How to use the Epilog Laser Mini

Converting your file to CorelDraw

1. If your file is already in CorelDraw format, skip this section.
2. If your file is not in a CorelDraw format, open your drawing (we used Solidworks) and make sure it shows the part and lines you're cutting, and nothing else. Delete any lines and elements you don't want cut, such as through-hole indicators.
3. Make sure your drawing can fit within your laser cutter.
   • At the MSI, the laser cutter can take material up to 12"x24".
4. Save the Solidworks drawing as a .dwg file. (File > Save As > Save as type: ".dwg")
5. Place the file on a thumbdrive and transfer it to the computer you will be printing your part from.

Opening the file

On a computer with CorelDraw...

1. Double-click on the file. Your computer may not recognize the file type (it will pop up a "Do you want to open this file?" dialog). If it gives you this dialog, click 'Open.'
2. You may get another dialog that says that your computer doesn't recognize the program to open this file with. Go to 'Select program' and select CorelDraw, then click 'Open.'
3. You should have a window pop up that says 'Import AutoCAD.' The settings should be as follows when you click 'OK.'
   • 3D Projection: Top
   • Scaling: Automatic
   • Auto-Reduce nodes: Checked
4. CorelDraw will open and you'll see your part on the screen.

Resizing the part

1. Select the whole drawing by dragging out a rectangle that contains the entire part (click the mouse above the upper-left corner of the part, drag to the lower-right corner, and release).
2. Group the part together so the entire drawing can be selected at once. (Arrange > Group)
3. Resize the part as needed. (Usually you won't need to resize your part.)
4. Make sure your document is set to the right page size (in the MSI, it must be less than 12"x24". (Layout > Page Setup, then adjust the Width and Height settings)
5. Drag your drawing so that the entire part is within the page you will be printing.
6. Save your drawing (File > Save As) in the appropriate location in the CorelDraw (CDR) file format.
   • For the MSI Fab Lab, you'll want to save it in the D: drive, "msi-fablab".

Printing the part

On the computer you want to print from...

1. Open the drawings for all the parts you want to print in CorelDraw.
2. (If you are only printing one part, you can skip this step.) Copy-paste all the parts you want to print into the same image file.
3. Print the file (File > Print) being sure to select the laser printer as the printer you are printing to.
4. That's it!

Epilog file format

Epilog lasers have a very simple file format that specifies their activity. See Epilog Laser language.

How to use the laser

First you need to find a picture of what you want to print, rescaling aint needed. The laser program will do it for you. When you have your picture you simply click print, then choose the epilog printer. Then you go into options.

Print options

Here are the Epilogs printing options. Here you chose what resolution you want, if you want raster(engraving) or vector(deeper cuting) cuting. When you are going to adjust the speed, power and freq, options look in the manual for the best settings. Then you choose the piece size, this is the size that you want you picture to be, NOT the size of material that is going to be cut. You also will need to choose a focusing option. Auto focus is the easiest.

Color Mapping

When you use color mapping you can sett different options to different colors. To remove a color just mark it and hit the – button. To Add a color you hit the + button. You can also move the color up and down the list, the color that is at the top is the one that is going to get cut first. The speed, power and freq options works in the same way, as in the general options.

Things to watch out for

Before you start cutting, open the glass door and turn on the pointer. Then you click print. If the red dot hit one of the ruler you need to adjust the x an y.

1. Press X/Y OFF
2. Press GO to disable X and Y axis (Press STOP to cancel and send the carriage back to its Park position if you change your mind!)
3. Move the lens assembly by hand to your desired location (remember to turn the Red Diode Pointer on as a visual locator aid)
4. Press SET HOME to establish your new home position. After you have set home, pressing the RESET button will move the carriage to its park position a short distance (approx.1/2 inch (12 mm)) to the front of where you set home.
5. Once you are finished with your temporary home position, and want to restore the carriage to the upper left corner of the machine, press the Set Home key and the Reset key simultaneously. Press the GO key and the carriage will move back and to the left to its normal upper left corner Park position.

Safety

• Main article: Lab Safety

Fire safety

1. NEVER let the Laser system operate if it will be unattended.
2. KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline.
3. ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on hand. Epilog recommends a Haltron fire extinguisher. Since it discharges a clean, easily removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics or the wiring of the laser system.
4. ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
5. BE CAREFUL many materials have the potential to suddenly burst into flames. Always monitor the machine when its operating.
6. KEEP you laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly remove the vectorgrid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the grid.

Laser safety.

1. DO NOT disassemble the machine or remove any of its protective covers while the unit is plugged in.
2. DO NOT attempt to defeat the door interlocks.
3. DO NOT view directly into the beam of the laser diode pointer (red dot pointer).
4. DO NOT operate the Laser Diode Pointer without the machine's focus lens in place. If the unfocused beam strikes a reflective surface, it could be directed out of the cabinet.

Electrical Safety

1. DO NOT open any of the machine's access panels while the unit is plugged in. Opening a panel may expose the operator to the unit's AC input power.
2. DO NOT make or break any electrical connections to the system while the units is turned on.

Efni	Grafa (rista)	Skera	300 DPI gröftur (hraði/afl)	400 DPI gröftur (hraði/afl)	600 DPI gröftur (hraði/afl)	Vektor skurður (hraði/afl/tíðni)
Akrýl (Plexigler)	X	X	100/75	100/65	100/55	3mm – 12/100/5000 6mm – 7/100/5000
Anóðerað ál	X		100/100	100/90	100/80	Ekki vektorskurður
Avonít (harðplast)	X	X	20/100	25/100	30/100	3mm – 20/100/5000
Blágrýti	X		?	?	25/100	Ekki vektorskurður
Corian (harðplast)	X	X	20/100	25/100	30/100	3mm – 20/100/5000
Delrin (harðplast)	X	X	100/70	100/60	100/50	3mm – 60/100/500
Dúkur	X	X	?	?	?	?
Flísar	X		?	?	?
Gler	X		25/100	30/100	35/100
Gúmmí	X	X	10/100	20/100	30/100	15/100/100
Heilhveitibrauð	X		?	?	45/50
Hljúpaðir málmar	X		15/100	20/100	25/100
Keramík	X		?	25/100	?
Korkur	X	X	?	?	?	?
Krossviður	X	X	?	?	?	?
Leður	X	X	100/65	100/55	100/45	3mm – 35/50/500
Marmari	X		?	?	?
Malaðir málmar	X		?	?	?
Melamín (harðplast)	X	X	40/100	50/100	60/100	?
Mylar (PET polyester)	X	X	?	?	?	?
Pappír	X	X	?	?	?	1 mm -40/50/500
Pappakassi	X	X	?	?	80/40	40/90/2500
Plast ?	X	X	100/80	100/70	100/60	20/60/5000
Ryðfrítt stál	X		?	?	?
Timbur	X	X	30/100	35/100	40/100	3mm – 30/100/500 6mm – 7/100/500
Trefjagler	X	X	?	?	?

Useful links

• Handbók fyrir Epilog laserskera, með nánari upplýsingum
• Hugmyndagallerí fyrir Epilog laserskera, dæmi um möguleika á notkun
• Ýmsir bæklingar frá Epilog Laser
• Upplýsingar frá Epiolog laser um hvernig hægt er að ná 3-D áhrifum í laserskurði

Mini helix information