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====== Full Spectrum Laser Pro 36x24 Laser Intro and Quick Start ======


**Author:** Santiago Ricoy 
Email: ricoys1@unlv.nevada.edu
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**Date:** Last modified on 2/4/17
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**Keywords:** laser cutter engraving etching burning cutting vector raster
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{{ :sricoy:laser_cutter:etching.jpg?nolink&500 |}}

The photo above depicts our lab's laser cutter engraving a logo in raster mode (can't tell easily, as it's moving). This tutorial's main focus is to have a student with near zero prior knowledge, up and running a raster engrave on our laser cutter. Other items will be lightly touched on, including vector cuts. The importance of this lies in having a quick-reference for lab members to quickly learn to use and innovate with the laser cutter.


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===== Motivation and Audience =====

This tutorial's motivation is to teach a student new to the laser cutter how to prepare, check, and run the machine. The tutorial assumes the reader has the following background: 

<fc darkblue>  
  * Know how to manipulate bitmap images
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  * Perhaps also know how to work with vectorized images in Inkscape, Illustrator, or another related program
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  * Possible additional background needed in vectorizing and layering in image manipulation programs, and CAD software.
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  * This tutorial may also attract readers who intend to use the laser cutter to create layers for 3 dimensional projects.
</fc>
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The rest of this tutorial is presented as follows; all students must understand the warnings section:


  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#items_required|Items Required]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#warnings|WARNINGS]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#familiarizing_with_controls|Familiarizing with Controls]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#machine_prep_and_check|Machine Prep and Check]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#image_creation|Image Creation]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#engraving_and_cutting|Engraving and Cutting]]
  * [[full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_intro_and_quick_start#final_words|Final Words]]


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===== Items Required =====

To complete this tutorial, you'll need the following items:


^PART NAME/DESCRIPTION             ^VENDOR              ^VENDOR Number or URL       ^PRICE          ^QTY       ^
| Full Spectrum Laser Pro 36x24   | Full Spectrum Laser         |http://fslaser.com/    |~$14,000 with options     | 1 |

  * Computer running Windows 7 or higher with RetinaEngrave3D installed and ethernet connection to laser
  * Material of choice to cut/engrave
  * {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:36-48pro_manual.pdf| Laser Cutter Manual}}
  * {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:retinaengrave3d_manual.pdf| RetinaEngrave Manual}}
  * Nearby fire extinguisher (there are a few placed about the lab)


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===== WARNINGS ===== 
<fs large><fc red>PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY</fc></fs>
The most important button on the laser cutter is the large red emergency stop button. If you are ever worried, unsure, or overall unconfident that the laser cutter is operating properly, please push down the large red button.

  * **NEVER** leave the system unattended during operation
  * Keep the area around the machine clutter free
  * **ALWAYS** use air assist while cutting
  * **MONITOR** all vector cuts, as rapid ignition occurs most often while vector cutting.
  * **CHECK AND CLEAN** the laser system before each use (i.e. remove honeycomb, check vent, wipe up dust/debris) as lasers pose a fire hazard in themselves; do not allow the danger to compound
  * **DO NOT OPERATE** the machine with panels removed. It has a Class 4 laser system inside. Furthermore, it produces **INVISIBLE** radiation; you will not know there will be a problem before there is one.

All above may be obvious; however, knowing what materials should not be cut **is very important**:


^Material     ^DANGER    ^Cause/Consequence     ^
|PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)/vinyl/pleather/artificial leather|Produces chlorine gas.|<fc red>**DON'T EVER**</fc> cut this material as it WILL immediately ruin the optics (HCl likes to eat silvering off of mirrors), cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system. Research says that lasers don't BURN materials, but normally VAPORIZE them, leading to all kinds of toxic chemistry with these high energy particles in the air. No, ventilation is not fast enough to save the machine, even if it might be fast enough to save you. If you do choose to try it anyway though, you may die from breathing it in before getting in any major trouble. :) |
|Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate/Lexan|Cuts very poorly, discolors, and then catches fire.|Polycarbonate is commonly found in flat sheets. The window of many laser cutters are made of polycarbonate because polycarbonate strongly absorbs infrared radiation. This is the frequency of light the laser cutter uses to cut materials, thus ineffective at cutting polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a poor choice of material.|
|ABS|	Melts|	ABS doesn't cut very well. Lasers cut by immediately vaporizing material, and ABS only melts. It thus has a higher chance of catching fire and putting frustrating goo on the cutting surface. Doesn't engrave well either for the same reasons.|
|HDPE/milk bottle plastic|Catches fire and melts|It melts, and turns into goo. Don't use it.|
|PolyStyrene Foam|Catches fire|Only thin pieces cut. This is the **MOST** common material to cause laser fires.|
|PolyPropylene Foam|Catches fire|Like PolyStyrene, it melts, catches fire, and as it drips, those droplets continue to burn and leave little burnt balls everywhere.|
|Fiberglass|Emits fumes|Neither of its components can be cut with a laser cutter. Glass can only be etched, and the resin that glues it together lets out fumes that aren't fun.|
|Coated Carbon Fiber|Emits noxious fumes|Only plain carbon fiber mat can actually be cut, but once coated its a lost cause, and the fumes are dangerous.|

<fc #ff0000>Metal</fc> cannot be cut on our CO2 laser cutter. This requires a significantly more expensive **fiber laser cutter**. However, metal can be etched with the use of a metal etching coating (cermark), or for anodized/other coatings the coating is etched off, leaving the bare metal behind as a contrast.

The danger with attempts at etching/cutting bare metal on our machine lies in the fact that metal is very reflective and more conductive than other materials, meaning it requires more energy to be vaporized. At best, our laser can temporarily melt the surface of metal, which increases the danger because the "micro-pool" of molten metal will immediately level itself, creating an excellent mirror, which then reflects the laser's beam straight back into itself, potentially ruining the machine if the beam finds its way back to the laser tube. In short, **don't attempt to cut metal** with our laser.


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=====Familiarizing with Controls=====

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:closecontrolpanel.jpg?nolink&500|}}

**Note:** This panel uses capacitive touch sensors on its control buttons, so there is no physical actuation to be felt. It is quite sensitive, and therefore can be activated whenever in contact or near contact with skin; this means they can activate via contact through clothing (like a T-shirt). Please **BE CAUTIOUS** when leaning over the laser cutter around this area for these reasons.



The control panel uses 10 total buttons.

From left to right these are:

  - **F/S Z**: This button is used to switch between jog speed modes for the x and y axes; jog speed modes for the z axis (also allows test fires or auto-focus); file selection; and reset to default settings.
  - **Locked/Unlocked**: When locked, the motor controllers are enabled and resist unintended motion. When unlocked, the laser head can be moved by hand. During a job, can pause and resume the job.
  - **Home/AF (Home / Autofocus)**: In xy jog modes, homes the positioning system (after moving by hand in unlocked mode, motors must be re-homed). In z-axis and test fire modes, this begins the autofocus process.
  - **Return/Test fire**: In xy jog modes, the laser head returns to the last specified position. In z-axis and test modes, the button test fires the laser tube, if the lid is closed (with support peripherals running, this is audible as a very faint click).
  - **Run perimeter**: In xy jog modes, the perimeter of the current loaded job will be shown.
  - **Start/Cancel**: In a menu mode (file select or factory reset), this confirms the option in the selection area. If a current movement operation is being performed, this cancels it (homing, autofocus, current job). In xy jog modes and unlocked, fires high-power test pulse. In fast xy, after homing, sends the laser head to upper left corner. In slow xy, lets you re-run a job.

**Four Arrow buttons**: In xy jog, and z jog modes, can move laser head or raise/lower platform. During a job the up/down arrows let you change the job power on the fly on a scale from 0 - 255.



There are 4 main areas of focus on the machine's LCD display. 
  - The first is the top line, displaying the current mode (after boot, it also shows the IP address, and displays the file in file selection). 
  - The bottom left displays shorthand for the current mode (FX means Fast XY, SX means Slow XY, etc.). 
  - The bottom middle (justified to the left) is the reading of the current power setting, from 0 to 255, which can be changed with the up and down arrow buttons during a job on the fly. 
  - The bottom right area depicts with one letter whether the machine set its own IP address or it was set by DHCP (A for self-set and D for DHCP) and the last 3 digits of the IP address. 

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===== Machine Prep and Check =====

This section gives step-by-step instructions along with photos to reference while walking through them.
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=== Peripherals ===

1.) **Water Chiller**:

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:waterchiller.jpg?500|}}

The water chiller circulates water through the laser tube of the machine. This is important because the plasma arcs generated within the tube can create a lot of heat, which needs to be removed.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:tubesbackoflaser.jpg?nolink&500|}}

Our main concern with the chiller is ensuring that all of its connections are secure and going to the correct places with no leaks, and that while it is running, no air bubbles are cycled through the laser tube.

There is also a connection for the chiller alarm; the connection is next to the water tubes.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:tubesbackofwc.jpg?nolink&300|}}

There are two tubes coming from the chiller. Make sure that these are:
  * Connected securely to both the chiller and the laser unit
  * Connected to the correct inputs and outputs on both the chiller and the laser unit (i.e. NOT connected to the air assist input)
  * Not leaking at any point on their lengths

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:tubepic.jpg?nolink&300|}}

The chiller directs water continuously through the laser tube and maintains the water at or near room temperature. However, to maximize the life of the laser tube, we must make sure that heat is removed evenly from the tube by ensuring there are no air bubbles present. Air bubbles create local hotspots along the tube, which will ultimately reduce the tube's life over time.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:laser_bubble.jpg?nolink&300|}}
{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:no_laser_bubble.jpg?nolink&300|}}

After turning on the water chiller, often bubbles can be observed entering and leaving the laser tube. Watch all of these bubbles leave, and search for smaller bubbles (they generally get caught at the ends of the tube). There may be some minuscule debris inside the tube, along with persistent bubbles of similar size, that we cannot remove without specialized equipment, but its impact is relatively small; thus it can be ignored. 

For other bubbles, (generally identified as those that appear to "wiggle" in the current) they can usually be moved by gently squeezing one of the input or output tubes, and quickly releasing it. The sudden slowdown and rush of water can dislodge most if not all bubbles that can be moved. You can see the bubbles present in one photo, and gone in the other above.

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2.) **Air Assist**:

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:aircompress.jpg?nolink&500|}}


Our air assist compressor provides a steady stream of air that projects from the laser head onto our cutting surface. It allows the laser to make cuts that would otherwise ignite the working material. While the air assist should always be used, it does have one downside. When working with lighter materials, the stream of air very easily blows away parts intended for cutting.

Please check that the air assist is connected to the correct input port. It turns on when plugged into an electrical socket.


3.) **Exhaust fan**:

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:exhaustfan.jpg?nolink&500|}}

The exhaust fan blows away smoke and other potentially harmful vapors created while cutting. Simply slide the blue exhaust tube from the back of the laser unit onto the exhaust fan's input port, and route the output tubing outdoors.


The fan can be powered on by plugging it into an electrical socket.

4.) **Alignment**:

**OPTIONAL:**

After many uses (perhaps prolonged periods of disuse), or after moving the laser cutter, the mirrors may come out of alignment, and though it may not always be obvious, the cut quality will suffer. If the laser has not been operated for an extended period of time, quickly run a check to see if the laser is still in alignment.

Fortunately there is a fairly simple process for checking and realigning the mirrors, and it is found in the manual, which is included in the "required items" section of this tutorial. 

The method of realigning mirrors requires thermal paper, but I used old receipts for this purpose. You may consider storing thermal paper or old receipts in one of the compartments on the laser unit for this eventual purpose.


===Powering On===


Note that the peripheral devices will likely all be plugged into one surge protector, so some of these steps may be redundant.

Machine power-on steps:

  - **FIRST** power on the water chiller pump and run the check on air bubbles in the laser tube.
  - Plug in the air assist compressor
  - I only run the fan if I am ready, due to noise. So if you are ready to cut, plug in the exhaust fan and route its tubing outdoors.
  - You can now unlock the red emergency stop button next to the control panel by twisting it clockwise. Start the machine by turning the power key switch clockwise.
  - Once the machine has booted, it will display its IP address. At this point you may run the RetinaEngrave3D software and it will find (or attempt to find) the laser cutter. If this does not happen, restart the software, check your physical connection and if still not working, reboot the laser cutter. If this does not resolve the issue consult the manual.

Power-off steps:

  - Ensure no processes are currently running to avoid damage
  - Close the cutting software
  - Turn the power key switch counter-clockwise.
  - Press in the red emergency stop button until it clicks
  - Unplug the exhaust fan and air assist
  - Power off the water chiller


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===== Image Creation =====

The RetinaEngrave3D software is the cutting software made by Full Spectrum Laser. Through it, we get our design files onto the laser cutter. It is here that we specify power, speed, layers, etc..

RetinaEngrave3D can generate rasters from .bmp, .jpg, .png, and .tiff by dragging and dropping. However, other file types require being saved as an .xps file, or can be directed into RetinaEngrave3D through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver, which is the primary way images are put into RetinaEngrave3D.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:fsedpic.png?nolink&300|}}


{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:keychaincolors.png?nolink&300|}}

The process is simple. From whatever program you are using, go to print and select "Full Spectrum Engineering Driver" from the options. Your file will appear in the RetinaEngrave3D software, allowing you to manipulate its size, settings, and other options to begin your cut.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:randnewdesigncircles.png?nolink&500|}}

RetinaEngrave3D has the option to create simple images within the program that do not require any special changes to run as a raster or vector cut. I recommend this option if you only need a simple shape/text in a predetermined size.

Notes:
  * It may happen that the print function crashes the image generation software, and does not successfully send your image to RetinaEngrave3D. I personally encountered this a couple times. If you encounter this problem, a retry may work. Otherwise, print to the XPS Document Writer, and then open that file with RetinaEngrave3D or print the .xps file through the Full Spectrum Engineering Driver.
  * Vector information is carried along in the .xps, but within the RetinaEngrave manual, there are additional items to consider that are not covered here concerning the exact manner that the software will decide to cut objects.


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===== Engraving and Cutting =====

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:retinaengraverasterengrave.png?nolink&500|}}

Once gone through the print driver, RetinaEngrave gives a few options to manipulate your image on the left. Those options available include rotating the image 90 degrees; mirroring the image vertically or horizontally; dithering to different extents; and resizing the image. Within the vector cut tab, there is also a vector cross-hatching option, but that is beyond the scope of these instructions.

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:retinaengrave3dcontrols.png?nolink&600|}}

At the top are more controls that concern engraving. Below is a brief list of their functions and usefulness.

  * ** House icon**: homes the laser head
  * **4 corner arrow icon**: runs the laser head through the perimeter (this is helpful to verify the limits of the cut you are about to make)
  * **1 corner arrow icon**: step laser head through perimeter (you can look more closely where each corner is for your cut to be sure it is cutting within your desired area)
  * **9 red dots icon**: object positioning (we can define where the red dot currently points in relation to our image; useful when we want a certain area of an image lined up with a certain part of what we are cutting)
  * **Laser beam**: fires a test pulse and allows you to change pulse duration
  * **Cylinder icon**: enables settings for rotary attachment (separate tutorial)
  * **Play/Pause/Stop icons**: Allows you to begin, pause, and stop the current job
  * **Pull-down box**: changes between raster, vector, raster then vector, and simulation modes


**Before beginning your cut** 

Triple check that the laser head is positioned where you need it.

You can use the arrow keys in RetinaEngrave to move around the laser head, or with the laser control panel in fast xy or slow xy mode.

**Focusing:**

{{:sricoy:laser_cutter:focusrulerlaser.jpg?500|}}



For this step, you can use the up/down arrows in the slow-z or fast-z modes on the laser cutter; using fast-z to get close, and then slow-z to reach the final touching point. 

The focusing ruler (pictured above in use) should be sitting behind the left y-axis track in the laser cutter. Use this on the ledge of the laser head, and raise/lower the head until the end of it just touches the surface of your material.  

**Triple Check:**

Using the option to run the perimeter (4 corner arrow icon) in RetinaEngrave, you can verify the edges of your cut. This should always be done to ensure you've gotten the right scale, or that your cut fits on your material.

**Beginning the cut:**
Simply press the start button in RetinaEngrave. Your raster engrave will begin almost immediately. If in vector mode, the software will first process the image, and then begin the cut; that mode was not covered here, so if you intended to do a raster engrave, and the machine pauses before cutting, you may want to hit the "C" key to cancel the cut.


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===== Final Words =====

This tutorial's objective was to get a student up and running with the FSL Pro 36x24 Laser Cutter. 
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Speculating future work derived from this tutorial, you may want to consider reviewing 3D projects created using a laser cutter, and an alternate post discussing engraving and cutting a variety of materials. In the big picture, the problem of disseminating knowledge about the laser cutter can be solved with this tutorial.
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For questions, clarifications, etc, Email: ricoys1@unlv.nevada.edu