Laser machines

► 1. General questions
► 2. Technical problems

1. General questions

What type of laser machines do we offer?

CO2 or RF laser engraving and cutting machines. Light industrial category. Organic materials such as wood, acrylic plexiglass, textiles, leather, paper, plastics, glass, granite can be engraved. Softer materials such as wood, acrylic plexiglass, paper can also be cut. Price category: over 1,500 EUR.

Fiber laser marking machines. Industrial category. Suitable for super-fast marking of metal and plastic objects. Price category: over 3,000 EUR.

Fiber laser cutting machines. Industrial category. For industrial laser cutting of metal sheets, hollow sections and pipes. Price category: over 30,000 EUR.

What is a CO2 or RF laser engraver suitable for?

For engraving objects and cutting thinner wood, plywood or acrylic plexiglass. Wood, MDF, plywood, plexiglass, paper, textiles, leather, rubber, glass, granite and certain plastics are suitable for engraving. With the use of Thermark transfer agent, even stainless steel, aluminum or ceramic could be suitable. For cutting wood, MDF, plywood, paper, textiles, leather and certain plastics are suitable.

What is the difference between CO2 and RF laser sources?

The CO2 laser source is cheaper, the RF laser source is more expensive. However, a laser machine equipped with an RF laser source is faster, up to 2-3 times than CO2 laser machines. RF laser machines are primarily suitable for precise continuous engraving and photo engraving, but they can also be used for cutting. CO2 laser sources are also suitable for cutting, with lower powers of 40-60W, continuous engraving and cutting are possible. With powers of 100, 150, 300W, continuous engraving (e.g. photo) is no longer possible, but they are suitable for cutting with excellent productivity. The RF laser source is more efficient, because a 30W RF laser corresponds to an approx. 50-60W CO2 laser source. CO2 laser machines require water cooling, RF laser machines can be cooled with air cooling, which is a simpler solution.

Which materials can be engraved with a CO2 or RF laser engraver?

Wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic plexiglass, paper, textile, leather, glass, granite.

Which materials can be cut with a CO2 or RF laser engraver?

Wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic plexiglass, paper and some plastics.

Why can't PVC be engraved or cut?

Because a gas that is harmful to health is produced during laser heating of this material.

Choosing a CO2/RF Laser Engraver or Laser Cutter

• For engraving, photoengraving and small cuts up to 3-5mm thickness: 60W CO2 or 30W RF laser machine.
• For engraving, photo engraving in maximum quality, not cutting: 30W RF laser machine.
• For engraving and cutting, not photoengraving: 90, 100W laser machine.
• For cutting only: 100, 130, 150 or 300W CO2 laser machine.
• By size: 30-150W types are closed machines from 60x40cm to 160x100cm. For 150W and 300W, there are open flatbed types with table sizes of 130x250cm and 150x300cm.

What is the difference between SD Basic and SD Pro CO2 laser machines?

SD Basic is the entry level, which engraves and cuts in excellent quality, but is recommended primarily for start-up companies, for smaller applications. SD Pro is industrial quality, all its components are stronger and more durable. We have been distributing SD Pro for over 15 years during wich we have installed more than 500 machines. In terms of use and functions, both brands contain similar Ruida controller and software, as well as functions.

How is smoke and odor extracted in CO2/RF laser engravers?

With the built-in factory exhaust fan in the laser machine) and the necessary amount of flexible pipes  the extracted smoke and odors can be directed outside without filtering. If this is not possible due to site conditions (for example in shopping malls), it is recommended to use a fume extractor machine with a 4-stage filter.

2. Technical problems

There's no laser.

Check whether the water cooling unit is turned on and whether there is water flow in the CO2 laser tube.

Check if the “Laser Power” switch is turned on.

It is also possible that the laser machine door is not closed and the safety sensor is disabling operation.

If there is still no laser, then either the laser source or the laser source power supply is defective and requires replacement.

Laser power is weak.

Check the cleanliness of the mirrors and focus lens. Clean if necessary, or replace if worn out by several years of use.

The cutting/engraving is not even across the work area.

The mirrors must be checked for alignment and calibrated if necessary. First, the projection of the rearmost mirror 1 must be checked by placing a small piece of paper or paper tape on the next mirror 2. With the laser turned on, if the laser beam does not reach the center of the 2nd mirror, then small tilt/rotation adjustments must be made on the 1st mirror. This same step must be performed with the 2nd and 3rd mirrors. The correct end result is when the laser head (3rd mirror) is the furthest from the 2nd mirror and the laser beam still reaches the center of the 3rd mirror from the 2nd.

If this solution is not effective, the parallelism of the laser head and the work area or workpiece must be checked. The correct focal distance must be maintained precisely from the beginning to the end of the entire work area.

Poor cutting performance with too wide cutting gap, wide contour line

Focal length problem. Check the focus point setting and the surface of the material, as well as the position of the focus lens chuck. Also, check the position of the focus lens in the chuck.

Distorted, irregular engraving

Check if the "rotary enable" option was accidentally left on.

Wavy, uneven contour cutting, the engraving isn't smooth.

Either the laser head is moving or the focus lens is moving in the chuck. You need to check if the laser head is stable, does not wobble, and the focus lens is also stable in its place in the chuck. If the engraving is not uneven, only blurry, then the focal length is not correct. The appropriate focal length is when the dot burned by the laser on the surface of the object is the smallest during testing.

The machine did not complete all of the jobs sent out.

Check in the software if all layers are in active status. Also, check if the "only selected" function is active.

It completes the walkthrough but does not start engraving.

The work may be too far to the edge of the work area, move it towards the center of the work area. You need to rearrange the work so that the engraving does not take up the entire work area. You need to adjust the position of the work area relative to the laser head.

Laser power does not change at any power value.

The control potentiometer switch must be set to the “Auto” position.

The bridge is not moving.

The axle shift switch must be set to the “Y” position.

The laser head or bridge hits the end stop.

The axes can be repositioned by pressing the “Reset” button. Furthermore, the limit switches must be checked for damage.

Too much smoke is generated in the work area.

The operation of the exhaust fan must be checked or a more powerful exhaust fan must be used.