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Laser Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
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Below we attempt to answer some of the most frequenty asked questions about lasers, how they work, and about Epilog Laser.
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Q: How do I send a job to the laser?
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Setup Your Page
Create a new page in your graphic software and set the page size to match the size of the piece you will be engraving. |
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Import Your Image
Open the image your customer has sent you. It can be in any graphic format - the higher the quality, the better the engraving will turn out! |
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Add Text
Add any text you want to include and finish your design just like you would if printing the image to paper. |
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Print to the Laser
Send your image to the laser. In the print driver you will select the laser parameters you want to use, or select a preset material setting from Epilog's extensive database.
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And Start Engraving
Select your file at the laser, put your engraving material in the machine, shut the door, and press GO. The laser will do the rest! |
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Q: How much do the laser systems cost?
The Epilog Zing 16 Laser - 30 watt starts at $7,995 (US Price Only), a small investment for such a powerful piece of machinery. You can even lease to own the laser with payments of about $150 a month (with approved credit). It doesn't take a lot of engraving to cover $150 lease payments.
The cost of the laser systems are determined by speed (stepper vs. servo motors), engraving table size, and laser wattage (ranging from 30 to 120 watts) and range from $7,995 to $45,000. If you'd like help determining which laser is right for your application and to receive pricing information, call us at 888-437-4564 or fill out our request form. |
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Q: Can I make money with a laser?
Yes! Personalization and customization of products is in high demand. Adding a laser engraving service to your current operation is an excellent way to reach possible new customers as well as offer a valued service to your current client base. If you have any doubts about the profitability of owning a CO2 laser
system, visit our applications page. Take a look at www.laserbits.com, a supplier of laserable materials. There you will find purchase prices and suggested prices for an array of laserable materials.
Also check out our new Start Your Own Engraving and Cutting Business Guide to see the ins and outs of starting a laser business.
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Q: What software do I need to get started?
The laser works like a printer, so you can use most Windows-based graphic
design software programs (such as CorelDRAW, Adobe products, or AutoCad.) Design your
artwork the way you want it to appear on your sample and send it through our print driver, just as if you were printing a document.
If you're looking for a low cost, easy to use graphic sofware program, CorelDRAW is an excellent choice.
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Q: How long does it take to learn to use the laser?
If you know how to use graphic design software, you can be up and running in minutes. It will take a bit of trial and error to learn what power and speeds to use with different materials, but we include a comprehensive guide with your system that has recommended powers and speeds for various materials with which you will be working.
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Q: What types of graphics can I engrave and cut?
You can engrave scanned photos, logos, bitmaps, other images, text, AutoCad files. Essentially, if you can print it, you can engrave it. To cut, you will need a vector based
graphic, such as an .eps or Illustrator file. Keep in mind the higher the quality of the graphic you're working with, the better your results.
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Q: Can Epilog's lasers engrave on metal?
Yes. While our CO2 laser systems can
engrave and cut most non-metallic or coated metal materials, our newest system, the FiberMark, was designed to permanently mark all types of metal. The FiberMark was designed with a combination of affordability and high quality, and features a 24-inch by 12-inch engraving area. The flat bed, flying optics design is revolutionary for a fiber laser system and will mark metals over a large work area in a short amount of time. Click here to learn more about the FiberMark!
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Q: Can Epilog's lasers cut metal?
Since we use a low power CO2 (30 to 120 watts) and fiber lasers (10 to 50 watts) the beam will clearly mark on a coated and raw metals, but will not cut through them.
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Q: Is the laser safe to operate?
Yes, the laser is completely safe to operate. It is a Class 2 laser - 1 mW CW MAXIMUM 600-700 nm, which
means that the laser is secured with interlock devices so it will not run
with the doors of the system open. No special safety gear is required to run the
laser.
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Q: How much does it cost to operate the laser?
The cost of operating the laser can be easily figured out by plugging your electricity rates into the following formula:
Legend 36EXT - 120 watt laser
Typical Max power consumption = 1560 Watts (This assumes full power, constant laser on.) If power costs $0.075/KWH in your area, it is costing $0.117/hour to operate the laser. Or, about 12 cents per hour, or 96 cents per eight hour day. (1560 x .075)/1000 = .117
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Q: Do I need separate laser systems for engraving and cutting?
No, one laser does it all! Our Legend EXT, Helix, Mini and Zing systems will engrave and cut most non-metallic
materials, as well as engrave coated metals. (For
information on what materials you can engrave
and cut, see our materials section.) The laser can be set to engrave only, cut only or in a combined mode. The laser knows what to engrave and what to cut based on line width, which is easily set.
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Q: What are the computer requirements?
Investing in a new computer is a great way to make sure you’re getting the most out of your new laser equipment. Why? Because today’s software requires a lot of computer processing speed and memory to function properly. A good computer won’t make a huge difference in how your laser runs, but when compared to a slow computer it will save untold amounts of time and frustration setting up the artwork that you “print” to the laser. Many users do not purchase new computers for use with their new laser because their current computers are perfectly adequate. There’s no magical cut-off that makes a computer too slow. If you’re comfortable with the performance and speed of your current computer, there’s probably no reason to purchase another one. The following recommendations are just advice to consider if a new computer is necessary.
A new computer doesn’t have to be expensive to work great! Even many of today’s lower cost computers work well for laser applications. As long as you don’t buy the cheapest computer you can find you should be fine. One thing to avoid is the Intel Celeron processor – while they are good processors, and will work with the laser, they don’t process graphics with the speed most laser users desire.
Operating System
Any Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or 7 operating system is recommended. All new Epilog lasers are designed to work with the latest Windows operating systems, and all of the versions of 2000 or XP (Home, Professional, etc.) and Vista are compatible for use with your Epilog laser.
RAM - Random Access Memory
512 MB is recommended. RAM is kind of like short-term memory. It’s fast, readily available for the computer to access and makes time consuming tasks go much quicker if you have lots of it. Most users won’t notice a difference if they add more than 512 MB to their system, but almost all uses will notice the speed difference that 512 MB provides when compared to 256 MB (256 MB is kind of the next step down from 512 MB).
Processor Speed
A faster processor will allow you to do more tasks in less time. While it’s not necessary to purchase the fastest processor available, you’ll want either an AMD Athalon processor or an Intel Pentium IV processor (do not purchase a computer that is using an Intel Celeron processor – they’re too slow for graphics applications). Processor speeds are always improving, but processor speeds of about 2.0 GHz or faster are a good place to start.
10/100 Network Interfact Card (NIC)
All new computers have a 10/100 network connection as standard equipment. As well as allowing multiple computers to be linked together in a network, this technology also allows direct printing from the computer to the Epilog Mini. Epilog supplies a network Crossover cable with each laser system that allows one computer to print to a single Epilog Mini system.
20-30 GB Hard Drive
This is the permanent memory in your computer. Many users feel that you can never have a large enough hard drive, but for most laser applications 20 or 30 GB’s is going to be adequate for years of storage. Luckily, most computer manufacturers put at least 20 GB drives in new computers these days. When in doubt, buy bigger than you think you might need. It’s so inexpensive that it’s worth the peace of mind to have it available.
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Q: What is the maximum table weight of each machine?
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Lifting: |
| Epilog Zing 16 and 24 |
50 lbs (22.7 kg) |
25 lbs (11.5 kg) |
| Epilog Mini 18 and 24 |
50 lbs (22.7 kg) |
25 lbs (11.5 kg) |
| Epilog Helix 24 |
70 lbs (32 kg) |
30 lbs (14 kg) |
| Epilog Legend 36EXT |
90 lbs (41 kg) |
45 lbs (21 kg) |
| FiberMark |
200 lbs (90.7 kg) |
80 lbs (36.3 kg) |
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Q: What is the repeatability of the CO2 laser systems?
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Q: What is the accuracy of the CO2 laser systems?
- Mini/Helix: +/- .01" (0.254 mm) over the entire table
- Legend 36EXT: adjustable to +/- .003" (.0762 mm) over the entire table
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Q: What is the wavelength of the laser tubes?
- CO2: 10.6 microns
- FiberMark: 1064 nanometers
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Q: What is the spot size of the laser systems?
- CO2: 0.003" - 0.005" (0.0762 - 0.127 mm)
- FiberMark: .000339" (.0086 mm)
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Can you cut or engrave polycarbonate with a laser system?
Cutting: Thin sheets of polycarbonate can be cut with our CO2 laser systems, but tends to discolor when heated by the laser beam. The thinner the sheet you are cutting, the better the cutting results you will obtain. If you would like us to test your sheet of polycarbonate, please contact our Applications Lab.
Engraving: Most colored polycarbonates can be marked with our FiberMark metal and plastic marking system. To test your material, please contact our Applications Lab.
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Q: Will you test my materials on the laser?
Do you have a material you would like to test with our lasers? Our applications lab is available to help determine if an Epilog Laser is the right tool for your application. Our team of specialists will provide an applications analysis, product and material testing, and an applications report. For more information, visit our Applications Lab. |
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Q: What Materials are Unsafe to Engrave with the Laser?
Hydrogen Chloride and Vinyl Chloride (mostly found in PVC and other man made materials) are hazardous to the life of your laser system. Engraving and cutting these materials can cause irreversible damage to your machine, so determining the components of your cutting and engraving materials is extremely important. Materials, such as Kydex, contain PVC.
Material Safety Data Sheet
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide you the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. These documents contain the elements used to make up the material and will indicate whether or not it contains elements that are potentially harmful to your engraving system.
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Q: What is the maximum diameter that will fit on the Rotary Attachment for each system?
- Epilog Zing 24: 5.25"
- Epilog Mini 18: 3"
- Epilog Mini 24: 5"
- Epilog Helix: 8"
- Legend 36EXT: 11"
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Didn't find the answer to your question?
Email us or give us a call at 888-437-4564 (toll free in the US) or +1-303-277-1188. We're happy to supply all the answers you're looking for.
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