Laser Cutter

Overview

We are going to cover how to setup an image correctly to cut andor engrave. Then, you will learn to cut and/or engrave your material of choice.

Setting Up A File To Cut And Engrave

Step 1: Opening up a file

Have a file ready and open it up with either Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. (These two programs are use to edit your image.)

Make sure that your image is in the correct format: Cut=Vector & Engrave=Raster.

Step 2: Saving your file

Once you have your image ready to be engraved or cut, save it and open it up in Adobe Reader. (Every image is pdf.)

Step 3: Print Setup

Once the image is loaded on Adobe Reader and ready to print, go to “file” and select “print”.

laser cutter tutorial - file print

Depending on whether you want your image to be engraved or cut, select the right printer driver, either two; Epilog Engraver or Cutter.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog printer

After that, go to properties and choose raster or vector depending on whether you want your image to be engraved or cut.

Adjust the settings according to job type.

Customize the piece size.

(We don’t need to change the option, advanced, or color mapping).

It will be ready to print.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser print set up window

How To Output A File

Step 1: Material Setup

Send file to Epilog Laser Cutter.

The first three things to turn on: Laser, Air Assist, and Filter.

The Epilog Laser

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser

The Air Assist

laser cutter tutorial - air assist

and the Filter

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser filter

Place material in upper left corner on the laser plate.

laser cutter tutorial - material on laser bed

Step 2: Zero Coordinates

– Turn on Red Dot.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser red dot

– Press “X/Y OFF” and press “GO” so that you can move the carriage by hand to your position of choice.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser x/y off

– Move Red Dot to location at center of cutting or engraving area.

– First press “SET HOME” and then press “RESET”.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser set home

Step 3: Set Focus

– Turn “V” shaped manual focus gauge upside down.

laser cutter tutorial - V shape manual focus gauge

– Press “Focus” and use Arrow Keys to only allow the gauge to barely touch material.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser focus

– Place “V” shaped gauge right side up and press “Reset”

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser V gauge

Then press

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser reset button

Step 4: Select Job

– Press “Job” and then press “go”.

laser cutter tutorial - epilog laser job log

++++ DON’T STARE AT THE LIGHT AND MAKE SURE YOU CLOSE THE LID!! ++++

External Links

Epilog Laser Website

Laser Basics

Materials and Applications

Laser Videos

Laser Photo Gallery

Laser Case Studies

Laser Testimonials

Applications