Changes

====General Procedure====

====General Procedure====

Setting up a Cut:

[[File:trotec_laser_engraving.mp4|thumb|none|400px|This video shows the complete process of completing an engrave. See below for details on doing this. ]]Setting up a Cut:

# First off, to get your design, just copy an image and paste it into CorelDraw or find a pdf version of the file and open it. If you are cutting a part from a Solidworks file it must be saved as a dxf before importing to CorelDraw.   

# First off, to get your design, just copy an image and paste it into CorelDraw or find a pdf version of the file and open it. If you are cutting a part from a Solidworks file it must be saved as a dxf before importing to CorelDraw.   

# To open a dxf file go to [File] > [Import]. If a dxf file is being used feel free to skip to step 7.   

# To open a dxf file go to [File] > [Import]. If a dxf file is being used feel free to skip to step 7.   

# Turn on the machine using the power switch located on the back of the machine in the left corner. The machine will go through a startup procedure where the cutting bed lowers and the laser travels to its home position. Note that the lid must be closed for the startup procedure to begin and there will be some beeping coming from the machine which is normal.   

# Turn on the machine using the power switch located on the back of the machine in the left corner. The machine will go through a startup procedure where the cutting bed lowers and the laser travels to its home position. Note that the lid must be closed for the startup procedure to begin and there will be some beeping coming from the machine which is normal.   

# Place your material onto the honeycomb table, preferably in the upper left corner.   

# Place your material onto the honeycomb table, preferably in the upper left corner.   

# Now it’s time to focus the laser onto your material. Begin by moving the laser head over the middle of your material; then place the focusing tool on the laser head and slowly raise the table until the the focusing tool falls off. Raise the bed extra slow when raching the focusing tool so the bed can be stopped the moment the tool falls off. Reference the images below for proper focusing tool placement and laser head controls. [[File:Laser Focus Tool.png|none|thumb|404x404px| Proper placement of the focusing tool. ]][[File:Laser Controls.png|none|thumb|296x296px| Laser control pad. (1) Raise and lower the bed. (2) Move the laser head (5) Air assist. Make sure it is always on to vent fumes properly.  ]]

# Now it’s time to focus the laser onto your material. Begin by moving the laser head over the middle of your material; then place the focusing tool on the laser head and slowly raise the table until the the focusing tool falls off. Raise the bed extra slow when reaching the focusing tool so the bed can be stopped the moment the tool falls off. Reference the images below for proper focusing tool placement and laser head controls. [[File:Laser Focus Tool.png|none|thumb|404x404px| Proper placement of the focusing tool. ]][[File:Laser Controls.png|none|thumb|296x296px| Laser control pad. (1) Raise and lower the bed. (2) Move the laser head (5) Air assist. Make sure it is always on to vent fumes properly.  ]]

#  

# Remove the focusing tool and return it to its home.

Cutting with Job Control :

Cutting with Job Control :

# After you send your design to Job Control it will let you name your design and it will store it in a window on the right. If you do not see your design, be sure to select [See All] at the bottom of that window. This lets you see files ALL dpi types, rather than just a specific dpi type.  

# After you send your design to Job Control it will let you name your design and it will store it in a window on the right. If you do not see your design, be sure to select [See All] at the bottom of that window. This lets you see files ALL dpi types, rather than just a specific dpi type.  

=== Video ===

=== Video ===

<div><ul>  

<div><ul>  

<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:trotec_laser_engraving.mp4|thumb|none|400px|'''Engraving Demo''']] </li>

<li style="display: inline-block;"> </li>

</ul></div>

</ul></div>

==Safety==

==Safety==

* Always make sure the material you are using is safe to use. There is an especially high risk when engraving plastics. Fumes from plastics can be toxic. Make sure you find the specific material you are using and check to see if it produces toxic fumes when burned. Never attempt to engrave PVC as it produces chlorine gas (the stuff they used in WWI).

* Always make sure the material you are using is safe to use. There is an especially high risk when engraving plastics. Fumes from plastics can be toxic. Make sure you find the specific material you are using and check to see if it produces toxic fumes when burned. Never attempt to engrave PVC as it produces chlorine gas (the stuff they used in WWI).

 

* Once the laser is focused do not touch the button that raises the bed or the laser will crash into the machine which causes damage to the machine.  

Also be aware that the laser cutter is only able to cut successfully through up to 1" of wood. It will also char the wood. If you want to engrave wood that is over 1" thick, that's perfectly fine. Just make sure that you come with a pre-cut shape to engrave upon or have a plan for cutting out your engraving after.

 

==Certification==

==Certification==