Laser Cutter
Create your design in a vector based or raster based software. (Illustrator, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Paint) Your design may encompass both elements
When your design is finished, move it to the machine next to the laser cutter on a flash drive.
First, open the Retina Engrave Software.
Then, open the design in the software and click File / Print and select the Full Spectrum Laser.
Turn on the laser and accessories. There are several things you MUST make sure are turned on.
1. Check the bucket of DISTILLED water. It should be covering the pump and the other line should be in the water - not at the bottom nor at the top of the water.
2. Turn on the power strip. That turns on the air filter, the water filter and the laser cutter.
3. Turn on the laser cutter with the big red switch. Press and turn clockwise. You should see the initialization screen.
4. Turn on the filtration unit. The switch is on the bottom left. Then press the red blinking button on the front to turn on the fan.
Put your material to be cut or etched into the laser cutter. The max size is 12 x 20.
Make sure the laser is showing an IP address. Home the laser.
Check the focal length of the laser.
Make sure the software is showing the same IP address as the laser cutter and that it says homed. This information is at the bottom left corner of the screen.
The laser homes to the top left corner. So use the jog keys to move the laser to the top left corner of your design. Click the perimeter test button to make sure the laser will have enough room to cut.
Check the power and speed settings for the material you will be cutting from the chart. Set your parameters on the software for either raster, vector, or both depending on the job.
It is best practice to etch first, then cut. You may need to cut 2 or 3 passes depending on your material.
Safety: You can get welder's eye from watching the cutting if you watch it too long.
The fire blanket is to the side on the right.
Immediately press the big red button if you start a fire.
Once your cut is finished, turn off all equipment, log off of the computer.