Laser cutting machines are game changers in the production world. From helping industrial production to crafting everyday designs, laser machines make work more seamless.
In line with its obvious efficiency, the machine is compatible with a myriad of materials, which makes it more desirable to use.
However, one burning question on most beginners' minds is whether a laser cutting machine is complex to operate. Given the industrial use of the machine, it's not out of place to think like that.
If you've heard a lot about laser cutting machines but are scared they may be difficult to use, read this to learn how they work and how to use them.
How a Laser Cutting Machine Works
A laser cutting machine works through a concentrated laser beam, which transforms energy into heat. The concentrated laser narrows into a straight line and cuts through materials precisely and accurately.
By moving the laser in different positions, the machine creates different shapes and cuts to form the desired design.
There are three major types of laser cutting machines. They include C02 laser, Fiber, and Diode laser cutting machines. The different types of machines may have distinct ways of operating.
Materials You Need When Laser Cutting
The first step to laser cutting is getting the materials you will need for the process. Here are what you need:
Laser Cutting Machine
The obvious first thing you must get is a laser cutter.
Check out this Toocaa Laser Engraver.
Materials to Cut
After choosing your laser cutter, you need to get the materials you'll be working with to begin the cutting process. Depending on the machine you have and what you need to cut, you may get acrylic, paper, wood, plastic, or metal.
Note that there are materials you can't cut with a laser cutter, such as PVC and Vinyl. It's advisable to ask the vendor before buying or do your research before going ahead and cutting.
Check Toocaa arrays of materials for your laser cutter.
Computer/Design Software
The next important thing when laser cutting is a computer with graphics software, such as Toocaastudio or other design software programs, which would help you design and then transmit the same to the laser cutter.
This is, of course, when you're using the laser cutter to design.
How to Operate a Laser Cutting Machine
Operating a laser cutting machine may not be as hard as it seems, provided you have all your materials readily available. Follow the subsequent steps to operate it effectively:
Step 1: Prepare Your Design
As stated before, you need to have design software on your computer laptop from which you create your design. You may use a plethora of options, including Toocaastudio or lightburn. So, the first step is getting your design ready to be cut.
Step 2: Transfer the Design in an Acceptable Format
Once your design is ready, save it in a design that is compatible with the laser cutting machine, which is usually CNC (Computer Numerical Control) or G code.
The G code is machine language that gives the laser instructions on where to move. You may send the G code or CNC file format to the laser controller via a USB driver or Wi-Fi.
Step 3: Setup the Machine for Cutting
Once you have your material and design, you can set up the machine. Align the laser beam for an accurate cut. This is crucial to allow the laser to cut well.
You can refer back to the manufacturer's instructions for more insights. Then, open the case and place your material in the laser cutting machine, adjusting its placement based on its type and thickness. Some laser machines come with inbuilt rulers to help you align your materials.
Then, you may need to adjust the bed; do this by pushing the focus button and the down arrow button in the front control panel of the machine. Lowering the bed ensures that your material does not come into direct contact with the laser. Conclude this section by closing the lid.
If you're still unsure how to proceed, check the manufacturer's instructions for more information.
Check out our list of laser cutter accessories.
Step 4: Set the Power and Speed
The power and speed settings differ according to material, thickness, and machine type. Although the manual may provide basic instructions, you will need to research or test your settings to determine which are most appropriate.
However, be careful not to start a fire. Note that the more power you use, the more heat it emits, which makes it more likely to start a fire. For flammable materials such as paper and plastic, use medium to low heat to avoid an escalation.
For the speed, you may also experiment with the settings, but be careful about it. Thicker materials require slower speed than normal, and slower speed makes deeper cuts. Also, each laser type has different wattage settings, so it's almost impossible to generalize your settings. You may test it out and take note of the settings that best work for each material type for future purposes.
Step 5: Frequency Settings
When working with vector, there is an added setting besides power and speed. Vector is a method of laser cutting used to cut things out. Then, there's raster, which is better at engraving things. Raster cuts more like an inkjet printer, while vector cuts in a straight line, which may cause the design to be faint.
The frequency setting refers to the amount of laser pulses per inch applied to the material. Vector, unlike raster, cuts in a straight line instead of printing on the spot, depending on the darkness of the area you're etching.
So, you have to lower the speed or increase the power to imitate the operation of the normal laser function. The frequency may be set between 10 and 5000 pulses per inch. When working with materials like wood or other flammables, you should use a lower pulse per inch (PPI), as the higher it is, the hotter it gets and may likely burn.
You can test out different settings to figure what you want and the most appropriate settings before going into the main project.
Step 6: Do a Test Run
If you're operating a laser cutting machine for the first time, it is not advisable to go straight into cutting your project. This is because of mistakes you may make in settings that could ruin your design and material.
Hence, the wise thing to do is to do a test run. Once you have all your settings done based on the instructions above, you could use paper or tape (the blue painter's tape - easy to remove without stickiness) over the print area to test the machine.
However, it is most advisable to use a disposable piece of material similar to the one you plan on using to ensure the accuracy of your settings.
If you're using paper or tape, use high speed and low power, and make sure your exhaust fan is not on. You may test this a couple of times until you're sure about your settings or ready to cut.
Step 7: Start Cutting or Engraving
Once you're done testing, remove the tape, paper, or test material and place your correct material. Go to the computer and print as vector or raster, depending on whether you want to cut or engrave. Then, recheck your power and speed settings to ascertain they are the most appropriate for the material you are cutting.
Ensure you close your lid and that you have only your material in the working area.
Step 8: Check Out the Finished Product
Once you're done with cutting, check out the finished design and ascertain that it suits your vision. You may wipe off additional excess of the surface where necessary and examine. If it's not precise, try again with another material and adjust the power settings if you notice burning.
Step 9: Clean the Laser Cutting Machine
After your design and cutting process, it's crucial to clean your machine for maintenance purposes. The important materials for need for cleaning include plastic scissor crimps, cotton swab, lens cleaning paper and liquid lens cleaner.
You need to clean the mirrors and lens in the machine. Pick up lens cleaning paper with the scissor crimps or another material you can use to hold the cleaning paper, leave a drop or two of the lens cleaner on it, and clean the lens with it.
Continue by cleaning the mirrors with the cotton swab. Keep changing and cleaning until you have a clean swab after cleaning the mirrors. The mirror, which is far away from the lens, is not frequently cleaned, given that it has no direct impact from the smoke from the laser on the material, but you may clean it when necessary. Also, ensure there is no residue dirt in the laser bed or anywhere else before concluding your cleaning.
Step 10: Redesign, Reset, and Reprint
Do not forget that your settings are totally dependent on the material you're designing on, so if you need to print on another material, you may need to go over these again and ensure you do not create any hazards while cutting.
Also, make sure your laser cutting machine is compatible with the material you intend to cut. It's safe to simply get a laser cutter fit for the purpose you'd usually use it as the wattage of each machine differs and is adjustable based on that.
More importantly, if you're having issues aligning your material on the laser bed, use a ruler that measures the size of the bed to make it easier to design.
Lastly, remember to be safety-cautious by wearing protective wear, ensuring that the area is well-ventilated, and not cutting any material impregnated with resin or other oils.
Conclusion
Is the operation of a laser cutting machine complex? Not totally, not if you follow the instructions in this piece squarely.
Operating a laser cutting machine is not easy, but it is doable with the right tutorial. Each machine has its specifications, so it's important to note the differences in how each works. However, these steps are basic ones and should guide you along properly.
Also, ensure you get your machines and materials from reliable stores and ask about necessary features and user guides before bringing them home. If you're still not confident about operating your laser cutting machine yourself, then you should contact a professional to help in your design or production.
Are you looking for where to shop your laser cutting machine, materials, and accessories? Toocaa is the right store to find solutions to your laser.
Contact us today.
