Editor's Note:
As a beginner in the world of laser engraving, it's normal to feel both excited and a bit overwhelmed. You’re eager to start your first project, but at the same time, you're worried about making mistakes and end up failing.
Luckily, Robert—an experienced educator and a loyal AtomStack user—generously shares his invaluable advice for beginners. His tips cover almost everything you need to know when starting out as a beginner.
Take the time to read the tips carefully, and may they help you succeed on your laser engraving journey!
Working With a Laser Requires Learning
There are many people who consider that working with a laser is a plug and play activity.
That you bought the laser, you pressed a button and on the other side it already burns your works of art, cuts your plywood and assembles it in the desired project or engraves your metal leaving deep black marks or prints your photos more beautifully than on photo paper.
The laser hasn't even arrived at home from the distributor, but their business is already suffering, their orders are waiting to be fulfilled and their income is not realized as they expected.
They don't have to make any effort to learn anything, read anything before or study the posts of those who already work with the laser.
If they don't get what they had in mind, the laser is to blame. They received a defective laser, a wild laser that crashes on all the edges or that does not know how to burn properly.
And to make the story even more complete, the best results are expected from low level lasers, intended for hobby, fun or relaxation.
But things are not quite like that!
A laser will always do exactly what you tell it to do. You order them right, they will execute well, you order them wrong, they will execute wrong.
Testing Ahead of Time Matters!
And the settings received on USB memory or that you see in the posts of colleagues are only informative. They are just a starting point in making your own tests. To get results you have to test, test and test again. To patiently focus on just one thing and not leave it alone until you get the desired result. Taking notes all the time, describing the method, settings and material used.
You must understand that you must test the materials before starting a job. You may have seen representative examples of projects burned by colleagues from which you can be inspired, but consider the following:
- Lasers can be of different models and powers. If they are of the same model, they do not have the same wear of the laser head, the same state of cleanliness of the lens or the same focus height.
- Manufacturers advertise thick cuts in natural wood, not plywood. Plywood is much harder to cut. Depending on the number of layers, the glue used by the producers, the material producers, the wood essence, the substances with which the wood is treated (fire retardant, anti-insect, anti-moisture), the purpose of the plywood (construction or interior/hobby), its humidity, knots material hidden inside or glue bags, etc... you will cut a material easier or harder. That is why it will sometimes seem to you that the neighbor's laser is better, that it cuts better or vice versa. Usually everything that is cheap is harder to cut.
- Black cast acrylic is cut with diode lasers, the transparent one being incompatible with this. It's pure physics. but if you want to try, no one will stop you—maybe you will be a winner.
Practical Operation Guides for Laser Engraving
1. Laser Power
Do not use the laser at 100% power, and do not run it at low speeds. Personally, I think that everything below 600mm/min means the burning of the material and the production of combustion compounds and smoke that lead to the rapid destruction of the laser head. A higher speed and more passes give much better results.
Using the laser at 100% power shortens its life. Failure to carry out laser maintenance work will lead to the burning of the protective lens, failures in the burning of the projects, the failure of the laser module and even fires. The less smoke you have from projects, the longer the cleaning period can be. The mistake of beginners is to work with low speeds and maximum power. We want to cut the material in one pass. Wrong! The higher speed and more passes will lead to an equal or even shorter burning time of the project, but the edges of the material will no longer show traces of ash or smoke.
2. Assisted Air System
Use an assisted air system! It contributes to increasing the cutting capacity of the laser and at the same time keeps the lens clean for a longer time. If you build your own enclosure, try to arrange the exhaust and air intake holes as low as possible for the fastest removal of smoke through the created air flow. If the smoke rises it will be absorbed by the fan of the laser head and sent to the fan and the laser diodes. Place the air pump as far as possible from the laser (possibly mount it under the work table). Initially, the smoke on the materials can be avoided by using protective tape for painters. You will have to increase the power by about 5% and avoid overlapping its edges. Note that the new A6/12/24 or X6/12/24 models have an air hose, but the air pump must be purchased separately.
3. Metal Coating
Do not try to mark metal without covering its reflective surface with products specially designed for this purpose or at least with a black marker.
4. Maintenance
It is essential for the operation of the laser to perform its maintenance permanently. The lens can get dirty after two hours of operation or after two weeks. It depends on the degree of mess you produce. But it is much better to check in advance than to repair later.
Use a grill under the material you want to cut. You must always have a sheet of metal or a large tile under the laser (they have 60/60cm pieces).
5. Firmware Update
And in no case are the first problems you have because of an outdated firmware. Especially the latest models of lasers that have appeared, have up-to-date firmware. I am talking about A6/12/24 or X6/12/24 series, about X30, X40, X70 or A30, A40, A70. DO NOT TRY to change this because they each have a specific firmware and you will block them.
The update method differs depending on the model. Some read directly from the USB memory, others use a special program for deletion and installation.
6. Factory Settings
Another common mistake is changing the steps of the motors for the purpose of adjusting the dimensions of the project. DO NOT do this, regardless of which video it is recommended to you. Factory settings are best.
7. Protection
Always use protective equipment. Use the glasses, do not let other people or animals approach or stay near your laser when it is working. Never leave the laser unattended! DO NOT try to cut PVC foil or derived materials that contain toxic substances in the composition, ensure adequate ventilation in the place where you work! Do not cut vinyl records!
Final Words
No one is born learned, there is no shame in asking a question but try to search a little if the same problem has not been raised before. We have very experienced colleagues who give indications, suggestions and recommendations without asking for material benefits in exchange. We try to we implement a behavior like "you were helped - help in your turn, as much as you can and when you can!" So we invite you to participate actively in the life of the group.
Help between members of our community is altruistic. If the person helped has the pleasure of honoring you with a beer or a coffee, it depends only on him. A simple "Thank you!" is enough. Those who request payment or pecuniary rewards for the help provided, do not deserve to be part of our group! Inform the administrator about this. Those who do not understand these things or do not agree with them are free to attend other specialized groups!
If you are experienced, but you are reading these lines, ask yourself at the end of the month how many people you have helped with your advice!
Burn everything!
