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Instructions:Little Blue Laser (Epilog Helix 8000): Difference between revisions

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=== Raster Problems ===
Keep speed below 80%


=== Operations ===
In case of fire:


* Turn on the laser.
# Briefly open the lid to cut off the power. See if the fire continues on its own or if the laser beam is fuelling it.
* Check the debris tray and empty it if required.
# If it is safe to do so, remove any burning workpieces and extinguish them outside of the laser (smothering, water, fire extinguisher)
* Load the material.
# If it is not safe to remove the workpiece, use the fire extinguisher in the laser.
* Set the laser focus and home point.
 
* Assign appropriate speed and power settings for the material type and thickness.
Things that can cause fires:
* Send the print job to the laser.
 
* Clean the lens (at the beginning of your session).
* Passing over the same spot in vector mode when cutting wood
* Verify that the blast gates are open and air support is turned on.
* Improper work surface (always use vector tray or pin grid when cutting)
* Turn on the exhaust vacuum.
* Trying to cut multiple layers of fabric at the same time
* Close the lid.
* Debris in the debris tray
* Press GO to begin the job.
* Cutting non-suitable materials
* Monitor the job carefully, especially during vector operations.
* Laser is out of focus
 
The Helix does not have an E-STOP; in case of emergency, turn off the power switch (located on the left side of the laser near the large grey power cord).
 
=== Housekeeping ===
Members must break down their materials before discarding them. Blunt sharp edges that may puncture the bag. TIP: Use the laser to break down any waste materials. Empty the garbage when it is more than 3/4 full and put the bags in the bin near the elevator/paint booth.
 
When done, always check the debris tray for small pieces and empty if needed. Small pieces can be ignited by the laser during vector cutting.
 
== Preparing Files ==
 
== Operations ==
 
=== Overview ===
 
# Check the debris tray and empty if needed (open the front panel, flip the locking levers so they are perpendicular to the tray, then pull out).
# Turn on the laser.
# Clean the lens (at the beginning of your session).
# Load the material.
# Set the laser focus and home point.
# Assign appropriate speed and power settings for the material type and thickness.
# Send the print job to the laser.
# Verify that the blast gates are open and air support is turned on.
# Turn on the exhaust vacuum.
# Close the lid.
# Press GO to begin the job.
# Monitor the job carefully, especially during vector operations.
# Check the lens every 1-2 hours and clean if needed.
 
=== Moving the laser head ===
Move the laser manually:
 
# Press X/Y OFF, then GO.
# Manually move the head to the desired position. When touching the head, do not touch the lens or mirror (only touch the metal surfaces).
 
=== Cleaning the Lens ===
Note that Q-tips are abrasive and will wear away the coating on the lens. Always use a lens tissue.
 
# Wrap a Q-Tip with half a sheet of lens tissue
# Spray lens cleaner on half of the Q tip (block with your hand to keep the other half dry). Do not use Windex or anything other than lens cleaner.
# Clean the top and the bottom of the lens. Do not press hard/scrub; treat the lens like you would an eyeball.
# Dry the top and bottom of the lens using the dry side of the Q-tip.
# Clean the mirror.
# Dry the mirror using the dry side of the Q-tip.
 
=== Setting Home ===
 
# Turn on the red dot pointer.
# Press X/Y OFF, then GO.
# Manually move the head to the home position. When touching the head, do not touch the lens or mirror (only touch the metal surfaces).
# Press SET HOME.
 
=== Setting Focus ===
 
# Hang the focus tool on the arms protruding from the head, lining the holes in the tool up with the pins on the arm.
# Press X/Y OFF, then GO.
# Manually move the head over top of the material
# Press ▲ or ▼ to move the ''bed'' up or down until the top of the material just touches the bottom of the focus tool.
 
=== Laser Settings ===
 
==== Raster Problems ====
When using raster mode, high speeds will cause the motors to wear out prematurely. North Forge policy is to keep speed below 80%. Note that the existing tables may suggest speeds above 80%; in that case you will need to adjust them manually:
 
# Find the recommended values in the speed/power table
# If the suggested raster speed is greater than 80%, set the speed to 80%.
# Subtract the same percentage from the power as you did for the speed. For example, if the recommended speed/power is 100/80, subtract 20 points from the speed to get to 80 and 20 points from the power to get 60. The adjusted speed/power is 80/60.
# If the suggested power is already less than 20 points, set the power to 5 and the speed as close to 80% as possible. For example, if the recommended speed/power is 100/15, the adjusted speed/power is 90/5.
 
==== Procedure ====
 
# Select File → Print or press Ctrl+P.
# Choose “Little Blue” from the printer dropdown menu.
# Press the Gear icon/Settings button to the right of the printer dropdown menu.
# Verify that Auto Focus is not selected.
# Ensure Center-Engraving is not selected if Center-Engraving is not being used.
# Ensure the Piece Size is the same as the workspace size in CorelDraw.
# If using raster mode, set the DPI (typically 600 for wood).
# Choose the operation type (Raster, Vector, or Combined)
# If using raster mode, set the raster settings according to the provided tables.
## Reduce the speed to less than 80% to avoid wear on the belts and motors
# If using vector mode, set the speed, power, and frequency according to the table.
# Press “Okay.”
# Select the Layout tab in the Print menu.
# Ensure “As in Document” is selected.
# Press “Apply” then “Print.” The job will be sent to the laser. The laser will not start until “GO” is pressed on the control panel.
 
=== Final Checklists ===
 
* Cut lines are red hairlines, vector etches are either a fill or a line thicker than 0.12mm
* Piece size in Epilog driver matches page size in CorelDRAW
* Speed, power, resolution are set per the manual
* In layout tab, “As In Document” is selected
* Laser is focused
* X/Y Home is set
* Lens has been cleaned
* Debris tray has been checked for debris
* Vents are open (default position is OPEN)
* Air support is turned on (default position is ON/handle parallel to pipe)
* Vacuum/blower is on
* Hearing protection/PPE is worn
* User is prepared to monitor the job continuously
 
=== Running the Job ===
 
# Press the JOB button.
# Make sure the correct file name is shown on screen. If it is not, press ▲ or ▼ until the correct file is showing.
# Verify that all pre-use conditions are correct (see checklist).
# Press GO to start the laser.
 
=== Troubleshooting ===
Artwork isn't engraving in the right spot:
 
* Check that the page size in CorelDraw is the same as the piece size in the Epilog software.
* Check the layout tab and make sure that the position is set to "As in document."
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