Are you attracted to creativity and creativity?

Have you decided to open a business that can quickly make a profit?

Or is it time to expand production?

A laser engraving machine is the ideal solution!

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

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

And also right choice apparatus for laser engraving and its proper operation will provide you with low production costs 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 processed workpieces?
• Production volumes
• Type of products
• Budget

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

Interested in professional advice? Call us by phone or write, our technical specialists will help you choose a laser engraving machine in accordance with your wishes.

I'll become an engraver, let them teach me

Of course, purchasing 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
• Props for a photo studio
• Interior and outdoor advertising
• materials made of plastic, plexiglass or acrylic

The second group of highly profitable businesses includes:

• Laser processing of plywood
• Furniture and decor
• Jewelry
• Production 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 special paste), stone, textiles, rubber, acrylic, ceramics and many others. And processing each of them can bring you profit.

Laser engraving machine power. Which one to choose?

To ensure that your laser engraving machine operates as efficiently and productively as possible, Special attention It is worth paying attention to its performance, which is determined by the power of the laser tube filled with a gaseous mixture.

	Purpose
	Small desktop laser engraving machines
	Medium productivity laser engraving machines
	Professional large-format laser engraving machines
100-160	Industrial large-format laser engraving machines

The table shows the power of laser tubes of devices for laser engraving in the basic configuration. In some devices, you can change them to more powerful ones, increasing the productivity of the equipment in accordance with the needs of production. Eg:

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

Working field area of ​​the laser engraving machine

The laser engraving machine can be equipped with a height-adjustable and fixed work table. The first one is the most practical. This table makes it possible to process both sheet materials Not large thickness, and bulk workpieces. In addition, a laser engraving machine with such a table can be equipped with rotating device, which will allow you to engrave cylindrical objects, for example, glasses or bottles. Another advantage of this option is that it will be easier for you to maintain the focal distance of the lens to the material.

The fixed table is suitable for engraving materials whose thickness falls within the distance between it and the laser head.

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

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

Our technical specialists will help you understand the design features of 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 laser power and working field area. However this is not final options, you can choose the one you need.

Laser Engraving Machine Performance

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

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

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

Setting up and maintaining a laser engraving machine

A laser engraving machine is not a spaceship, so you can set it up and operate it yourself without much difficulty or knowledge. If you have any questions, you can always consult our technical specialists, including via Skype. Do you need diagnostics, repair or replacement of faulty parts? Then we will come to you!

The Lasercat company takes care of its customers and provides them with full complex services for diagnostics, maintenance and repair of laser equipment.

Select and buy an inexpensive laser engraving machine according to 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 plan 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 decoration. 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 metal base. This process is carried out at home if you have the necessary tools or a special engraving machine. Engraving is carried out in several ways, using various equipment. This process is not particularly difficult, so it can be done even under simple conditions. Performed on metal parts of weapons, pouches, wedding rings, watches, giftware and other metal products.

Methods of decorating metal products

When engraving on metal, use various techniques. Their entire set is divided into two methods: manual and mechanical engraving.

At manual way The master applies a drawing or inscription with a special tool. The quality of engraving depends on the skill of the artist. To engrave on a complex surface, it is necessary to use this method - technology will not cope here.

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

Necessary equipment

If you follow the technology, you can achieve an in-depth or, conversely, convex image - depending on the idea.

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

The operating principle of the engraving machine is to rotate a moving element, which is driven by an electric motor through a gearbox. As a rule, such machines have 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 secured the engraver on the table, the master rotates the part with both hands, making a complex pattern.

Decorating machines

All metal engraving machines are divided into three groups.

Milling machines. Used for decorating parts of large thickness. Designed for processing metal, wood, plastic. Such engravers have big sizes, but are convenient to use due to the lack of vibration and ease of use. Such a machine is equipped with a working field over which the cutter rotates. The cutters move with great speed and accuracy, which eliminates human defects.

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

The principle of operation is a bit similar to a dental apparatus. Works in conjunction with special milling attachments. Before starting work, such a machine must be tested in order to get high results from the first moments of use.

Engraving machines also come in different configurations. Removable parts allow you to not only make drawings and inscriptions, but also polish, grind or make holes in the metal. Inscriptions and drawings are created as a result of the rotation of a small cone-shaped nozzle, which grinds out the metal. Nozzles on machines can be of several varieties:

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

Engraving technology

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

Types of engraving techniques:

• Lined. It is a shallow metal carving in the form of strokes, contour lines, dots and various recesses. This is done with a special tool – a graver.
• Defense or three-dimensional engraving. This is a mechanical method. Represents deep three-dimensional images. Three-dimensional drawings are obtained using machines or engraving machines.

During the engraving process, a design is applied to metal using a cutter. Engraving technology involves both planar and three-dimensional engraving.

It is performed on flat or three-dimensional products and is intended for applying inscriptions, contour drawings and graphic works. Produced using a cutter. To carry out the planar engraving process, you must complete the following steps:

1. Preparing the drawing. The drawing is done on paper, in life size, all shadows and transitions in the picture are shaded.
2. Surface preparation. Clean and polish the metal surface. The ideal result is achieved using fine-grained sandpaper or pumice.
3. Transferring an image to a surface. The surface is covered with a small layer of paint - white watercolor or thinly diluted white gouache will do. The drawing is transferred onto the dried paint using a sharp pencil and carbon paper.
4. The finished sketch must be coated with alcohol-based varnish or nitro-varnish to secure it, otherwise it will be erased during the process.
5. Engraving is carried out manually or mechanically.

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

3D engraving

A more common type of engraving than flat engraving. The image can be in relief, or even sculptural. You can also make a convex or in-depth image. Widely used not only in the manufacture of artistic objects, but also in industry. Step-by-step 3D engraving:

1. Transferring a drawing using watercolors and a sharp instrument. The image is transferred using carbon paper or with wax.
2. The surface is covered with a thin layer of molten wax, and then the design is transferred to it.
3. Engraving. If the image is convex, then first make an outline with a sharp tool, and then remove a layer of metal around the image. A relief is applied to the already deepened surface.
4. If the drawing is in-depth, then after the outline 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, sanded and polished to achieve the final result. Provides high-quality grinding special device– straight grinder. Modern production provides special stamps that facilitate the process. But in this case, the result is mass production, and not individual unique work. This engraving is suitable for producing a series of identical works when necessary.

Engraving at home

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

Stages of performing work with a milling machine

When using a mechanical engraver, the following steps must be followed:

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

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

Stages of performing work using improvised means

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

1. Coat the surface generously with varnish.
2. Scratch the design on it with a toothpick.
3. Mix 2 tablespoons of salt and a little water in a glass.
4. Place the positive end of the charger on the metal being engraved and the negative end on any other metal. Place this other metal object into the mixture in a glass. Plug in the charger.
5. After 5 minutes have passed (or less if the engraving depth is required less), turn off the device.
6. Wipe off any remaining varnish from the product.

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

The background to the purchase is that a friend’s wife, while on maternity leave, decided to try her hand at needlework in order not to sit idle. It all started with flower bows, but gradually it all began to expand to a larger format; she learned how to make beautiful dresses from tulle, after which she learned how to design children’s T-shirts for birthdays and make various accessories on this theme.

So, to design T-shirts, non-woven material is used - felt, from which you can cut out various figures and letters, and then stick them on necessary basis. This process, I must say, is quite labor-intensive, takes considerable time, and besides, cutting out beautiful letters in a certain font is quite difficult. It was to speed up and facilitate this process that this laser engraver.

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 understand the 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 don’t know for what reasons the developers did this, 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 it is possible to scale the workspace using the mouse - the scroll wheel. But it also doesn’t happen quite usually. The direction in which the image will shift when scaling depends on the location of the mouse cursor at that moment relative to this very image. This technique is often found in graphic editors, but there, firstly, it is used using “hot keys”, and secondly, it is an addition to standard interface elements - window scroll bars. In this case, we are left with no alternatives - only this way and no other way.

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

This is what, for example, the same butterfly drawing looks like when scaled. Here I would like to immediately draw your attention to the size rulers located to the left and above the working area.

I’ll say right away that I wasn’t able to bring the idea to completion due to lack of time, and besides, the device is still not mine, but I’ll 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 somewhere I call something wrong, I apologize in advance.

So, it turned out that for the laser to work, a flashing is required, switching it to work with this same PWM. The default firmware, which is necessary to work with Benbox and similar programs, is version Grbl v0.8, and to work with PWM you need Grbl v0.9j firmware (all these firmwares in their original form or the same ones, but in finished form You can download it from the link I gave earlier). T2Laser. With its help, it was possible 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 convert 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 it back to version 0.8 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 it was necessary to manage to distort the principles of an “intuitive” and “friendly” interface.

Well, okay, you can certainly get used to it, but one thing still remains very inconvenient - there is a very lack of a parameter responsible for the number of laser passes over the drawing. 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 to cut through a figure, you have to control the time and start the next pass manually.

Flaw-sss.

Speaking of cutting plywood.

Although the engraver was not initially purchased for cutting it, the owner liked what we ended up with so much that now he is already thinking about purchasing a more powerful 5000mW module, so if this does happen, I promise to do another review and tell us what and how else can be cut in this way.

Thank you for your attention and good luck to everyone.

Chapter 1. Introduction.

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

Price list for laser machines.

Main advantages of laser engraving machines: An advanced laser is used, which 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 work 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, and also on stone.

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

5. Modern and convenient control panel: The laser engraving machine uses a modern keyboard that is reliable and easy to use, combined with a digital control system. Stepper motors are also used, which provide faster and high accuracy work.

6. Operation interface makes operation easy.

7. Fully closing body makes the machine safer and more convenient.

Scope of application of laser engraving machines: The laser beam of the machine is capable of cutting and engraving all non-metallic materials, and when using special means (paste for metal engraving), it becomes possible to engrave metals. The positioning accuracy of the laser head of the machine is 0.015 mm, which achieves very high precision engraving and cutting. The stepper motors used in the machine provide high speed and greater productivity. Depending on the material, when cutting and engraving them, the results are complex shapes exclusive design. Multifunctionality computer program for the car allows you to receive finished goods, simultaneously cutting and engraving them.

One of the most popular materials for laser cutting and engraving is organic glass. When cutting it, the edges turn out to be mirror-like, the end melts a little. When joining the resulting workpieces, there is practically no optical gap. The scope 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. Material cutting can be carried out along a complex contour at a fairly high speed of up to 3 m/min. The resulting products are used for the manufacture of furniture, complex parquet floors, souvenirs, and much more.

For the production of seals and stamps, machines with a small working field, such as HX-40a, HX-3040, are ideal. Creating seals and stamps manually cannot provide High Quality products. 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 inspection technology all solve the problems of low quality and low efficiency in creating seals and stamps. Their small size does not require them large areas to accommodate.

The list of materials can be continued endlessly. Here is just part of it: acrylic, anodized metal, cardboard, paper, coated metals, paranit, cork, crystal, crystals, fabrics, glass, quartz, laminated plastic, double-layer plastic, leather, marble, natural stone, fake diamond, melamine, plastic film, rubber, wood, ceramics.

Chapter 2 Description of equipment and its application.

Description of equipment:

Built-in FLASH memory with a capacity of 32 MB;

LCD display with function keys, making control 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 power, cutting and engraving speed, change fill, etc.), control laser parameters to obtain different visual results;

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

Made on the basis of CO2 laser;

The complexes use a sealed gas tube with a power of 80 W as an emitter, the service life of which ranges from 1,500 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 to increase engraving and cutting speeds and ensure precise, smooth movements laser beam;

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

Chapter 3. Installation

Workplace requirements.

Working conditions must meet the requirements listed below. Lack of suitable operating conditions may result in equipment malfunction or damage.

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

Humidity should not exceed 80%. The formation of condensation will damage electronic device and will endanger the safety of the operator.

The laser engraving machine must operate at one constant power, avoid sharp jumps voltage. If the voltage fluctuates, the device will not work correctly. If the voltage is too high, the power supply of the machine will be completely damaged. To prevent fire and machine breakdown 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 destructive to electrical diagram and life-threatening. Make sure the machine is well grounded to prevent static electricity from causing harm to humans!

Avoid closed, cramped spaces and areas without ventilation. The workplace should be located close to the ventilation device.

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

Persons who do not have experience working with the machine or who have not been trained in the use of the machine are not allowed to work. commissioning works, otherwise the company is not responsible for any breakdowns that occur.

Machine installation

The laser engraving machine is in a sealed wooden box, it should be lifted and lowered carefully. First, the machine must be freed from all packaging materials. When installing the laser engraving machine, there must be at least 1 meter on all sides of it. free space. It is necessary to leave more free space in front of the machine for ease of work and movement of material. Place the machine on a hard and level surface. For achievement best results The laser engraving machine must be properly leveled. Leveling should only be done after the machine has been secured. After moving the machine to a new location, a new alignment is required.

Next you need to install exhaust device using the included fasteners. The exhaust pipe from the car must be connected to the smoke exhauster, and from the smoke exhauster to the street. The maximum distance from the machine to the smoke exhauster is 2m. From the smoke exhauster to the street 2 m. If the length of the chimney 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 electrical wiring is reliable.

Attention: It is prohibited to ground the machine to the neutral wire of the electrical network!

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

If an insufficient amount of cooling water is detected in the tank, it is necessary to turn off the machine and the pump supplying coolant. Add water and run the pump for at least 30 minutes, or until the laser tube has cooled down. If water does not flow, the laser tube will fail. 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 via hoses, following the directions on the machine. WaterOutlet – coolant outlet. This hose must be lowered into a container with coolant. WaterInlet – coolant inlet. This hose must be connected to the water pump. AirInlet – This hose needs to be connected to the air compressor.

Laser tube - made of thin glass, very fragile and can break easily. It is necessary to check whether the laser tube is broken and each component is installed freely in its place. The tube must be installed carefully so as not to damage it. Remove the laser tube from its packaging. Open the back cover of the machine and install the laser tube on it regular place in the “C” shaped fastening with the outlet hole to the reflecting mirror, using rubber gaskets (supplied with the fasteners). Fasten the laser tube lightly to avoid breaking it. Using fasteners and wrench(supplied), connect the tube to the coolant supply hoses.

Solder the red wire to the left terminal of the tube and the blue wire 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. Operating voltage 20 kV. Carefully insulate the contacts using electrical tape. After installation, the laser tube must not be rotated to avoid damaging the connections.

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

Connect the USB cable to your computer and insert the dongle into the USB port. Without electronic key it is impossible to operate the machine.

Set to personal computer software. Without installing unique software, working on the machine is impossible. Be sure to close the machine upon completion of work to avoid dust settling on the working parts!

Preparing for setup.

Please ensure that the following requirements are met:

1. equipment is securely fastened;

2. the system is grounded;

3. There is enough clean distilled water in the water tank;

4. the water pump and compressor are connected to the electrical network;

5. the equipment is securely connected to the network;

6. There should be no leakage of cooling water;

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

8. water temperature should be within 20 °C;

9. The machine must stand on solid ground flat surface no vibration.

The operation of a laser machine is based on moving a laser beam along a changing trajectory. The laser tube, 3 mirrors, laser head and adjustment system set the laser trajectory. The accuracy of the laser movement determines the result of engraving and cutting, so the operator must correctly adjust the laser trajectory. The lens in the tube is secured with a lens fastening bolt and lies with the convex part down. There is a tube connected to the side of the laser head through which air is supplied; it is necessary to cool the focusing lens. The air from the laser head exits through the nozzle.

Adjusting the movement of the laser beam

Note!

When setting up, you must protect your eyes and ensure that parts of your body are not caught in the laser beam. Select the required laser power to avoid fire particle boards. When operating the machine, DO NOT touch the power cord to avoid an accident. 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 produces an invisible infrared beam. Before making adjustments, make sure that there are no foreign objects in the path of the laser beam and that it is not directed towards people.

To adjust the lenses, a chipboard is used, when the laser beam hits it, it leaves a mark. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the laser power to avoid fire of the chipboard. When adjusting the laser beam, safety precautions must be observed. It must be remembered that the path of the laser beam must be inside the machine and not go beyond its boundaries.

Setting the laser beam movement:

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

B: Attach three particle boards (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 operation group of the laser engraving machine. A laser beam will be fired (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. Once aligned, remove the particle board (thick cardboard circle) on the first reflector.

D: When the Pulse button is pressed a second time, the laser will pass through the first reflector and form a spot on the particle board mounted on the second reflector. If the beam does not hit the center of the second reflector, it is necessary to adjust the first and second reflectors using the brass bolts located behind the lens post so that they are on the same horizontal line, and the laser beam hit the center of the second mirror. In the first mirror we adjust the reflection angle, and in the second the horizon. Once set up, remove the particle board (a circle of thick cardboard) in front of the second mirror.

E: The second and third mirrors are configured 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 particle board installed on the third mirror in 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. After completing the setup, you need to check the operation of the machine. During the setup process, it is necessary to observe safety precautions and monitor the cooling connections of the laser tube.

Note!

1. When setting up, you must protect your eyes and make sure that parts of your body do not fall into the laser beam.

2. Select the required laser power to avoid fire of particle boards (circles made of thick cardboard).

3. When operating the machine, DO NOT touch the power cord to avoid an accident.

4. Adjustment must be done by two people. One adjusts the path of the laser, the second presses the “pulse” button.

Adjusting the Focal Length You need to adjust the focal length. This affects the engraving depth and the thickness of the material when cutting.

Focus Length Setting:

Place the working material (it is better to use organic glass) on work surface 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 varying depths and sizes form on the working material. It is necessary to adjust so that the spot is deepest and has the smallest 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.

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

The mirrors are secured with three screws and springs. Installation should be carried out carefully, without touching the surfaces of the mirrors.

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

Machine keyboard

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

« On-Off» The machine is turned on using the key included in the kit.

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

« Up» Button for raising the desktop. The desktop will stop automatically when it reaches its maximum height.

« Down» Button for lowering the desktop. The work table will stop automatically when the maximum depth is reached.

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

« Enter» Confirmation of the current operation.

« Datum» When this button is pressed, the laser machine 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 passes along the perimeter of the object

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

« ESC» Cancels changes.

Chapter 4 Basic Operations.

Turning on and operating the machine.

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

Note!

Before turning on the machine, you must check the condition of all connecting cables, presence and level of cooling water. If the machine operates without coolant, the laser tube may crack (burst) due to overheating, thereby failing.

Stopping the machine To stop the machine, turn off the power of the laser machine, ventilation system, general equipment power supply, air supply system.

Adjusting parameters.

Note!

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

Carefully move the work material, and maintain the same height of the work material as set by the focusing mirror.

Do not move heavy objects on the working surface, as this prevents the laser blade from moving. Otherwise, the motor will be damaged and rendered unusable.

When working, ensure that the pumping system is working properly.

Chapter 5. Maintenance and care.

Clean and tidy environment is the key to high-quality engraving. How long an engraving machine will remain clean depends on the type of material being engraved, the operation of the cooling system, operating conditions and how often the machine is used. Dust accumulating in moving parts will lead to disturbances in the engraving process and premature wear of the moving system; soot accumulated on the optical mirror will lead to glass destruction and damage.

The mechanisms of the laser engraving machine must be kept clean. The workplace must be clean and dust-free.

Good production conditions are required. The power supply to the machine must be stable. If power fluctuations occur, then workplace it is necessary to equip it with a stable power supply (install a voltage stabilizer). The machine must stand on a flat surface and vibration is not allowed. It cannot work in humid environment.

The laser tube becomes hot and requires sufficient water to cool it. The water must be clean, free of dirt and dust. The water needs to be changed every 3 months. The volume of water must be more than 40 liters. The water temperature should be from + 5 to +25 °C.

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 phases of operation.

First phase: The laser tube produces 10% - 15% more power than stated. This phase lasts for 2~3 weeks.

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

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

Fourth phase: exhaustion phase. The laser tube needs to be replaced.

With regular high-quality maintenance and compliance with operating rules, the service life of the laser tube can be increased.

The laser head guides must be clean. Clean them regularly with a cotton swab soaked 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 soaked in a special solution daily. Dust is not allowed on the lens. If damage is detected to the lens or mirrors, they must be replaced.

Keep everything in the machine dry, especially the mirrors, laser tube and power switch.

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

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

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 due to overheating.

Reflective mirrors and laser head lens.

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

Water pump and blower

They are very easy to maintain. When turning off the machine, they must be turned off. It is necessary to remove dust and dirt from them in a timely manner.

Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to equipment failure or premature reduction of operating life.

The laser machine and computer must be properly grounded.

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

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

Pay attention to correct work exhaust suction, clean its surface.

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

Keeping the laser reflection system clean.

Over long periods of use, the reflectors become dirty and must be cleaned every week. Please wipe them with special lens cleaning material, lens paper or absorbent cotton. Handle the lenses carefully and do not damage their surface with sharp materials.

The lower surface of the focusing lenses in the focusing mirror can become contaminated with volatile substances from the working surface, sometimes with dust. Clean as needed.

Attention!

Before performing maintenance, the power of the laser engraving machine must be turned off.

Cleaning steps:

1. Turn off the laser engraving machine, unplug it from the outlet.

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

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

4. To clean the moving system by X,Y axes use a paper towel, apply lubricant to the X guides through special grease nipples.

5. To clean the grill, use a paper towel and soft cloth soaked in soapy water.

Cleaning optical mirrors:

Wash your hands before cleaning optical glass. Do not touch the optical glass to avoid damaging the protective film. Upon completion of the work, you should at least once visually verify that there is no soot or scratches on it.

Clean glass does not require cleaning. Too much frequent washing may damage it!

Use cotton material soaked in cleaning solution. Cotton material can only be used once. Repeat this operation until completely clean.

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 absorption system. The client can independently decide on the timing of maintenance. Inspection or cleaning every 8 hours of operation is recommended. The customer must set maintenance schedules to extend equipment life, create higher quality products and reduce downtime. Maintenance will take about 5 minutes per day.

Chapter 7. Precautions.

Attention!

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

Safety and precautions

The laser system should not be left unattended during operation, since the laser beam may ignite nearby objects and therefore There should be a fire extinguisher near the laser engraving machine.

Starting the laser machine is prohibited 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 its movement.

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

Ensure the performance and optical quality of the materials being engraved, including:

Cooling requirements;

Safe engraving speed.

Make sure the machine operator:

Has undergone thorough appropriate training;

Learned safety requirements;

Mastered the engraving procedure;

Put on safety glasses and work clothes;

The water cooling system works;

The exhaust fan is running.

Attention!

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

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Electricity:

Ground the laser machine

Until recently, artistic engraving applied only to specialized areas of production and decorative design. Today, thanks to the development of the segment of compact and at the same time efficient laser engravers, anyone can join this amazing activity without leaving home. True, the variety of devices on the market can make it difficult for a beginner to choose. To purchase the optimal laser engraver for your home for specific needs, you should have an idea of ​​the design of this device and the main operating parameters. Also navigate to wide range suggestions will help short review manufacturers.

Types of engravers

First of all, it is determined general direction work with the device. It is not advisable to choose a model for a specific material, since in the future it may be necessary to expand the functionality, and a narrow laser engraver for the home will not be able to perform more complex tasks. However, there is a basic 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 quality of processing 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. We can say that this is a narrowly focused laser engraver for metal, although it is also used to work with some types of plastics. The main advantage of this device is the high precision of processing on metal surfaces.

Selection by power

If you plan to work with small details, then it is better to turn to models with a power of up to 40 W. 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 laser engraver for stone 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 W. Typically, such devices are equipped with 2.5-inch medium-focus lenses.

It must be borne in mind that power is chosen not only according to the characteristics of the material being processed. The range of operations that are planned to be performed with its help, as well as the thickness of the surface, matters. In addition to the described power options, there are also 20 W and 120 W models. So, if you plan to process a metal sheet more than 1 cm thick, then a desktop laser engraver with a power reserve of 100 W or more is suitable. Conversely, for delicate operations with pliable 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 also include a cooling system. This addition will ensure a continuous workflow, which is convenient for the user 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 perform large volumes of work while maintaining high quality. However, the cost of such devices is significantly higher than simple models. For use at home, the most convenient and practical devices are usually selected. Manufacturers take this into account, giving the internal filling of engravers the ability to program. That is, the user only has to set work program, and then the most complex pattern will be implemented. In this way, you can transfer an image from a photograph to a metal sheet.

Mini laser 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 hobbyists, so manufacturers strive to provide such models with new ergonomic properties. For example, a mini laser engraver can be used in conjunction with a laptop or computer. All you need to do is connect the device via USB and get ready to transfer the digital image to your work surface. However, this is where one significant drawback lies. For obvious reasons, mini-devices have little 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 Neje model

One of the most famous manufacturers of home engraving machines is Neje. The line of this manufacturer is regularly updated with interesting versions. In particular, users praise the inexpensive laser engraver of the JZ-5 series for its build quality and automatic positioning capabilities. The model works with different types 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 visible inscription even on a toothpick. If you need a laser engraver for plastic or wood, then this option may be the best. It can be purchased for 10 thousand rubles, which is not bad for a technologically advanced and functional device.