Difference between revisions of "Epilog Laser Cutter"

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[[File:IMG 1600.JPG| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |Epilog Legend 36 EXT 50 W Laser Cutter]]
 
[[File:IMG 1600.JPG| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |Epilog Legend 36 EXT 50 W Laser Cutter]]
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==Technical specifications==
 
==Technical specifications==
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==Health & Safety==
 
==Health & Safety==
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[[File:General Air assistance valve.jpg| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |1ST STEP _ General Air assistance valve]]
 
  
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[[File:air assistance for EPILOG 50W.jpg| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |2ND STEP _ Red valve in order to open the general air assistance]]
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[[File:0-plan p59 laser cutting area.jpg| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |Laser cutting area_Atelier Lab P59 map]]
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===1. PRECAUTIONS===
 
===1. PRECAUTIONS===
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[[File:STEPS new FUME EXTRACTOR.jpg| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |Turn on the main fume extractor switch located in the column close to the laser cutting machines]]
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[[File:STEPS_valves_air_pressure_EPILOG_50-75.jpg| frame |widths="180px" heights="120px" |In order to use properly the air assistance during your laser cutting work please follow the next steps]]
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'''Note:''' Settings above are a good starting point. Laser cutting quality is affected by several factors including lens cleanliness, maintenance and/or aging laser tube. If you are not achieveing a cut, try to increase the power, decrease the speed or a do combination of both. Change settings with 5-10% step at a time.
 
'''Note:''' Settings above are a good starting point. Laser cutting quality is affected by several factors including lens cleanliness, maintenance and/or aging laser tube. If you are not achieveing a cut, try to increase the power, decrease the speed or a do combination of both. Change settings with 5-10% step at a time.
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===Suppliers===
 
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[http://fablabbcn.org/maquinas/provedores-materiales/ For a supplier list take a look at this table maintained by de Fab Lab BARCELONA]
 
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==Machine work flow==
 
==Machine work flow==
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==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
  
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*[https://www.epiloglaser.com/downloads/pdf/ext_4.22.10.pdf User Manual]
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*A quick TUTORIAL to use the Epilog software: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EFHwAk54RMK-zSMlT9H8_KSCG-2iV2KA/view?usp=sharing]
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**[https://www.epiloglaser.com/downloads/pdf/ext_4.22.10.pdf User Manual]
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'''--'''
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It should be noted here that the information gathering was drawn by Ricardo Mayor Luque, and many people at IAAC
  
 
[[Category: Machines]]
 
[[Category: Machines]]

Latest revision as of 15:24, 11 October 2021

Epilog Legend 36 EXT 50 W Laser Cutter


Technical specifications

  • Cutting area 900 x 600 millimeters / 35.4" x 23.6" inches
  • Cutting power max. 50 Watt.
  • Maximum Power Consumption:

Health & Safety

Laser cutting area_Atelier Lab P59 map











1. PRECAUTIONS

Turn on the main fume extractor switch located in the column close to the laser cutting machines
In order to use properly the air assistance during your laser cutting work please follow the next steps


































Step Description
1. If you are not going to use the computer in the Fab Lab, install the Epilog drivers in your computer (you can reach the machine inside the Fab Lab network).
2. Turn on the main fume extractor in the big laser cutter switch panel.
3. Check that the general compressor of the building is ON.
4. Turn ON the laser cutter (left side of the machine).
5. Turn ON the red valve on the left in order to open the general air assistance. (Remember that to open the valve just positioned the RED key aligned along the flow of the air).
6. Just turn ON the air assistance on the specific machine: Epilog 50w or Epilog 75w.
7. Turn ON the pc desktop and the monitor of the Lab connected to the laser machine.
8. Make sure the material you want to use is in the 'Materials and configuration' list. If it is not there, ask the Fab Lab responsible.
9. Measure the size of your material board. If it doesn’t fit into the board of the laser machine ask the Fab Lab responsible for cutting the correct format.
10. Please remove all your leftovers pieces after using the machines and remember to close the valve at the end of your works. Keep this small area clean and free for others to use.
11. The building is already provided by different air outlets.

2. FILE SETTINGS

Step Description
1. Open dxf, 3dm, or compatible file with Rhino.
2. Select the curves and hatches and put them in separate layers.
3. Choose the correct colour for every operation (Cutting, Engraving, Raster E.).
4. Select all objects and make sure that they are displayed by layer on properties.
5. From your vector editing software, once you are ready for printing and if you already installed the driver, press Ctrl+P or select ‘Print’.
6. Select ‘Epilog Engraver 50’ from the printer list and go to ‘Printer settings’ or ‘Properties’.
7. The laser cutter driver interface should appear. Here you can set-up the laser’s power and speed according to how the vector paths in your drawing are organized

(you can also print raster images).

3. PRINT SETTINGS:

Step Description
1. For a vector job, In the 'General' tab, under 'Job type' select 'Vector'.
2. Set the size of the material sheet under 'Piece Size'.
3. Set to 'Vector sorting' and 'Optimize'.
4. In the 'Color mapping' tab select the checkbox 'Color mapping'. You must have an organized drawing with lines in different layer colors and sort them

depending on the type of job (raster, engraving and cutting).

5. Once this is done, you can set the power, speed, and frequency of every color in your drawing.

Take a look at the 'Materials and configuration' list above for the right power/speed values according to the material you are using.

6. Send parameters with the double arrow once you set for each color.
7. The list order determines the execution sequence of every type of job. You should always engrave first and cut later.

You can change the order by selecting a color and pressing the up and down arrows.

8. Once you are done with this configuration, press 'OK'.
9. For a raster job, In the 'General' tab, under 'Job type' select ‘Raster’. For both jobs select ‘Combined’ and follow the steps from 2 to 8.
10. Make sure the Scale is 1:1 (100%) and set the window by moving it to the correct point in the drawing. You should see the parts that you want to cut/engrave fitting

the material in the preview.

11. Finalize the process with 'Print' and the file will be sent to the laser cutter.

4. MACHINE:

Step Description
1. Open the hood and place the material on the metal bed without hitting the cutting head.
2. If the material you use is too thick you should lower the bed switching OFF the X/Y and bring the bed to the desired Z position by pressing the 'up' and 'down' arrows.
3. Turn on the laser pointer 'Puntero’.
4. Set the machine head to the origin by pressing 'Restaur.' and focus the laser by pressing 'Enfocar' and click 'GO/Entra' to run the file.
5. Tape the corners for the material and where it is needed, if necessary. Close the hood.
6. After you have sent the job to the machine you will see 'Job:job name' in the display.
7. Pressing the up and down arrows will allow you to select the different jobs stored in the machine.
8. Press 'GO/Entra' to start cutting/engraving.
9. Press 'STOP/Salir' if something burns inside the machine or the material is not in the right position.
10. Never leave the machine unattended.

CAM

  • 2D Printer driver from most CAD or ilustration software
  • From PDF

Caution

  • this remark should go on all pages for lasers:

The honeycomb structure of the bed of the machine is very expensive and it easily gets damaged. The quality of the cuts is only going to be good if the bed is perfectly flat and undamaged. Take good care of the honeycomb


Materials and configurations

Settings

Laser settings for common materials - Epilog 50W
Material Cut Engraving Raster Engraving - 600 DPI
Speed (%) Power (%) Frequency (Hz) Speed (%) Power (%) Frequency (Hz) Speed (%) Power (%) Frequency (Hz)
Polypropylene - White - 0.5mm 55 50 5000 100 10 5000 100 15 5000
Polypropylene - Transparent - 0.8mm 35 60 5000 100 20 5000 80 20 5000
Polypropylene - Black 1.2mm 30 80 5000 85 30 5000 100 20 5000
Acrylic - White - 2mm 25 90 5000 90 30 5000 100 25 5000
Acrylic - White - 3mm 15 88 5000 100 10 5000 100 15 5000
Acrylic - Transparent - 2mm 25 90 5000 100 5 5000 100 15 5000
Acrylic - Transparent - 3mm 15 90 5000 100 5 5000 100 15 5000
Acrylic - Transparent - 4mm 10 95 5000 100 5 5000 100 15 5000
Acrylic - Transparent - 5mm 10 100 5000 100 5 5000 100 8 5000
Acrylic - Transparent/Matt - 3mm 15 90 5000 100 10 5000 100 15 5000
Acrylic - Transparent/Matt - 6mm 5 100 5000 100 15 5000 100 30 5000
Acrylic - Black/Semi-Transparent - 3mm 15 90 5000 100 5 5000 100 15 5000
EVA Foam (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) - Black - 10mm 20 100 1000 90 15 1000 90 10 1000
EVA Foam (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) - Yellow - 11mm 15 100 1000 90 15 1000 90 10 1000
Polyurethane Foam - 10mm 65 60 500 100 5 500 100 15 500
Foam with textile - 3mm 60 55 250 100 15 250 100 10 250
Felt - Black (5mm) / Fieltro 55 55 250 100 5 250 100 10 250
Lycra - White - 0.3mm 70 30 500 100 3 500 100 8 500
Wood - Plywood (4mm) / Madera 20 95 300 70 10 500 100 10 500
Wood - Plywood (5mm) / Madera 15 90 2500 80 10 500 100 9 500
Wood - MDF (3mm) 15 90 500 70 10 500 100 20 500
Wood - MDF (4mm) 15 100 500 70 10 500 100 20 500
Wood - MDF (5mm) 8 100 30 70 10 500 100 20 500
Wood - Veneer (0.7mm) 85 55 500 70 5 500 100 7 500
Paper - black - 0.4mm 90 35 500 100 2 500 100 10 500
Paper - White - 0.6mm 80 35 500 100 3 500 100 10 500
Paper - Black finish - 1.3mm 70 50 500 90 5 500 90 10 500
Paper - Grey - 1.5mm 55 75 500 100 10 500 90 10 500
Paper - White - 1.5mm 55 75 500 100 10 500 n/a n/a n/a
Cardboard - Corrugated (4mm/1 layers) 40 45 500 100 10 500 100 20 500
Cardboard - Corrugated (5mm/2 layers) 30 70 500 100 20 500 100 15 500
Cardboard - Corrugated high res. - white (6mm/1 layer) 2x 20 90 500 100 10 500 100 15 500
Silicone - (less than 0.5 mm) 100 80 1000

Note: Settings above are a good starting point. Laser cutting quality is affected by several factors including lens cleanliness, maintenance and/or aging laser tube. If you are not achieveing a cut, try to increase the power, decrease the speed or a do combination of both. Change settings with 5-10% step at a time.

Machine work flow

  • If you are not going to use the computer in the Fab Lab, install the Epilog drivers in your computer (you can reach the machine inside the Fab Lab network).
  • Turn on the main fume extractor in the big laser cutter switch panel.
  • Turn on the small air compressor on the left hand side of the machine.
  • Turn on the laser cutter (left side of the machine).
  • Make sure the material you want to use is in the 'Materials and configuration' list. If it is not there, ask the Fab Lab responsible.
  • Measure the size of your material board.
  • From your vector editing software, once you are ready for printing and if you already installed the driver, press Ctrl+P or select 'Print'.
  • Select 'Epilog Engraver' from the printer list and go to 'Printer settings' or 'Properties'.
  • The laser cutter driver interface should appear. Here you can set-up the laser's power and speed according to how the vector paths in your drawing are organized (you can also print raster images).
  • For a vector job:
    • In the 'General' tab, under 'Job type' select 'Vector'.
    • Set the size of the material sheet under 'Piece Size'.
    • Set to 'Vector sorting' and 'Optimize'.
    • In the 'Color mapping' tab select the check box 'Color mapping'. You should have organized your drawing in different colors if you need to do different types of jobs (for example engraving and cutting).
    • Once this is activated, you can set the power, the speed, and other parameters for every single color in your drawing. Take a look at the 'Materials and configuration' list above for the proper power/speed values according to the material you are using.
    • The list order determines the execution sequence of every type of job. You should allays engrave first and cut later. You can change the order by selecting a color and pressing the up and down arrows.
    • Once you are done with this configuration, press 'OK'.
  • For a raster job:
    • You should see the parts that you want to cut/engrave fitting the material in the preview. If not, you should scale, move, rotate or change the units of the drawing to get it as you want.
    • Finalize the process with 'Print' and the file will be sent to the laser cutter.
  • At the machine:
    • Open the hood and place the material on the metal bed without hitting the cutting head.
    • If the material you use is to thick (engraving bigger objects), you should lower the bed.
      • To lower the bed:
        • Press 'X/Y off' and bring the bed to the desired z position by pressing the 'up' and 'down' arrows.
    • Turn on the laser pointer 'Puntero'.
    • Set the machine head to the origin by pressing 'Restaur.' and focus the laser by pressing 'Enfocar' and 'GO/Entra'.
      • If you want to change the x/y origin follow this steps:
        • Press 'X/Y off' and bring the laser manually to the desire origin.
        • Then press 'Ajuste Inicio' and you should have now a new origin point.
  • If you already sent the job to the machine you will see 'Job:job name' in the display.
  • Pressing the up and down arrows will allow you to select the different jobs stored in the machine.
  • Press 'GO/Entra' to start cutting/engraving.
  • Press 'STOP/Salir' if something burns inside the machine or the material moves from its original position.
  • Don't leave the machine unattended.
the Epilog Legend 36 interface pannel
Epilog Legend 36 interface pannel

Important commands

Structure:

External links

Maintenance

Downloads

  • A quick TUTORIAL to use the Epilog software: [1]


--

It should be noted here that the information gathering was drawn by Ricardo Mayor Luque, and many people at IAAC

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