From Zero to Hero: A Quick Guide to Laser Marking Machines

Want to quickly master laser marking machine operation? This course has been custom designed for users with no prior knowledge. It will teach you everything from equipment operation to practical skills.It covers software installation, parameter adjustment, and solutions to common problems, helping you quickly become a pro and easily meet the requirements for marking on metals, plastics, and other materials.

A basic understanding of laser marking machines.

A preliminary look at the structure of the equipment.

The first time you see a laser marking machine, you might be scared off by the many buttons and interfaces, but in fact the structure is not complex.The core components are three: the laser (the energy source, hidden inside the machine), the mirror system (the "steering wheel" that controls the direction of the laser beam), and the work surface.Just as when learning to drive a car, the first step is to recognize the dashboard and understand the function of each part.

Safety operating rules.

Don't hurry to turn it on! First remember three iron rules: wear eye protection (lasers are not to be trifled with), keep the area well-ventilated (the burning of materials creates tiny amounts of smoke), and avoid firing into empty space (firing into empty space damages the lens).The most easily overlooked thing for beginners is the cleanliness of the work surface. A small screw could easily cause the laser to be misaligned.

The software operating system.

Graphics and layout.

EzCad2, which is commonly used, is in fact even easier to use than Meitu.When importing design files, make sure you choose a vector format (such as PLT). If you're using a normal image, make sure you convert it to black and white first.Holding down the Ctrl key while dragging the mouse allows you to quickly adjust the positions of multiple images, a shortcut that can save you half the time it would take to do it the old-fashioned way.

Setting the parameters.

Don't be intimidated by the parameters of power, speed, and frequency.For dark materials, use a low power setting, such as 30 %. For reflective materials, lower the speed to 800mm / s or less.When marking metal, the frequency is adjusted to over 20 kHz. For wood and plastic, the frequency is less than 15 kHz.

The second part, "Raising the Bar," is about improving practical skills.

Common materials and solutions.

If you find that you're getting black marks when engraving on stainless steel, simply adjust the spacing to 0.02 mm.If the plastic is bubbling, try lowering the power and increasing the scanning speed.If you are ironing leather, remember to turn the steam off, otherwise the edges of the leather will burn.These experiences are all the hard-won lessons of the old masters.

Tips for daily maintenance.

Once a week, you should clean the lens with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (never use paper towels!), and once a month, you should lubricate the track.If the markings suddenly seem to fade, don't rush to call for service. In eight out of ten cases, it's because the lens is dirty, or the focus has shifted.If you want to adjust the focus yourself, the best way to test the focus is to use A4-size paper.

Problem-solving guide.

Special handling of abnormal marking results.

If the characters on the screen appear serrated or jagged, check to see if the cables connecting the galvanometers are loose.If the pattern is uneven, it could be that the work surface is not level.If your computer crashes don't panic, just close the software, then turn off the power and restart.Remembering the first two digits of the error code will help you explain the problem to the after-sales service.

A boost in efficiency.

When processing in bulk, automatic and continuous labeling is set up, and the foot switch to start and stop is three times faster than a mouse.Once you learn to use the template function, you can directly call up preset parameters for workpieces of the same size.Spending five minutes at the end of the day to check and maintain equipment will double productivity the next day.