Posts Tagged ‘laser engraving machine’

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How to output coloful image from a laser engraver?

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Many customers use laser engraver to output some coloful image, such as jpg file that we usually use. But, they also face questions, most software can not output coloful image directly, so do our software easycut. There must be some way to solve this problem—it is called grayscale in photoshop:

When we output  color  image  from Easycut 5.1, we  should dispose  it  in
Photoshop Software at first. The steps are as following:
 
1.   click    “File” — “Open”

2.    Find your file in the computer

3.  Click “Imange” — “Mode” — “Grayscale”

4.  Click “ok”

5.  The picture is gray now

6.  Click “Image”— “Mode”— “Bitmap”

7. Please choose “Halftone Screen” in the “Method” option

8. Choose “Round” in “Shape” Option

9.  Then it will show like this—-looks photo is made by grating or mesh

10. Save it to “BMP” form

11. “Depth”— “1 bit”

Then  input  this  new  file  to Easycut ,  and  it  can  output  directly  from
Easycut  now.

If you want to know it exactly, please contact Redsail. We will always be here to give you help.

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About Shanghai Exhibition in July,2009

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Hello friends of  Redsail!

In July, 2009, we will attend the largest global trade fair—-The 17th Shanghai Int’s Advertising&Sign Technology&Equipement Exhibition. The exact time is July, 7 –July10, 2009, and our booth number is W-2 037.

We will take all our models there to show to our friends from different areas and countries: cutting plotter, laser engraver, laser cutter, cnc router, flash stamp machine, etc.

Welcome to visit our machine show!

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How to make good alignment for laser machine?

Friday, June 26th, 2009

During the operation of a laser machine, what is the most important step to get a good working result?

—a good laser beam alignment

Normally for a Co2 laser engraver or cutter, there are 3 reflecting mirrors and 1 focus lens. Laser beam comes out of the laser tube, then pass through 3 mirrors, then pass the lens, then getting out to work on materials. So the alignment is very important.

Sometimes if you did not make good alignment, the result will be bad, such as, in right corner it engraves or cuts well, but in the left coner it does not; its cutting depth is different even for one materials; yesterday it works well, but today it does not with the same materials and same settings. Laser beam is very sensitive, so maybe slightly movement will affect the working result.

And of course, pay attention to mirrors and lens: they must be clean.

Do it as following:

General Procedure for Laser Route Adjustment
 
Regulate current to below 8 ma (60%), to keep the power not too high.
The  first  step: Adjust  the  laser  route between  laser beam spot and
the first reflecting mirror.
 
Put the test paper in front of the first reflecting mirror, then press ¡ test¡  on the control panel  slightly,  then check  if  there  is a spot on  the  test paper. It  is better  to make  the spot  in  the center of  the mirror.  If  there  is not or  the spot  is not  in  the center, please adjust the location or the height of the first reflecting mirror holder (or the laser tube).

Please see below:
 
1)  Put the test paper in front of the first reflecting mirror

 2) press ¡ test¡  key on the control panel

3) check if the spot is in the center of the mirror

This is the first step, please make sure the spot is in the center.

The  second  step: Adjust  the  laser  route  between  the  first  and  the
second reflecting mirror.

 
First of all, put  the  test paper  in  front of  the  second  reflecting mirror, press  the arrows on the control panel  to move  the  laser head to the top  left corner, press  ¡ test¡  and check the spot on the test paper. Next press ¡down¡  arrow to move the track to the lower left corner, press ¡ test¡  again, then please check whether the two spots coincide with each other. If  the  two spots are within  the circle of  the second  reflecting mirror and  coincide with  each  other,  laser  route  between  the  first  reflecting mirror  and  the
second reflecting mirror is no problem;  if not, please adjust the screws on the back of the first reflecting mirror holder to make sure the spots coincide with each, then adjust the location of second mirror holder (the X-axis direction), to make sure the spots are within the circle of the second reflecting mirror. Please see below:

1) put the test paper in front of the second reflecting mirror

2) press the arrows on  the control panel  to move  the  laser head  to the top  left corner, press “test” and make sure the spot is on the test paper

3) press “down” arrow  to move  the  track  to  the  lower  left corner, press “test” againand make sure the second spot is in the same position with the first one.

4) 3)  If  the  spots  are  not  in  the  same  position,  please  adjust  the  screws  on  the  first reflecting mirror.

5) 4)  If  the  pots  are  not  in  the  circle,  please  adjust  the  position/height  of  the  second  reflecting mirror holder.

The  third  step: Adjust  the  laser  route between  the  second and  the
third reflecting mirror.
 

First, move  the  laser head  to  the  left of  the X axis, put  the  test paper  in  front of  the hole of  the  laser head, press  ¡ test¡  and  there  is a  spot on  the paper. Then, move  the laser head to the right of the X axis, press ¡ test¡  switch again, and check whether the two spots coincide with each other, if so and the spots are within the hole of the  laser head(center  is better), then  the  laser route between  the second and  the  third mirror  is no problem,  if not, please adjust the screws on the second mirror holder to make sure
the spots are coincide. Finally,  if  the spots are not  in  the hole, adjust  the  location of second mirror holder (the Y-axis direction), to make sure the spots are within the hole of  laser head(center  is better).  (Attention:  the principle of  the  laser adjustment  is  the same between mirror 1 and 2, 2 and 3.) Please see below:

1) Move  the  laser head  to  the  left of  the X axis  (c), put  the  test paper  in  front of  the hole of the laser head

2)Press  “test”  and  there  will  be  a  spot  on  paper

3) Move  laser  head  to  the  right  of  the X  axis,  press  “test”  switch  again,  and  check whether  the  two  spots  coincide with  each  other, please make  sure  they  are  coincide and in the center of the hole.

4)    If not, please adjust the screws on the second mirror holder to make sure the spots are  coincide;  if  the  spots  are  not  in  the  hole,  adjust  the  location  of  second  mirror holder  (the  Y-axis  direction),  to  make  sure  the  spots  are  within  the  hole  of  laser head(center is better).

The fourth Step: Adjust the laser route between the third reflecting
mirror and the focus mirror. 
 Attach a test paper under the  laser head or on the working platform, press “test”, and check whether the spot is in the center. If so, this procedure is no problem; if not, please adjust the screws on the laser head to make sure the spot is in the center. Please
see below? 
 
1)  Put a carton paper on the working platform. Adjust focus using acrylic block, then press “test”, and check if the spot is in the center.  

2) If the spot is not in the center, please adjust the screws on the laser head. We should make sure this spot below the laser head center, just as the picture shows.

The fifth step: Check the cutting effect (acrylic) and adjust the laser
route. Check the cutting result of the acrylic, if the cutting surface is slanted to the right, the laser  tube  is  a  little  lower;  if  it  inclines  to  the  left,  the  laser  tube  is  a  little  higher.
Please adjust the height of the laser tube to solve the problem. If the cutting surface is slanted upward or downward, then please move  the  location of  the  laser head (adjust the  screws  on  the  laser  head  accordingly)  to make  sure  all  the  cutting  surfaces  are vertical and smooth.

Attention:
1. Laser route adjustment  is  the adjustment of  the angle between  the mirror and the  laser  route(it should be 45 degree). Some  related knowledge are needed, such as reflection  principle.  For  beginners,  please  operate  under  the  instruction,  consult  the technician  if necessary. In addition,  laser  is sightless and may burn person, be careful
when adjusting.  
2. Generally, when adjusting, if the spots slant to one direction, set up the mirror of  the opposite direction or set down  the mirror of  the same direction, and adjust the screws behind the mirror holder accordingly.
3. It is better to make sure the three reflecting mirrors are at the same horizontal surface first, and it is more easier to adjust the laser beam.

For more and detailed information, please contact Redsail tech support

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How can I do if my laser only move to one direction?

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

Recently I had a customer who asked me, hi Vikki, what can I do if my laser engraver M900 only move to LEFT direction?

What should you do my dear customer? let me tell you something to check:

1. be sure every wire is connected well but not loose. Loose wire will cause some problem.

2. be sure the data cable is connected well. If the cable is loose, then the date transit will becom bad, that maybe cause laser machine  movement problem.

3. There are two IC on the PCI card name: 26ls31. Once IC controls X axis movment of laser machine and the other IC controls Y axis movement and laser beam. So maybe its problem of the two IC. Then you can buy two new IC to replace this to check if it is the IC problem

4. I had a customer who replaced two IC but the problem still appears, but it only move to right direction this time. Then we can say, we have to change a new PCI card. The PCI card failed maybe due to long time use or abnormal opearation.

You can try if you face same problem my dear customer, and let us know any of your question.

Redsail will be your honest partner.

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How to use Redsail water cooler?

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

 

1.Introduction
Industrial circulation cooler is designed by the international advanced cooling system, which can be used in any small cooling system radiating through water-cooling. When it supports the laser machine, please see as following:
1/ works with all round safekeeping function of cut -off and over temperature warning.
2/ Closed stainless steel water tanks, it can work for a long rime with one watering.
3/ real-time monitoring the temperature to know exactly the work condition of heating elements
4/ Professional radiator with great volume of heat diapation that forces the wind cool.
5/ Automatic work, not needing manual work. (Coordinating with the system)
6/ outputting warning signals keep the sense organs safe quickly so it can protect the laser cutting machine in case any thing happen

2.Specification

1/ Power supply: 220VAC/50Hz
2/ Power consumption: 140VA max
3/ Cooling water tank capacity: 9L
4/ Cooling water tank material: stainless steel
5/ Cooling: radiator that forces the wind cool
6/ Amount of cooling: 50W/ºC
7/ Way of circulation: forces circulation
8/ Maximum water current capacity: 15L/MIN
9/ Maximum water pumping lift: 6m
10/ Diameter of input and output hole: 10mm
11/ External dimensions: 470*262*373mm
12/ Weight: approx.16kg
                                                               
3/. Notes
1)Don’t power on if no water, or it may break the cooler including laser engraving machine.
2)Put it in ventilated and dry environment, far from other heaters. And its vent is away from the obstacles above 150mm.
3)Draining is necessary when it is out of work or transported for a long time
4)When the water temperature is under 10ºC, its fans will stop work, and when over 20ºC, it will continue to work.
5)Better is to use soft water (distilled water or pure water)

4/ Installations for the First Time
Its installation is very easy and you can do it according to the following steps.
1)Open the packing and examine the machine and accessories
2)Connect the outlet and inlet pipes
3)Twist off the machine crown note drainage opening, join the water
4)Plug in and turn on the power
5)Check the water level of the water tank (the water level should be 80-150mm away from the tender filling hole). Screw down the tender filling hole nut tightly.

The installation is over now, and it only needs to turn on the power next time (if the cooler is automatic, it can be on and off by its own and does not need intervention).
5/ Maintenance
Please change the cooling water after a long time use (the time depends on the water condition). Then it can help to keep the laser engraver working well.

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Maintenance for Redsail Co2 Laser Tube

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

1)Be sure to keep the water running before starting the laser machine ;
Be sure to keep cool water filled in the tube and then turn on the power;
Please make sure the temperature below 30 degree.

Remark:
(1)Especially in summer, once the water temperature is high, please change the water in time or turn off the machine immediately. 
(2)In winter, be sure to avoid freezing up.
When the machine is off work, please keep the water out of the  Co2 laser tube completely, or, ice may cause the tube to break when starting it again.

PS: It is better to use soft water (distilled water or pure water)

2) When using water cooler, be sure to keep the water running at a speed of 2L-4L/minute. It will affect the working result if the tube cannot be cooled well and will shorten the life of tube.

3) Make clear distinctions about anode and cathode (usually outlet of the tube is cathode), so that it could be installed in correct position.

4) Be sure to protect the tube output port. Avoid port being polluted due to smoke and dust during working. Once it is dirty, please cleaned with alcohol slightly, or the tube power may be affected.

It is better to protect the laser tube connection with high-handed adhesive tape to longer the life of the tube.

5) Be sure to keep the laser power supply clean enough. Dust and smoke will affect the output power during the working.

6) When making alignment, the tube position may affect the working result. So we could move the tube and adjust the tube supporter to get a better position and get better working result accordingly.

7) When using the tube, be sure to avoid water furring the tube, or it may block the tube. Once it is furred up, please use 20% refined salt to clean it.

8). Being made of glass, the tube is easy to break, so when installing, please avoid being given force partly.

9) It is better not use high power all the while. Keeping high power will shorten the life of the tube. If it is necessary to use high power for a laser machine , please stop for a while about every 4 hours.

10) Usually, it could work for about 8 hours continually for a medium power. But be sure to keep the water under right temperature.

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What can I do with Redsail Laser System?

Monday, January 5th, 2009

What can we do with Redsail  laser system?

What can I do with Redsail laser machine? you may ask this question.

The answer is : Its up to your imagination!!
you will find many use in your mind when you begin to start Redsail laser cutter or laser engraver and surely discover more as time goes by!

Let me tell you something for starting: acrylic and plastics, Anodized Aluminum, Architectural Models, Corian, Fabric, glass, gunstock, leather, paper and cardboard, puzzles, rubber  and stamp, stone and marble, wood working , cristal, ceramic…..and so on!! Laser cutting can give you many ideas!

You may start a tryophy and engraving shop, you may start with sign making… you can start with various things!  if you can imagine, you will do!

Do you want to have a shop of your own? start with Redsail!

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What is laser cutter?

Monday, January 5th, 2009
A Laser cutter is a machine that uses a laser to cut materials. The Laser Cutter works by making the laser enter through the side of the material that needs to be cut and shoots it through the axis of the beam. If a cut needs to be made and there are no edges near it, a small piercing is done before the cut. During a piercing, a high power concentrated pulse of laser beam slowly starts to make a hole, creating an edge to begin the laser cutting with.
Laser Cutter (sometimes is called laser cutting machine )Configurationslaser cutter is same as cnc router, when configuring laser cutter, there are three different configurations to choose from: moving material, hybrid, and the flying optics system. The difference among these three configurations is in the way that the laser beam moves above the material that is being cut. One common similarity that all of them do share though is that they all utilize the X and Y axis as the axis of motion, while the controller above is designated as the Z axis.
Moving materials configuration is when the material that is to be cut is stationed below a cutter head. The biggest strength about this configuration is consistency. As the laser is uniformly and steadily held above, the material can be cut quite steadily. The downside of this is that the material that is being cut (the workpiece) needs space to move around to be cut.
Hybrid laser cutting because of a cooperative work between the laser header above and the workpiece below. The table moves in one axis (often the X axis) while the cutter head moves in the opposite axis (usually the Y axis). This coalition allows a relatively good and stable constant beam delivery path length than other configurations like the flying optic configuration, while also having a simpler beam delivery system.
The flying optic configuration has a moving cutter head with a stationary workpiece. This configuration usually does not require material clamping. As the moving mass is fairly consistent, the cuts are quite clean. Also, this configuration is by far the fastest among others, as its acceleration and peak velocities are superior compared to the moving materials and the hybrid systems. When changing the length of the beam from near field to the far field, techniques such as collimation, adaptive optics, or constant beam length axis is used.
These processes are for the X Y systems, but the configurations are constant for machines with more than two axis, such as the five or six axis machines, which allows formed workpieces to be cut. 

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what is laser engraver?

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

As its name suggests very clearly, laser engraving is the art of engraving or marking objects using one or multiple lasers, it is a kind of Laser machine or Laser system, same as cnc router . Considering the preciseness that is required with the engraving, the whole process is quite complex and technical, which often requires a computer. Therefore, as desired, the final engravings are done extremely precise at a very high rate.
Most of the laser engraving done today is conducted by what is known as a laser engraving machine. This machine has three main parts to it: a laser, a surface, and a controller to control the engravings.
There are generally three types of engraving machines. The most widely used of them all is the X-Y table, which is when the surface is stationed and the laser moves in X and Y coordinates to draw the vector. However, there are exceptions with both of them. For example, the work piece (surface) might move in a Y direction while the laser moves in an X direction. Then, another genre of the engraving machines is a machine specifically for cylindrical surfaces. For these odd shaped surfaces, the laser navigates in a helix form to completely cover the cylindrical surface while turning on and off to produce the correct image on a raster basis. The third type is where both the surface and the laser are stationed. Then, the galvo mirrors at various angles will reflect the laser beam onto the surface of the workpiece to precisely engrave. This can be done in both raster and vector mode.
In all the three types of laser engraving, laser very efficiently removes a slight surface of the workpiece, as nearly all of the light energy (of the laser) is converted to heat energy. This highly focused and collimated beam heats up the machine rather rapidly, thus, an excessive amount of cooling systems are used to maintain the normal temperature of the machine during the engraving process. Sometimes though, the laser is pulsed to decrease an excessive amount of heating at one interval.
All the different patterns during the laser engraving process are done through a pre-programmed setting controlled by the controller. The key to laser engraving is removing an equal amount of material every time. Thus, crossing over a path already gone over by the laser should never happen. The speed of the engraving or the tracing is also carefully done along with intensity and the spread of the beam.
For complex designs requiring a high degree of precision, laser tables are used. Also known as the X-Y table, it is a special equipment that guides the laser beam in heating the surface more precisely. The setup is composed of a laser that consistently comes out parallel to one axis of the table. The axis is aimed at a mirror on the other end of the rail. Then, the beam is reflected off the mirror on the other side angled right at 45 degrees, which allows the beam to travel right on the path along the length of the rail. Finally, the beam is mirrored down by another mirror on a trolley, which directs the laser perpendicular to the original axis. These reflections allow the laser to be in two degrees of freedom, allowing a vertical and a horizontal engraving to occur at once.
There is also the flat table or drum engraving devices. This is when the laser beam directs most of its energy so that the surface is engraved at a correct depth. This allows a set amount of the material to be removed every time, allowing a uniform engraving. Usually this method is conducted with flat surfaces having hardly any height changes. For surfaces with varying heights, mechanisms such as the dynamic auto focus system is applied. This is when the laser’s parameters are constantly changed (real time changes) allowing the beam to adapt to the changes in the material. However, these mechanisms require work with what is known as pilot beams or pilot lasers, such as ultrasound, infrared, and visible light.

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Laser Machine Working Demo

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Many friends are not famliar with the working process of Co2 laser machine. In order to show customers clearly how Redsail laser machine working, we take several video to show you how the machine works on different materials. Please see below:

This is model M500 working on rubber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMT-krWSkWg.

This is model M900 cutting on wood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4n6qz7BBgQ

Here it is a 80w model C120 working on acrylic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IAhvbkLqCY

Now the model M500 engraving a double layer plastic board: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B1VgCOHCJI

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