Omtech Cabinet Laser Engraver User Manual (USB-0604-U0)
Omtech Cabinet Laser Engraver User Manual (USB-0604-U0)
USB460c
Cabinet Laser Engraver
User Manual
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1.2 Symbol Guide
The following symbols are used on this machine’s labeling or in this manual:
These items address similarly serious concerns with regard to the laser beam.
These items address similarly serious concerns with regard to electrical components.
Protective eyewear should be worn by anyone around this machine during operation.
This product contains electrical components that should not be disposed of with regular garbage.
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1.4 Technical Specifications
Model USB460c
Rated Power 60 W
Workbed Blades 16
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1.5 Components
I H
D J K
C E L
F
G
Q
M R S
N P
O O
P
O
W X
YZ
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Main Parts
A. Cover—The cover provides access to the main bay for placing and retrieving materials, as well as fixing the laser
path alignment and other maintenance. Power to the laser is automatically cut when the cover is opened.
B. Viewing Window—The polycarbonate window is shielded to protect you and others from the laser and its
reflection, allowing monitoring of the engraving process. However, you should never stare continuously at the
laser during operation, even through the window.
C. Y-Axis Rail—The Y-axis rail supports the movement of the X-axis rail up and down the workbed.
D. X-Axis Rail—The X-axis rail supports the movement of the laser head left and right across the workbed. It also
holds the 2nd mirror and the LED light that illuminates the workbed for a clear view of materials before, during,
and after engraving.
E. Laser Head—The laser head holds the 3rd mirror, the focus lens, the red dot guidance, and the air assist outlet.
F. Workbed—The workbed can be adjusted in height to fit thinner and thicker materials, as well as adjusted between
the aluminum and honeycomb platforms. This is also where the accessories pack is located when the engraver first
arrives.
G. Workbed Adjustment Knob—This knob allows manual raising and lowering of the workbed along the Z-axis.
H. Warnings—These notices supplement the Safety Information chapter of this manual. Read them carefully before
using the machine.
I. Ammeter—This gauge shows the amount of current being used by the laser tube in milliamps (mA).
J. Laser Key—This key controls the power supply to your laser tube.
K. Emergency Stop—Pushing this button cuts all power to the laser tube immediately in the event of an emergency.
Release it during startup to turn on your engraver’s control panel, exhaust fan, LED light, air assist, and cabinet
sockets. Turn it on before the laser key and turn it off after.
L. Control Panel—The control panel offers hands-on control of the engraving process, including manual movement
of the laser head and firing of the laser.
M. Front Pass-Through Door—This door opens to allow larger pieces of material to be fed through the workbed.
Additional care must be taken to avoid seeing or suffering exposure to the laser beam and its reflection.
N. Front Access Door—This door provides access to the area below the workbed for easy cleanup.
O. Caster Wheels—The front wheels include locks to hold the engraver in place.
P. Feet—These feet can be rotated down to help anchor the machine in place.
Q. Connection Inputs—This panel includes the ports for the machine’s USB, computer, and internet connections.
R. Right Access Door—This door provides access to the mainboard, motor drivers, and power supplies. Its vents
keep components from overheating during prolonged use and should not be obstructed.
S. Power Sockets—These sockets connect to your main power supply, ground the machine, and provide an additional
socket for your water pump if needed. It is recommended, however, to use a separate plug on a different fuse for
your water cooling system.
T. Top Rear Access Door—This door opens to the laser bay, holding the laser tube and its connections.
U. Laser Tube—This long glass tube is filled with helium, nitrogen, and CO₂ gas and water cooled to safely produce
your engraving laser. Its connection to the laser power supply is extremely high voltage and extremely dangerous.
V. Rear Pass-Through Door—This door is the rear equivalent of the front pass-through door and requires similar
care during use.
W. Lower Left Rear Access Door—This door provides access to the same area as the right access door.
X. Exhaust Fan—This fan pulls out gases and airborne debris from the worktable, sending it through your vent to a
window or air purifier.
Y. Water Ports—These ports connect to your water pump or chiller to keep your laser tube cool and stable.
Z. Air Intake—This port connects to your air assist to provide its pressurized air.
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B
A
C
D
E
F
Laser Path
A. Laser Tube—This CO₂-filled glass tube is mounted on D. 3rd Mirror—This adjustable-angle mirror moves
brackets and immobile. Its connection to the laser power with the laser head to allow the laser beam to travel
supply is extremely high voltage and extremely dangerous. along the X axis.
B. 1st Mirror—This adjustable-angle mirror is fixed in E. Focus Lens—This 12 mm lens directs and focuses
place to transfer the engraving laser from the tube to the the laser to the material.
2nd mirror.
F. Workbed—The bare workbed can be adjusted in
C. 2nd Mirror—This adjustable-angle mirror moves with the height or fitted with aluminum or honeycomb tables
X-axis rail to allow the laser beam to travel along the Y axis. for different projects.
Laser Head
A. 3rd Mirror—This adjustable-angle mirror transfers the laser from
the 2nd mirror to the focus lens.
A B. X-Axis Rail—This rail moves along the Y axis, with its movement
controlled by limit switches.
C. Red Dot Pointer—This device helps you see the exact position of
B the invisible engraving laser.
D. Focus Lens—This 12 mm lens directs and focuses the laser beam
to its point of contact with the engraving material.
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Connection Inputs
A. USB Port—This port allows you to load and save designs and parameters
directly onto the engraver.
A B. USB Line Port—This port connects to your control computer and its engraving
B software using any of its USB ports.
C. Ethernet Port—This port connects to your control computer and its software
either directly or via the internet.
C
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Control Console
Manually fires the laser. Moves the laser head along the X and Y
axes or moves the cursor when selecting
parameters.
Stops the current work.
Controls a rotary axis or automatic
Automatically focuses the lens when a feed when one is installed.
motorized Z axis is installed.
Traces the outline of the current design Controls the pressurized air near the
for sizing. laser head.
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Console Screen
B C
A D
I H G
A. Graphic Display Area: Shows the whole file’s track and the running track.
B. Version Number: Displays the version numbers of the panel and motherboard.
C. System Time: Displays the current system time.
D. Parameter Display Area: Displays the running file’s file number, speed, max power, etc.
E. Coordinate Display Area: Displays the current coordinates of the laser head.
F. Layer Display Area: Displays the layer parameters of current or previewed files. Parameters from left to right are
layer number, color, speed, and maximum power.
G. Frame Size of Processing: Displays the dimensions of the current file.
H. Number of Pieces: Shows the count of completed runs of the current file.
I. System Status: Displays the current status of the machine: Idle, Running, Paused, or Finished. The processing time
is shown on the right side.
J. Processing Progress Bar: Displays the progress of the current file.
When the system is idle or the work is finished, all the buttons are used. Users can process the file, set the parameters,
preview their file, etc. When the work is running or paused, some buttons will not work (e.g., Origin and Frame).
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2. Safety Information
2.1 Disclaimer
Your engraver may differ somewhat from those shown in this manual due to options, updates, etc. Please contact
us if your engraving machine came with an outdated manual or if you have any other questions.
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2.3 Laser Safety Instructions
When used as instructed, this machine comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However, the
invisible engraving laser, the laser tube, and its electrical connections remain EXTREMELY dangerous. Used or modified
without care, they can cause serious property damage and personal injury including but not limited to the following:
• The laser will easily burn nearby combustible materials
• Some working materials may produce radiation or harmful gases during processing
• Direct exposure to the laser will cause bodily harm including serious burns and irreparable
eye damage
As such,
• DO NOT modify or disable this device's provided safety features. Do not modify or disassemble the laser and
do not use the laser if it has been modified or disassembled by anyone except trained and skilled professionals.
Dangerous radiation exposure and other injury may result from the use of adjusted, modified, or otherwise
incompatible equipment.
• NEVER leave any part of the cabinet open during operation except (when needed) the pass-through doors.
Never interfere with the laser beam, do not place any part of your body in any part of the laser path during
operation, and never attempt to view the laser directly. When using the pass-through doors or otherwise
risking exposure to the laser beam, take measures to protect yourself from potentially reflected laser beams
including the use of personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear specially designed to filter the
specific wavelength of your engraver's laser with an optical density (OD) of 5+.
• DO NOT stare or allow others to stare continuously at the laser beam during operation even when the cover
is closed and/or wearing protective eyewear. Exercise caution with the red dot positioning light as well, as its
direct beam is a Class 2 laser in its own right.
• ONLY use this engraver if its automatic shutoffs are working properly. When you first get this engraver and
if you subsequently notice any problems, test them (see below) before undertaking any other work. Do not
continue use if the shutoffs do not occur. Turn off the device and contact customer service or your repair
service. Never disable these shutoffs.
• DO NOT ever under ANY circumstances use this laser engraver if the water cooling system is not working
properly. Always activate the water cooling system and visually confirm that water is flowing through the
entire system before turning on the laser tube. If using the provided water pump, ensure that it is placed in a
tank full of cool or tepid distilled water. Do not use ice water or water that has become hotter than 100°F
(38°C). For best results, keep it between 60–70°F (15–21°C). Replace heated water or add sealed bottles of
frozen water to cool it, while never allowing the system to run without water or allowing the water to become
colder than 50°F (10°C). Immediately stop use if the water cooling system malfunctions.
• DO NOT use generic coolant or antifreeze in your cooling water, as they may leave corrosive residues and
solidify inside your hoses and piping, causing malfunctions and even explosions. Use custom laser-safe
formulations or use and store your engraver in a climate-controlled area.
• DO NOT leave potentially combustible, flammable, explosive, or corrosive materials nearby where they
could be exposed to the direct or reflected laser beam.
• DO NOT use or leave sensitive EMI equipment nearby. Ensure the area around the laser is free of strong
electromagnetic interference during any use.
• ONLY use this machine for working the materials described in the Material Safety section of this manual.
The laser settings and engraving process must be properly adjusted for specific materials.
• Ensure the area is kept free of other airborne pollutants, as these might pose a similar risk of reflection,
combustion, etc.
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2.4 Electrical Safety Instructions
• ONLY use this device with a compatible and stable power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage.
• DO NOT connect other devices to the same fuse, as the laser system will require its full amperage. Do not use
with standard extension cords or power strips. Use only surge protectors rated over 2000J.
• ONLY turn on the power to this device when it is well grounded, either via a firm connection to
a 3-prong outlet or via a dedicated grounding cable firmly connected to the proper slot on the
cabinet. Do not use with an ungrounded 3 to 2 prong adapter. The device's grounding should be
checked regularly for any damage to the line or loose connections.
• The area around this laser engraving device should be kept dry, well ventilated, and environmentally controlled to keep
the ambient temperature between 40–95°F (5–35°C). For best results, keep the temperature at 75°F (25°C) or
below. The ambient humidity should not exceed 70%.
• Do not handle the water pump or the water in which it is submerged while the pump is attached to its power
supply. Place it in water before connecting it to power and disconnect it from power before removing it.
• Adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the electrical components of this device must be done ONLY by trained
and skilled professionals to avoid fires and other malfunctions, including potential radiation exposure from damage
to the laser components. Because specialized techniques are required for testing the electrical components of this
marking system, it is recommended such testing only be done by the manufacturer, seller, or repair service.
• Unless otherwise specified, ONLY undertake adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the device when it is turned
off, disconnected from its power supply, and fully cooled.
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This machine can be safely used with the following materials:
Plastics
• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.)
• Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET, Mylar, Polyester, etc.)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG, PET-G, etc.)
• Polyimide (PI, Kapton, etc.)
• Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, etc.)
• Polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal, Delrin, etc.)
• Polypropylene (PP, etc.)
• Styrene
Other
• Cardboard
• Ceramics, including Dishes, Tile, etc.
• Glass
• Leather
• Paper & Paperboard
• Rubber
• Stone, including Marble, Granite, etc.
• Textiles, including Cotton, Suede, Felt, Hemp, etc.
• Wood, including Cork, MDF, Plywood, Balsa, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Poplar, etc.
See §4.3 for the recommended parameters for the most commonly engraved materials.
This machine CANNOT be used with the following materials or with any materials which include them:
• Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI]), due to its toxic fumes
• Astatine, due to its toxic fumes
• Beryllium Oxide, due to its toxic fumes
• Bromine, due to its toxic fumes
• Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Cintra, etc.), due to its toxic
fumes
• Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylenes (Teflon, PTFE, etc.), due to its toxic fumes
• Iodine, due to its toxic fumes
• Metals, due to their conductivity and reflectivity
• Phenolic Resins, including various forms of Epoxy, due to their toxic fumes
• Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan, etc.), due to its toxic fumes
For all other materials, if you are unsure about its safety or laserability with this device, seek out its material safety data
sheet (MSDS). Pay especial attention to information about safety, toxicity, corrosiveness, reflectivity, and reaction(s) to
high heat. Alternatively, contact our support department for further guidance.
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3. Installation
3.1 Installation Overview
A complete working system consists of the laser engraving cabinet, its vent, a water tank (not included) with a pump
(included), all applicable connection cables, and the laser and access keys. The cabinet can use designs provided by the
enclosed engraving software by direct or internet connection with your computer; it can also engrave designs loaded
directly from a flash drive. Users can configure other additional accessories (such as an industrial water chiller, fume
extractor, or rotary axis) to suit their needs.
Use only the hardware, wiring, and power sources that came with or are compatible with this device.
Installing equipment that your device is not designed to work with can lead to poor performance,
shortened service time, increased maintenance costs, property damage, and personal injury.
Please note the specific requirements of your system's installation. Every customer must understand these notes before
installation to execute a proper setup and achieve safe laser performance. If you have any installation questions or
problems, contact our technicians and customer support team.
Any auxiliary equipment must be adjusted to the base machine. Queries may be directed to the dealer or manufacturer
of such equipment.
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Step 3. Retrieve the access keys next to the laser head and take out the accessories pack from the workbed. Check that
you have received all of the following: a power cord, a ground wire, USB and Ethernet cables, a USB flash
drive with engraving software included, a water pump and water piping, an exhaust pipe with a hose clamp, a
set of hex wrenches, a tube of silicone sealant, an acrylic focusing tool, keys, and this manual.
Step 4. CAREFULLY remove the rest of the foam packaging material from around the laser tube, the viewing
window, and the rest of the machine. The laser tube is a highly fragile object and should be handled delicately
and as little as possible.
Step 5. Inside the main bay, remove the nylon cable ties from the X axis and the honeycomb table.
Step 6. You may keep the packaging in case of future return but, if you dispose of it or any accessories, be sure to do
so in compliance with applicable waste disposal regulations.
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3.5 Water Cooling Installation
The provided water pump is essential to your engraver's performance and longevity. When this laser works
without a properly maintained cooling system, its glass tube WILL explode from excess heat.
NEVER touch or adjust your engraver's water supply while the pump is connected to power.
To install your pump, fill a dedicated tank with at least 2 gallons (7.5 L) of distilled water. Using deionized or tap water
will gradually degrade the quality of your engraver and may even cause dangerous mineral buildup in the cooling
system. NEVER use generic antifreeze for the same reason. Use custom laser-safe formulations or store your engraver
in a climate-controlled area.
Connect the two hoses that came with your engraver to the water inlet and water outlet on the back of your engraver.
Attach the other end of the inlet tube directly to your pump and completely submerge the pump in your water tank. Place
the outlet tube into the tank in such a way that the returning water flows into the tank without splashing or other prob-
lems.
Connect the water pump to its power supply. For best results, use a power outlet on a separate fuse from the engraver
itself. If no such outlet is available, the pump can also be plugged into a dedicated socket located on the side of the
engraving cabinet. Once the pump is plugged in, water should begin to run through your machine and back into your
tank. ALWAYS obtain visual confirmation that the water is flowing through the laser tube before starting your laser.
NEVER allow the water in the tank to become too hot to cool the laser. Install a thermal alarm or periodically check the
water's temperature during prolonged use. If the water begins to reach 100°F (38°C), replace it with cooler water. Either
replace it in stages or turn off the laser during this process: never allow the laser to operate without a constant flow of
cooling water. It is also possible to add sealed bottles of frozen water to your tank to keep the water cool but never allow
the water to become ice cold itself, as this could shatter the heated glass CO₂ tube as well.
As an alternative to manually adjusting the water in your tank, you may also use an industrial water chiller to supply
temperature-controlled water to your machine. Follow its separate manual and again, for best results, plug it into a
separate fuse from the engraver itself. Remember to connect the chiller's outlet port with the engraver's inlet port and to
connect the chiller's inlet with the engraver's outlet.
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3.6 Exhaust System
Install the provided exhaust pipe directly onto the fan. The pipe can be expanded to a full length of about 5 feet (1.5 m).
The other end should be connected to a dedicated purifier or (if the fumes are not hazardous and meet local and national
air safety standards) placed out a window. NEVER operate the laser if the vent is not purifying or removing the fumes
produced by the target material. Research materials before use and never operate the laser on any (such as PVC, teflon,
and other halogen-containing substances) that can produce corrosive, hazardous, or even deadly fumes.
Fluctuation along the line should be less than 5%. If this is exceeded, the fuses will blow. They are located in the
connection socket and are accessible from the exterior. Similarly, do not connect this device to standard extension cords
or power strips. Connect it directly to a grounded outlet or use a surge protector rated over 2000J.
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3.9 Initial Testing
Emergency Shutoff
Because of the risk of fire and other hazards during engraving, this engraver includes a large and easy-to-reach emergency
stop button near the control panel. Press it down to stop the laser tube instantly.
When your engraver arrives, its e-stop is already pressed for safety reasons and must be pulled up to allow the laser to
function. You should test that it works properly before conducting ANY other work with your machine. Start the water
cooling system, place a piece of laserable scrap material on the workbed, close the cover, and press PULSE to fire the
laser. Hit the emergency stop button and observe whether the laser stops instantly. If the laser continues to fire, the emer-
gency stop is not working and must be replaced before the engraver can be used. Turn off the machine and contact
customer service.
After ensuring that the emergency stop button works, you should also test that the cover shutoff works properly before
conducting any other work on your machine. Start the water cooling system, place a piece of laserable scrap material on
the workbed, close the cover, and press PULSE to fire the laser. Release the button. Taking care not to expose yourself
to seeing or being hit by any possible reflected laser light, open the cover as little as possible and attempt to fire the laser
again. If the laser fires, the automatic shutoff is not working and must be repaired before the engraver can be used. Turn
off the machine and contact customer service.
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Water Shutoff
Because of the danger posed by an uncooled laser tube, this engraver also shuts off the laser automatically when the
water cooling system malfunctions.
After ensuring that the emergency stop button and cover protection both work, you should also test that the water shutoff
works properly before conducting any other work on your machine. Start the water cooling system, place a piece of
laserable scrap material on the workbed, close the cover, and press PULSE to fire the laser. Release the button. Cut off
the flow of water by crimping or tying the two hoses, taking care not to damage the hoses themselves in this procedure.
Attempt to fire the laser again. If the laser fires, the automatic shutoff is not working and must be repaired before the
engraver can be used. Turn off the machine and contact customer service. If the laser does not fire, the automatic shutoff
is working fine; simply release the two hoses to begin circulating water again and continue setting up your engraver.
Air Assist
Your air assist should arrive preinstalled and correctly wired. Simply check that it is correctly configured and connected
as shown. If any tubing or wiring needs to be reconnected, shut off all power to the machine before adjusting anything.
Check that its air intake filter is in place, clean, and not obstructed by any nearby objects.
3.10 Security
For your own safety and that of passersby, this engraver can be locked shut using the provided key. It is recommended
that you use it to lock the machine between sessions, preventing any unauthorized operation of the machine.
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4. Operation
4.1 Operation Overview
Operate this laser marking machine only in accordance with all the instructions provided in this manual. Failure to
follow the proper guidelines detailed here can result in property damage and personal injury.
This section will address only some of the options and features provided by the operation software. Before beginning to
use the machine, make sure that you have read this entire manual (particularly the Safety Information above), the
separate software manual, and any and all warnings provided on the machine itself.
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Power 20% 30% 40% 50% 65–75% 80% 90% 100%
Current 4 mA 5 mA 7 mA 10 mA 16 mA 19 mA 20 mA 23 mA
The threshold for the lowest setting is 10%. The laser will not fire at any setting lower than this. It is NOT
recommended to use the laser tube at full capacity, especially for extended periods. The recommended
maximum power setting is 70%, as prolonged use above that amount will shorten your laser's service life.
To increase engraving depth, increase the amount of energy per unit area by increasing the laser's power
or the number of loops or by slowing down the speed parameter. Engraving too deep, however, reduces
image quality, especially for coated materials.
When working with new materials, remember that you should always start on the low end of likely settings. If
the effect is not yet strong enough, you can always rerun the design loop several times or rerun it with more
powerful settings until you create the effect that you want.
Resolution should usually be set to 500 dots per inch. Reducing your image resolution can be helpful in some
cases, reducing flaming and increasing the energy of the pulse in a way that improves the quality of the resultant
image in some materials such as some plastics.
Step 9. Turn on the laser tube by inserting and turning your laser key. To reduce the risk of electric shock, once the laser tube
is on, try to touch the engraver with only one hand at a time.
Step 10. Press RUN/PAUSE to engrave your design. Again, do not stare continuously at the laser even through the
protective polycarbonate window. Watch for possible issues like sparks or fires, however, and be prepared to
quickly extinguish a fire if necessary.
Step 11. Once the laser has stopped, examine the quality of your first run and adjust the laser parameters on the
control panel or in your software as necessary to create the desired effect.
During repetitive engraving and cutting, periodically check your pump’s tank to maintain a water temperature
below 100°F (38°C). If this temperature is reached, stop work and allow your engraver to cool before further use.
Step 12. When you have finished engraving, close your engraving software and then turn off your machine in the
following order: the laser power supply (by removing your laser key from the control panel), the control
system (by pushing down the emergency power button), any ventilation device, and—after providing some
time for your tube to cool—the water cooling system.
Step 13. Fully clean the workbed, emptying any debris from the lower bay.
Step 14. For best results, lock and disconnect your laser engraver from its power supply between uses. Unplug it or
turn off its intermediary surge protector.
Leather
Description Acrylic Glass Tile/Stone Wood
Natural
Speed 300 mm/s 200 mm/s 375 mm/s 400 mm/s 145 mm/s 180 mm/s
60 W
Power 20% 19% 17% 16% 19% 20%
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Ceramics
When engraving on ceramics, generally use moderate to high power. Using more loops rather than higher power and
lower speed can help avoid cracking the material during work. Be mindful of the health risk posed by dust generated
from ceramic engraving, especially for repetitive industrial applications. Depending on the material and the amount of
work, a fan or even full ventilation system may be required to address the problem. Similarly, operators and others in
the work area may need to use breathing PPE such as masks and respirators.
Glass
When engraving glass, generally use high power and low speed. As with ceramics, it can be helpful to run more loops
at lower settings to avoid cracks. Care must be taken when engraving fiberglass and carbon fiber to avoid combinations
of settings that produce a laser intensity great enough to damage the structural integrity of its component fibers,
producing blurry marking. PPE should be worn to avoid exposure of the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin to the dust
produced by working with either material, especially for repetitive industrial applications. Clothing worn while work-
ing with fiberglass should be washed separately afterwards.
Leather
When engraving leather products, generally use low to moderate power at high speed. Natural leather should be
engraved slightly slower and at slightly higher power than artificial leather. Be especially attentive to the possibility of
fire, as well as the dust produced in repetitive applications.
Description 1/16 in. 1/8 in. 1/4 in. 1/2 in. 3/4 in.
Metal
CO₂ laser engravers should not be used for marking, engraving, or cutting metal. They are best suited for working
coatings applied to a metal base, and care must be taken not to attempt work on the underlying metal itself. A variety
of coatings specialized for CO₂ engraving are available, and the user should follow the instructions provided as the
parameters vary from product to product and metal to metal. Generally, work on aluminum coatings should be done
more quickly at lower power and work on steel coatings can be done more slowly at higher power.
Plastics
Plastics for engraving are available in many different colors and thicknesses and with many different coatings and
surfaces. The majority of available plastics can be well engraved and cut with the laser. Plastics with a microporous
surface seem to give the best result, because less surface material needs to be removed. When engraving plastics,
generally use low power and high speed settings. Marking and engraving with too much power or at too low a speed
can concentrate too much energy at the point of contact, causing the plastic to melt. Among other problems, this may
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produce poor engraving quality, noxious fumes, and even fires. High resolution engraving can cause the same problem,
so medium to low resolution designs should be preferred for most plastics.
Description 1/16 in. 1/8 in. 1/4 in. 1/2 in. 3/4 in.
Rubber
The various compositions and densities of rubber cause slightly varying engraving depth. Testing various settings on
sample pieces of your specific rubber is highly recommended for best results. When engraving rubber, generally use a
consistent high power setting and create your effects by varying the laser's speed. Microporous rubber materials require
a significantly higher speed than standard rubber. Engraving any kind of rubber produces a considerable amount of dust
and gas. Depending on the amount of work, breathing PPE and/or a full ventilation system may be required to address
the problem.
Stone
When engraving various kinds of stone, generally use moderate power and moderate to fast speed. As with ceramics and
glass, be mindful of the dust created (especially for repetitive industrial applications) and take similar measures to
ensure the safety of users and others in the work area.
Textiles
When engraving textiles like cloth and fleece, generally use low power and fast speed. As with leather, be especially
attentive to the possibility of fire and dust.
Wood
As with rubber, there is a huge variety of woods and testing your specific material is essential to get the best results. In
general, wood with consistent grain and coloring engraves more evenly. Knotted wood produces uneven effects, while
resinous wood produces greater edge contrast. Some soft woods like balsa, cork, and pine engrave well (albeit with low
contrast) at low or moderate power settings and high speed. Others like fir suffer from uneven fibers that usually produce
a poor effect no matter what you do. Hard woods like cherry and oak engrave well at high power settings and low speed.
Manufactured wood products can vary from brand to brand, mostly based on its glue composition and abundance. MDF
works well but creates dark edges when cut.
In addition to the risk of fire with any wood product, extra care must be taken with the fumes from the glue used in
plywood and other manufactured woods. Some are too dangerous to work with at all, while others require careful
ventilation and the use of breathing PPE for repetitive industrial applications. Wood toxicity should also be examined,
as the dust from some natural woods including oleander and yew can also cause nausea and cardiac problems in high
enough amounts.
Average Cutting Settings for Baltic Birch
Description 1/16 in. 1/8 in. 1/4 in. 1/2 in. 3/4 in.
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4.4 Control Console Instructions
4.4.1 Overview
You can control your engraver directly from the built-in control panel, through a direct connection with your computer,
or over the internet. For details on operating your engraving software, see its separate manual. The built-in control
panel can operate the laser manually or engrave designs loaded onto flash drives and external hard drives connected to
the USB port on the right side of the cabinet.
For manual operation, the arrow keys can be used to move the laser head along the X and Y-axis guide rails and the
PULSE button can be used to fire the laser. The laser head can be set to tab over a set distance each time the arrow
buttons are pressed by hitting MENU and adjusting the parameters under “Manual Set+.” The laser can be set to fire
for a fixed period by pressing MENU and adjusting the parameters under “Laser Set+.” All of the buttons and menus
should be labeled in English. If they are not, press MENU and go to the top button in the right column to change the
console's language settings.
To load a design from a FAT16 or FAT32 formatted flash disk or external hard drive, press MENU, select “File”, then
“Udisk+” and then “Copy to Memory”. Select the design in the File menu and then select “Run”. Various parameters
can be adjusted using the console's menus and submenus, including setting multiple origin points to engrave the design
on your material four times in a single session.
When running a design from the control console, this will be the main display. The design should appear in the top left
corner and its name and the current speed and power settings on the top right. The position of the laser head relative to
the workbed appears as the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) coordinates. The Z coordinate shows the elevation of the
workbed itself although it can only be automatically adjusted if a motorized lift is installed. The U coordinate can be
configured to control rotary axes or an automatic feed if either is installed. Below them are the layers with notes about
their separate speeds in mm/s and their maximum power as a % of your machine's rated power. The batch count on the
lower left keeps track of the number of times the current design has been engraved in a single session. Like the button
says, press RUN/PAUSE to start engraving your loaded pattern and to pause engraving when needed.
If there is ever an emergency situation such as a fire, do not use the control panel to pause or stop the engraving.
Hit the emergency stop button immediately.
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4.4.2 Setting the Laser Power
When you press ENT in the main interface, the cursor box will initially select the “Speed” parameter, as shown in the
figure below:
Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to change between the parameters. Select the “Power” parameter, as shown below:
Press ENT while the red cursor is on “Power” and the following interface pops up:
Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to change the parameter value. Press ENT to save the change. Press ESC to invalidate the
change and return to the main interface.
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Press ENT key again and the following interface pops up.
Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to change the parameter value. Press ENT to save the change. Press ESC to invalidate the
change and return to the main interface.
Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to select items, and then press ENT to enter the corresponding submenu
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4.4.7 Resetting the Axes
When Axis Reset+ is selected, push ENT and the display will show:
Push ▲ or ▼ to select an item. Press ENT to start the resetting of the selected axis, and the message “Resetting Is
Underway” will show on the screen. Upon completion, the message will automatically disappear and the system will
return to the main interface.
When the Move Mode is “continuous”, the Manual jog parameter has no effect. When used to manually move the laser
head, the direction keys move it continuously until released. When the Move Mode is “jog”, each time the direction key
is pressed the laser head will move precisely the distance saved in this parameter. Adjust it up or down with the direction
and ENT keys. When you finish your adjustments, save them by selecting Write with the ENT key or hit ESC to leave
without saving your changes. Read can load saved parameters.
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The operation method is the same as the previous setting. When Continue is selected, press PULSE to fire the laser, and
release the key to finish firing. When you finish your adjustments, save them by selecting Write with the ENT key or
hit ESC to leave without saving your changes. Read can load saved parameters.
Press FN to select an item. When Multi-Origin Enable is selected, press ENT to enable or disable the item. When
enabled, the small box will be red and, when disabled, the small box will be gray. When selecting Set Origin or Next
Origin, push ◄ or ► to select the value. When changing the parameters of Set Origin, remember to press ENT to
validate the change. Parameters will be saved automatically when the interface is closed.
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4.4.11 Setting Default Parameters
When Set Fact. Para. is selected, the current parameters of the machine will be stored as its defaults. They can then be
retrieved by using the Restore Default Parameters command. It is recommended that you save your machine's actual
factory default settings, so they can be easily restored when need be.
If a password is enabled, push ◄ or ► and ▲ or ▼ to select a password and press ENT to save it.
The operation method is the same as those described above. Press ENT when the desired language is selected and
then return to the main interface.
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4.4.14 Setting the Machine’s IP Address
When IP Setup is selected, press ENT and the display will show:
Push ◄ or ► and ▲ or ▼ and ENT keys to change the parameters. The default address of the engraver is
192.168.1.100. If this is already in use on your local network, use 192.168.1 for the first three sections and choose a
unique value for the last section. Typically, any value from 2–252 except 47 should be OK but avoid values already
being used by your other networked devices. Direct connection of the machine to the public internet risks unauthorized
use and is not recommended. If you wish to provide it anyway, you will need to register and use a unique public TCP/IP
address. When you finish your adjustments, save them by selecting Write with the ENT key or hit ESC to leave without
saving your changes. Read can load saved parameters.
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4.4.16 Setting the Screen Reference
When Screen Origin is selected, the following dialogue box will pop up:
This interface shows the position of the origin. Different origin positions can generate different reflections of the graph
over the X/Y axis. The operation method is the same as described above.
The red cursor will be on “Layer” by default. Push the ◄ and ► keys to select the intended layer. Move the cursor
to Write and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. The operation method is the
same as that of the max./min. power setting.
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4.4.18 Adjusting Movement Parameters
In the Para Setting submenu, select Movement Parameters to display the following interface.
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters. Start
cutting frame will cut the frame according to the current parameters.
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
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4.4.21 Adjusting Reset Speeds
In the Para Setting submenu, select Speed Setting to display the following interface:
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
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4.4.24 Setting an Interface Password
When the cursor is on Panel Lock, press ENT, and the following dialogue box will pop up:
Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to select items. When the blue cursor is on the intended item, press ENT to enter the
corresponding interface.
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4.4.26 Setting the Machine’s Date and Time
In the Controller Setup submenu, select Time Setting+ to display the following interface:
Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write
and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters.
Press ENT once to select the first field, and press ENT a second time to bring up the keyboard.
Use the direction keys and ENT to select the correct character. Press ESC and then ENT to re-enter a field if you make
any mistakes. Use the arrow keys to move to the other entry fields, and enter their contents in the same way. After all fields
are correctly entered, select Change Permission Code and press ENT to leave this screen and return to the main menu.
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5. Maintenance
5.1 Maintenance Overview
The use of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous laser radiation exposure.
Before any cleaning or maintenance work, always switch off the device and disconnect it from its power supply.
Always keep the system clean, as flammable debris in the working and exhaust areas constitutes a fire hazard.
ONLY allow trained and skilled professionals to modify or disassemble this device.
• Clean and cool water must be provided to the system at all times.
• The working table must be cleaned on a daily basis.
• The 3rd mirror and the focus lens must be checked every day and cleaned if required.
• The other mirrors, exhaust system, and air intake filter must be checked every week and cleaned if required.
• The beam alignment should be checked weekly.
• The wiring should be checked every week for loose connections, especially the wiring for the laser tube power supply.
• The guide rails should be cleaned and lubricated at least twice a month.
• The air assist must be checked every month and cleaned if required.
• The whole laser machine including the other components such as the water cooling system must be checked every
month and cleaned where required.
The laser tube requires cool and clean distilled water to avoid overheating. Tepid water at room temperature or a little
below is ideal. The laser tube requires at least 2 gallons (7.5 L) of cool and clean distilled water or other laser-safe coolant
to avoid overheating. If the temperature of the water ever approaches 100°F (38°C), discontinue work until it has cooled
or find a way to reduce its temperature without interrupting the supply of water to the laser tube. The water should never
be allowed to become too cold either, which could also cause the glass laser tube to shatter during use. During winter or if
ice is used to cool hot water, ensure the temperature never falls below 50°F (10°C).
More water should be added every few days to ensure evaporation does not cause the pump to become exposed during use.
5.3 Cleaning
5.3.1 Cleaning the Water System
NEVER touch or adjust your engraver's water supply while the pump is still connected to power.
The water tank should be shielded from ambient dust created during work. If the water ever becomes visibly dirty,
discontinue work. The debris in the water will reduce its cooling efficiency, can heat up itself, and can damage the
cooling pipes. Change the water, place the water outlet tube into a separate bucket, and run the cooling system until all
contaminated water has been flushed from the engraver. Clean the water tank itself before refilling it with clean and cool
distilled water, replacing the outlet tube, and continuing operation.
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If the water remains visibly clean at all times, it is still recommended that you clean the water tank about once a month as
a precaution, changing the water as you do so.
If you use an industrial water chiller instead of the provided pump, follow its separate instructions for maintenance but
similarly ensure that the water used remains cool, clean, and pure.
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4. Remove the pressurized air hose and laser guide connections.
5. Once positioned over your clean lens-cleaning tissue, remove the lens from the lens holder by carefully turning the
lens holder and letting the lens and its O-ring drop onto the cleaning cloth.
6. Examine the O-ring and, if necessary, clean it with a cotton bud and a lens-cleaning tissue or cloth.
7. Remove coarse dust as well as possible by blowing air onto the lens surface.
8. Check the surface and, if necessary, clean the lens with the lens cleaning liquid and lens tissue or cloth.
9. Hold the lens assembly by its edge with a lens-cleaning tissue and use a drop of lens-cleaning liquid. While holding
the lens at an angle, flush both surfaces to wash away grime.
10. Put the lens on a clean lens-cleaning tissue and put some lens-cleaning liquid on one side of the lens. Leave the
liquid to take effect for approximately one minute and then gently wipe it away with lens-cleaning tissues soaked
with lens-cleaning liquid. Dry this side of the lens with dry lens-cleaning tissues/cloth.
11. Repeat the same cleaning process on the other side of the lens.
NEVER use a cleaning tissue twice. Dust accumulated in the cleaning tissue could scratch the lens surface.
12. Examine the lens. If it is still dirty, repeat the cleaning process above until the lens is clean. Do not touch the surface
of the lens after cleaning.
13. Carefully insert the lens into the lens holder, ensuring that its rounded convex side is facing upwards. Put the O-ring
on top of the lens.
14. Carefully reassemble the lens and laser head attachments in reverse order.
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5.3.4 Cleaning the Mirrors
The mirrors should be similarly cleaned if there is any debris or haze on their surface to improve performance and avoid
permanent damage. The 1st mirror is located in the back left of the machine beyond the far end of the Y axis. The end of
the laser tube closest to this mirror is itself a semitransparent mirror that should be checked at the same time. The 2nd
mirror is located on the Y axis at the left end of the X axis. The 3rd mirror is located on top of the laser head on the X axis.
The most detritus accumulates on the 3rd mirror and it should be checked daily along with the focus lens. The laser tube
and the 1st and 2nd mirrors can be checked daily if desired but are usually fine if they are only checked once a week.
The semitransparent mirror at the end of the laser tube should only be cleaned when the engraver is fully disconnected
from power and the tube is fully cooled. Clean all four mirrors with lens-cleaning tissue or with cotton wetted with
lens-cleaning liquid or isopropyl alcohol. The 3 positioning mirrors can be cleaned in place or removed for cleaning by
turning them counterclockwise. Take care not to touch the surface of any mirror directly. Clean with gentle circular
motions and avoid pressing hard enough to grind any debris or cause scratching. If any mirrors are removed for cleaning,
reinstall them by turning them into place clockwise while again being careful to avoid any scratching.
You will need to place a piece of tape at each stage of the laser path, marking it to confirm that that stage remains correctly
aligned. When it is not, you will use the laser tube's brackets or the screws on the back of the misaligned mirror to correct
the problem. Once the provided tape runs out, we recommend masking tape as it is easy to manage and use.
Performing a beam alignment can expose the operator to small amounts of radiation if performed carelessly.
Follow these procedures correctly and always take caution when performing a beam alignment.
Perform a beam alignment at low power levels: 15% or less. Any higher percentage will cause the laser to ignite
the testing tape instead of marking it. Be sure that you set the Max. Power (not Min.) to 15%.
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5.4.1 Laser Tube Alignment
To test the alignment of the laser tube with the 1st mirror, cut out a piece of tape and place it on the mirror's frame.
DO NOT place the tape directly onto the mirror. Turn on the machine and set the power level to 15% or lower.
Press PULSE to manually fire the laser. You should be able to see a small mark on the tape. If it is not noticeable, press
PULSE again.
Pressing PULSE activates the laser. Always make sure the path is clear between the laser and its target. Never
allow foreign objects between the laser and its target. Take care not to leave any part of your body in the laser
path while pressing the PULSE button.
The laser mark should be near the center of the hole. If the laser is not centered on the 1st mirror, cut the power to your
laser and carefully adjust the laser tube in its brackets. This may require loosening the bolts on its stand. Be careful not
to overloosen the bolts and not to overtighten them. Only adjust one stand at a time.
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5.4.2 1st Mirror Alignment
After ensuring the laser is well aligned between the laser tube and 1st mirror, check the alignment between the 1st and
2nd mirrors. First, use the direction arrows on the control panel to send the 2nd mirror to the back of the bed along the
Y axis.
Once set, place a piece of tape on the 2nd mirror's frame. DO NOT place the tape directly onto the mirror. Repeat the steps
from §5.4.1. If the laser is not centered on the 2nd mirror, you will need to adjust the 1st mirror's set screws accordingly.
To adjust the mirror, loosen the nut on the screw and then slightly turn the screw either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Each screw adjusts a different position or angle. Keep track of which screw you are adjusting and the direction of
adjustment. Do not turn the screw more than ¼ turn at a time and, especially at first, test the position of the laser after each
adjustment so that you learn the effect of each change. Test until the beam is well aligned and then retighten the nuts on
the screws once all adjustments are completed.
Next, use the direction arrows on the control panel to send the 2nd mirror to the front of the bed along the Y axis.
Once set, place another piece of tape on the 2nd mirror's frame. DO NOT place the tape directly onto the mirror. Repeat
the steps from §5.4.1 and, if necessary, adjust the set screws on the 1st mirror. Test again until the beam is well aligned
and retighten the nuts on the set screws.
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5.4.3 2nd Mirror Alignment
After ensuring the laser is well aligned between the 1st and 2nd mirrors, check the alignment between the 2nd and 3rd
mirrors. Repeat the steps and adjustments above, taking care to use the tape on the mirror's frame and not its surface.
When the laser is well centered along the entire path from the tube to the workbed, your laser mirrors are all correctly
calibrated and (assuming they are clean) performing at optimum efficiency.
5.5 Lubrication
For best results, clean and lubricate the engraver’s guide rails every two weeks. Turn off the laser engraver. Gently move
the laser head out of the way. Wipe away all dust and debris along the X and Y axis rails with a dry cotton cloth until they
are shiny and clean. Do the same to the Z axis screws. Lubricate both the rails and screws with white lithium grease.
Gently move the laser head and X axis to distribute the lubricant evenly along both rails and raise and lower the bed to
distribute the lubricant evenly along the screws.
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5.6 Parts Replacement
The engraver should not be modified or disassembled by anyone except trained and skilled professionals, but some
consumable parts may require replacement after prolonged use. Be sure only to use identical or compatible replacement
parts with this engraver. Contact your vendor or our technicians if you have any questions about fitment. Using incompatible
components is highly dangerous and waives all the manufacturer's liability for any damage or injury caused.
ALWAYS completely disconnect the engraver from its power supply before replacing any parts.
Take special care when replacing the laser tube or its power supply, as both have extremely high voltage connections. If
you replace the power supply with an identical model, you will be able to use the same screw terminal blocks as a unit. If
you change to a different laser power supply, refer to the following diagram:
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Contact Us
Thank you for choosing our laser equipment for your home or shop! For a .pdf copy of the
latest version of this manual, use the appropriate app on your smartphone or other device
to scan the QR code to the right.
Come join the OMTech community at our official laser group on Facebook or visit the
company forums at omtechlaser.com! Check our YouTube channel for helpful hints and
instructional videos. If you encounter any problem regarding your engraver, do not
hesitate to contact customer service with your order number at [email protected]
or [email protected]. Our teams will respond within 24 hours to make
things right. You can also reach us Monday to Friday at (949) 539-0458 between 8 am and
4:30 pm PST.
Thank you and we hope you will choose us again for all your laser needs!
USB -0604-U0
Rev. 7 Feb. 2023
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