Tips for Successfully Operating DIY Laser Engraving Machine

Are you just starting with doing some laser engraving work? We bring you some helpful tips to successfully operate a diy laser engraving machine.

Let’s get on to these tips. 

#Tip 1: Operating a Laser Cutting Machine – But Safety First!

Put on your laser safety glasses to block strong laser beams getting into your eyes. Laser beams used in engravers are very powerful, so eye protection is must. Some laser engravers have protective windows hence safety glasses are not required. Also, be careful with the toxic fumes emerged during the laser engraving process. Install adequate fume extraction facility.

 

#Tip 2: Focus the Laser

 A focused & sharp beam of laser is required to get exact engravings. Laser can focused manually & automatically both. Refer the user manual of your laser engraving machine. By putting some scrap material on the machine desk you can adjust the focus of the lens.

#Tip 3: Positioning the Engraving Material

 Positioning the piece that is to be engraved is of utmost importance to get good results.

• Define the start point of your laser cutting machine. This is probably different in most machines. It is also known as the X & Y axes.
• Set the correct angle of the material. In other words align the material properly.
• Secure the material that is to be engraved properly with double sided tape or clamps on the machine bed.
• Assure that there are no physical obstructions that interfere with other parts of the machine. The X & Y coordinates must move freely.

#Tip 4: Adjusting the Laser Power

 Adjusting the laser machine power is of key importance. Sometimes high power may burn the material & low power may give you poor engraving. The only way to judge the correct laser power is to do some test runs on scrap materials before actually doing it on original one.

#Tip 5: Test Run

 Every laser machine is different, hence to get the best results you have to learn the basics of the machine, laser power, XY axes etc. by doing test runs of engravings on different materials. Also test run with speed, resolution or any other options your machine allows. Note down the readings. Try different test materials too.

The above mentioned are just some tips to help you with the laser machine operating. If you do not know how to operate then take help of experts. Remember lasers are dangerous & can cause severe burns if not handled cautiously.