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Laser Cutting: Difference between revisions
→Troubleshooting
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The Laser Basic Use & Safety class is a required certification to use this machine.
This is the [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScduiVk4p2ib6Q1rtLTe_kQHFfnmuWl8bgjqqjCqkR6hLBUyg/viewform quiz], where all answers are covered in the class.
== Trotec Speedy 300 ==
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|-
! scope="row" | Work Area
|
|-
! scope="row" | Max. Workpiece Height
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| 80 W
|}
=== Manufacturer's Manual ===
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[https://itee.uq.edu.au/files/6777/Speedy-300-Manual-EN.pdf Manufacturer's Manual]
A useful guide for setting up a Trotec laser cutting template file in Illustrator can also be found [https://www.shertec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Adobe-Illustrator-Setup-and-Basic-Training-for-Trotec-laser-systems.pdf here], which includes a handy downloadable [https://
This is also a useful [https://www.troteclaser.com/en-us/learn-support/helpcenter/photo-laser-engraving guide] to select the right print settings for photo engraving
=== Color Palette ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-family: monospace"
! Name !! R !! G !! B !! Hex
|-
| Black || 0 || 0 || 0 || #000000
|-
| Red || 255 || 0 || 0 || #FF0000
|-
| Blue || 0 || 0 || 255 || #0000FF
|-
| Desert || 51 || 102 || 153 || #336699
|-
| Cyan || 0 || 255 || 255 || #00FFFF
|-
| Green || 0 || 255 || 0 || #00FF00
|-
| Grass || 0 || 153 || 51 || #009933
|-
| Forest || 0 || 102 || 51 || #006633
|-
| Olive || 153 || 153 || 51 || #999933
|-
| Brown || 153 || 102 || 51 || #996633
|-
| Walnut || 102 || 51 || 0 || #663300
|-
| Plum || 102 || 0 || 102 || #660066
|-
| Purple || 153 || 0 || 204 || #9900CC
|-
| Magenta || 255 || 0 || 255 || #FF00FF
|-
| Orange || 255 || 102 || 0 || #FF6600
|-
| Yellow || 255 || 255 || 0 || #FFFF00
|}
== File Preparation ==
* Instructional video here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IyHZIJrU7w Fat Cat Fab Lab's Trotec Speedy 300 Laser Cutter Workflow Instructions]
* There is also a [[Laser_Cutter_Printing_Step-by-Step]] Walk-through guide
=== Drawing Software ===
We use Adobe Illustrator to create laser cutting and etching jobs--it's the preferred choice for Trotec lasers. Other drawing programs can be used, but you'll have to export the files into AI to send them to the laser.
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=== Custom Trotec Laser Color Swatch for Adobe Illustrator ===
You can use this color swatch to streamline your color settings while designing.
Color swatch file for Trotec online here: [https://
You can upload it through the 'Other Library' option on the color palette dropdown menu.
<gallery>
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! Type !! Material !! Considerations / Uses
|-
! rowspan="
| Polyester (PES) ||
|-
| Polyethylene (PE) || Not HDPE foam!
|-
| Polyurethane (PUR) ||
|-
! rowspan="1" | Food
| Gingerbread || Do not eat! Laser cabinet is contaminated!
|-
! rowspan="8" | Paper
| Carbon Paper || Affordable test material for testing etching on black material (ex: slate). See section [[Laser_Cutting#Carbon_Paper_for_Black_Engraving_Tests|Carbon Paper for Black Engraving Tests]].
|-
| Cardboard ||
|-
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| Rubber || For stamps. Johnson Plastics Low Odor Laser Rubber only!
|-
! rowspan="
| Balsa ||
|-
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|-
| Oak ||
|-
| Pine ||
|-
| Plywood ||
|-
| Poplar ||
|-
! rowspan="3" | Tape
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|-
|}
=== Carbon Paper for Black Engraving Tests ===
If you are engraving on black material, i.e. slate, a nice and affordable test material can be carbon paper, so you're not dealing with inverted designs that would occur with regular paper.
10 power, 35 speed brings pretty reliable results for both vectors and images. It is very flimsy, so double-stick tape onto regular paper can be good as well.
Painting black acrylic onto cardstock paper works better for designs with a lot of shading, but is more difficult to deal with in warping.
== Prohibited Materials ==
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| Fiberglass || || Noxious fumes and can't be cut.
|-
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) || ||
|-
| Medium-density Fiberboard (MDF) || ||
|-
| Nylon || ||
|-
| Pleather || Synthetic leather ||
|-
| Polycarbonate/Lexan || PC absorbs IR light. || Cuts poorly and can catch fire.
|-
| Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified (PETG) || || Too smokey and stinky.
|-
| Polypropylene Foam || || Melts and catches fire.
|-
| Polystyrene Foam || || Catches fire.
|-
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) || ||
|-
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) || Includes vinyl, artificial leather, etc. || Possible '''death''' and destroys laser. Releases [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537213/ '''chlorine gas'''] which quickly corrodes optics and metal machine components and also humans
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|-
! Type !! Material !! Source !! Thickness !! Sizes !! Cost !! Location !! Notes
|-
! rowspan="1" | Paper
| Carbon Paper || [https://www.amazon.com/ Amazon] || || || || Online ||
|-
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=== Print job sits in queue (failed to send) or print driver missing from comp, and can't send job to Job Control ===
Are you having trouble with sending laser cut files to Job Control?
Note that large files (lots of lines/shapes) can take some time (~10min+).
FIX: The comps have some weird memory issue... don't use Enhanced Geometries for complicated files! Follow instructions below...
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# Set your cut settings as normal and laser away.
# If successful, pat yourself on the back. If failed, cry, send a message to #laser in Slack and tell everyone you broke the laser.
=== TROTEC Doesn't Appear as Print Option ===
When you go to print and it doesn't show up as an option and won’t send to Job Control...
If you navigate to File > Print > where TROTEC would normally show up as a printer option, it may appear as solely “Adobe PostScript File”.
After restarting the computer, the options may come back, and it still won’t send to job control, and even disappear again?
Then, follow these steps:
# Navigate to TROTEC SERVER 2... (or similar) > USERS > FCFL > DOCUMENTS > JOB CONTROL - JOBS
# Manually delete what’s in the Job Control 'Jobs' folder
This should clear the print queue and allow the print driver to appear again. If you don't see it, try rebooting the computer from here and you should be good.
=== Job Control error "No more room left for jobs" ===
* Make sure your job is smaller than 27" x 17"
* Make sure you're sending your job in the correct orientation.
=== Job Control error "No feedback from exhaust" ===
* When you see this error message, it can help to reset the exhaust unit by holding down the "+" and "-" buttons simultaneously for 3+ seconds on the bottom front of the exhaust unit.
=== Job Control error "No response from engraver" ===
* Full error can be "Check if engraver is connected to the correct COM port and switched on"
* Obviously, make sure the Laser Cutter is on first and try again. If it is already on, check to see if there are TWO tasks (in task manager/bottom Windows task dock) for the Job Control program. If there are, quit/close one and try again.
=== Laser decides not to cut all, or certain vectors ===
* Make sure the lens is facing the right way (beveled edge facing towards you)
* Make sure you don't have overlapping cut lines. This can be caused by using the "Paste in Place" function in Illustrator.
* In Illustrator:
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** Check the dropdown menu in the color tool palette. Confirm that RGB is selected, and not Grayscale or other.
** Select your vectors and bring up the color dialog. Edit menu -> Edit Colors -> RGB
** Any cutting colors, make sure your lines are 0.01 mm or smaller -- the Job control will just ignore thicker lines
* The color Black may not work for cutting, but will work for engraving (really weird)
* Make sure there are no images (png, jpg, etc) in the document with the cut vector.
=== Laser chamber fills with smoke ===
* Check that the air filter is working, by manually toggling the air filter power button. On the airfilter console, this button's icon is a circle with a line through it. If it's not running, stop working and notify the #laser Slack channel or the Board.
=== Laser light not visible during focusing ===
* Check to make sure the lens is not installed backwards. The chamfered edges of the black lens housing should be flush with the chamfered edges of the laser head.
* Unscrew the nozzle cone and make sure it is clean and clear of crusty stuff.
* If the 4" lens is installed, make sure to swap the nozzle cone with the large aperture nozzle cone in the red/white box of laser supplies.
== Maintenance ==
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We have a laser maintenance log. Please fill out log on wall to left of laser (right of woodshop door) whenever any laser maintenance is done (clean lens/mirror, change filters, etc). This helps us see how often laser parts are maintained and helps us pinpoint if any problems are arising over time.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Maintenance Schedule
|-
! !! Component !! Daily !! Weekly !! Monthly !! Other Interval
|-
! rowspan="5" | Laser
| Mirror #3 (on head) || Check. Clean if required. || Clean if required. || ||
|-
| Mirror #2 (right side) || || || Check. Clean if required. ||
|-
| Mirror #1 (in back)|| || || || Check. Clean every 6 months.
|-
| Honey Comb Bed || Check. || || || Replace when worn.
|-
| Laser Tube || || || || Replace ~5 years.
|-
! rowspan="4" | Exhaust System
| Top Filter || || Check. Replace if required. || Replace if required. ||
|-
| Middle Filter || || || || Replace as needed with charcoal change.
|-
| Bottom Filter || || || Check. Replace if required. || Replace as needed.
|-
| Charcoal || || || Replace every 6 months.
|-
|}
=== Lens Cleaning ===
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Lens should be checked daily and cleaned at least once a week, especially by those who cut wood.
Be sure chamfered edges of lens matches laser head chamfers with grooved sides upward when inserting lens.
The lens cleaning fluid can be found in the toolbox on the laser. Refills for the lens cleaning fluid can be found in the closer, on the top-most right-most shelf. It's the Lens Clens #1, red.
=== Mirror Cleaning ===
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Mirror #3 on laser head should be checked daily and cleaned at least every week. (pgs. 49-50)
Mirror #2 (right side of laser, inside panel) should be checked and cleaned every month. (pgs 50-51)
Careful not to scratch it since the reflective mirrored surface is on top (not under glass like bathroom mirrors).
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# Activated charcoal ($550 from Trotec, so we use activated charcoal for aquariums)
# Bottom filter
Replacement Filter Media: [https://products.freudenberg-filter.com/en/detail/8635/filter-mat/a-3-300-s/ Viledon A 3 / 300 S Filter Mat]
Trotec Description:
* "8450 Prefilterset for Active carbon filter" - Part Number 1546 (They'll need to know what size to cut it to--choose largest filter size). But don't buy from them since they charge ~$33 per piece and can be sourced elsewhere for ~$7 per piece. Inquire for a distributor from here: https://products.freudenberg-filter.com/en_US/detail/9481/filter-mats/a3-300-s-filter-mat/
Mistral Manual and Circuit diagram:
[[File:Operating Instructions Mistral (Plus) Eco(Plus) SuperPlus 110 230V v4.10.pdf|thumb|150px|center|Mistral Operating Instructions]]
[[File:Mistral Circuit diagram V1.0.pdf|thumb|150px|center|Mistral Circuit Diagram]]
=== Changing the Top Filter ===
The Top Filter needs to be changed every 2 weeks.
The dimensions for the top filter are labeled on the filter machine.
* Top Filter: 13.5" x 25.5"
* Middle Filter: ?... we'll get around to adding this dimension...
* Bottom Filter: 14.5" x 26.75"
====Items you'll need:====
* New filter of the right size - in a plastic bag to the right of the laser (there are various sizes in there, labeled). Appropriate filter sizes are labeled on the front of the filter box.
* Water-filled spray bottle - usually hanging in the laser room on the paper holder to the left of the woodshop door
* Disposable gloves - above the microwave (at the moment)
* Respirator - hanging on the woodshop door in the laser room
* Small garbage bag - under the kitchen sink (don't use the huge black bags cuz they're expensive)
====Steps:====
# Move the laptop & laser tool box off the filter box and onto the laser
# Remove the gray electric cable at the bottom right side of the filter box (by your feet)
# Pull the filter box towards you about a foot or so until you can reach the black inlet tube (back, top).
# With your hands grab the black tube firmly and with a twisting motion loosen it backwards (it's held in tightly with friction and a duct tape gasket). Once the tube is removed swing it down to the ground to the left of the laser so you can reach it later.
# Pull the filter box all the way forward, being mindful of the thin white thermometer cable running to it and the wall.
# Unclip the two metal clamps at the upper side of the filter box and lift the lid up. The lid hinges follow the left, long side of the filter box.
# The top filter will be visible. Inspect that it isn't completely brown/black, clogged, and dirty. If it is, then it should be changed. If the log shows it hasn't been changed within the past 2-4 weeks, it's probably overdue.
# Put on disposable gloves and a respirator.
# Spray the top of the filter with the water spray bottle. It doesn't need to be soaking, just damp is fine. The idea is to wet the dust so it stays put as you handle the filter.
# Lift the top filter frame out of the filter box and get the garbage bag ready.
# Starting at a short end of the frame, pull the filter material out of the edges of the frame and roll the filter up as you go.
# Put the dirtied filter in the garbage bag and tie it up. Put that garbage bag into the big trash can in the main lab.
# Selecting the correct filter size, lay the filter material down in the frame '''with the blue ink lettering downward'''. When it's in the correct orientation there will be no wording visible to you.
# Carefully snug the edges of the filter all around the filter frame to make a tight seal. There shouldn't be a way for air to pass through the frame without going through filter material. Any air gaps here will cause a problem.
# Place the filter frame back into the top of the filter box with the fresh white filter material side facing up.
# Close the lid and relatch the clamps.
# Push the filter box back halfway, reach down and grab the black inlet tube, and with a twisting motion, re-insert it into the back top of the filter box lid. This might be a little cumbersome to do but you'll get it. It's seated all the way when it mostly butts with the enlarged portion of the tube.
# Push the filter box back all the way, being mindful of the thin white thermometer cable and other cabling behind the filter box.
# Re-insert the gray electric cable at the bottom right of the machine (the one by your feet you pulled out earlier).
# Place the laptop and tool box back onto the filter box.
# '''Record on the Maintenance Log''' on the wall: Date / "Top filter changed" / Your Name.
=== Air Filter Fan Replacement ===
The filter fan sometimes dies. It can be repaired but is a complete pain in the ass and may require a bearing puller for bearing replacement (we made one). It needs to be replaced with "8450 TURBINE (CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING BRUSHLESS) 115V" which is Part Number 85920 (TRO-900533, ~$870 to ~$1508) from Trotec.
The Trotec part is actually a Domel fan supplied by Aigner (aigner.at), but we were unsuccessful finding a way for Domel to sell to us directly.
Sometimes when the fan 'dies' it's actually because it needs to be cleaned. This is due to the filters being changed an insufficient amount and the fan getting clogged.
=== Replace Honeycomb Bed ===
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|}
=== Vacuum underneath Laser ===
This vacuum can clog easily, so please don't use it to vacuum large items! If it isn't working, please check to make sure it isn't clogged and that the vacuum bag isn't full.
== Laser Lab Setup ==
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The JobControl executable on each of the laser computers (not laser laptop) should be renamed (ex: ?_bk.exe) to prevent the executable from loading when "printing" a job from Adobe Illustrator.
== Laser Maintenance Log Sheet ==
Replacement Laser Maintenance Log Sheets can be found here:
[[File:Laser Maintenance Log Sheet.pdf|thumb|center|175px|Laser Maintenance Log Sheet]]
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