How to use the Epilog Laser Mini: Difference between revisions

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== How to laser cut  ==
== How to laser cut  ==
First you need a vector graphics file (PDF) of the shape you want to cut or engrave. You can do this with programs such as Inkscape, Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator.
First you need a vector graphics file (PDF) of the shape you want to cut or engrave. You can do this with programs such as Inkscape, Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator.<br>




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=== Properties menu ===
=== Properties menu ===
[[Image:Image-01.png|left]]
[[Image:Image-01.png|left]]
;̽ Resolutionː      will influence job time greatly when rastering. (Recommend default 400 DPI).   
*  Resolutionː      will influence job time greatly when rastering. (Recommend default 400 DPI).   
; Job Typeː        to define the job style.   
*  Job Typeː        to define the job style.   
; Raster settingsː  to define heat settings of engraving job.
*  Raster settingsː  to define heat settings of engraving job.
; Vector settingsː  to define heat settings of cutting job.
*  Vector settingsː  to define heat settings of cutting job.
; Piece sizeː      enter size of your piece of material (max 600 x 300 mm).  
*  Piece sizeː      enter size of your piece of material (max 600 x 300 mm).  
; Optionsː          define custom starting point (center engraving) and automatic focusing of lens laser (auto-focus).  
*  Optionsː          define custom starting point (center engraving) and automatic focusing of lens laser (auto-focus).  




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=== Color Mapping  ===
=== Color Mapping  ===


[[Image:Image-001.jpg]]  
[[Image:Image-001.jpg|left]]  


When you use color mapping you can set 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 frequency options works in the same way, as in the general options.  
Color mapping is used to define multiple settings within 1 design file. The speed, power and frequency work in the same as in the general options.


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 using the arrows. The color that is at the top is the one that is going to get cut first. 




=== Things to watch out for  ===


Before you start cutting, open the machine turn on the pointer.
If the red dot hits one of the ruler you need to adjust the x an y.
#Press X/Y OFF
#Press GO to confirm disabling the X and Y axis (Press STOP to cancel and send the carriage back to its Park position if you change your mind!)
#Move the lens assembly by hand to your desired location (remember to turn the Red Diode Pointer on as a visual locator aid)
#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.
#Once you are finished with your 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.


== Good to know  ==
The laser cutter cuts by burning away a little bit of the material. The laser follows the center of your vector line (drawing) and will burn away 0.1 mm of material on each side of the vector. Beware! Different materials and different heat settings can influence how much material exactly is lost. It is recommended to first test joinery designs before cutting the whole sheet.


[[File:laser-cutting-example.jpg|400px]]


== Good to know  ==


If you are making press fit design it is good to test first before cutting your whole design.
'''The burning away 0.2 mm of material is a guideline, not a golden rule.'''
Per laser cutter machine and per acrylic plate there can be a slight difference (like o.something mm) with is enough to make a pressfit design work or not.  






== Safety  ==
== Safety  ==
*Main article: [[Portal:Safety|Safety]]
*Main article: [[Portal:Safety|Safety]]


<br>
#'''NEVER''' leave the Laser running unattended.


#'''DO NOT''' operate the Laser with the machine's focus clip in place. If the unfocused beam strikes a reflective surface, it could be directed out of the cabinet.
#'''ALWAYS''' use air assist when vector cutting.


=== Fire safety ===
#'''KEEP''' the area around the machine free of clutter.
#'''KEEP''' you Regularly remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the grid.


#'''NEVER''' let the Laser system operate if it will be unattended.
#'''KEEP''' the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline.
#'''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.  
#'''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.  
#'''ALWAYS''' use air assist when vector cutting.
#'''BE CAREFUL''' many materials have the potential to suddenly burst into flames. Always monitor the machine when its operating.
#'''KEEP''' you laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the grid.
=== Laser safety.  ===
#'''DO NOT''' disassemble the machine or remove any of its protective covers while the unit is plugged in.
#'''DO NOT''' attempt to defeat the door interlocks.
#'''DO NOT''' view directly into the beam of the laser diode pointer (red dot pointer).
#'''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  ===
#'''DO NOT''' open any of the machine's access panels while the unit is plugged in.


#'''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.
#'''DO NOT''' make or break any electrical connections to the system while the units is turned on.


<br>
<
== Settings  ==
[https://www.epiloglaser.com/assets/downloads/manuals/legend-manual-web.pdf Full Epilog manual online here]


{| width="100%" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| width="100%" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"

Revision as of 18:09, 10 June 2016

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How to laser cut

First you need a vector graphics file (PDF) of the shape you want to cut or engrave. You can do this with programs such as Inkscape, Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator.


Step 1
Turn on the machine.


Step 2
Press the [X/Y OFF] button followed by the green [GO] button.


Step 3
Place material in the machine.
You can use the arrow buttons [up] and [down] to lower the bed, if necessary.


Step 4
Press the [POINTER] button to see the lasers position.
Proceed to move the laser (by hand) to where you want to start.

Bear in mind, that by default, the machine starts at the top left corner of your design file.


Step 5
If you are satisfied with the position you can press [SET HOME] and then [RESET].


Step 6
Setup your print file.
Open the Document in Adobe PDF reader on the computer. Press the [CTRL]+[P] on the keyboard to print.


Step 7
In the printer dialogue, select the right printer name, set the scaling to 'actual size' and keep the rotation on 'portrait'.


Step 8
Click on the [PROPERTIES] tab to set the laser cutter's options.

Here you will need to determine the settings that correspond with the material you have placed in the laser cutter.


Step 9
When ready click on ok of the properties menu and print menu. The job will be waiting in the laser cutter display.


Step 10
Switch on the air pressurizer. And then hit the green [GO] button on the machine.

When running the job, DD NOT leave them machine unsupervised.
When display say's 'done", please wait 10 - 30 seconds before opening machine (ventilation time).



Properties menu

  • Resolutionː will influence job time greatly when rastering. (Recommend default 400 DPI).
  • Job Typeː to define the job style.
  • Raster settingsː to define heat settings of engraving job.
  • Vector settingsː to define heat settings of cutting job.
  • Piece sizeː enter size of your piece of material (max 600 x 300 mm).
  • Optionsː define custom starting point (center engraving) and automatic focusing of lens laser (auto-focus).


Look in the Epilog manual for recommended settings, when adjusting the speed, power and freq options.


To prevent the autofocus pin from getting trapped, do NOT use with with the honeycomb bed. There is a metal clip available to set the focus point by hand.




Color Mapping

Color mapping is used to define multiple settings within 1 design file. The speed, power and frequency work in the same as in the general options.

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 using the arrows. The color that is at the top is the one that is going to get cut first.



Good to know

The laser cutter cuts by burning away a little bit of the material. The laser follows the center of your vector line (drawing) and will burn away 0.1 mm of material on each side of the vector. Beware! Different materials and different heat settings can influence how much material exactly is lost. It is recommended to first test joinery designs before cutting the whole sheet.


The burning away 0.2 mm of material is a guideline, not a golden rule.


Safety


  1. NEVER leave the Laser running unattended.
  1. DO NOT operate the Laser with the machine's focus clip in place. If the unfocused beam strikes a reflective surface, it could be directed out of the cabinet.
  2. ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
  1. KEEP the area around the machine free of clutter.
  2. KEEP you Regularly remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the grid.
  1. 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.
  1. DO NOT open any of the machine's access panels while the unit is plugged in.


<

Settings

Full Epilog manual online here

Material Engraving Vector Cutting 300 DPI engraving (speed/power) 400 DPI engraving (speed/power) 600 DPI engraving ((speed/power) Vector Cutting (speed/power/frequency)
Akryl (Plexiglass) X X 100/75 100/65 100/55 3mm – 12/100/5000
6mm – 5/100/5000
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
Rock X  ?  ? 25/100 Ekki vektorskurður
Corian (harðplast) X X 20/100 25/100 30/100 3mm – 20/100/5000
Cotton (industrial t-shirt) X X x x 100/20 x
Delrin (harðplast) X X 100/70 100/60 100/50 3mm – 60/100/500
Dúkur X X  ?  ?  ?  ?
Flísar X  ?  ?  ?
Glass X 25/100 30/100 35/100
Rubber X X 10/100 20/100 30/100 15/100/100
Toasted bread X  ?  ? 45/50
Hljúpaðir málmar X 15/100 20/100 25/100
Ceramic X  ? 25/100  ?
Cork X X  ?  ?  ?  ?
Plywood X X  ?  ?  ?  ?
Leather 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  ?  ?  ? 75 dpi 1 speed,5 power
Paper X X  ?  ?  ? 1 mm -40/50/500
Cardboard X X  ?  ? 80/40 40/90/2500
Plast ? X X 100/80 100/70 100/60 20/60/5000
Ryðfrítt stál X  ?  ?  ?
Wood- Cherry – Alder - Walnut X X 30/100 35/100 40/100 3mm – 30/100/500
6mm – 7/100/500
Trefjagler X X  ?  ?  ?
Granite X X X X 20/100 X2



How to get Epilog laser running on net with Ubuntu

  • System -> Administration -> Printing ->
  • Server->New Printer
  • Select Devices -> Network Printer
  • Host 192.168.12.236
  • Queue queue -- Forward
  • Select printer from database ->Generic -- Forward
  • Models Raw queue --Forward
  • Printer name laser -- Apply


Useful links

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