the lens without touching its surface or scratching, then use the rubber gasket and secure with a ring. When installing, the lens must be placed with the convex side down.

Machine keyboard

« EmergencySTOP» Pressing the button will reset all settings and the machine will stop no matter what it was doing. To turn on, the button must be turned clockwise.

« On-Off» The machine is turned on with the key that comes with the kit.

« Lighting» Button to turn on the light in the laser machine

« Up» Button to raise the desktop. The work table will stop automatically when it reaches its maximum height.

« Down» Button for lowering the desktop. The work table will stop automatically when it reaches its maximum depth.

« MENU» This button is used when the machine is turned on to change the parameters of the machine.

« Enter» Confirmation of the current operation.

« Datum» When this button is pressed, the laser head will move to point 0 and all settings will be reset to zero.

« Laser» Short-term activation of the laser, while holding the button, continuous radiation. Used when setting up the machine.

« Stop» Stops the current operation

« Test» The laser head runs along the perimeter of the object

« Start/ Pause» Starts and stops the machine. If, after stopping, you move the laser head, then after pressing the button, the laser head will return to the initial position and the machine will continue to work.

« ESC» Cancels the changes.

Chapter 4 Basic Operation.

Switching on and running the machine.

Switch on the compressor Switch on the main power by pressing the switch on the back of the machine. Turn the button « EmergencySTOP» ... Turn on the power to the laser with the key, and then wait 5 minutes for the laser to warm up. (Check if water is supplied to the water supply hose.) Turn on the computer and connect it to the device with a USB cable. Enter the software, open the files for engraving, to set the current parameters. Place the work material, find the zero point with the focusing mirror (i.e. (i.e. find the origin in the graphic file) using the corresponding keys on the control panel Start the engraving and cutting process (read the instructions carefully before starting).

Note!

Before turning on the machine, it is necessary to check the condition of all connecting cables, the presence and level of cooling water. If the machine is operated without coolant, the laser tube may crack (burst) from overheating, thereby causing damage.

Stopping the Machine To stop the machine, turn off the power to the laser cutter, the ventilation system, the general power to the equipment, and the air supply system.

Parameter adjustment.

Note!

Set the correct speed and power of the laser in accordance with the need and the specified technological parameters of the work, for high-quality performance of the work.

Move the work material carefully and keep the same height of the work material as set by the focusing mirror.

Do not move heavy objects on the working surface. this impedes the movement of the laser knife. Otherwise the motor will be damaged and rendered unusable.

When working, make sure that the pumping system is working properly.

Chapter 5. Service and maintenance.

A clean and tidy environment is the key to high quality engraving. How long an engraving machine stays clean depends on the type of material being engraved, the performance of the cooling system, the operating conditions and the frequency of use of the machine. Dust accumulating in moving parts will lead to abnormalities in the engraving process and premature wear of the moving system; soot accumulated on the optical mirror will shatter and deteriorate the glass.

The mechanisms of the laser engraving machine must be kept clean. The work area must be clean and free of dust.

Good working conditions are essential. The power supply to the machine must be stable. If power fluctuations occur, the workplace must be equipped with a stable power supply (install a voltage stabilizer). The machine must stand on a flat surface, its vibration is not allowed. It cannot work in a humid environment.

The laser tube heats up and needs sufficient water to cool it. The water must be clean, free from dirt and dust. It is necessary to change the water every 3 months. The volume of water must be more than 40 liters. The water temperature should be from + 5 to +25 ° С.

The laser engraving machine uses a laser tube that is filled with CO2 gas. The volume of gas in the tube is sufficient to operate the tube at 100% for 1500 hours. The laser tube has 4 working phases.

Phase 1: The laser tube delivers 10% - 15% more power than advertised. This phase lasts for 2 ~ 3 weeks.

Second phase: Working phase. The laser tube delivers the declared power. This phase lasts approximately 1 ~ 2 months.

Third phase: Power reduction phase. Since the tube is used for a long time, its power gradually decreases. It is necessary to increase the power of the laser tube and decrease the speed. The duration of this phase is approximately 1 month.

Fourth phase: phase of depletion. The laser tube needs to be replaced.

With regular quality maintenance and following the rules of work, the life of the laser tube can be increased.

The guides of the laser head must be clean. Clean them regularly with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and lubricate the rubbing parts. Don't forget the swab inside the machine.

The lens and reflective mirrors must be wiped with a cotton swab dipped in a special solution daily. Dust is not allowed on the lens. If the lens or mirrors are found to be damaged, they must be replaced.

Everything in the machine should be dry, especially the mirrors, laser tube and power switch.

If you notice moisture, turn off the power immediately and remove the moisture.

To turn off the power to the machine, first turn off the toggle switch on the machine, then unplug the power plug.

Before switching on the machine, check the condition of all connecting cables, the presence and level of cooling water. If the machine is operated without coolant, the laser tube may crack from overheating.

Reflective mirrors and laser head lens.

The surfaces of the reflecting mirrors and the lens of the laser head are polished and covered with a thin layer of metal. The cleanliness of their surfaces affects the laser power, so they must be kept clean and maintained regularly. Keeping your lenses clean will increase their lifespan.

Water pump and blower

They are very easy to maintain. When turning off the machine, they must be turned off. Timely it is necessary to remove dust and dirt from them.

Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to equipment failure, or premature reduction of the working life.

The laser machine and computer must be properly grounded.

Keep the laser machine clean, especially the two sliding rollers. Lubricate the rubbing parts of the laser machine with oil regularly to prevent rust.

When working with material, especially when cutting it, organic residues accumulate on the working surface, which must be removed regularly. they will burn and smoke when the laser is operating.

Pay attention to the correct operation of the exhaust suction, clean its surface.

Change the cooling water once every three months, measure the temperature of the water connections.

Keeping the laser reflection system clean.

With prolonged use, the reflectors become dirty and must be cleaned every week. Please wipe them with a special lens cleaning material, lens paper or absorbent cotton. Handle the lenses with care, do not damage their surface with sharp materials.

The bottom surface of the focusing lenses in the focusing mirror can be contaminated by volatiles from the working surface, sometimes dust. Clean as needed.

Attention!

The power of the laser engraving machine must be turned off before performing any maintenance.

Cleaning steps:

1. Turn off the laser engraving machine, unplug the power plug.

2. Open the cover of the machine, collect dust and waste with a dust collector.

3. Clean the window at the top of the casing with a cotton cloth soaked in soapy water. It is made from a material that can be degraded by a chemical solvent such as alcohol or acetone, and therefore cannot be cleaned with chemical solvents; a special cleaning agent is used for this. Also, do not use paper towel to avoid scratching.

4. To clean the moving system along the X, Y axis, use a paper towel, apply grease to the X guides, through special oilers.

5. Use a paper towel and a soft cloth soaked in soapy water to clean the grate.

Cleaning the optical mirrors:

Wash your hands before cleaning the optical glass. Do not touch the optical glass to avoid damaging the protective film on it. At the end of the work, you must visually check at least once that it is free of soot or scratches.

Clean glass does not require washing. Washing it too often can damage it!

Use a cotton cloth soaked in cleaning solution. Cotton fabric can only be used once. Repeat this operation until complete cleaning.

Maintenance time frame:

Maintenance times depend on the type of material being engraved, the quality of the engraving, the engraving time and the quality of the air-absorbing system. The client can independently decide on the timing of maintenance. Checking or cleaning every 8 hours of operation is recommended. The customer must schedule maintenance to extend the life of the equipment, create better products, and reduce downtime. Maintenance will take about 5 minutes a day.

Chapter 7. Precautions.

Attention!

The difference between the external temperature and the temperature of the cooling water must not exceed 5 ° C, otherwise it will lead to the accumulation of condensation on the mirror and to its damage.

Safety and Precautions

The laser system should not be left unattended in operating mode, since the laser beam can ignite nearby objects, and therefore There must be a fire extinguisher near the laser engraving machine.

It is prohibited to start the laser machine until the exhaust fan is turned on.

Remove all foreign objects, materials, manuals, etc. from the working surface of the laser engraving machine to prevent blocking of its movement.

Make sure there are no small objects on the walking surface. Grease should be applied every day after work.

Verify the characteristics and optical quality of the materials to be engraved, including:

Cooling requirements;

Safe engraving speed.

Make sure the machine operator:

Has undergone thorough and appropriate training;

Learned safety requirements;

Mastered the engraving procedure;

Put on safety glasses and work clothes;

The water cooling system is working;

The exhaust fan is running.

Attention!

Do not wear clothing with wide sleeves or pockets, jewelery with stones, necklaces, rings, wristwatches, etc. Make sure that the line between the computer, the engraving machine and the control system is secure and that the moving parts of the machine are not blocked.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Electricity:

Ground the laser unit

The background of the purchase is that the spouse of a friend while on parental leave, in order not to sit around, decided to try herself in needlework. It all started with flower bows, but gradually all this began to go out into a larger format, she learned how to make beautiful tulle dresses, after that she learned how to design children's T-shirts for birthdays and make various accessories on this topic.

So, for the design of the shirts, non-woven material is used - felt, from which you can cut out various figures and letters, and then stick them on the necessary base. This process, I must say, is quite laborious, takes a significant amount of time and, moreover, it is quite difficult to cut out beautiful letters in a certain font. It was to speed up and facilitate this process that this laser engraver was ordered.

The program is quite easy to use, below is a screenshot of the main window and I will tell you a little about its main elements.

Since the program turned out to have a "slightly specific" interface, and we did not find a full-fledged manual for it, we had to get used to it for some time and figure out its features on our own. I will dwell on some of them, perhaps this will help someone in the future.

So, firstly, the program window is not able to change its size. I do not know for what reasons this was done by the developers, but it is so. Because of this, it will not be possible to expand the program to full screen for comfortable work.

It's good at least that there is a possibility of scaling the workspace using the mouse - the scroll wheel. But it also happens not quite usually. The direction in which the image will be displaced when scaling depends on the position of the mouse cursor at this moment relative to this very image. Such a technique is often found in graphic editors, but there it is, firstly, used with the use of "hot keys", and secondly, it is an addition to the standard interface elements - window scroll bars. In this case, we are not left with any alternatives - just this way and nothing else.

Well, what can you do, you can get used to even such non-standard solutions.

This is how, for example, the same drawing of a butterfly looks when scaling. Here I want to immediately draw attention to the size rulers located to the left and above the working area.

I must say right away that I did not succeed in bringing the idea to the end due to lack of time and, besides, the device is still not mine, but I will try to briefly outline what I managed to do, maybe it will help someone in the future. I will express myself in a simple way, so if I call something wrong somewhere, I apologize in advance.

So, it turned out that for the laser to work, a flashing is required, which switches it to work with this very PWM. The default firmware, which is required to work with Benbox and similar programs, refers to the Grbl v0.8 version, and to work with PWM, the Grbl v0.9j firmware is required (all these firmware are in their original form or they are, but in finished form can be downloaded from the link that I gave earlier). T2Laser. With its help, it turned out to control the movement of the laser, as well as turn it on in various modes provided by the program itself. It allows you to process images and translate them into G-code, but I still don't understand whether it can burn. Unfortunately, the owners needed to quickly return the laser to working condition, so they had to flash back to the 0.8 version of the firmware and return the jumper to its place.

This concludes this experiment.

I definitely liked this engraver, because fully justified the expectations and found its useful application in life. The only misunderstanding is, of course, the Benbox program. Apparently, its developers have very specific thinking. So to pervert the principles of "intuitive" and "friendly" interface had to be contrived.

Well, okay, you can certainly get used to it, but one thing is still very inconvenient - there is a lack of a parameter that is responsible for the number of laser passes over the pattern. If the laser was comparable in power to professional ones, then there would be no questions, one pass and everything is ready, but in this case, when it is necessary to make several passes in order to cut through the figure, you have to control the time and start the next pass manually.

Flaw-sss.

By the way, about cutting plywood.

Although the engraver was not originally purchased for cutting it, the owner liked what we ended up with so much that now he has already thought about purchasing a more powerful 5000mW module, so if this still happens, I promise to make another review and tell what and how else can be cut in this way.

Thank you for your attention and all the best.