OWNER'S MANUAL FOR EPILOG
Fusion - MODEL 13000
This manual can also be found in electronic format on the
Epilog Dashboard Drivers and Documentation
disk that came with your laser system.

April 17, 2013
16371 Table Mountain Parkway
Golden, CO 80403
Phone (303) 277-1188
Fax (303) 277-9669
Technical Support Direct Line: (303) 215-9171
Email Technical Support: tech@epiloglaser.com
Technical Support Online:
www.epiloglaser.com/service.htm
www.epiloglaser.com/downloads.htm

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Contents at a Glance
Fire Warning!......................................................................................... i
Introduction ........................................................................................ xi
Epilog Laser Setup ............................................................................... 1
Section 1: Safety ............................................................................................................................ 1
Section 2: Dos and Don’ts ........................................................................................................... 13
Section 3: Getting Started .............................................................................................................. 1
Section 4: Installing the ECC (Epilog Control Center) ............................................................... 12
Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard Print Driver ............................................................. 22
Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard ....................................................................................... 47

Basic Operations ................................................................................ 79
Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup ........................................................................................... 81
Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel .................................................................................... 91
Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center) .................................................................... 101
Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine Features.................................................................. 107
Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning ................................................................................. 119
Section 12: Speed and Power Recommendations...................................................................... 131
Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques.............................................................................. 139
Section 14: Material Suppliers................................................................................................... 155

Technical Support, Troubleshooting and Specifications ................... 161
Section 15: In Case of Difficulty ............................................................................................... 163
Section 16: Specifications.......................................................................................................... 165
Section 17: Upgrading the Operational Firmware ..................................................................... 171

APPENDIX A WARRANTY STATEMENT ............................................... 177
APPENDIX B PRINTING FROM AUTOCAD........................................... 179
APPENDIX C ADDITIONAL DASHBOARD PRINT DRIVER INSTRUCTIONS........................................................................................................ 183
INDEX............................................................................................... 195

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Contents at a Glance
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iv

Table of Contents
Fire Warning!......................................................................................... i
Introduction ........................................................................................ xi
How to Use This Owner’s Manual ........................................................................................ xi

Epilog Laser Setup ............................................................................... 1
Section 1: Safety ............................................................................................................................ 1
Laser Safety ............................................................................................................................ 1
Electrical Safety ...................................................................................................................... 3
Fire Safety ............................................................................................................................... 4
Safety Features and Regulatory Compliance .......................................................................... 5
Section 2: Dos and Don’ts ........................................................................................................... 13
DON’T!................................................................................................................................. 13
DO......................................................................................................................................... 14
Section 3: Getting Started .............................................................................................................. 1
Setting Up Your Laser System ............................................................................................... 1
Connecting the Exhaust .......................................................................................................... 7
Connecting Electrical Power................................................................................................... 9
Section 4: Installing the ECC (Epilog Control Center) ............................................................... 12
USB Port ............................................................................................................................... 17
Ethernet Port ......................................................................................................................... 17
Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard Print Driver ............................................................. 22
Installing the Dashboard Driver Using the USB Connection using XP or Vista.................. 23
Installing the Dashboard Driver Using the USB Connection using Windows 7 or 8........... 23
Installing the Dashboard Driver Using an Ethernet Connection and a Crossover Cable ..... 33
Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard ....................................................................................... 47
Additional Dashboard Driver Features ................................................................................. 75
Changing Dashboard Driver Defaults................................................................................... 77v

Table of Contents
Basic Operations ................................................................................ 79
Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup ........................................................................................... 81
Artwork Setup ....................................................................................................................... 81
Job Setup............................................................................................................................... 84
Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel .................................................................................... 91
Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center) .................................................................... 101
Job Tab................................................................................................................................ 101
Configuration Tab ............................................................................................................... 105
Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine Features.................................................................. 107
Air Assist ............................................................................................................................ 107
Front Access Door .............................................................................................................. 108
Task Plate............................................................................................................................ 109
Optional Vector Grid/Vacuum Hold-down Table .............................................................. 109
Pin Table ............................................................................................................................. 113
Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning ................................................................................. 119
This cleaning section may show photos of other Epilog machines. The cleaning process isthe same so please use these photos as a reference guide................................................... 119
Cleaning - Important!............................................................................................................... iFire Warning!...................................................................................................................... 119
Laser Tube .......................................................................................................................... 129
Section 12: Speed and Power Recommendations...................................................................... 131
Engraving Speed ................................................................................................................. 131
Engraving Power................................................................................................................. 131
Recommendations............................................................................................................... 132
Multiple Passes ................................................................................................................... 133
30 Watt................................................................................................................................ 134
40 Watt................................................................................................................................ 135
50 Watt................................................................................................................................ 136
60 Watt................................................................................................................................ 137
75 Watt................................................................................................................................ 138

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Table of Contents
Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques.............................................................................. 139
Acrylic...................................................................................................................................... iFire Warning!...................................................................................................................... 139
Anodized Aluminum........................................................................................................... 142
Brass - Painted .................................................................................................................... 142
Glass.................................................................................................................................... 144
Notary Seals - Delrin .......................................................................................................... 146
Plastic .................................................................................................................................. 147
Rubber Stamps .................................................................................................................... 149
Wood................................................................................................................................... 149
Section 14: Material Suppliers................................................................................................... 155

Technical Support, Troubleshooting and Specifications ................... 161
Section 15: In Case of Difficulty ............................................................................................... 163
Contacting Technical Support............................................................................................. 163
Section 16: Specifications.......................................................................................................... 165
Epilog Fusion 32 x 20 Specifications ................................................................................. 165
Compatibility ...................................................................................................................... 166
Recommended PC............................................................................................................... 166
Other Computer Hardware Recommendations ................................................................... 168
About The Laser ................................................................................................................. 168
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice ........................................................ 169
Section 17: Upgrading the Operational Firmware ..................................................................... 171
Upgrading Your Firmware.................................................................................................. 171
Installing New Firmware onto Your Computer .................................................................. 172
Transferring New Firmware from Your Computer to Your Laser ..................................... 174

APPENDIX A WARRANTY STATEMENT ............................................... 177
APPENDIX B PRINTING FROM AUTOCAD........................................... 179
APPENDIX C ADDITIONAL DASHBOARD PRINT DRIVER INSTRUCTIONS........................................................................................................ 183
Windows 7: Setting up the TCP/IP Address in the Computer........................................... 183
Windows 8: Installing the 64-bit Epilog Dashboard Print Driver in Windows 8 .............. 189

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Table of Contents
INDEX............................................................................................... 195

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viii

Fire Warning!
Your laser system uses a high intensity beam of light that can generate extremely
high temperatures when it comes into contact with the material being engraved,
marked or cut. Some materials are extremely flammable and can easily ignite andburst into open flame setting the machine afire. This open flame is very
dangerous and has the potential to destroy not only the machine, but the buildingin which it is housed.
Experience shows that vector cutting with the laser has the most potential tocreate an open flame. Many materials are susceptible to igniting, but acrylic, in
all its different forms, has been shown to be especially flammable when vector
cutting with the laser.
Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely
at all times!
 NEVER let the laser system operate if it will be unattended.
 KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible
materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or
gasoline.
 ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on
hand. Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose
dry chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotron extinguishers are more
expensive than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you
ever need to use an extinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges aclean, easily removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics orwiring of the laser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a
sticky, corrosive powder that is very difficult to clean up.
 ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
 BE CAREFUL! when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential
to burst suddenly into flames – even materials that may be very familiar to
the user. Always monitor the machine when it is operating.
 KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting andengraving reside and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in its
own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly
remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen throughthe grid.

ix

Fire Warning!
SEE PREVIOUS PAGExIntroduction
How to Use This Owner’s Manual
Thank you for purchasing an Epilog Fusion Laser System. Your Epilog system
has been designed to be easy to operate, but you will utilize it to its fullest
potential by taking some time to read this owner’s manual prior to use. You will
be ready to use the Epilog laser system as soon as you read the first six sections.
Then you can refer to topics in the remaining sections, as you work.

Structure of the ManualPart I: Setup
Sections 1 through 6 explain how to uncrate and set up your Epilog system,
important safety information you need to know before you use it, the Do’s andDon’ts of operating the laser, configuring your computer to run the Epilog
Dashboard print driver, configuring CorelDraw, and a brief user’s guide torunning your first job.

Part II: Basic Operations
Sections 7 through 14 explain Using the Epilog Dashboard Print Driver, basic
Epilog laser operations and maintenance, machine features, speed and powerrecommendations, material engraving techniques, and material suppliers.

Part III: Troubleshooting, Service and Specifications
Sections 15 through 17 assist with problem troubleshooting, service information;system specifications and firmware upgrade instructions.

APPENDIX A
Epilog Warranty Information.

APPENDIX B
Printing from AutoCAD.

APPENDIX C
Additional Dashboard Print Driver Instructions.

INDEX

xi

Introduction
Icons Used in this Manual
Look for these symbols to help you find valuable information throughout the text:
Sometimes the right perspective on a procedure is essential to success. This icon
Flags a Quick Note regarding the task at hand.
This Icon signifies places to look for additional information to assist with the
topic currently being discussed.

This Icon highlights current contact information for receiving help.

This Icon signifies advice you can try out with your machine right away.

This Icon signifies advice you can try that will save you significant time.
Running into trouble can be detrimental to your success so we’ve marked
Warnings and Cautions with this Icon.

Indicates pages including information regarding connecting your laser system toyour computer using an USB connection.

xii

Introduction
Indicates pages including information regarding connecting your laser system toyour computer using an Ethernet connection.

Indicates the potential for fire danger when operating the laser.

xiii

Introduction
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xiv

ManualEpilog Laser Setup

1

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2

Section 1: Safety
In This Section

Laser Safety
Electrical Safety
Fire Safety
Safety Features And Regulatory Compliance

Laser Safety
The Epilog Model 13000 Laser System is a Class 2 laser product, as defined inInternational Standard IEC 60825-1.
The Epilog Model 13000 complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11, theFederal Performance Standards for Light-Emitting Products, except for deviations
pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated July 16, 2001. The Center for Devices andRadiological Health, of the US FDA, issued Laser Notice No. 50 to permit
manufacturers to classify and manufacture their products in accordance with theInternational Standard.
The output of the embedded high-power CO2 engraving laser is fully contained.
The laser cabinet has safety interlocks that turn the laser off if the door is opened
during operation, and no special precautions are necessary to operate the highpower laser safely. However, the visible output beam of the Laser Diode Pointer(Red Dot Pointer) is accessible to the operator. While this device employs thesame technology as the familiar laser pen-pointers, like them it is potentiallyhazardous if its beam is directed into the eye.
We have made every effort to make the Laser Diode Pointer (Red Dot Pointer) as
safe as possible. Its beam path is located well inside the cabinet, and undernormal conditions, no hazardous levels of laser radiation can escape.

1Section 1: Safety
The operator of the Epilog Model 13000 should observe the following generalprecautions: DO NOT disassemble the machine or remove any of its protective covers
while the unit is plugged in.
 DO NOT attempt to defeat the door interlocks.
 DO NOT view directly into the beam of the Laser Diode Pointer (Red Dot
Pointer).
 DO NOT operate the Laser Diode Pointer (Red Dot Pointer) without themachine’s focus lens in place. If the unfocused beam strikes a reflective
surface, it could be directed out of the cabinet.
Caution – Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other thanthose specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
***

The standard reference for laser safety is the American Standard for the Safe Useof Lasers, Z136.1-2000, developed by the American National Standards Institute(ANSI). This reference is the basis for many of the federal regulations for laser
and laser system manufacturers, and for the Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) laser safety guidelines. It contains detailed information
concerning proper installation and use of laser systems.
While the ANSI standard itself does not have the force of law, its
recommendations, including warning signage, training, and the designation of alaser safety officer, may be compulsory under local workplace regulations when
operating laser systems above Class I. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensurethat the installation and operation of the Epilog Model 13000 Laser System isperformed in accordance with all applicable laws.
Copies of ANSI Standard Z136.1-2000 are available from Epilog Corporation orfrom:
Laser Institute of America
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 125
Orlando, FL 32826(407) 380-1553

2

Section 1: Safety

Electrical Safety
The AC input power to the Epilog Model 13000 Laser System is potentially lethal
and is fully contained within the cabinet.
 DO NOT open any of the machine’s access panels while the unit isplugged in. Opening a panel may expose the operator to the unit’s AC
input power.
 DO NOT make or break any electrical connections to the system while theunit is turned on.

3Section 1: Safety

Fire Safety
Laser cutting and engraving systems represent a significant fire hazard. Most
engraving materials are inherently combustible, and while the objective of most
cutting and engraving operations is to vaporize material without burning, it is easy
to ignite a flame. Usually this is a simple “flare” of burning gases, issuing fromthe focused spot on the work piece, which follows the moving spot and which
extinguishes itself as soon as the laser beam is modulated off. But should thework piece actually be set on fire, the fire must be extinguished by the operator atonce, or the machine will be seriously damaged or destroyed!
Experience shows that vector cutting with the laser has the most potential tocreate an open flame. Many materials are susceptible to igniting, but acrylic, in
all its different forms, has been shown to be especially flammable when vector
cutting with the laser.
Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely
at all times!
 NEVER let the laser system operate if it will be unattended.
 KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of unnecessary clutter,
combustible materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone,
alcohol, or gasoline.
 ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on
hand. Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose
dry chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotron extinguishers are more
expensive than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you
ever need to use an extinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges aclean, easily removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics orwiring of the laser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a
sticky, corrosive powder that is very difficult to clean up.
 ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
 BE CAREFUL! When vector cutting. Many materials have the potential
to burst suddenly into flames – even materials that may be very familiar to
the user. Always monitor the machine when it is operating.
 KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting andengraving reside and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in its
own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly
remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen throughthe grid.

4

Section 1: Safety

Safety Features and Regulatory
Compliance
Epilog has incorporated specific safety features into the Model 13000 Laser
System in order to meet the requirements of 21 CFR 1040 and the International
Standard IEC 60825-1. These safety features include: A safety enclosure (cabinet), which fully encloses the engraving laser andits beam path.
 Dual redundant interlock systems that turn off the engraving laser when
the window is opened.
 A visible emission indication when the Laser Diode Pointer (Red Dot
Pointer) is operating. There is an LED indicator on the machine’s front
panel.

21 CFR 1040 and IEC 60825-1 require that certification, identification, andwarning labels be placed on laser products. Reproductions of labels on the Epilog
Model 13000 Laser System follow, with their locations specified:1.

Certification/Identification Label. This engraved plate is located on the rearof the machine’s cabinet.

5Section 1: Safety2.

Warning Label. This label is located on the rear of the machine’s cabinet,
below the Certification/Identification Label above.

3.

Explanatory Label. This label identifies the classification of the Model
13000 in accordance with IEC 60825-1. It is located on the rear of themachine’s cabinet, beside the Warning Label above.

LASER RADIATIONDO NOT STARE INTO BEAM
CLASS 2 LASER PRODUCT
1 mW CW MAXIMUM 600-700 nm

4.

Non-interlocked Protective Housing Safety Labels (4).
Two of these labels are located on the rear of the machine; beside the edgesof each of the cabinet’s end covers. The other two labels are located on thecabinet walls under the covers, so that they are visible when the covers havebeen removed.

6Section 1: Safety
5.

Defeatably-interlocked Protective Housing Safety Label. This label islocated on the machine’s cabinet door, in the upper left-hand corner.

6.

Aperture Safety Label.
This label is located on thesteering-mirror cover inside themachine’s cabinet, beside theaperture where the laser beams enter the cabinet.

7.

Electrical Safety Label.
This label is located on the access panel on
the rear of the machine’s cabinet.

H IG H VO LTA G E IN SID E C A BIN ET
D ISC O N N EC T PO W ERBEF O RE O PEN IN G PA N EL

8.

Fire Safety Label.
This label is located on the machine’s cabinet
door, in the upper right-hand corner.

FIRE H A ZA RDD O N OT O P ERATEM A C H IN E U N ATTEN D ED

7

Section 1: Safety
9.

Emergency Stop
EMERGENCY
STOP

10.

Power Labels

11.

Main Breaker Labels

12.

Air Assist Label

AIR ASSIST
30 PSI MAX
200 kPa MAX

12. Fire Warning LabelThis fire hazard label is located on the left and right sides of the top accessdoor of your laser system:8Section 1: Safety

DANGER
FIRE HAZARD
DO NOT OPERATEMACHINE UNATTENDED
USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN
CUTTING FLAMMABLE MATERIALSSUCH AS WOOD OR ACRYLIC.
A PROPERLY MAINTAINED FIRE
EXTINGUISHER SHOULD BE KEPTNEAR THE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
EPILOG RECOMMENDS A CO2 FIRE
EXTINGUISHER.
PERIODICALLY REMOVE THE
VECTOR CUTTING GRID AND
REMOVE DEBRIS FROM THE TABLE
PAN.
PERIODICALLY REMOVE THE
EXHAUST TUBE ADAPTER FROMTHE BACK OF THE MACHINE AND
REMOVE ANY DEBRIS FROM THE
EXHAUST PORT.

REFER TO THE USERSMANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING
FIRE SAFETY

The following diagrams show the location of each specific label described above.

9

Section 1: Safety

10Section 1: Safety11Section 1: Safety

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12

Section 2: Dos and Don’ts
In This Section
 Operating Dos and Don’ts

DON’T!
NEVER operate the machine without a properly operating vent to the outside!
Most material will only produce an irritating smoke when engraved. Somematerials, including but not limited to paint, varnish, composition board andplastics, produce compounds that can be harmful if concentrated. A properly
installed vent is the only way to ensure that problems do not occur.
NEVER engrave or cut any material containing PVC or vinyl. When engraved, acorrosive agent is produced that will destroy your machine. Your warranty will
be void if your machine is damaged by corrosion from engraving or cutting
PVC or Vinyl.
NEVER operate your machine unattended. There is a significant risk of fire if themachine is set improperly, or if the machine should experience a mechanical orelectrical failure while operating.
NEVER vector cut any material while the machine is unattended. Because vector
cutting moves relatively slowly compared to raster engraving, a tremendous
amount of heat is applied to the material being cut. This buildup of heat cancause significant fire risk and the machine should always be monitored.
Additionally, the air assist should always be turned on when vector cutting to
reduce the risk of fire.
NEVER operate with any of the covers or enclosures removed, and never modify
the enclosure. The laser beam is invisible!

13Section 2: Dos and Don’ts

DO
Please allow a few minutes a week for cleaning your machine. Just a small
amount of effort at the end of the week will pay off with years of trouble free
operation of your machine.
See the Engraving Machine Cleaning section of this manual for specifics.

14

Section 3: Getting Started
In This Section







Setting Up Your Laser System
Connecting The Exhaust
Connecting The Electrical Power
Laser Cooling Requirements And Operating Temperatures
Installing the ECC (Epilog Control Panel)
Installing the Dashboard Print Driver

Setting Up Your Laser System
Setting up your Epilog Laser System is easy to do! If you’ve ever installed apaper printer, this is only slightly more difficult. The following information will
help you understand the entire system and how it works.

Your Fusion laser system consists of the following components:
1) Fusion laser system:2) Computer and a graphics software package.

1

Section 3: Getting Started

3) Epilog software and connection options:
Epilog provides two pieces of software for the Fusion:
1) The ECC (Epilog Control Panel).
2) The Dashboard print driver.
Epilog also provides two different methods of connection the Fusion to yourcomputer:1) USB
2) Ethernet
The software and the connection methods are associated because the connection
method affects which software can be used. The following shows how softwareand connection methods work:
Connection Method

Software Compatibility

USB

Dashboard Driver & ECC

Ethernet

Dashboard Driver Only

As you can see, the USB provides the most versatility.
The most popular choice is to use the USB for both printing and accessing the
ECC. This choice is the simplest and the most versatile.
One advantage of having two connection options that is not immediately obvious
is that you can use both connections, or just one of them. If you choose, you canprint using the Ethernet connection while using the USB connection for the ECC.
Both the USB and the Ethernet cable can be plugged into the Fusion at the sametime. This method is a little more complicated, but is just as versatile as the USB
only connection.
The last choice is to use only the Ethernet connection. Most users will not choose
this method because the ECC is not available through the Ethernet connection.

2Section 3: Getting Started

4) ECC (Epilog Control Center)
The ECC is the software program that provides job management capabilities tokeep track of print jobs, laser settings and other job management tasks after thejob has been sent to the laser from the Dashboard driver.
The ECC is not required in order to operate your Fusion laser, but is a very
useful job management tool that users find quite valuable.
It is useful to install the ECC prior to installing the print driver.

The ECC ONLY works through the USB
connection. The ECC cannot be accessed
through the Ethernet connection.

3

Section 3: Getting Started

5) The Fusion Dashboard print driver.
The print driver is the primary interface between the computer and the laserand sends all jobs and laser parameters to the laser. Your Fusion laser systemcannot run without the Dashboard driver.

The print driver can be used with either theUSB or Ethernet connection.
Most users will want to install the print driveron the USB port because they will also want to
use the ECC. The ECC ONLY works throughthe USB connection.
The simplest setup is to install the print driverusing the USB connection. This method allows
you to also use the same USB connection for
the ECC.

4

Section 3: Getting Started6) Connection cables that allow your computer and laser to talk to each other.
The
Fusionhas
both
EthernetandUSB
connections.

7) Exhaust fan. The exhaust fan is mandatory and is used to remove smoke anddebris from the Fusion work area. The exhaust air can be ported to the outside
or into a filter box.

air flow
exh au st fan

From Fusion

The following drawing represents a typical setup:5Section 3: Getting Started

ETHERNET

USB

Electrical
Connection(110/220V - 50/60 Hz)

Follow these steps to set up your Fusion laser system:







Remove it from the crate
Connect the exhaust system to your laser
Connect electrical power
Install the ECC (Epilog Control Panel)
Install the Epilog Dashboard Print Driver –Connect both the USB and Ethernet cables from your computer to yourlaser system.

6

Section 3: Getting Started

Connecting the Exhaust
It is mandatory that an exhaust blower is installed and operating whenever yourlaser system is running a job. The exhaust blower removes the dust, debris andsmell from the engraving cavity and exhausts it to the outside of the building.
You should never operate your laser system without a properly working exhaust.
Prior to the installation of the laser system, a contractor should install the exhaustsystem. The blower should be mounted outside your building for noise
considerations. Ideally, the blower should not be more than twenty feet (6meters) from the laser. You should provide a metal duct (flexible aluminum or
galvanized sheet metal) from the blower to the laser. All Epilog model 13000
laser systems require an exhaust fan that is rated at a minimum of 650 CFM.
Note: Remember to put the blower switch for the laser system in an obvious andaccessible place so it can be routinely switched on prior to using the engraver.
Please connect the exhaust blower to the laser as shown below and on thefollowing pages.
You may need a contractor to install the exhaust. This must be done PRIOR to
installation of the laser system.

Warning: It’s important that either rigid or flexible metal ducting be used for
all connections leading to and from the laser system and the exhaust fan. Vinyl,
plastic, or any type of “soft” ducting is potentially flammable and should NEVER
be used.

7

Section 3: Getting Started
Epilog Exhaust Blower Connections

There are two 4” (100 mm) ports attached to the back of the laser system. Attach yourducting to the machine as shown above.

Check your exhaust system for leaks. Most small leaks can be remedied withduct tape.
DO NOT OPERATE your laser with inadequate or leaking exhaust.
The drawings below show the typical exhaust setup. The top drawing shows theexhaust on the roof and the bottom drawing shows the exhaust fan near themachine. Where the exhaust fan is placed is a choice of personal preference.
Some users like the exhaust fan outside because of noise considerations.

8Section 3: Getting Started

Exhaust Blower

Connecting ElectricalPower
Roof or exterior wall
All Epilog laser systems have an auto-switching power supply that detects theincoming voltage and automatically switches itself to operate properly at any
single-phase voltage between 100 and 240 VAC. The power supply will also(100 mm)aluminumductautomatically4”compensate
for flexible
either 50 or
60 Hz. Epilog
supplies the appropriate
or rigid
power cord for all of our equipment.
Thegalvanizedelectrical cordsheet
is found in the accessory
package with your machine. Itmetal
is recommendedthatadedicated(Do not use vinyl, 15 amp circuit beused if available, but it is not required.
plastic or “soft” flexible duct).
The 60 watt and 75 watt machines draw more current than the lower wattage
lasers. These two systems can operate on 110 volts, but most users find that a 200
V connection is more efficient.
The electrical connection is found at the lower back of the machine.

Electrical
Connection(110/220V - 50/60 Hz)

9Section 3: Getting Started

Laser
Cooling
Requirements
Operating Temperatures

andAll Epilog laser systems use air-cooled laser tubes. Laser technology is such thatthe laser tubes generate a lot of excess heat and the tubes must be cooled forproper operation. There are cooling fans located at the back of the laser. The fansand vents should always be clear of restrictions and should never be covered.
Warning: The cooling fans and vents are located at the back of the Fusion andshould never be covered or blocked in any way. Lasers that overheat will not
operate properly and may begin to produce erratic laser output or possiblycomplete failure.

Ambient air temperature where the laser system is operating should not exceed 90 degrees F (32C). Operating in an environment where the ambient air temperature is above 90 degrees F (32 C)
will void the Epilog warranty.

10Section 3: Getting Started

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11

Section 4: Installing the ECC(Epilog Control Center)
In This Section
 Installing the ECC

The ECC (Epilog Control Center) provides Job Management features as well as laser control andlaser machine configuration options. The ECC is not required to operate the laser, but it provides
many user features that make operating your Fusion easy.

To install the ECC, insert the Epilog install disk into your computer’s disk drive. It should AutoStart and the following window should appear:12Section 4: Installing the ECC

If the following screen appears, click on Run fusion_driver.exe and then the
install screen will appear.

Click on Epilog Control Center Installation. You will need to choose between the
32-bit and 64-bit driver based on your computer’s operating system.

13

Section 4: Installing the ECC

14

Section 4: Installing the ECC
Click on Install.

The next screen will prompt you to allow Windows to install the software. Click
Yes.
Select Repair and then Next

Click on Finish

15Section 4: Installing the ECC

After installing the ECC connect your computer to the laser using either the USB connection or
the Ethernet connection. The following combinations can be used.
USB only connection – Both the print driver and the ECC operate simultaneously through the
USB connection.
Ethernet only connection – The Print driver can be used with the Ethernet connection, but the
Job Management portion of the ECC does not work with the Ethernet connection. However, theControl tab and the Configuration tab in the ECC are operational and very useful with the
Ethernet connection.
Combination Ethernet and USB – If you choose, you can connect both the USB and Ethernet
connections. This allows you to print through the Ethernet connection and use the ECC throughthe USB connection.

16

Section 4: Installing the ECC
To install the ECC use the following instructions:
Insert the Epilog install disk into your computer’s disk drive.

USB Port
A USB cable is included in the accessory kit. The USB port is located at the rearof the machine. USB cables have different connectors on each end. Turn the laser
Off, then connect this end to the laser and connect the other end into any available
USB port at the back of your computer. After connecting the USB cable, turn thelaser back on.

Ethernet Port
The Ethernet Port is a standard 10BaseT connection. A crossover cable (included in theaccessories kit) is used. The Ethernet port is located at the back of the machine. Your
Epilog laser has all of the versatility of a Network capable peripheral. As such, there aremany different ways that the laser can be connected to a computer or a network. A directconnection using a crossover cable is the only method that will be described in thismanual. Plug the cable into the Ethernet port on the laser and then plug the other end into
the Ethernet port on the back of your computer.

If you are going to print to the Fusion through the Ethernet connection you will want to set the IP
Address in the Fusion using the Configuration tab of the ECC. This part was described in theprevious section of this manual so you do not need to perform this function again if you havealready completed this step. To set the IP Address in the Fusion make sure your Fusion is
powered on then go to your computer and open the ECC to the Configuration tab.
You can also set the IP Address from the Fusion keyboard. Instructions are provided in thesection “Using the Front Control Panel” later in this manual.

17Section 4: Installing the ECC

Type the IP Address you want touse along with the Subnet Mask.
The Gateway can remain blank.
Click “ Set” to change the settingin the Fusion.

With the IP Address setting established you are ready to print to the Fusion from the Dashboard
print driver:

The next step is to set up and print a test job:18

Section 4: Installing the ECC

Use Ctrl P, or go to File | Print to print to the laser.
Choose the Fusion driver, and then click on Preferences:

19Section 4: Installing the ECC
Set your laser parameters for the test job and then press Okay. For this test job the laserparameters are not overly important. We are just making sure the computer and laser are talking
to each other and that a job can be sent and will start running.

20Section 4: Installing the ECC

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21

Section 5: Installing the
Epilog Dashboard Print Driver
In This Section
 Installing the Dashboard Print Driver Using an USB Connection
 Installing the Dashboard Print Driver Using an Ethernet Connection

The Epilog Dashboard is the print driver that allows your computer to talk to your
Epilog laser system when either the USB or Ethernet Crossover cables areconnected. The driver is included in the accessories kit on a CD-ROM or on our
web site - www.epiloglaser.com. Install the Dashboard by following theprocedures on the following pages.
There are two ways of installing the Epilog Dashboard.
Most users will want to install the driver with using the USB connection.
1.
2.

USB connection.
a) The process for Windows XP or Vista is easy and straightforward.
b) The process for Windows 7 or 8 takes additional steps.
Ethernet connection.

The Fusion offers both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers. Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows
8 can be used.

22Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

Installing the Dashboard Driver
Using the USB Connection using XP
or Vista
To install the Dashboard print driver using the USB connections with Windows
XP or Vista, follow these instructions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Connect your laser system to your computer using the USB cable that camewith your machine.
Power up your Fusion system.
Insert the Epilog driver disk into your computer’s hard drive.
Your computer will prompt you to install the driver.
Follow the prompts.

Installing the Dashboard Driver
Using the USB Connection using
Windows 7 or 8
The process of installing a USB printer when using Windows 7 or 8 is more
complicated than when using XP or Vista. Windows 7 and 8 will not
automatically walk you through the installation process so it is important tofollow the instructions below.

Please follow these instructions closely! Using a
different process to install the Dashboard driverusing a different process is likely to fail if you
are using Windows 7 or 8.

23Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

1) Insert the Epilog driver install disk into your computer. One of the following
screens will appear. For the USB installation, you will want to close then. We
do not want the computer to automatically try and install the driver. Manually
installing the driver will be much more successful.

2) Connect the USB cable to your computer and your Fusion.
3) After closing the Window above and connecting the USB cable, power on
your Fusion laser system. It will take about a minute for the Fusion toinitialize. After it initializes it will start the process of installing the driver.
You will see activity on the USB icon in your system tray (lower right cornerof your computer screen).
The activity will show a small window in the lower right corner that indicatesinstallation was successful. This is only partially true.

After a short wait you will see another small window that indicates theinstallation was not successful. This is what we hope to see and will lead us to
the next step in the process.

24Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
If your computer is connected to the Internet, it will take a few minutes foryour computer to display these windows. Please be patient during this process
and let the computer finish trying to install the drivers. Interrupting thecomputer at this point will require us to restart the process.
4) After the failure notification, go to the Windows start button (lower left cornerof your computer screen). Click on Devices and Printers.

5) First, right click on the Fusion icon. Then click on Properties.

25Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver6) Select the Hardware tab.

7) Select the device EpilogEngraverFusion. Then click on Properties.

26

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver8) Click on Change Settings.

9) Click on the Driver tab.

27

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver10) Click on Update Driver28Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver11) Click on Browse my Computer for driver software

12) Use the Browse button to direct your computer to your disk drive that contains
the Epilog driver disk that you inserted earlier in this process.

For this document we show the DVD RW drive as the drive where the disk islocated.

29Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print DriverOnce you have the proper disk drive showing click on the Next button.

The progress window will appear.

30Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver13) You will then be asked if you want to install this driver: Click on Install thisDriver Anyway14) Your Epilog Fusion Dashboard print driver has been successfully installed on
the USB port.

15) Click on Close in the next window and then Close again.

31Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
You will then see your Fusion driver in the Devices and Printers page. Clickon the red X in the upper right corner of this page.

16) That’s it! You are ready to print to your Fusion.

32Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

Installing the Dashboard Driver
Using an Ethernet Connection and a
Crossover Cable
If you using an Ethernet connection to print to the Fusion the first steps will show
how to set up your computer to talk to the Fusion before the driver is installed.
The process includes the following steps:
1.
2.
3.

Setting the Ethernet IP Address on the laser,
Setting up the computer’s TCP/IP Address, andDashboard Driver Installation.

Note: The following instructions work only for a direct connection from thecomputer to the Epilog laser using a Crossover cable. This procedure does notwork with a hub or a server. For Ethernet connections that require a hub, server,
or multiple machines/computers, please consult with your network administrator.

Hardware Requirements A 10Base-T or 10/100Base T Ethernet network card installed in yourcomputer. All brand name computers that have been built in the last
couple of years should have come standard with an Ethernet card installed.
 A crossover cable connecting your computer to the laser (included in youraccessories kit).

33

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Step 1: Setting the Ethernet IP Address on
the Laser
The easiest way to set the IP Address on the Fusion is to first install the ECC andmake the change from the Configuration tab.
You can set the IP Address from the Fusion keyboard on the front of the machine,
however it is more convenient to use the ECC. See the section on “Using the
Front Control Panel” for keyboard instructions.

Type the IP Address you want touse – we have used 192.168.3.4.
Type in the Subnet Mask of
255.255.255.000. The Gateway
can remain blank.
Clicking “ Set” will enable thesesetting in the Fusion electronics.

34Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Step 2: Setting up the Computer’s TCP/IP Address
Once you have set the IP Address on the laser you will need to set the TCP/IP
Address in your computer.
1.
2.

From the Start menu at the bottom of your computer monitor screen selectStart | Control Panel | Network Connections.
There are additional instructions for different Windows versions in the
Appendix at the back of this manual if your Windows version is different
than the one shown below.

Right mouse click on the
Local Area Connections
icon, then click on
Properties.

3.

Highlight the Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) V4.

4.

Then click on Properties.

35Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver5.

The window below will appear. Select Use the following IP address radio
button.

6.

Type in the following (leave everything else blank on this page).

7.
8.

IP Address
Subnet Mask

192 168 3 3
255 255 255 0

Default Gateway

Leave blank

This number is not an error -the last digit of the IP addressin this window must be
different than the IP address
set in the Fusion.

Click the OK button in this window and then click on the Close button in
the next window.
Your computer is now set to print through a crossover cable to the Ethernet
port on the laser.

36

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Step 3: Installing the Dashboard Driver for an
Ethernet Connection:
Insert the Epilog Laser CD into your computer’s disk device. It should Auto-Start
and the following window should appear:

If the following screen appears, click on Run fusion_driver.exe and then the
install screen will appear.

Click on Dashboard Driver Install.

37

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

Click on Add Local Printer:

38

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Click on Create New Port and then click on the dropdown menu and selectStandard TCP/IP PortEnter the IP Address you want to use. Most Epilog users will use 192.168.3.4 thatis what we use in this document. Whatever number you use, it must be the same
number you assigned to the IP Address in the Fusion laser.

After typing in the IP Address, click on Next.

39

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Wait while the computer identifies the port.

Select Custom and then Settings, then click on Next

40

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Select LPR and type in Laser into the Queue Name. Then, Click on OK.

Set Protocol to
LPR. This is a very
important step.
Your download
time will be greatly
increased if LPR isnot selected.

After clicking OK above you will return to the window below. Click on Next.

41

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Click on Have Disk

Click on Browse

Find the disk drive with the Epilog install disk and click on Open

Select the driver folder and then click on Open42

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

Click on the EpilogWinALLFusion file and then click on Open43

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver
Click on OK

Click on Next

You can rename your printer here. We have not changed it for this document. We have notchanged it for this document, but many users like to associate the driver name with the IP
Address they are using. Especially if there is more than one laser connected to a single computer.
Click on Next.

44

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

Click on Finish and the driver has been installed! You are ready to print.

45

Section 5: Installing the Epilog Dashboard
Print Driver

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46

Section 6: Using the Epilog
Dashboard
In This Section






General Tab
Advanced Tab
Color Mapping Tab
Additional Dashboard Features
Changing Dashboard Defaults

The Epilog Dashboard is the print driver that sends your artwork and laserparameters from the computer to the laser.
The Dashboard is shown below and can be installed from the driver CD that camein your accessories kit. It can also be downloaded from the Epilog web site –www.epiloglaser.com. If you are just getting started and are in a hurry to engravea job, you can do so by setting just a couple of parameters in the Dashboard
without having a detailed understanding of what different choices are available toyou.
To get started with a simple engraving job, type your name in CorelDraw, press
the Ctrl and P keys to print, select the Dashboard as the Destination to yourprinter and go into Properties. Set the following parameters:

47

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Now that you have printed a simple job, you are ready to gain a better
understanding of the different printing options available from the Dashboard.
Most engraving and cutting jobs can be accomplished by using only the Generaltab. Advanced features for more complex jobs can be found under the Advanced
and Color Mapping tabs.
Note! – When using the slider bars, there are several different ways to get thedesired setting. These different methods all follow standard Windows protocol,
so they will work in other Windows software applications too.
You can move the settings in increments of one by using the + and – icons.

You can move the slider in increments of ten by clicking close to, but not on,
the slider. Holding down the Alt key on your computer keyboard while
clicking close to the slider will bring up the dotted box outlining the slider andwill allow a little better control of moving in increments of ten. Clicking
directly on the slider control (the little box in the center) will also bring up thedashed outline.

48

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
You can move the little slider box by clicking down, holding and then moving
to the desired number before releasing your mouse.

You can type the setting into the number box.

The following sections provide detailed explanations of the different features in
the Print Driver. Most engraving and cutting jobs can be accomplished by using
only the General tab of the Print Driver. Advanced features for more complex
jobs can be found under the Advanced tab.
NOTE: The Fusion driver is used for both CO2 laser and the Fiber laser sources.
There are a few functions in the driver that only apply to one laser type or theother. Most functions apply to both, but if a function does not apply to the laser
type installed in your machine that function will be “grayed out”. For instance, in
the image below we have selected Laser Type as CO2. Notice that the Freq
function under Raster Setting is Grayed out. This setting is only used with theFiber laser so it is not necessary to try and set it with the CO2 laser.

49

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

General Tab
Job Type
One of the first things new users want to know is how the laser system knows
when to engrave and when to cut. The decision is based on several variables:
1) Line weight (or Stroke) as defined in your graphic image from Corel,
Illustrator, etc. The line weight of your object will determine if it willengrave or cut.
2) The Resolution as set in the DashBoard driver will also have an effecton which lines will engrave and which will cut.
3) The Job Type as set in the DashBoard driver - Raster, Vector or
Combined.
To make things easy on themselves, most users set their lines for vector
processing as a Hairline (0.003”) and make the lines red. This provides
a very clear indicator that there is a vector line in the artwork.
Raster Mode – This mode will only engrave. Vector lines will not be processedfrom this mode.
Vector Mode – This mode will only vector. Raster images will not be processedfrom this mode.
Combined Mode – By properly setting up your artwork you can both engrave
and cut from this mode.

50Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Select the Job Type
here.

RasterRaster mode is used for marking or engraving materials. Typical uses would be
reproducing clipart, scanned images, photos, text and graphic images. The Raster
Speed and Raster Power boxes will be enabled when you have selected Raster
under Job Type. Set the Speed and Power boxes to the appropriate settings forthe material that you are engraving. For speed and power guidelines, see the
Speed and Power Recommendations section of this manual.
Note – Very thin lines will not raster engrave, and the definition of “thin” varies
depending on the Resolution being used. Most users use a Hairline or 0.003” line
to designate vector lines.
Example: The rectangle below has a line weight of 0.003 inch. It will not rasterengrave at any resolution. If you send just this box to the laser in Raster modeand try to run the job, the laser will beep once and be finished because the line is
too small to be recognized as an engraving line.
Line weight = 0.003 inch.

51

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
VectorVector mode is used for thin line marking as well as cutting applications. The
Vector Speed, Power and Frequency bars will be enabled when you have selected
Vector or Combined under Job Type.
Note - Artwork, such as scanned images, photos, JPEGs, etc. will not vector cut
because they do not contain thin lines of any kind.
Note: When you are cutting in Vector or Combined mode be aware that your best
results are typically produced at slower speeds. The highest speeds are
specifically designed for draft mode or less demanding applications where speed
is much more important than quality.
Note – Very thin lines are used to define Vector cutting and the definition of“thin” varies depending on the Resolution being used. As a general rule, mostusers set their vector line weights to Hairline or 0.003 inch.
Example: The rectangle below has a line weight of 0.003 inch. It will vector at
any resolution.

Line weight = 0.003 inch.

52Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
When using vector mode, it is necessary to design your job to give the intended
result. Objects and text should be unfilled and drawn with the thinnest possible
outline (other than zero), as shown below. A .001 inch (.025 mm) is
recommended.

CORRECT Vector setup

INCORRECT Vector setup

Combined
Combined mode is used when you want to incorporate both Raster and Vector
functions in the same job setup. When you are in Combined mode, all Raster
operations will be performed first, with the Vector operations second.
Note on Vectors: If you are in Vector or Combined mode, all thin lines will be
vector cut! This can be disconcerting because even if the lines are not visible inyour artwork they will still cut. Usually, this happens when incorporating a
clipart image that has hidden lines that are not readily apparent. Please refer tothe Quick Start & Easy Setup section of this manual for an illustrated explanationof how this can affect your work.
In addition to speed, power and frequency, there are two additional parameters forvector mode:
Slow Cutting:Slow Cutting reduces all speed settings by ½. For example, a speed setting of 10
without Slow Cutting select will move twice as fast as a setting of 10 with Slow
Cutting selected. In essence, Slow Cutting provides an alternative set of speed
parameters that are ½ the speed as the standard settings. Slow Cutting mode will
most often be used for very slow cutting applications when the standard settings
are too fast. Most users will rarely use Slow Cutting mode, but it adds anadditional mode of operation for unusual or demanding applications.

53Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Power Comp:Power Comp (Compensation) adds another dimension to Vector Cutting
settings. Selecting Power Comp is especially useful for vector cutting jobs thatincorporate a large number of curves. Power Comp slows the lens carriage andautomatically reduces the laser power to compensate for the change of speed as
the carriage moves through a curve. This has the effect of producing unparallelededge quality when cutting curves. Straight lines are cut more quickly andefficiently with Power Comp deselected, but many users find that while selecting
Power Comp may sacrifice a little speed for straight line cutting, the better edge
quality in curves is worth it. For most applications, we suggest selecting PowerComp.

Resolution
Print quality is commonly referred to as Resolution, and is one of the variables
that determine image quality. Resolution is expressed in dots-per-inch (DPI) andis determined by the number of lines or dots that are engraved for every inch of
movement. Each horizontal line is referred to as a raster line. The higher the
resolution setting, the finer the detail that can be achieved. Keep in mind thatengraving resolution is only one factor in determining image quality. The qualityof the artwork being sent to the laser can have a bigger influence on the look of
the final product than the resolution. If low quality artwork is being used, eventhe highest resolution will not improve it. Also keep in mind that image quality is
subjective. 300 DPI may be just fine for some images and some customers, while
600 DPI is the absolute minimum for others.

Resolution(PrintQuality) is set in the
Dashboard prior tosending the job to thelaser.
Higherresolution
produces better image
quality.

54

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Speed and Power settings are dependent on resolution setting. For example, there
is greater overlap of each raster line at 600 DPI than there is at 300 DPI. The
additional overlap at 600 DPI has the effect of lasering over more of each line
twice. This means that on material like wood, you will notice a greater depth ofengraving at 600 DPI than you will at 300 DPI if you use the same Speed andPower settings.

Resolution Settings
Uses for different resolution settings:

75 – 150 DPI
These resolution values are typically used for non-production purposes where youwant to experiment with image location, or if you want to quickly produce arough draft.

200 DPI
Some users like 200 DPI for engraving photographs that have been processed
through PhotoGrav or other photo editing software designed for the laser. Other
users prefer 300 DPI for this style of photographs.

300 DPI
This resolution can be good for production work where image quality needs to begood, but not great. Many users will use 300 DPI on plastic and other materials
that don’t require a lot of power in combination with large block lettering.
Attempting to produce really fine detail with 300 DPI is not recommended.

400 DPI
This resolution value is ideal for many applications. It combines very good image
quality with fast engraving times. Many users like 400 DPI for all of their work.

600 DPI
When really fine detail or overall excellent results are required, most users choose
600 DPI.

1200 DPI
This resolution is used for projects that require the best engraving quality
possible, although it’s seldom used because under normal circumstances mostpeople cannot visually discern the difference between 1200 and 600 DPI. There

55

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
are however some users that appreciate this high level of quality and are willing totake twice as long to produce an image at 1200 DPI as it would take them at 600
DPI.
The diagram below shows the concept of raster lines and dots-per-inch (DPI).
The arrows show the change in direction of the carriage between raster lines. The
difference in dot density between 300 DPI and 600 DPI resolution is shown.

300 DPI600 DPI

Helpful Hints
1.
2.

3.

There are four times as many dots engraved at 600 DPI than there are at 300
DPI - twice as many horizontally and twice as many vertically.
The gap between the dots is very small at 600 DPI. At 300 DPI the lesser
overlap is responsible for the jagged edges that are visible when engraving
at lower resolutions. It’s important to remember that while resolution plays
a part in producing good image quality, the artwork that is sent to beengraved is just as important. If the artwork that is sent to the laser is poor
quality, trying to engrave it at 600 DPI will not improve it. It’s always best
to start with high resolution images. Poor artwork will probably always
look poor at any resolution, while good artwork will look good at any
resolution.
Twice as many dots and twice as many lines at 600 DPI produces a much
deeper burn into materials like wood than you would see engraving thesame thing at 300 DPI. This is important to understand because depth ofburn is closely associated with engraving resolution – the higher the
resolution, the greater the depth of burn for a given speed. The relationshipbetween resolution, depth of engraving and Speed and Power setting issomething that most people figure out with just a little experience. The
Speed and Power Recommendations section of this manual helps to makethis easy to understand by providing different Speed and Power settings for
300, 400, and 600 DPI engraving for each different material listed.

56Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
The photos below show a CorelDraw clipart image engraved at 300 DPI (top) andat 600 DPI (bottom). This clipart image is full of different shades of gray andyou can see that the dot spacing is spread out more on the 300 DPI than it is on
the 600 DPI. Just changing the resolution to 600 DPI produces so much dot
overlap that the fill patterns tend to blend together. It’s a matter of personal
preference as to which resolution looks better, but these photos show the dramaticdifference resolution can make, especially when engraving with grayscale images.
300 DPI600 DPI57

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Piece Size
Many users like to create their artwork on a page size in CorelDraw or othersoftware program that matches the size of the piece that is to be lasered.
Compensating for beveled edges or placing an image in an exact location is easy
when there is a one-for-one relationship between the material and the page size ofthe artwork. If this method works for you, set the Piece Size dimensions to match
the page size you have set in your graphics software.
On the other hand, many users do not want to change the Piece Size dimensions
every time they print something new. They prefer to use a standard page size inCorel that matches the table size (32” x 20” for example) and place their artwork
into the upper left corner of the page prior to printing.
Both methods are effective and it is a matter of personal preference which method
is used.

Set the Piece Size in thedriver to match the page size
from your Corel file.

58Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Auto Focus
Most users prefer to use the Auto Focus capability when focusing because it is so quick
and easy to use.
To use auto focus first measure the thickness of the material you are using. Click on Auto
Focus and the input the material thickness using decimal units into the Thickness box.
The table will move up or down so that the top of your material is 2” below the bottom of
the focus lens.

If there the Auto Focus box is not selected, Auto focus will be disabled and thetable will not move up or down when the job starts.
When the Vector Grid is installed and you want to use Auto Focus, click both theAuto Focus box and the Vector Grid box. This tells the laser system that thevector grid is installed and it will automatically calculate the appropriate focal
distance based on this information. Please note – The material thickness is stillrequired when using the vector grid. If a thickness is not specified the system will
auto focus to the top of the vector grid, not to the top of your material.
Use a pair of calipers for an accurate measurement of your material thickness andenter this value in the “Thickness” box in the driver.
WARNING: If you are using Auto Focus and you know there is not enoughclearance between the lens carriage and your material, you will need to lower thetable before you insert your material and start the job. To lower the table, use the59Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Note: Please be careful when auto focusing on irregularly shaped items. The
crash bar and air assist tube must clear all edges of the work piece in thissituation also.

Crash bar60Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Engrave Direction

This feature applies to Raster engraving only and allows you to engrave yourproject either from the top down, or the bottom up. This is very helpful for somematerials like plastic or rubber stamps. In standard top-down engraving there canbe a large amount of engraving debris generated. As the debris moves towards
the exhaust plenum, some of it collects in the area that has just been engraved.
Bottom-Up engraving prevents the debris from collecting in the freshly engraved
spaces.

Top-down engraving starts from the
top and works its way down.

61

Bottom-Up engraving starts from thebottom and works its way up.

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Raster Settings

Speed
The Speed setting determines the travel speed of the carriage in Raster mode andis adjustable in 1% increments from 1 to 100%. The slower the speed, the deeper
the engraving. Speed settings are heavily dependent on the hardness and thethickness of the material being engraved, with harder materials requiring slower
speeds for deeper engraving. Slower speed settings will produce greater depth ofengraving. Please refer to the Speed & Power Recommendations section of thismanual.
An important note: Speed and Power settings can sometimes be confusing
because not all materials that can be marked at the highest speeds and powers
should be marked at the highest speed or power. Many users feel that if a markcan be made at high speed, it’s just a matter of adjusting the power to produce anacceptable mark. Usually, this is the case, but unfortunately, for some difficult
materials it doesn’t always work. For some materials, the length of time the laser
reacts with the material is much more important to producing a good mark than
the raw speed of the system or the amount of laser power that is output by thelaser.
The interaction of the laser with different materials is a complex process, and thisis especially true for some materials that are actually two different materials thathave been bonded together. Since the laser interacts differently with each layer of62Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
material (and sometimes even the bonding agent), you may be better off slowing
the machine down to give the laser time to properly interact with the different
layers in the material.
If you have a multi-layered material that you can mark easily, but not well, at highspeeds, try lowering the speed to see if that produces a better mark. If you’re able
to produce a better mark, but it’s overpowered, lower the power also.

Power
The Power setting determines the amount of laser energy that is delivered to thepiece being cut and is adjustable in 1% increments from 1 to 100%. The higher
the power, the deeper the engraving. Please refer to the Speed & Power
Recommendations section of this manual.

Dithering
Dithering defines how the dot patterns will be engraved in raster images that
contain grayscales, blends, or color. The Dashboard offers six different dithering
patterns to enhance your engraving projects. The default mode is Standard. Thismode can be used for all images including photographs. Dithering is used only
for Raster engraving and has no effect on vector cut lines.

The dropdown list of dithering patterns is easier to think about if you separate thesix options into two categories that we will refer to as Clipart and Photograph:63

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Clipart Modes – Standard, Brighten and Low Res modes are typically used for
clipart images or anything that has been created using a software application like
Corel. Standard mode is the default mode and is by far the most commonly used.
It produces a very structured pattern to the dot patterns being engraved. Brighten
and Low Res decrease the number of dots in the engraving pattern and can beused effectively to remove the washed out appearance of some images (including
photographs).
Photograph Modes – Floyd Steinberg, Jarvis and Stucki modes are designed tomodify an image by replacing the very structured dot patterns with a more
random dot pattern. Engraving in one of these modes can make a photographengraved on marble or anodized aluminum look more appealing than using an
unmodified image. These modes can also be used for special effects of clipart
images.
Experiment with the different dithering patterns to determine which effect is mostpleasing. It is not mandatory that you use the clipart modes with only clipart
images or photograph modes with all photographs. Many users prefer one of thephotograph modes for many clipart images, and one of the clipart modes forphotographs. The choice is entirely up to you!
We have included some sample photographs on the Epilog driver disk for you toexperiment with. Use these photographs to engrave on different materials using
the different dithering options so you can get a feel for how each dithering patternaffects the image and the material.
Laser engraved photographs on wood usually require a third party software
package to produce a good image that is suitable for the laser. Epilog
recommended PhotoLaser Plus for this application. Users find it an invaluablepiece of software that is easy to use and will produce much better looking images
when working with wood.

64Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
What is Dithering? - The best way to show dithering is with an example. In the example below,
we engraved the exact same photo in Standard mode and Stucki mode. Both photos wereengraved at 300 DPI. As you can see, the photos look dramatically different. As you can alsosee, the Standard mode shows a very structured pattern, while the Stucki pattern shows a much
more random pattern that is much more pleasing to the eye.

300 DPI using Standard mode

300 DPI using Stucki mode

300 DPI using Standard mode

300 DPI using Stucki mode

65Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Clipart Modes:
Standard - This mode is the default mode and will be used for most engravingjobs that include text and clipart at 600 DPI.
Brighten – Many users find this mode good for engraving photographs onto
wood or marble at 600 DPI.
Low Res - Adds an artistic half-tone type look to the engraving.

Photograph Modes:
Floyd-Steinberg – Produces an almost wave-like pattern to an image. This
works well for some photos containing a great deal of detail. Photos with moremonotone swatches of color may not be as pleasing as Jarvis or Stucki modes.
Jarvis – Many users find this mode good for engraving photographs at 300 DPI.
This mode produces a very nice looking pattern on almost all photos.
Stucki - This mode produces results that are only marginally different than the
Jarvis dithering pattern. It is also very good for engraving photographs at 300
DPI. The differences between Jarvis and Stucki are very subtle.
Dithering is a great way to enhance your engraved products, but it can be
frustrating sometimes because the look that is achieved will be different from one
material to the next. A graphic image that looks good on wood may not look as
good on plastic. Give yourself some time to experiment with the different
dithering patterns. It’s easy to do and once you have a feel for it, you will be able
to use it with confidence!

66Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Vector Settings

Speed
The Speed setting determines the travel speed of the carriage in Vector cutting
mode and is adjustable in 1% increments from 1 to 100%. The slower the speed,
the deeper the cut. Most cutting applications require relatively slow speed
settings, and the speed is heavily dependent on the hardness and the thickness ofthe material being cut. Slower speed settings will also produce better edge
quality. Please refer to the Speed & Power Recommendations section of thismanual. High speeds are provided for draft mode only and are not intended for
production applications.

Power
The Power setting determines the amount of laser energy that is delivered to thepiece being cut and is adjustable in 1% increments from 1 to 100%. The higher
the power, the deeper the cut. The amount of power necessary to cut completely
through a given material is also heavily dependent on the hardness and thethickness of the material. Please refer to the Speed & Power Recommendations
section of this manual.

67Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Freq (Frequency)
Frequency is the number of laser pulses that the laser fires per inch of travel and is
set in the dashboard and can be adjusted from 1 to 100. A lower frequency
number will have the effect of less heat because fewer pulses are being used to cut
the material. Lower frequency rates are helpful for products like wood wherecharring is evident at higher frequencies. High frequencies are useful on material
like acrylic where a large amount of heat is desirable to melt, or flame polish theedges.
Very low frequencies, (from about 1 to 5) will produce a perforation, as opposed
to a continuous cut.

Low Frequency Pulsing

Higher Frequency Pulsing

68Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Vector Sorting

A checkmark in the vector sorting box will order the sequence of vector cuts. If
sorting is enabled, you have two choices of how the vector lines will be sorted:
Optimize and Inside-Out. In Optimize mode, vectors will be cut in the mostefficient manner, and will generally vector the next closest line to the one justfinished. This is by far the most preferred method as it saves the most time, is themost predictable and will create a continuous line path out lines that lookconnected, but are actually discrete line segments in the artwork. The continuous
path of discrete lines is most often found in AutoCAD or other CAD programs.
Inside-Out mode will vector from the inside object first to the outside objects last.
As an example, if you have a small circle surrounded by a large circle, the small
circle will cut first. If sorting is not checked, the vectors will cut in the order inwhich they are presented, which with most software applications will mean in theorder they were drawn.

69Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Configurations

The “Configurations” feature is a comprehensive data management tool that isused to save all of your Dashboard settings for individual jobs. Saving the
Dashboard settings as a database file allows you to retrieve the job parameters at alater time. This saves you the trouble of trying to remember what speed andpower and other settings you used on a job you did three months ago. All of yoursettings can all be stored as a permanent record.

70Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

First, set all of the desired settings (Speed, Power, Piece Size, Color Mapping
values, etc. for a particular job.

To save theDashboard settingsand identify themwith a name, go to theadvanced tab andclick on Save.

The Dashboard uses
standard Windows
file protocol to savethe configuration
files.
When you installed
the Epilog Dashboard
there was a dedicatedconfigurations folder
created where you
will need to save theconfigurations.

71Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
The path for theConfigurations folder isshown here:
My Documents/Epilog/engraving_setting.

Give your file a name andthen click on Save. You now
have a custom Configuration
file that can be used the nexttime you need to run this job
or material.

HINT! Many users find it helpful to save the configurations with a name thatassociates the configurations with one of two things:
1.
2.

The customer. For example, Jones Pharmacy 04 Awards Banquet.dat
The material size and type. For example, 9 x 12 Wood.dat

Notes on Saving Configuration Settings:
If you would like to expand your folder options it is best to make changes from
Windows Explorer (sometimes referred to as My Computer). You can create as
many folders under the “engraving_setting” folder as you wish and structure yoursaved configuration files in a way that best suits your needs.

72Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Loading Configuration Files:
To load a configuration file,click on the Browse…
button.
The Browse for Folder
window will open.
Click Okay.
After selecting your folder allof the configuration files will
now show in the Dashboard.
Note – The individual files
will not appear in the Browse
for Folder window. They only
appear in the Configurations
window after the folder has
been selected.
Highlight theconfiguration filethat you want touse. You mustclick on the Loadbutton.
Double clicking on
the selected file
will not load thesettings.

73

Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Click on the
General tab to see
the settings that theloaded file bringsup.

Upgrade Firmware
Please see Upgrading the Operational Firmware section of this manual for
detailed instructions on using this feature of the Dashboard.

74Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

Additional Dashboard Driver
FeaturesMultiple Passes

You can automatically engrave or cut a job multiple times by setting the Numberof Copies to the number of passes that you want to make. When each pass isfinished the laser will automatically start another pass until all passes arecomplete.

75Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
Multiple Pages
CorelDraw allows you to set up and print multiple pages. The screen shot below
shows the Corel print window that is set up to print all three pages of a three page
document. You can print all of the pages, or you can specify which ones you
want to print by adjusting the settings in the Print range box.

You can view the different pages in the Print Preview screen.
When a multiple page job is printed to the laser, the job will be displayed on the
LCD as Job:3.Page 3. Note that the last page of the job (in this case there were
three pages) is what is shown on the LCD – not the first page! For this print job
you will see as you scroll through the jobs on the LCD that the second page isdisplayed as Job:2.Page 2, and that the first page is displayed as Job:1. File Name(where the file name is the name of the file as it was saved in Corel).

76Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard
The list below shows the file names a little more clearly:
Job:1. File Name
Job:2. Page 2
Job:3. Page 3 – This file shows on the LCD when the file is received at the laser.

If you already have jobs in the laser system, the naming structure will change.
The Job number will pick up the first available number. For instance, if you have
two jobs already in the laser system and then print a multi-page job of five pages,
the file names for those five pages will be:
Job:3. File Name
Job:4. Page 2
Job:5. Page 3
Job:6. Page 4
Job:7. Page 5 – This is the job that will show after the entire file has been
received.

If you start engraving the jobs and become uncertain about which pages arewhich, you can refer back to your print preview screen and the Page number inthe laser will correspond to the page number in the print preview (see the screen
shot on previous page).

Changing Dashboard Driver Defaults
All of the Dashboard driver default settings can be modified to suit yourengraving needs.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Go to Start | Control Panel | Printers
Right mouse click on the Epilog Engraver
Click on Properties
Click on Printing Preferences
Change any of the settings. These changes will become the default settingsfor each new print job.
Click Okay and close out all open windows.

77Section 6: Using the Epilog Dashboard

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78

Manual

Basic Operations

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80

Section 7: Quick Start & Easy
Setup
In This Section
 Artwork Setup
 Job Setup

Artwork Setup
Create your job in the graphics software of your choice, (for example –CorelDraw). There are three different modes of operation for the laser and theway you setup your artwork will determine if you raster engrave or vector cut.
Raster engraving can best be described as very high resolution dot matrix"printing" with a laser. Raster engraving is used to create highly detailed graphic
images. The laser head scans back and forth, left to right, engraving a series ofdots one line at a time. As the laser head moves down line by line, the dot pattern
forms the image that was printed from your computer. You can raster engrave
scanned images, text, clipart, photographs, or line drawings. Use yourimagination and creativity.

This artwork is a good
representation of a rasterfile. The soccer ball is aclipart image. Text has
been added, and a scanned
photograph is also
incorporated.

81Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
Vector cutting is a continuous path that follows the outline, or profile, of animage. Vector cutting is normally used to cut completely through materials suchas wood, acrylic, paper, etc. It can also be used for quick marking of charactersand geometric patterns. You can vector cut with the laser by setting objects andtext to be unfilled and drawn with a 0.001-inch (0.025mm) outline. The thin
outline will produce a vector cut. When vectoring, use the vector grid or a pin
table to protect the back of your material as well as your table from laser marking.

The two samples above show the results of
Vector Cutting in wood.

This image is a good representation of a vector file. There is no
fill in the letters and the outline is .001 inch (0.025mm).

82

Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
Note: If your Raster artwork contains thin lines between .001 and .007 inches andyou are using Vector or Combined mode, those thin lines will all vector cut. Thiscan be disconcerting when it happens. The most common setup where this occurs
is when you have a clipart image with hidden lines that you send to the laser using
Combined mode. The artwork shown below is a good example of a piece of
clipart as it appears on the screen (top) and the hidden lines (bottom) that will
vector cut if you are in Combined or Vector mode. If you only want to Rasterengrave, make sure you select Raster mode in the Epilog Dashboard.
For more information on Vector cutting refer to the Using the Epilog Dashboard
Driver section of this manual.
In CorelDraw you can view just the lines (bottom view)by clicking on the View button in the menu bar andselecting Simple Wire frame.

Figure 1: Clipart Image w/Hidden Lines

The upper image is a complex piece of clipart. The lower image shows all of
the hidden lines that are in this piece of clipart. If this clipart image were run in
Combined mode it would first raster most of the car then vector cut all but the
thickest lines.

83Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup

Job SetupYour Epilog laser system has a prime reference point that is in the upper-leftcorner of the laser table. This is the 0,0 (zero, zero), or “Home” position. All
artwork and material placement is normally referenced from here. Keep this 0,0
point in mind when measuring and setting up your work.

Artwork Orientation
Landscape or Portrait – You can engrave using either landscape or portrait modes.
Depending on the artwork, you can increase your efficiency and decrease the time
it takes to engrave an image by changing the orientation of your file. Many users
set up their artwork in portrait mode and then rotate the artwork 90 degrees if they
are going to print from landscape mode.
The drawings below show the same job in portrait mode (left) and landscapemode (right). The portrait mode will engrave in less time because there is a large
amount of horizontal white space between the lines of text that the laser willautomatically skip through. Engraving the same job in landscape mode eliminates
the lasers ability to skip through white space, resulting in a longer engraving time.
Experiment with the artwork that you use. It will quickly become second nature
which mode works best for different types of artwork.

Landscape Mode

Portrait Mode84Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
Material Orientation
Some materials such as wood or plastics that have a grain (brushed look) will looknicer when engraved if the grain of the material runs parallel with the X-stroke ofthe carriage. The orientation of material without a grain pattern is usually notimportant.
Travel direction of carriage

Travel direction of carriage

Wood showing grain

PreferredPreferred

Wood showing grain

Less Desirable
Orientation
Less desirable

Piece and Page Size
Many users like to create their artwork on a page size in Corel that matches thesize of the piece that is to be lasered. Compensating for beveled edges or placing
an image in an exact location is easy when there is a one-for-one relationshipbetween the material and the page size of the artwork. If this method works foryou, remember that you must also set the Piece Size dimensions in the Dashboard
to match the page size you have set in your graphics software.
On the other hand, many users do not want to change the Piece Size dimensions in
the Dashboard every time they print something new. They prefer to use a page
size that matches the table size (18 x 12 (458 x 305 mm) for the Mini 18) andplace their artwork into the upper left corner of the page. Both methods are
effective and it is a matter of personal preference which method is used.
Place the material to be engraved on the engraving table in the upper left handcorner, pressing the material firmly against the metal rulers along the top and leftedges.
Most material does not need to be held or clamped in place. Simply setting it on
the table and letting gravity hold it in place is enough. If you are using a material
that is likely to move during operation or is very thin, you can hold it in place

85Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
using the Epilog Integrated Vacuum Table. Simply place it on the table flush
against the upper and left hand rulers. Then cover any remaining holes in themetal table with scrap material or a made jig. This will create a semi-suction andhold the piece of material in place. The material can also be held with a variety ofmaterials such as masking tape, PlayDoh, magnets, etc. Creating jigs is also an
excellent method of holding materials that are high volume, or high value.
Engraving or cutting a jig to match an unusual shape is very easy to do.

Focus on your material
In order to engrave or cut a crisp clean image, your material must be the correct
distance from the bottom of the focus lens. Setting the distance from the bottomof the focus lens to the top of your material is the process of focusing, and isaccomplished by placing your material on the table and moving the table up or
down. There are two different methods of focusing – Manual or Auto Focus.

Manual Focus
The photo below shows the “V” shaped manual focus gauge that is used todetermine the correct distance from the focus lens to the top of your material.
This gauge is included in your Accessories Kit that comes with your system.

Manual Focus Gauge
Place the manual focus gauge on the carriage and place the object to be cut or
engraved in the upper-left corner of the machine. Use the arrow keys on thecontrol panel to highlight the light next to the word Focus. You can now move
the Joystick up or down to move the table appropriately until your material justtouches the bottom of the gauge. The speed at which the table rises or lowers canbe controlled by applying varying pressure upwards or downwards on the86Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
joystick. Once the focus position has been established, remove the gauge. Press
the Reset key.
If your material has a taper or curve, pick an intermediate point between thehighest and lowest points being engraved and focus on that point. In general, thearea of the material being engraved needs to be relatively flat. If the area being
engraved differs in height by more than about an 1/8th of an inch (3 mm), theimage will begin to look “fuzzy” or out of focus.
Manually Focus Anywhere on the Table: If you wish to focus at a point on thetable other than in the upper left corner you can do so by activating the Jog
feature of the machine. Press the Arrow keys on the keypad until the light next to
Jog is illuminated. This now activates the Joystick to allow you to move the lenscarriage of the laser to the desired position on the table. Again, varying thepressure applied to the joystick will vary the speed at which the lens carriage
moves to the desired position on the table. Once the lens carriage is located overthe desired portion of the table, use the procedure above for raising and lowering
the table until the focus gauge touches the top of the material.
After you have focused, press the Reset key to send the carriage back to its Park
position.
There is a handy Focus gage holder built into both the left and right front of the
Fusion.

87Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
Auto Focus
Most users prefer to use the Auto Focus capability for focusing. It’s quick and easy touse.

Auto Focusing Through the Dashboard
Activating the Auto Focus can be done on your computer by checking the “AutoFocus” box in the Dashboard. If there is not a Check in this box, Auto focus will
be disabled and the table will not move up or down when the job starts.
When a job is started, and Auto Focus has been enabled, the table willautomatically raise or lower to the appropriate height before the lens carriage
moves to the first point of engraving/cutting.
You must also indicate if you are using a vector grid. When the Vector Grid isinstalled and you want to use Auto Focus, click the box next to “Vector Grid”.
This tells the laser system that the vector grid is installed and it will automaticallycalculate the appropriate focal distance based off this information. Please note –The material thickness is still required when using the vector grid. If a thickness is
not specified the system will auto focus to the top of the grid, not to the top ofyour material.
To enter the material thickness of the object you will be engraving/marking/cutting use a pair of calipers for an accurate measurement and enter this value inthe “Thickness” box in the driver.

88Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
WARNING: If you are using Auto Focus and you know there is not enoughclearance between the lens carriage and your material, you will need to lower thetable before you insert your material and start the job. To lower the table, use theArrow keys on the keypad to illuminate the light next to the word “Focus”. Then
use the Joystick to lower the table enough to accommodate your part.
Note: Please be careful when auto focusing on irregularly shaped items. The
crash bar and air assist tube must clear all edges of the work piece in this situation
also.

Crash bar

The Crash Bar is a safety feature that prevents the table from “crashing” into thelens carriage and X-beam.

89

Section 7: Quick Start & Easy Setup
The Fusion keyboard will display the job:

Job: Untitled

Place your work piece in the upper left corner of the engraving table, close the door and thenpress the Go key to start the job.
To access the ECC after the job has printed go to your Icon tray in the lower right corner of your
Windows screen and double click on the ECC icon. Once you have opened the ECC from yourdesktop you will only be able to access it through the lower right icon tray. If you close the ECC
or it is not in the icon tray go back to your desktop to reopen it. The icon tray is in the lower rightcorner of the Desktop and the ECC icon is shown below. You icon tray may look different thanthe one shown, but it should be in the lower left corner.

90Section 8: Using the Front
Control Panel
In This SectionKeyboard Commands
Loading Your Work
Operation
Job Storage

The Keyboard Commands are useful tools for operating your laser system and is arranged intofunctional groups:
1) Function Menu - Action Keys - Display – Joystick - Red Dot Pointer and Laser
On.

Function Menu

Display

Action Keys
Red Dot
Pointer

Laser OnKey

Joystick91Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel

Joystick:
Up

Left

CenterClick

The Joystick is used to control, move, or change allof the available features found in the Fusion
keyboard.
Right
After you highlight a Function Menu item you will
use the Joystick to control, move or change thatfunction by tilting or depressing the Joystick.

Down
Changes made while using the Joystick will be shown on the two-line LCD display.
The Joystick is an extremely versatile tool that can be used in many different ways. There are three
primary functions to the Joystick:1) Tilting – most actions will be performed by tilting the Joystick from side-to-side. To tilt the
Joystick, use the side of your thumb or forefinger to apply pressure to the sides of the
Joystick. Alternatively, many users will place their thumb in the top indent of the Joystick foreasy 360 degree maneuverability.
2) Center Clicking – Some actions will require a straight down center click to initiate. This isaccomplished by simply pressing straight down on the center of the Joystick.
3) Flick - A single, quick “Flick” will produce a single movement or very small adjustment.
The Joystick is progressive and touch sensitive and provides a continuously variable range ofadjustments. It is sensitive to the degree of tilt that is being applied. The more you tilt the Joystick,the bigger your impact on the function you are using.
To see how the Joystick works, let’s practice:
Use the cursor keys on the keypad to highlight the Focus function. Focus mode allows us to movethe table up or down. Now, simply tilt the Joystick as fas as you can in the Up or Down direction.
The table should start moving qucikly. To slow the table movement, simply reduce the amount of tilt
you apply to the Joystick. Varying the amount of tilt changes how fast the table moves.
Now, let’s “flick” the joystick. By flicking the Joystick, the table will move about .001” or .002”.
You will probably not be able to see the table move such a small amount, but if you watch thedisplay panel you will see that the numeric display shows it has moved.
Once you get a feel for it, you will be able to move the table at an absolute crawl or as fast as it willgo just by adjusting the amount of tilt.

92Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
Under some circumstances you will be asked to perform a ‘Center Click” action. To Center-Click,press straight down on the center of the Joystick. This will produce a tactile “Click” that indicatesyou have confirmed a specific change. This feature will be described later in this section.

Display:

The display shows valuable information associted with the the highlighted Funtional Menu items.
We will explain the different information that will be displayed as we go through the description ofeach menu item.

Action Keys:

GO:
Press the GO key to start or resume a job.
If you are in Jog mode and have moved the carriage to a different position on the table you can press
the GO button to make that position your new Home position. After setting a new Home position
you may want to restore your standard Home position in the upper left corner. Highlight Config
from the Function Menu and press the Joystick in the Down direction. The first selection will be
Restore Home. Press the GO button and you will restore your standard Home position.

STOP:
Pressing the Stop key will stop the lens carriage and the laser beam will be shut off. If the Stop key
is pressed during raster engraving mode the lens carriage will stop on either the far left or far right ofthe engraving line that is in process. If the Stop key is pressed while in vector cutting mode, the lenscarriage will stop at the end of a line segment or at the next line node location. Once the lens93

Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
carriage has stopped, you can open the door to examine the engraving. By closing the door andpressing the Go key, the engraving / cutting job will commence where it left off. If the item being
engraved is not moved the engraving / cutting registration will not be affected.
Note: Opening to door on the laser during engraving or cutting will stop the laser from firing;
however the lens carriage will continue to move. It is important to STOP the job before you open
the door to ensure the engraving / cutting is completed.
If you press the STOP key while in vector mode it may take some time for the system to actually
stop. The system needs to get to the next node in a vector before it can stop.

RESET:
Pressing the RESET key will move the carriage back to its Home position. Press the RESET button
after you have pressed the STOP button, or after you have moved the carriage when in the Jog
position.
RESET does not erase the job from the laser systems memory; rather it will stop the engraving job
in process and send the carriage back to the home position.

Function Menu:

Job:

94

Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
When a job has been printed to the laser and the Job menu is highlighted, you will be see the job in
the first line of the display. The estimated job time and the print resolution will show on the secondline of the display. Pressing the Go button on the keyboard will start this job. After pressing the Go
button the job timer will be active and the print resolution will be displayed on the second line of thedisplay.
If multiple jobs have been printed to the laser, the last job printed to the Fusion will show. Use the
Joystick to scroll through multiple jobs.
The Job name is the same name as the file used to print the job.

Job:1. Fusion Test
00:02:23 600 DPI
In the image above, the job time estimator indicates that the job will take 2 minutes and 23 seconds
at 600 DPI.
The Job Time estimator is an extremely handy tool for pricing jobs!

Focus:
With Focus highlighted, use the Joystick to move the table up or down. The display will show adigital readout of the table position.
Using a Center-Click action on the Joystick will move the lens carriage out about two inches tomake manual focus easier.
Pressing the RESET button will move the carriage back to its resting position.

Jog:
With Jog highlighted, use the Joystick to move the lens carriage. Turn on the red dot pointer for avisual indicator of where the carriage is moving. The carriage can be moved in X, Y or diagonally.
The display will show a digital readout of the lens location.
When you are in Jog mode you can also set a new Home position anywhere on the table. Aftermoving the carriage to your desired location, press the Joystick using the Center-Click action. Thisestablishes new Home position.

95

Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
To Restore the carriage to its standard upper left corner position, go to Config. The first menu itemin Config is Restore Home. Center-Click the Joystick to move the lens carriage back home.

Speed:
With Speed highlighted, the speed setting will be displayed. The display will show RS for Raster
Speed and VS for Vector Speed.

Power:
With Power highlighted, the speed setting will be displayed. The display will show RP for Raster
Power and VP for Vector Power.

Config:With Config highlighted, use the Joystick to scroll through the available menu items. The items in
the Config menu are shown below along with a description of how they are used. Please keep inmind that changing these setting from the ECC is a much easier process than changing them fromthe keyboard.
1) Restore Home – Center Click to restore the lens carriage to its standard Home position when
you are finished using a temporary home position. See instructions for using the Jog featurefor further explanation.
2) X Home – This function calibrates the system’s X Home position, which is set relative to theupper left corner of the table. Increasing this number has the effect of moving your artwork
to the right. Decreasing this number has the effect of moving your artwork to the left. The
numeric readout shows increments of .001”.
3) Y Home – This function calibrates the system’s Y Home position, which is set relative to theupper left corner of the table. Increasing this number has the effect of moving your artwork
to the down. Decreasing this number has the effect of moving your artwork up. The numericreadout shows increments of .001”.
4) Focus Home – This function calibrates the system’s Focus position which is set relative tothe topmost position of the table. Increasing this number has the effect of increasing the
distance between the table and the lens carriage. Decreasing this number has the effect of
decreasing the distance between the table and the lens carriage. The numeric readout showsincrements of .001”.
5) Jog LPWR – This function sets the power that will be used when using the Laser On feature.
Increasing this number increases the percentage of the laser power that will be used when
Jogging the lenas carriage and pressing the white Laser On button.

96Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
6) Serial # - This establishes a S/N for USB use.
999
7) IP Address – This sets the IP Address of the laser system.
192.168l.3.48) Subnet Mask – This sets the Subnet mask for the laser system.
255.255.255.0
9) Gateway – This sets the Gateway for the laser system.
192.168.0.254
10) Laser - This shows which type laser is installed in the machine.
CO211) Vector Grid – This indicates if the Vector Grid is installed.
Yes12) AirA Raster – This tells the machine to activate Air assist during all Raster jobs.
Yes13) AirA Vector - This tells the machine to activate Air assist during all Vector jobs.
Yes14) Laser Match – This sets the left-right raster line alignment.
015) Stamp Match - This sets the left-right raster line alignment in Stamp mode.
016) Set Home – This sets a new Home Position17) Go Home – This restores the carriage lens to its standard Home position.
18) AutoF Installed – This indicates Auto Focus is installed.
Yes19) AirA Installed - This indicates Air Assist is installed.
Yes20) X ADJ – This calibrates the accuracy in the X-axis.
021) Y ADJ– This calibrates the accuracy in the Y-axis.
022) Laser TI – This sets the Tickle of the laser tube.
123) Bed Size – This indicates the bed size.
32x2024) Sys Unit – Sets units
Inch25) Joystick Cal – Calibrates the feel of the Joystick.
26) System Version –Firmware version.
001.000.000.001
If you are using the keyboard to change any X, Y or Focus value you will need to use the Joystickand you will need to be careful about the correct sequence of Joystick actions.

97Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel

For instance, follow these steps to change your X Home position:
1) Highlight Config – Restore Home will show on the display
2) To scroll through the Config menu items flick the Joystick down.
3) The first menu item after flicking once is X Home.
4) Center Click the Joystick – A flashing cursor will appear under the number that is displayed.
5) Tilt the Joystick to increase or decrease the value that is shown.
6) Once you have the proper value, press the GO button.
7) For this value to be changed permanently you now need to use the Joystick to go back to thefirst menu item, which is Restore Home.
8) Now, Center Click the Joystick. The machine will reinitialize home by moving back in the Yaxis, then left in the X axis and then finally to its standard resting Home position. Your newvalue has changed.
Changing these setting from the ECC is easier for most users.

Red Dot Pointer and Laser On Keys:

Red Dot:
The Pointer key is a toggle switch that turns the laser systems Red Dot Pointer on and off. When
the Red Dot Pointer is on, the indicator light directly to the left of the Pointer key will be
illuminated.

Laser On:98

Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel
The laser on button allows you to move the carriage and fire the laser without having a job in thedisplay. This is a very handy feature because it allows you to do simple tasks without printing a job
to the laser system!
To use the Laser On feature you must be in Jog mode. When in Jog mode, press and hold the white
Laser On button. Simultaneously use the Joystick to move the carriage. When the carriage moves,
the laser will fire. As soon as the carriage stops moving the laser will stop firing.
You can adjust the default laser power being used in Laser On mode from the Config menu.
Highlight Config, then scroll down to Laser On Pwr: Use the Joystick to change the power setting.
Press straight down on the joystick to accept the change. Press GO to activate the change. Go back to
Jog mode to use Laser On.

Job Storage - Temporary Memory
The Fusion laser has the capability to store multiple jobs in temporary memory. The
machine will store any and all jobs sent until there is no free temporary memory left.
For all practical purposes, there is no limit to the number of jobs you can send to thelaser.
Note: Temporary jobs stored in the laser systems will be erased when the laser
system is turned off.
Jobs listed in the ECC will also be deleted when the laser system is turned off.

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Section 8: Using the Front Control Panel

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100

Section 9: Using the ECC(Epilog Control Center)
In This Section – Standard Features
 Job Tab
 Control Tab
 Configuration Tab

To access the ECC either double click on the ECC icon on your desktop or double click on it fromyour system tray in the lower right corner of your computer monitor. This is explained in more detailin an earlier section of this manual.

Job Tab
The Job tab is used to manage the jobs that have been printed to the Fusion and shows all of the laserparameters that were used to print the job from the Dashboard driver.
The image below shows the three jobs that have been printed to the laser. Job #3 is highlighted andyou can see the laser parameters that were used for this job. The asterisk next to the time in the Run
Time section means that the job has not been run yet. It has only been printed, but is in queue andready to run. Scrolling through the jobs will show the laser parameters that were used for each job.

101

Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center)

The image below shows that Job #3 has now been completed because there is no asterisk in the Run
Time section.
This image also shows that now Job #2 is selected and that it has entirely different laser parametersthan Job #3.

The Job tab allows you to run the laser from this one page once a job has been printed to the laser.

102

Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center)
Clicking on the Play button will start the job you have selected. If you have placed your material in
the machine, pressing the Play button will start the job. Pressing the Play button eliminates the needto start the job using the GO key on the Fusion keyboard.
Please be careful when starting a job from the ECC. As you can imagine, if you have a job in queue
without running it and leave the laser unattended briefly, someone else may come along and change
your work piece. If you do not check to make sure it’s still in place you would be better off starting
the job from the laser Keyboard.
You can only start a job if the status of the machine is Idle. The job will run using the laserparameters that are shown. You can also Stop and Pause a job from the computer.
If you have printed a job to the laser and realize that you would like to modify some of the laserparameters you can change them from the Job tab, click on the Play button and your new settings
will override the old ones.
If you change a laser parameter you can make that change permanent or you can use it as atemporary setting. If you change the Raster speed you will see the new setting changes to red.
Pressing the Play button will run the job at this new setting, but when the job is finished, the setting
will go back to what was originally sent from the Dashboard driver. To make the change permanent,
first change the setting and then click on Set. The Set button will save the change and the new value
will no longer be red.
The image below shows the Job tab while a job is running. Notice that the status ball has changed tored. Also notice that the job you are currently running is highlighted in red.

103Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center)
At the bottom of the ECC you can see a visual indicator in green that shows the progress of the job.
As you can see, this job is about 2/3rds complete and has been running for 23 seconds.
All jobs will be automatically deleted when the Fusion is powered off. These jobs cannot be stored
in computer memory, but the Configurations panel in the print driver allow for permanent storage oflaser parameters.
Control Tab
The Control tab is used to move the lens carriage and the work table. Use the cursor icons to movethe lens carriage and table. If you click on the cursor the lens carriage in the machine will startmoving. These controls are real time controls!
You can also input numerical values if you want to move the carriage or table to a specific location.

You can use the buttons at the bottom of the screen to set a temporary Home position or to send thecarriage back to its standard rest position.

104

Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center)

Configuration Tab
The Configuration tab allows you to change the factory setting from the ECC. These setting are notsomething you would normally change on a regular basis, but making minor adjustments to yourmachine is easy form the configuration tab. The settings found in the Configuration tab are the sameas those found under the Configuration menu on the keyboard.
Most users find that if they do need to make a change to the Configuration of the machine it is mucheasier to do from the ECC than the keyboard at the machine.

105Section 9: Using the ECC (Epilog Control Center)

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106

Section 10: Standard &Optional Machine Features
In This Section – Standard Features
 Air Assist
 Front Access Door
Optional Accessories
 Vector Grid
 Air Assist Pump
These optional accessories can be purchased with your original order or at any timeafter the purchase of your laser system.

Air Assist
Air assist is most commonly used for vector cutting applications where the need tokeep combustible gases way from the cutting surface is desirable. The Air Assist
directs a constant stream of compressed air across the material surface at the point ofburn removing the heat and combustible gases from the work surface.
The constant air stream helps reduce charringand scorching associated with materials, suchas wood, rubber, and acrylic.
This photo at left shows the air assist tube.
All Epilog systems have the plumbing for the
air assist included (a pump is optional) as astandard part of the machine.
Shop air can be used in place of the optional
Epilog pump.

107

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features
The pump can either be purchased throughyour Epilog representative or you canconnect your existing compressed air
supply to the ¼ inch (6 mm) receptacle atthe back of the machine (30PSI max).
Air assist should always be activatedduring vector cutting operations to reduce
the risk of fire!

Optional Air Assist pump.

Front Access Door
The front access door is usually used for easy loading and unloading of palletizedmaterials. The door is interlocked and the laser will not fire if the door is open.
The front access door is supported by struts.

The struts can be disconnected if you wish to open the door more than its standard 90
degree opening. Remove the left and right thumb screws to allow the door to open thefull 180 degrees.

108Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
FeaturesTask Plate
The task plate is the flat stainless steel table that is used as the standard engraving
surface for jobs that don’t include vector cutting. The task plate is magnetic andallows you to use magnets to hold oddly shaped items in place.

Optional Vector Grid/Vacuum Holddown Table
The optional vector grid/vacuum hold-down table is primarily used for vector cutting
jobs where the laser penetrates all the way though the material being cut. The vector
grid lifts your work material off of the flat task plate and allows the laser beam topenetrate all the way through the material without reflecting back up onto thebackside of your work. The photo below shows the vector grid installed in the Fusion.

Vacuum Hold-down
The exhaust system is designed so that it evacuates from both the top and the bottomof the vector grid. The exhaust pulls air through the vector grid and forms enough ofa vacuum that it will flatten slightly warped sheet stock, paper, wood, aluminum sheet
stock and other materials. As long as the exhaust is operating, and the vector grid is
no more than an inch (25.4 mm) below its highest point, the vacuum table will work.
If you have a piece of sheet stock that does not flatten out because it is not covering

109Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Featuresenough of the grid holes, you can use any material (including paper) to cover the
exposed grid. Simply blocking most of the grid holes will be enough to flatten most
sheet stock as long as it is not too severely warped, bent or too rigid.

Installation of the Vector grid
The rulers on the task plate have slots that align and hold the pins mounted to thebottom of the vector grid. The photo below shows the slots in the rulers between the2” and 3” marks. There are four slots on the X-axis and 3 slots on the Y-axis. Simplyalign the pins in the bottom of the vector grid to these slots and press the vector grid
firmly into the slots. You should feel a tactile “click” when the vector grid is properly
seated.

Whenever you are vector cutting there is the potential for small pieces to fall throughthe vector grid and collect in the bottom of the vector grid. These small pieces
present a very dangerous fire hazard. Remove and dispose of the debris in the vector
grid on a regular basis.

110Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features

Rulers
The rulers have both English and metric units printed on them. Simply unscrew therulers and flip them over if you want to change which units are displayed.

Crash Bar
The Crash Bar is mounted to the lens assembly and prevents the table from“crashing” into the X-beam when the table is moving to its focus position. If the tablemoves up into the crash bar the system will come to a complete stop.
If the crash bar is activated, you will need to reboot the machine to recover.
The crash bar is removed as part of the lens assembly. When reinstalling the lensassembly, please make sure that the Crash Bar is sitting on top of the locating pins on
the side of the carriage.

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Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features
Crash Bar and locating pins.

Emergency Stop
The emergency stop can be used to completely shut down the Fusion system in caseof an emergency. If the emergency stop is used you will need to turn off the machineusing the regular power switch, and then pop the E-Stop back out and then restart the
Fusion as normal.

E-StopStandard Power switch

112

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features

Pin Table
The Pin Table option offers a method for users to keep all back reflections of the laser
beam from marking the sides or back of the material being cut. The Pin Table lifts
the cutting material completely off the vector grid and provides a means to eliminate
the tick marks that can be created when the laser beam comes into contact with thegrid material.

The Pin Table is a 12” x 12” (305 x 305 mm) anodized aluminum table that holds
moveable support pins that can be placed anywhere on the table’s one inch (25.4 mm)
grid pattern. The moveable support pins allow the user to place the pins anywhere on
the grid in such a way that they support the material being cut while avoiding the
cutting path of the laser. This method of supporting the material produces cut edges
that do not have any marks from laser reflections. By setting up a grid pattern in yourgraphics package to match the grid pattern of the Pin Table, you can easily ensure thatyour cutting path will not contact the support pins.

113Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features
Assembly Instructions
After unpacking the Pin Table, remove the four thumbscrews from the Pin Table
assembly.
1.
2.

Install the four fences along the two sides using the thumbscrews you justremoved.
At this point the Pin Table is almost ready to use. The next step involves
placing the pins anywhere on the grid so that they support the piece you aregoing to be cutting, and are out of the laser beam cutting path.

Users Guide
1.

2.

3.
4.

5.
6.

Install as many pins as necessary to support your work piece and waste pieces.
a. The pins are held in place with plastic supports and need to be pressedfirmly into place to be fully seated. You may need to use a wooden
block to press them in fully.
b. If all pins are not fully seated, the top of the pins will not be level andyour work piece will wobble.
c. The grid design allows you to strategically place the pins where they
will support your work piece and stay out of the lasers path at the sametime.
Once the pins are located, place the pin table into the upper left corner of yourlaser system with the fences resting against the left and top edge guides (rulers).
If the pin table is resting properly against the edge guides you will maintainyour 0,0 (zero, zero) Home position in the upper left corner.
Once the pin table is in your laser system, place your work piece onto the pintable so that the left and top edges of your material rest against the fences.
Send your job to the laser. If the pins are properly located, your job will cut alledges cleanly without the laser contacting any of the pins.
a. Be careful when using the Auto Focus feature with the pin table.
There is a risk that the auto focus will move to an unsupported part of
the work piece and flip the work piece off of the pins while focusing!
When cutting is complete, use the handy Parts Lifter to lift your parts from thepin table.
When you’re ready for your next vector cutting job, you can remove the pins
and place them into a new position. The pins are designed to be held snugly inplace by the plastic supports. It may be necessary to remove them with the useof pliers.

114

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features7.
8.

Additional pins can be purchased from Epilog. Ask for P/N LF231.
The Pin Table is designed so that multiple Pin Tables can be set next to eachother and maintain the one inch (24.4 mm) grid pattern.

115

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features

The following illustrations show tips on how to easily use the Pin Table.
In CorelDraw, set up a 12 x 12 inch (305 x 305 mm) page:

Select View, and scroll down and click on Grid and Ruler Setup.

Set the Frequency to 1.0 per inch (both Horizontal and Vertical), and put a check mark in the Show
grid box. Click OK

116

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
FeaturesYour Corel page now shows a grid pattern that matches the grid of the Pin Table.

Set up your artwork on the grid so that the vector lines do not cross the path of any of the pins. The
small black circles within the letter “B” show the location of the pins. Notice that you do not need toplace pins in every available space, they just need to be placed where they will support the workpiece. For this piece we have also supported the middle of the “B” to show how to support the waste
pieces if you do not want them to fall out after cutting. The circles outside of the “B” are to support
the long piece of wood that we are going to use for cutting.

The next photo shows the Pin Table in the machine with the letter “B” cut out and resting on the
pins.

117

Section 10: Standard & Optional Machine
Features118

Section 11: Engraving
Machine Cleaning
In This Section
 Cleaning Important!
 Laser Tube

This cleaning section may show photos ofother Epilog machines. The cleaning process
is the same so please use these photos as areference guide.

Cleaning - Important!
Fire Warning!
Through normal use your laser system can collect debris and soot that are potentiallyflammable. Keeping your laser system clean and the area around it clean areimportant parts of laser maintenance. Some materials are extremely flammable andcan easily ignite and burst into open flame setting the machine afire. This open flameis very dangerous and has the potential to destroy not only the machine, but thebuilding in which it is housed. Acrylic (Persplex) is one of the more highly
flammable materials that are commonly processed with a laser.
Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely at
all times!
 NEVER let the laser system operate if it will be unattended.

119Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible
materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or
gasoline.
 ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on hand.
Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose dry
chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotron extinguishers are more expensive
than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you ever need to use
an extinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges a clean, easily
removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics or wiring of thelaser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a sticky, corrosive
powder that is very difficult to clean up.
 ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
 BE CAREFUL! when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential toburst suddenly into flames – even materials that may be very familiar to theuser. Always monitor the machine when it is operating.
 KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting andengraving reside and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in its
own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly
remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through thegrid.
The single most important thing that you can do to keep your laser working as if itwere new is to keep it clean! Five minutes once a day will keep the residue anddebris from building up and causing problems. There is almost no maintenancerequired for your laser if you KEEP IT CLEAN!
To keep your system clean use a soft cloth and a mild solvent like Isopropyl alcohol
to remove the smoke and vapor from the table, X-beam and anywhere else thatcollects dirt and debris.
Cleaning the optics requires special care. Please see the instructions on the following
pages.

Cleaning the Optics
About once a week, or if you notice dust building up, you will need to clean the
optics (mirrors and lenses) of your laser. If smoke, resin, or other contaminants areallowed to accumulate they will reduce the available laser power and may cause
damage to the optics.
The two optical components most likely to require cleaning are the focus lens and themirror directly above it. The lens and mirror are a single assembly, and can be120Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
removed from the machine for cleaning by unscrewing the three thumbscrews on thefront lens cover.
MirrorFocus Lens
To clean the optics use a high-quality cotton swab moistened with the optics cleaner
supplied in the accessory kit. Please read the label on the bottle carefully. Rubbing
alcohol should be used only to remove fingerprints. If you run out of the cleaner
supplied by Epilog, acetone can be used as a temporary measure, but should not be
used for regular cleaning as it contains impurities which can contaminate the optics.
If you run out of optics cleaner, pure ethyl (grain) alcohol such as “Golden Grain"and "Everclear" are highly recommended because of their pure nature and because
they are readily available.
Wet the swab thoroughly with the solvent, and then blot it against a piece of cotton sothat it is no longer soaking-wet. Then daub the optic gently, rotating the swab after
each daub to expose clean cotton to the surface until the optic is free of visible
contamination. At that point, prepare a fresh swab and clean the surface with a gentle
zigzag motion across it. Avoid any hard "scrubbing" of the surface, especially while
there are visible particles on it, and try not to use repetitive circular motions. When
you are done, be careful to remove any cotton threads that may have snagged on themountings. Allow the optics to dry before you operate your engraver.
When reinstalling the lens assembly, please make sure that the Crash Bar is sitting on
top of the locating pins on the side of the carriage.

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Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
Crash Bar and locating pins.

122Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
In addition to the focus lens and the mirror directly above it, there is a mirror located on the left sideof the X-beam. This mirror is very well protected and should not need regular cleaning. It can beaccessed with a cotton swab if it does need cleaning.

The photos below shows how to clean the focus lens. Remove the lens carraige fromthe machine to clean both the top and bottom of this lens.

Cleaning and Lubricating the Bearing Rails
The bearing system in the laser should be cleaned about once a week depending onuse. Use a soft cloth or cotton swab with some alcohol or similar mild solvent toclean each of the bearing tracks which the optics (mirror and lens) run along. A
cotton swab is perfect for cleaning out the inside of the grooved tracks of the x-axisrail. About once every three months, you should lubricate the bearings. Using the
lubricant Syringe from your accessory kit, apply a thin bead of grease into the bearing
grooves. Each rail has two grooves – one on the top and one on the bottom of the rail.
The grease should go down inside the grooves on each side of the bearing.

123Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
The following photos show cleaning and lubing of the X-axis rail.

Use a soft cotton cloth orcotton swab to clean the entire
length of the X-axis rail.
This photo shows a cottonswab cleaning out the top
groove of the X-axis rail.
There is another groove on thebottom side of the rail.

X-axis rail.

You will need to move the Xaxis belt out of the way toaccess the rail. There isenough flex in the belt to moveit out of the way, but do notpull on it so hard that it
becomes stretched or stressed.

After cleaning the rail,
place about an inch longbead of Epilog supplied
grease into the top andbottom grooves of the Xaxis rail. The following
photo shows where to
grease the bottom grooveof the rail.
After applying the grease
to both grooves, run the
X-carriage over thegrease to work it into thebearing block and rail.
Turn the machine off toeasily move the Xcarriage back and forth
over the grease.

124Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning

Place a bead of grease
along the bottom
groove of the X-axis
rail.

This photo shows thelocation of the X-axis
carriage and the X-axis
bearing (which is behind
the X-axis belt.

X-axis rail.

X-axis carriage and belt.

125Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
Clean the length of
the right side Y-axis
rail using a soft
cotton cloth.
Lubrication is not
required.

Clean the length ofthe left side Y-axis
rail using a soft
cotton cloth.
Lubrication is not
required.

After cleaning the rails and bearings, clean off the table and the rest of the inside of
the machine. Spending just a few minutes a week will pay off in the long run with
better quality and performance.

126Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
Cleaning the Exhaust
Make sure the exhaust blower you are using receives proper maintenance.
Periodically clean the exhaust blower and duct system to remove built-up debris. If
you detect odor while engraving, or if the smoke in the cabinet is visible in the area ofthe lens carriage, inspect the exhaust system. Check for loose or broken pipe/hoseconnections, or obstructions. The photos below show where to clean the duct work ofyour machine. You should also occasionally check your exhaust blower and the duct
work that is connected to it.
Clean the vents from the insideof the machine. It is best to
use a flexible plastic or wirebrush that can access the insideof the vent.

Clean the down draft ports too.

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Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning
In addition to cleaning the inside of the machine you should occasionally clean the exhaust plenum.
The exhaust plenum can be completely removed from the Fusion. Remove the six screws that holdthe exhaust plenum in place.

The photos below the plenum partially removed and the back of the machine with the plenum fully
removed.

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Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning

Laser Tube
The laser tube used in your system does have a maximum service life, and there isvery little maintenance that is required. At some point in the life of the laser you willneed to replace it for gas recharge, electrical repair or mechanical repair. Replacing
laser tubes is common practice and Epilog has made the process of changing tubes
extremely easy for users to perform with a minimum amount of effort. The laser
tubes can be refurbished and are available on an exchange basis by contacting Epilog
technical support.
Insure that all of the laser cooling fans are properly working at all times. The fanskeep the laser tube cool and prevent it from overheating. An overheated laser tube
will produce erratic output and may fail completely.
If the laser system is in a dirty or dusty environment, make sure that the cooling finson the laser tube are kept free of dust buildup. Use compressed air to blow the dust
and debris off of the laser tube fins. Be sure that the system is unplugged before
performing any maintenance on the machine!

129Section 11: Engraving Machine Cleaning

130Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations
In This Section






Engraving Speed
Engraving Power
Recommendations
Multiple Passes
Speed and Power Recommendation Tables

Engraving Speed
Speed settings determine the travel speed of the carriage as it moves back and forth in
Raster Mode and as it profile cuts in Vector Mode. Speed is adjustable in the print
driver in 1% increments from 1 to 100%. The slower the speed, the deeper theengraving or cutting. Speed settings are heavily dependent on the hardness and thethickness of the material being engraved, with harder materials requiring slower
speeds for deeper engraving or cutting. In Raster Mode, state-of-the-art optimization
software allows the carriage to skip through all white space both horizontally andvertically, increasing laser on-time rates, which further enhances overall throughput.

Engraving PowerThis is the amount of laser power that is applied to the material surface. At a given
speed, higher power will produce deeper cutting or engraving. Adjustable in 1%
increments, the power can be controlled either from your computer or from thecontrol panel on the engraver. Power can also equate to speed. A 45 watt laser can
travel faster than a 25 watt laser and achieve the same depth of cut into wood without
a subsequent loss in quality. This means you can produce more products faster. A
45 watt laser will also cut through marginally thicker materials than a 25 watt laser.

131

Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

Recommendations
The Epilog Mini Speed and Power guidelines are included on the following pages.
Please remember that these are only guidelines. Depth of cut is a matter of personal
preference. As such, there is no “correct” setting. Working with the Speed andPower settings becomes fairly intuitive in a very short period of time for most users.
If you have a material that is not listed, try to compare its hardness and feel to someof the materials listed and use the settings of a similar material as your starting point
for Speed and Power settings.
The two most basic rules for determining Speed and Power are:1.
2.

Hard materials generally engrave and cut at low speeds and high power.
Soft materials generally engrave and cut at high speeds and low power.

Depth will increase if the power is increased, or if the speed is decreased. If you do
not achieve the results you are looking for with the following recommended settings,
try resending the job and start by changing only the Power setting. If this does notprovide the desired results, revert back to the recommended Settings and change the
Speed settings. Changing only one variable at a time will help to determine thecorrect setting for your material. It is easiest to change the speed or power variable in
10% increments when you are experimenting. This will save time and allow you torefine your settings later in 1 or 2% increments.
Because there are many factors that influence the time it takes to engrave or cut agiven image, the Speed settings were designed to be reference numbers only. The
Speed setting scale of 1% to 100% is not linear – i.e. 100% speed will not be twice as
fast as 50% speed. This non-linear scale is very useful in compensating for thedifferent factors that affect engraving time, but using speed to predict a jobs
engraving time is not practical.
The Power settings are linear – i.e. 50% power is half as much as 100% power.
An important note: Speed and Power settings can sometimes be confusing because
not all materials that can be marked at the highest speeds and powers should bemarked at the highest speed or power. Many users feel that if a mark can be made athigh speed, it’s just a matter of adjusting the power to produce an acceptable mark.
Unfortunately, for some materials, this isn’t always the case. For some materials, thelength of time the laser reacts with the material is much more important to producing

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Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations
a good mark than the raw speed of the system or the amount of laser power that is
output by the laser.
The interaction of the laser with different materials is a complex process, and this isespecially true for some materials that are actually two different materials that havebeen bonded together. Since the laser interacts differently with each layer of material(and sometimes even the bonding agent), you may be better off slowing the machine
down to give the laser time to properly interact with the different layers in thematerial.
If you have a multi-layered material that you can mark easily, but not well, at highspeeds, try lowering the speed to see if that produces a better mark. If you’re able toproduce a better mark, but it’s overpowered, lower the power also.

Multiple Passes
Some materials look better if you make more than one pass. For example, withplastics, some colors – like blue – are very aggressive and tend to leave a shadow onsome substrates. It is often easier to make one pass at the recommended speed andpower setting, and then make another pass at the same speed, but with a greatly
reduced power setting to achieve the desired results. If the material is not moved
between passes the alignment of the second pass should be identical to the first pass.
Vector cutting may also require multiple passes. If you find that you cannot cut
completely through a material or if you are melting a material in a single pass, trymaking two or even three passes instead of just one. Some materials are not laser
compatible, but can be cut anyway if a gentle touch is used. Some users like torefocus between passes, but this is a matter of personal preference. Multiple passes
may also allow you to cut through thicker materials than the laser is rated for.
See how to automatically engrave or cut multiple passes at the end of the Using the
Epilog Dashboard section of this manual.

133Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

30 Watt
300 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

400 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

600 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

VECTOR
CUTTING
SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY
⅛” (3 mm) – 12/100/50¼” (6 mm) – 6/100/50(multiple passes may allow cuttingof thicker materials)
⅛” (3 mm) – 7/100/100¼” (6 mm) – 2/100/100(two passes may produce better
results)
Adjusting the standard focus
distance so your material is closer
to the lens by about .030” willproduce better edge quality on ¼”
and thicker acrylic.

Wood
Cherry – Alder Walnut

20/10025/10030/100Acrylic

100/80100/70100/60

AlumaMark

100/60100/50100/40

N/A

Anodized Aluminum

100/70100/65

100/60

N/A

Painted Brass

100/80100/70100/60

N/A

Marbleized Painted
Brass

100/100

100/90100/80

N/A

Corian Or Avonite

15/10020/10025/100⅛” (3 mm) – 6/100/100

Delrin Seals

100/90100/80100/7030/100/50

Glass

15/10020/10025/100N/A

Laserable Plastic

100/80100/70100/6015/100/100

Leather

100/65100/55100/45

⅛” (3 mm) - 10/100/50

Marble10/10015/10020/100N/A

Mat board

100/75

100/65100/5520/50/50

Melamine

30/10040/10050/100

N/A

Stainless Steel With
Cerdec Coating
Rubber & Rubber
Stamps

N/A

20/10025/100

N/A

N/A

10/10020/10010/100/100

134Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

40 Watt
300 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

400 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

600 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

VECTOR
CUTTING
SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY
⅛” (3 mm) – 15/100/50¼” (6 mm) – 8/100/50(multiple passes may allow cuttingof thicker materials)
⅛” (3 mm) – 9/100/100¼” (6 mm) – 3/100/100(two passes may produce better
results)
Adjusting the standard focus
distance so it is closer to the lens by
about .030” will produce betteredge quality on ¼” and thicker
acrylic.

Wood
Cherry – Alder Walnut

25/10030/10040/100Acrylic

100/70100/60100/50

AlumaMark

80/30

80/25

80/20

N/A

Anodized Aluminum

100/60100/55100/50

N/A

Painted Brass

100/65100/55100/45

N/A

Marbleized Painted
Brass

100/75

100/65100/55

N/A

Corian Or Avonite

20/10025/10030/100⅛” (3 mm) – 20/100/100

Delrin Seals

100/70100/60100/5050/100/500

Glass

25/10035/10045/100N/A

Laserable Plastic

100/60100/55100/5020/100/100

Leather

100/40100/35100/30⅛” (3 mm) - 15/100/50

Marble20/10025/10030/100N/A

Mat board

100/65100/55100/4530/40/500

Melamine

40/10050/10060/100

N/A

Stainless Steel With
Cerdec Coating
Rubber & Rubber
Stamps

N/A

40/10050/100

N/A

10/10020/10030/10015/100/100

135Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

50 Watt
300 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

400 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

600 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

Wood
Cherry – Alder Walnut

35/10040/10050/100Acrylic

100/60100/50100/40

AlumaMark

100/40100/35100/30

N/A

Anodized Aluminum

100/60100/50100/40

N/A

Painted Brass

100/35100/30100/25

N/A

Marbleized Painted
Brass

100/45100/40100/35

N/A

Corian Or Avonite

20/10030/10040/100⅛” (3 mm) – 50/100/100

Delrin Seals

100/60100/50100/4060/100/100

Glass

30/10040/10050/100N/A

Laserable Plastic

100/55100/50100/4530/100/100

Leather

100/50100/40100/30⅛” (3 mm) - 20/100/50

Marble20/10040/10060/100N/A

Mat board

100/65100/55100/4550/50/500

Melamine

100/80100/70100/60

N/A

Stainless Steel With
Cerdec Coating
Rubber & Rubber
Stamps

N/A

50/10060/100

N/A

15/10020/10030/10020/100/100

55

136

VECTOR
CUTTING
SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY
⅛” (3 mm) – 20/100/50¼” (6 mm) – 10/100/50
⅜” (9.5 mm) – 5/100/50 (twopasses may produce better results)
⅛” (3 mm) – 10/100/100¼” (6 mm) – 3/100/100(two passes may produce better
results)
Adjusting the standard focus
distance so it is closer to the lens by
about .030” will produce betteredge quality on ¼” and thicker
acrylic.

Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

60 Watt
300 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

400 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

600 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

Wood
Cherry – Alder Walnut

60/10070/10080/100Acrylic

100/50100/40100/30

AlumaMark

100/30100/25100/20

N/A

Anodized Aluminum

100/45100/35100/30

N/A

Painted Brass

100/30100/25100/20

N/A

Marbleized Painted
Brass

100/40100/35100/30

N/A

Corian Or Avonite

25/10035/10045/100⅛” (3 mm) – 50/80/100

Delrin Seals

100/40100/30100/2060/85/100

Glass

40/10050/10060/100N/A

Laserable Plastic

100/45100/35100/3030/85/100

Leather

100/40100/30100/20⅛” (3 mm) - 25/100/50

Marble100/100

100/90100/80N/A

Mat board

100/65100/55100/4550/40/50

Melamine

100/60100/70100/80

N/A

Stainless Steel With
Cerdec Coating
Rubber & Rubber
Stamps

N/A

80/10070/100

N/A

20/10030/10040/10025/100/100

137

VECTOR
CUTTING
SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY
⅛” (3 mm) – 30/60/500¼” (6.4 mm) – 15/100/500
⅜” (9.5 mm) – 8/100/500 (twopasses may produce better results)
⅛” (3 mm) – 12/100/100¼” (6 mm) – 4/100/100
⅜” (9.5 mm) – 2/100/100 (twopasses may produce better results)
Adjusting the standard focus
distance so it is closer to the lens by
about .030” will produce betteredge quality on ¼” and thicker
acrylic.

Section 12: Speed and Power
Recommendations

75 Watt
300 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

400 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

600 DPIRASTERENGRAVING
SPEED/POWER

Wood
Cherry – Alder Walnut

80/10090/100100/100

Acrylic

100/35100/30100/25

AlumaMark

100/25100/20100/15

N/A

Anodized Aluminum

100/45100/35100/25

N/A

Painted Brass

100/40100/30100/20

N/A

Marbleized Painted
Brass

100/35100/30100/25

N/A

Corian Or Avonite

65/10075/10085/100⅛” (3 mm) – 50/80/100

Delrin Seals

100/30100/25100/2060/75/50

Glass

75/10080/10085/100N/A

Laserable Plastic

100/40100/30100/2530/70/100

Leather

100/30100/20100/15

⅛” (3 mm) - 30/100/50

Marble100/85

100/75

100/65

N/A

Mat board

100/40100/30100/2050/30/50

Melamine

100/8085/70

100/60

N/A

Stainless Steel With
Cerdec Coating
Rubber & Rubber
Stamps

N/A

70/10080/100N/A

40/10050/10060/10040/100/100

138

VECTOR
CUTTING
SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY
⅛” (3 mm) – 40/100/50¼” (6 mm) – 20/100/50
⅜” (9.5 mm) – 12/100/50 (twopasses may produce better results)
⅛” (3 mm) – 15/100/100¼” (6 mm) – 6/100/100
⅜” (9.5 mm) – 4/100/100 (twopasses may produce better results)
Adjusting the standard focus
distance so it is closer to the lens by
about .030” will produce betteredge quality on ¼” and thicker
acrylic.

Section 13: Material Engraving
Techniques
In This Section









Acrylic
Anodized Aluminum
Brass – Painted
Glass
Notary Seals – Delrin
Plastic
Rubber Stamps
Wood

Your Epilog Laser system is very versatile. It can mark and cut many different
materials. Following is information regarding some of the materials the laser will
mark and cut. Check the Epilog website www.epiloglaser.com periodically for newlaser applications, tips, and techniques to use with your laser. For specificinformation regarding materials not mentioned below, please contact your local
Epilog representative for information.

Acrylic
Fire Warning!
Your laser system uses a high intensity beam of light that can generate extremely hightemperatures when it comes into contact with the material being engraved, marked orcut. Some materials are extremely flammable and can easily ignite and burst into
open flame setting the machine afire. This open flame is very dangerous and has thepotential to destroy not only the machine, but the building in which it is housed.
Experience shows that vector cutting with the laser has the most potential to create an
open flame. Many materials are susceptible to igniting, but acrylic, in all its different
forms, has been shown to be especially flammable when vector cutting with the laser.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely at
all times!
 NEVER let the laser system operate if it will be unattended.
 KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible
materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or
gasoline.
 ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on
hand. Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose dry
chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotron extinguishers are more expensive
than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you ever need to use
an extinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges a clean, easily
removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics or wiring of thelaser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a sticky, corrosive
powder that is very difficult to clean up.
 ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
 BE CAREFUL! when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential toburst suddenly into flames – even materials that may be very familiar to theuser. Always monitor the machine when it is operating.
 KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting andengraving reside and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in its
own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly
remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the
grid.

Next to wood, acrylic is the most popular material to use with laser systems. It
engraves and cuts very easily, is available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, andcan be relatively inexpensive.
Acrylic comes in two forms, Cast and Extruded. Cast Acrylic is used for almost all
engraving purposes because the frost produced when lasered provides a nice white
contrast against the clear material. Extruded Acrylic remains clear when engraved
and does not produce an adequate contrast.
Extruded Acrylic on the other hand is ideal if you are only going to vector cut.
Extruded is less expensive than cast and also has a lower melting point that produces
an almost flame finished edge when cut with the laser.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
Acrylic Engraving Techniques
Most acrylic is engraved on the backside to produce a look through effect from thefront surface. Remove the back protective cover layer before engraving. Leave the
top protective cover layer on so that it remains intact to prevent scratching whilehandling the acrylic. Since you are engraving the backside of the acrylic, you willneed to reverse or mirror your artwork before sending the job to the laser.
Engrave the acrylic at a high speed and low power. A small amount of power is all ittakes to mark acrylic and high power levels tend to distort the acrylic whenengraving.
There are a large number of acrylic products that are painted on one side to add color
to the clear acrylic piece. You can engrave directly through the paint into the acrylic
for a very nice presentation effect. Leave the speed the same as if you are engraving
clear acrylic and turn up the power about 10% to get cleanly through the paint.
Applying too much power to the paint will melt it and cause distortion.

Acrylic Vector Cutting Techniques
Acrylic is one of the most popular cutting materials available. It comes in a variety ofcolors and thickness. Laser cutting produces very nice edge quality without the needfor polishing or secondary clean up.
Use the Vector Grid or Pin Table to elevate the acrylic before cutting. Air Assist will
greatly reduce flaming when cutting acrylic and should always be used for thismaterial. Information on accessing the Integrated Vector Grid is included in theStandard and Optional Machine Features section of this manual
Vector cutting acrylic is similar to vectoring other materials. First, experiment todetermine the correct speed and power setting. Cutting acrylic is usually best
achieved with relatively slow speed and high power. This combination allows thelaser beam to melt the edges of the acrylic and produce an almost flame polishededge. Acrylics generally require only a single pass to cut, but thicker acrylics mayneed two passes. Some users find that spritzing the protecting mask that protects theacrylic surface is useful for producing a better edge.
Setting the focus distance at the center of your acrylic sheet will produce better edge
quality than focusing on top of the acrylic sheet.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques

Warning! Never leave your laser unattended when vector cutting any material!
Acrylic is very flammable.

Anodized Aluminum
Anodized aluminum comes in a variety of colors and can usually be easily engravedwith a CO2 laser. Black anodized aluminum is great to work with because it turns
white when lasered. Black anodize provides the best contrast of all of the colors ofanodized aluminum. Some colors of anodize – red for instance – will not turncompletely white when laser engraved. Red anodize will produce a light pink color.
Performing a second pass can see some improvement but usually a slight shadow ofcolor will remain.
Engrave anodized aluminum at high speeds and low powers for crisp, clean images.
Too much power applied to the anodized coating will distort the engraving and tends
to over-burn the image.

Warning!

Metals are reflective, and using full power will potentially cause
damage to the machine.

Brass - Painted
Brass BackgroundUn-coated brass cannot be laser engraved. In order to engrave brass with a laser you
need to use brass that has some sort of coating – typically paint. The laser removes
the paint and exposes the brass substrate. There are three basic types of engraving
brass available to engravers but they are not all compatible with the laser.
By far, the most popular laser brass is actually brass-coated steel. First, a steel
substrate is coated with a thin layer of brass. Next, the brass is polished to areflective finish and a coat of lacquer is applied to the brass – Victory’s LaserBrite™
product has a lacquer finish. Finally, a paint coating is applied on top of the lacquer

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
for the finished product. When laser engraving brass-coated steel, you are removing
only the paint and exposing the polished brass coating that is protected by the lacquer.
The lacquer prevents the brass from oxidizing and the bright reflective surface will
stay bright for years.
Some manufacturers also sell painted brass that is solid brass, not brass coated steel.
If the brass is polished before the paint is applied you will have a nice reflective
engraved surface. If the brass is not polished, the result will be a dull, tarnished brassthat will require a secondary polishing process after laser engraving. This is time
consuming and most engravers do not want to spend the time and effort necessary toturn this into an acceptable product.
Note - Always ask before lasering painted brass if you don’t know what the substrateis!
If you are unsure if the piece that you have is brass-coated steel or brass, you can test
the material with a magnet. A magnet will stick readily to brass-coated steel, butsince solid brass is not magnetic, a magnet will fall helplessly away from solid brass.

Painted Brass Engraving Techniques
Engrave painted brass at high speed and low power. It takes very little power toremove the paint coating and too much power will melt the paint and distort theimage. If you are producing engraving that appears to be “fat” or has a balloon
appearance to it, you are probably using too much power. Reducing the power willbring back the nice sharp images that are normally produced with painted brass.
Note - Use caution when trying to engrave brass coated pens. Many pens have a very
hard epoxy paint that is completely unacceptable for CO2 laser engraving. You
should only use pens that you have experimented with or that are specificallydesigned for CO2 laser engraving. Be aware that there are many pens that can belaser engraved with a YAG laser but these pens are usually not compatible with theCO2 laser that you are using.
Some pens are “almost” CO2 laser engravable. If you engrave through the paint andthere is a slight shadow remaining, try to clean the engraved area with alcohol orlacquer thinner. Depending on the paint, there is a good chance that the shadow will
disappear and an excellent engraving result achieved.
Use caution when trying to engrave blue painted brass. Blue paints contain very
aggressive pigments that penetrate the metal surface and it can be extremely difficult143Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
to remove all of the blue color, but again, try alcohol or lacquer thinner to remove theshadow.

Glass
Glass Background
When a laser strikes glass it fractures the surface but it will not engrave deeply or
remove material. The fracturing of the glass surface will produce a frosted
appearance but can cause roughness and chipping depending on the type of glass
being engraved. While the frosted appearance is desired the roughness and chipping
are not. Below, we explain how to eliminate the roughness and produce a verysmooth frosted finish.
The composition and quality of glass varies widely and you cannot always predict theeffect that you will achieve. It is always best to experiment with an unfamiliar glass
source. Generally speaking, flat glass tends to have a very consistent hardness
throughout, and the engraved areas do not tend to have lighter and darker areas.
Bottles on the other hand, tend to have soft and hard spots that will cause theengraved area to appear lightly frosted in one area and heavily frosted in another.
Engraving at medium speed and high power will somewhat compensate for this, as
will two or more engraving passes.
While the laser beam itself is very hot, the heat does not build up easily and it should
not prevent you from engraving onto full bottles of wine, champagne or other filled
glass bottles. Laser engraving filled bottles is a very popular method of creating
custom presentations for special occasions. The laser will not damage the liquid
inside the bottle, and as long as you are not completely engraving away a large
section of bottle you have very little chance of breaking the bottle.

Glass Engraving Techniques
To produce a smooth frosted finish, follow this procedure: Using your finger or a paper towel, apply a thin coat of liquid dish soap – anykind will do – over the area to be engraved.
 Cut a piece of newspaper or paper towel a little larger than the area to beengraved. Completely soak the paper with water then wring out the excesswater.
 Apply the paper to the glass and smooth out the paper so that there are no
wrinkles.

144

Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques Place the glass into the engraver and laser through the paper while it is stillwet.
 Remove the glass, discard the remaining paper, and clean the glass.
 If necessary, gently polish the glass with a ScotchBrite pad.
Note - You need to be especially careful when laser engraving leaded crystal. The
lead in the crystal expands at a different rate than the crystal does and this can cause
cracking and breakage of the crystal. Using a lower power setting can help thisproblem, but we always recommend having a spare in case of breakage.

Combining Laser Engraving with
Sandblasting
Combining the best of both processes, you can use your laser to engrave the artwork
then use sandblasting to provide a deep etch into glass. Using the laser to create theartwork mask is an ideal process for one-of-a-kind custom pieces as well as large
production runs. This eliminates the photo process usually associated with sandblastmask.
 Apply an adhesive backed mask material to the glass that you are going toengrave.
 Laser completely through the mask and into the glass.
 Remove the glass from the engraver and sandblast to the desired depth.
 You now have a sandblasted glass presentation with the detail of laser
engraving!

145

Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques

Notary Seals - Delrin
Notary Seals Engraving Techniques
Notary seals can be easily manufactured using 1/16-inch (1.5 mm) thick delrin
plastic. A seal consists of two pieces - a male die and a female die, both shown
below. The male die consists of white lettering on a black background and the female
die is an inverted and mirrored image of the male. Inverting and mirroring are easily
accomplished in most graphics software packages. Simply duplicate the male die,then invert the black and white colors and then mirror the image.
The male image should be produced without the use of outlines around the text orgraphics. Add a .007 to .010 inch (0.178 mm to 0.254 mm) outline to the text andgraphics of the female die. This outline creates a large enough void between the maleand female dies to emboss paper without tearing.
Apply a .001 outline around the seal to define the outside edge of the seal. Use the
Combined mode to first raster engrave the seal and then vector cut out the seal.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques

Plastic
Plastic Background
Engraving plastics have changed greatly in the past few years. Before lasers, plastic
manufacturers designed plastic for rotary engraving systems. A rotary engraving
system uses a mechanical spinning bit to remove material. Therefore the depth of the
top layer or “cap sheet” was designed to make it easy to rotary engrave. Cap sheet
thickness was approximately .010 inches (0.254 mm) thick and laser engraving wasnearly impossible because by the time you applied enough power to get through thecap sheet the laser melted and deformed the plastic.
Plastic manufacturers have developed a broad range of plastics that have thinner cap
sheets that are .002 to .003 inches (0.051 mm to 0.076 mm) thick that provide muchbetter engraving and cutting characteristics. These plastics are commonly referred toas Micro Laminates; Micro surfaced, or simply laser engravable plastics. These
plastics are generally very easy to engrave with a laser since they all have similar
characteristics.
Because there is such a broad range of plastics it is necessary to experiment todetermine if a particular type of plastic is laser compatible. Different color plastics,
even if they are from the same manufacturer will have unique speed and power
settings. Use the guidelines in this manual as a starting point when determining thecorrect speed and power settings. If you do not get acceptable initial results with therecommended speed and power settings start experimenting by first changing only thepower setting. If adjusting the power setting does not work, start over and adjust only
the speed setting. Once you have acceptable results, record those settings for thatparticular plastic so that you do not have to repeat the experimentation process.

Plastic Engraving Techniques
Always remove the clear protective cover layer before engraving.
Once you have the correct speed and power settings you can improve your engraving
results even more by taking the focus lens out of focus (lower the table) by about 1/16
(1.5 mm) of an inch. This technique enlarges the focus beam a little bit and provides
more beam overlap on each pass of the laser. The greater overlap produces asmoother engraved surface on the plastic and eliminates the grooves that you
sometimes see when engraving plastic.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
With some plastics it is best to engrave using two passes. The first pass cuts throughthe cap layer and the second pass cleans away the residue that some plastics leavebehind.
Another technique that can be useful is to mask the plastic before engraving withtransfer or masking tape. This will prevent a buildup of residue on the plastic surface.
Misting the transfer tape with water will reduce heat buildup and melting on sensitive
plastics.

Plastic Vector Cutting Techniques
Use a Vector Grid to elevate the plastic before cutting. Air Assist will greatly reduce
flaming when cutting plastic.
Vectoring plastics is similar to vectoring other materials. First, experiment todetermine if the plastic can be cut with the laser. Plastics that are up to 1/16 inch
thick can usually be cut in a single pass. Thicker plastics may need two passes.
As with engraving, it is sometimes necessary to mask and dampen the plastic before
cutting. Even masking and wetting both front and backsides of the plastic is desirable
on sensitive plastics that have very low melting points.

WARNING! Never leave your laser unattended when vector cutting plastics!
Plastic can be very flammable.

WARNING! Do not engrave PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). PVC will destroy the
optics and mechanics of your Epilog system. Cutting or engraving PVC will void
your warranty.

148

Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques

Rubber Stamps
Rubber Stamp mode has not been enabled in
the first version of the Fusion release.

Wood







Solid Wood
Manufactured Wood Products
Engraving
Vector Cutting
Cleaning
Color Filling

Solid Wood
Wood is by far the most laser friendly material available. It can be engraved or cut
very easily. When engraved, lighter colored woods like Cherry or Maple produce
very nice contrast where the laser burns away the wood. This high visual contrast iswhat makes lighter woods so popular when combined with a laser. There are many
types of other wood products that are designed for use with the laser and many morethat are waiting to be discovered by you.
Every type of wood has its own characteristics. Some wood is denser than otherwood, with the denser, harder woods requiring more laser power to cut or engrave.
Epilog recommends that when working with wood other than the ones listed in thissection that you investigate the engraving and cutting characteristics before
committing to use. There are woodworking shops in nearly every large city that will
have a wealth of information on nearly all woods. If you have access to the Internet,
search on wood to see what you find.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
The most common woods used with the laser are Cherry, Walnut, Maple, Alder, &Oak. These woods are considered hard woods, and have grains that work well withlasers. Grain can very greatly in density. Cherry, Alder, Walnut & Maple all havefairly little veins of grain in them, while Oak has medium to large veins in it. For
example: If a large box was engraved into a piece of Cherry and a piece of Oak, thebox engraved into the Cherry would have a very uniform appearance, the area
engraved or the background would be smooth with little variation in height. The Oakon the other hand would very greatly in height and have a very non-uniformed
appearance.
Epilog laser systems can engrave in very fine detail. The spot size ranges from .003”(0.08mm) to .008” (0.02 mm) of an inch in diameter, and, if there are large variationsin the material that one is engraving into it will greatly affect the quality of thefinished piece. Therefore the majority of laser users will stick with Cherry, Alder,
Walnut or Maple.
The differences between Cherry and Alder are little. The grain, color and densities
are nearly identical. The color of these two woods is a light red. We recommend
stains that are clear allowing the natural color to show through. Alder isn’t quite as
expensive as Cherry and it is a little more readily available. Walnut is a dark brownin color and has a greater density than either Cherry or Alder. Maple is light blondein color and has a density that is even greater than Walnut. It is important to mention
the density, because it will take a little more laser power to cut and to engrave to thesame depth in woods that have greater densities.

Manufactured Wood Products
PlywoodStandard building grade plywood is a material that usually does not produce anacceptable result when engraved. It is also a very difficult material to cut. Plywood
is constructed of layers of wood glued together. Since the grain of the wood chips inthe plywood run in different directions it is difficult to obtain a consistent depth whenengraving. Air bubbles within the plywood cause problems because they severely
disrupt the laser beam when cutting. Because of the air bubbles and other factors it isvirtually impossible to cut cleanly through plywood.
There are specialty plywood products that can be found in hobby shops or specialty
wood stores that will engrave and cut much nicer than standard plywood products
purchased through your local lumber supplier.

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Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
Wood Engraving Techniques
To create a quality image on wood, contrast and depth are desired. The higher the
power levels, the higher the contrast and depth will be.
Speed and Power Settings - Wood is a great material to laser engrave because it
discolors when engraved and the depth of engraving is greater than most materials.
The downside is that it takes a lot of power to deeply engrave wood at high speeds.
Most wood can be engraved using full power no matter whether you are using a 25watt laser or a 120-watt laser. Depending on the wattage of your laser, the best
approach is to set the laser power at 100% and adjust the speed to obtain the desired
depth.
Resolution Settings – Wood is a very easy material to work with and you can
produce very nice detail with as little as 300 DPI engraving. 600 DPI engraving intowood produces fabulous results.
Grey Scales – Grey scales look wonderful when engraved into wood. The reason forthis is that the wood will react much differently to each level of gray scale, providing
amazing contrast. Experiment! Take a piece of clipart and ungroup it and change thecolors so that they range from a dark color like red, to a light color like yellow, thenengrave it. This will create a shading effect that is almost 3-D in its appearance.

Wood Vector Cutting Techniques
Epilog Laser Systems are ideal for cutting through solid wood material. The
thickness of the wood that you can cut varies with the wattage of the laser and thehardness of the wood, but in general you can cut approximately ¼ inch ( 3mm) woodwith a 25-watt laser and up to ½ inch ( 6 mm) wood with a 120-watt laser.
As with any application there are techniques that will greatly enhance the success of
your vectoring of any material. When cutting wood of any thickness, Epilog
recommends the use of the Integrated Vector Grid and Air Assist options. The
Integrated Vector Grid raises the wood off of the solid metal engraving table andsupports the wood on an aluminum grid. The grid greatly reduces backside burningof the wood and also provides ventilation that allows the fumes and smoke to be
exhausted to the rear of the engraving cabinet. Information regarding accessing the
Vector Grid is located in the Standard & Optional Machine Features section of thismanual151

Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
Air assist greatly reduces flaming that may occur if too much laser power is applied
to the wood piece being cut.
Depending on the type of wood being vector cut, it is sometimes advantageous toapply a cover of masking or transfer tape to the surface before cutting. The masking
tape will reduce residue buildup on the top surface of the wood surrounding the cut
line.

Warning: Wood is a combustible material. Never leave your laser unattended
while vector cutting any material. Air assist greatly reduces flaming that may occur if
too much laser power is applied to the wood piece being cut.
Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely at
all times!
 NEVER let the laser system operate if it will be unattended.
 KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible
materials, explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or
gasoline.
 ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on hand.
Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose dry
chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotron extinguishers are more expensive
than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you ever need to use
an extinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges a clean, easily
removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics or wiring of thelaser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a sticky, corrosive
powder that is very difficult to clean up.
 ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.
 BE CAREFUL! when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential toburst suddenly into flames – even materials that may be very familiar to theuser. Always monitor the machine when it is operating.
 KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting andengraving reside and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in its
own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly
remove the vector grid to clean any small pieces that have fallen through the
grid.

Wood Cleaning Techniques
When laser engraving or cutting wood, resin in the wood comes to the surface, mixes
with the smoke and is deposited as a residue. If the wood has a coating of152

Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques
polyurethane or lacquer the coating protects the surface of the wood from theresin/smoke damage. You can remove the resin from coated materials with a wet
chamois or a sponge with a web cover. Some people like to use 409, Windex or othermild cleaning product, but water works well and is usually the most readily available
wetting agent. The chamois that Epilog recommends has a sponge in the middle of it,
and is available in the automotive car wash section of many Target stores or many
automotive supply shops.
If the wood is not coated with polyurethane, the resin and smoke will stain the surface
and you will need to sand the surface to remove the resin.
Never use a paper towel to clean the wood surface. The paper towel will shred and it
is impossible to get the shredded fibers out of the engraved recesses of the wood.
Most wood products that are designed for laser engraving will have a polyurethane
coating so that they are very easy to clean.

Wood Color Filling Techniques
Color filling engraved areas of wood adds either greater contrast or a splash of color
to your wood presentation. Normally, color filling is not required for lighter coloredwood materials such as maple or cherry, but walnut can often benefit from adding a
black color fill to provide more contrast. You will need to take some precautions
when color filling wood, because if you are not careful, the liquid color fill material
will absorb into the grain of the wood on the surface of the plaque where it is notwanted.
The best way to add a black color fill is shown below:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Apply a thin coat of Johnson’s Paste Wax to the surface of the wood before you
engrave it.
Engrave through the paste wax into the wood. Do not wipe off excess paste orresidue after engraving.
Fill the engraved voids with Turtlewax “Color Core” black liquid car polish.
The car polish will absorb into the engraved wood grain, but will not absorb
into the wood grain that is covered with paste wax.
Wrap a paper towel around a block of material that has a flat surface. Rub theflat surfaced paper towel over the surface of the wood to clean off the excess
car polish and paste wax. The flat surface prevents the paper towel fromgetting into the engraved recesses.

You can follow the procedure above to add different colors to wood, but instead ofcar polish, use water based acrylic paint (the kind in the tubes works great!)153Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques

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154

Section 14: Material Suppliers
In This Section













Laser Engravable Products
Acrylic
Laser Engravable Coated Metals
Pressboard Plaques – Melamine
Walnut Plaques & Specialty Wood Products
Educational Materials
Corian or Fountain Head – Synthetic Marble
Engravable Plastics
Flat Glass
CerMark Metal Coating
Color Fill Materials
Tapes and Foils

The following list contains supplier information for materials typically used with your
Epilog laser.
Additional suppliers and links can be found on our website at
http://www.epiloglaser.com/industry_links.htm .

Laser Engravable Products
LaserBits, Inc.
1734 West Williams Drive - Suite 10
Phoenix, Arizona 85027 U.S.A.
Phone: 1-623-879-0005, Fax: 1-623-879-5149
www.laserbits.com

Acrylic
Acrylic Idea Factory
6669-C Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30092
USA Toll Free: 1-800-543-9253
Fax: 1-770-447-1113
www.aifawards.com

155Section 14: Material Suppliers
Dimension Espacio
S. A. de C.V.
Av. Morelos #80
Naucalpan, Mexico 53370
Phone (52)(55) 5312-0333
Fax: (52)(55) 5312-4790
www.dimensionespacio.com.mx

Laser Engravable Coated Metals
Identification Plates, Inc.
1555 High Point Drive
Mesquite, TX 75149-9009
Phone: 972-216-1616
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-395-2570
Fax: 1-972-216-1555, 1-800-934-8304
www.idplates.com
Victory
1820 N. Major Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-327-5578
Fax: 1-773-637-7799
www.buyvictory.com
JDS
2704 W. Third Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-339-4010
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-843-8853
Fax: 1-605-339-1467
Email: sales@jdsindustries.com
www.jdsindustries.com
R. S. Owens & Co.
5535 North Lynch Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-282-6200
www.rsowens.com

156Section 14: Material Suppliers

AlumaMark
Horizons Incorporated
18531 South Miles Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44128
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-482-7758
Outside US: 216-475-0555
Fax: 1-216-475-6507
www.horizonsisg.com

Leather
Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
3847 East Loop 820 South
Fort Worth, TX 76119
For local locations visit their Website (orders also taken online)
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-433-3201
www.tandyleatherfactory.com

Pressboard Plaques - Melamine
JDS
2704 W. Third Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 1-605-339-4010
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-843-8853
Fax: 1-605-339-1467
Email: sales@jdsindustries.com
www.jdsindustries.com
PDU
11077 E. Rush Street
South El Monte, CA 91733-3546
Phone: 1-626-442-7711
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-800-7711
Fax: 1-626-442-1814
www.pdu.com

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Section 14: Material Suppliers
Wood Plaques & Specialty Wood Products
Colorado Heirloom
333 E. 4th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-643-8880
Phone: 1-970-667-4222
Fax: 1-970-667-8880
e-mail: cheirloom@aol.com
www.coloradoheirloom.com
Wood Design/WDI Companies (previously Kentucky Woodcrafts Co.)908 SW 15th Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Phone: 651-464-6190
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-354-0196
Fax: 1-651-464-6191
e-mail dank@thewoodster.com
www.thewoodster.com
Lee's Wood Products
31 Smithers Street
P.O. Box 159
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
USA Toll Free Phone: 800-552-5337
Fax: 1-540-483-4645
e-mail: leeswood@earthlink.net
Stanton Manufacturing
Lake Road 54-15
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
USA Toll Free Phone: 888-556-0759
www.stantonmfg.com

Educational Materials
JHM MarketingJohn McDaniels
P O Box 3159
Albany, OR 97321
Phone 1-541-967-4271
Fax: 1-541-967-4272
mail@graphic-products-training.com
www.graphic-products-training.com

158Section 14: Material Suppliers
MarbleLaser Sketch, Ltd
12301 New Avenue, Suite E
Lemont, Illinois 60439
Phone: 630-243-6360
Fax: 630-243-6908
www.lasersketch.com

Engravable Plastics
Innovative Plastics Inc.
P.O. Box 7065
Algonquin, IL 60102
Phone: 1-815-477-0778
Fax: 1-815-477-1210
e-mail: ipi@mc.net
www.inoplas.com
Johnson Plastics
9240 Grand Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55420-3604
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-869-7800
USA Toll Free Fax: 1-800-869-7853
Phone: 1-800-869-7853
Fax: 1-612-888-4997
e-mail: service@johnsonplastics.com
www.johnsonplastics.com
Rowmark
2040 Industrial Drive
Findlay, OH 45839
Phone: 1-419-425-8974
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-243-3339
Fax: 1-419-425-0501
e-mail: inquiries@rowmark.com
www.rowmark.com

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Section 14: Material Suppliers
Flat GlassGold Coast Graphics
15841 Graham Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-888-733-0061
Fax: 1-714-898-9432
www.goldcoastgraphics.com

CerMark Metal Coating
CerMark Material
FERRO Corporation
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-245-4951
www.cerdecmark.com
LaserBits, Inc.
1734 West Williams Drive - Suite 10
Phoenix, Arizona 85027 U.S.A.
Phone: 1-623-879-0005
Fax: 1-623-879-5149
www.laserbits.com

Color Fill Materials
Smoke-Wood
1680 Division
Elgin, Or 97827
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-248-2352
Fax: 1-541-437-1080
Email: smokewd@eoni.com
www.smoke-wood.com

Tapes and Foils
Innotech of Wisconsin
1760 State Street
Racine, WI 53408-5546
USA Toll Free Phone: 1-800-776-7194
FAX: 262-637-8205
sales@innotape.com
www.innotape.com

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Troubleshooting andSpecifications
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162

Section 15: In Case ofDifficulty
In This Section
 Contacting Technical Support

Contacting Technical Support
The technical support department at Epilog is available to assist with solving
problems you may encounter using your Epilog. Please review first the common
problems and solutions as noted below, then if you are still in need of assistance you
may contact Epilog’s technical support department at the number or website listed
below. Technical support is available in Golden, Colorado USA during the hours of 6a.m. and 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
Technical Support Direct Line: 1 (303) 215-9171
Email – tech@epiloglaser.com
Technical Support online: www.epiloglaser.com/service.htm
What to do prior to contacting Epilog Technical Support:
1.
2.
3.

Have the machine serial number available
Have time to work on machine. Many issues will require troubleshooting
Clean your machine (especially the optics), this will solve many issues

The machine serial number can be found on the Certification/Identification Label.
This engraved plate is located on the back of the machine’s cabinet. The ID labelshown on next page is for the Model 13000 75-watt product.

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164

Section 16: Specifications
In This Section






Epilog Fusion 32 x 20 Specifications
Compatibility
Recommended PC
Other Computer Hardware Recommendations
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice

Epilog Fusion 32 x 20 Specifications
Maximum Engraving Area 32" x 20" (812.8 x 508 mm)
Maximum Material Thickness 14" (101.5 mm)
Laser Control Display Panel Displays stored file names, speed, power, runtime and more.
Intelligent Memory Buffer Temporarily store an unlimited number of files up to 64 MB. Rolling buffer
allows files of any size (64 MB and larger) to be processed. Files can be deleted
from temporary or permanent memory.
Operating Modes Optimized raster engraving, vector cutting, or combined raster/vector mode.
Motion Control High speed, continuous loop, Brushless DC servomotors
Laser Source State-of-the-art, digitally controlled, air-cooled CO2 laser tubes are fully
modular, permanently aligned, and field replaceable/upgradeable.
Bearings Ground and polished stainless steel NeverWear™ bearing system.
Belts Advanced B-style Kevlar precision drive belts.
Resolution User controlled choice of 75, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, or 1200 dpi.
Speed/Power Control Computer or machine controlled Speed and Power in 1% increments to 100%.
Color mapping links Speed and Power setting to any RGB color.
Print Interface 10 Base T Ethernet or USB 1.0 connections. Compatible with Windows 32-bit
or 64 bit OS.
Standard Features Red Dot Pointer, Air Assist (pump optional), Auto Focus, 2" focus lens,relocatable home, flash upgrade electronics.
Size/Weight 27.5" wide x 23" deep x 12.5" high (699 x 584 x 318 mm)
400 lbs (180 kg)
Electrical Requirements Auto-switching power supply accommodates 100 to 240 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz,
single phase, 15 amp AC.
Ventilation External exhaust to the outside required. There are two 4" (100 mm) exhaust
ports at the back of the machine.
Safety CDRH Class 2
Max Ambient Room Air 90 degrees F (32 C) Max TemperatureSpecifications subject to change without notice.

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Section 16: Specifications

CompatibilityYour Epilog laser has been designed as an “open architecture” product that can be runfrom almost any Windows based software. Epilog provides both Windows 32-bit and64-bit print drivers.

Recommended PC
For Optimum Computer Performance
Investing in a new computer is a great way to make sure you’re getting the most outof your new laser equipment. Why? Because today’s software (CorelDraw for
instance) requires a lot of computer processing speed and memory to function
properly. A good computer won’t make a big difference in how your laser runs, butwhen compared to a slow computer it will save untold amounts of time andfrustration setting up the artwork that you “print” to the laser. Many users do notpurchase 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 great for laser applications. As long as you don’t buy thecheapest computer you can find you should be fine.
Read these recommendations and consider spending just a few dollars more for thosecomponents that will save you time and frustration.

Operating System
Windows 32-bit or 64-bit XP, 2000, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 operating
systems.

RAM – Random Access Memory
4 GB is the minimum that is recommended. RAM is like short-term memory. It’s
fast and readily available for the computer to access and makes time consuming tasks
go much quicker if you have lots of it. Having more than 2 GB of RAM is nice if you
demand a lot from your computer.

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Section 16: Specifications
Processor Speed
A faster processor will allow you to do more tasks in less time. While it’s notnecessary to purchase the fastest processor available, you’ll want adequate speed tooperate your graphics program. Processor speeds are always improving, but
processor speeds of about 2.0 GHz or faster are a good place to start.

10/100 Network Interface 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, thistechnology also allows direct printing from the computer to the laser. Epilog supplies
a network Crossover cable with each laser system that allows one computer to print toa single Epilog laser system.

Hard Drive
This is the permanent memory in your computer. Many users feel that you can never
have a large enough hard drive. Luckily, most computer manufacturers put highcapacity drives in new computers these days. When in doubt, buy bigger than you
think you might need. It’s so in-expensive that it’s worth the peace of mind to have it
available.

Software
Many users use Corel as their graphics software. Many other Windows software
applications can also be used, although all software is different and may not be
predictable, user friendly or functional. Additionally, the technical support staff at
Epilog may be less familiar with software other than Corel and less able to help withquestions. Consult with your Epilog distributor on software compatibility issues.
Epilog does not guarantee compatibility with any software.
Photolaser Plus is a third party software for converting photos to laser compatible
format. This is an indispensable option for engraving photos.

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Section 16: Specifications

Other Computer Hardware
Recommendations
Scanner
A flatbed scanner is another indispensable tool for generating custom artwork.
Almost any flatbed scanner today is adequate for scanning artwork.
Hand held“mouse” scanners do not provide the necessary accuracy and should be avoided.

Heavy Duty Surge Protector
The need for a surge protector varies greatly throughout the world. If the laser isoperated anywhere that the electrical power is subject to spikes, outages, lighting,fluctuations, etc. a surge protector should be used on both the laser and the computer.
A surge protector is a very, very cheap insurance policy against catastrophic electricaldamage. A surge protector is designed to be an inexpensive device that absorbs any
electrical problems before they can damage the expensive equipment (computer andlaser) they are protecting.

About The Laser
Your Epilog CO2 laser system uses the latest in waveguide laser technology toprovide a powerful tool that is simple and safe to setup and operate. The Epilog laser
can mark, engrave, and cut a variety of non-metallic materials.
The CO2 laser beam itself is invisible. The beam is about half the diameter of a #2
pencil. Unfocused, it will just make an ugly burn, leaving lots of charred material
behind. The focus lens gives the beam an hourglass shape. At the center point theenergy density is concentrated, allowing the very precise and clean material removalthat is characteristic of laser engraving. The center of the hourglass is the “focal
point”.
The laser beam path is completely enclosed within the cabinet. Please do notdisassemble or modify any of the covers or windows on the machine. If at any time168

Section 16: Specifications
you notice that the laser operates with a door or window open, please contact Epilog
technical support immediately.
The laser has two basic operating methods. For cutting (vector), the laser is driven
along a path and the laser is left on all the time. The path could be the outline of aletter or a geometric shape like a circle. The laser will cut entirely through thematerial, separating the part from the background. For marking (engraving), the laseris swept across the work from left to right, and the laser is turned on and off at thecorrect points to produce the first line of the image. Then the carriage advances one
line and the process is repeated, eventually assembling a full image.

Federal Communications Commission(FCC) Notice
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for aClass A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits aredesigned to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when theequipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy; and, if not installed and used in accordancewith the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct theinterference at his/her own expense.

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170

Section 17: Upgrading the
Operational Firmware
In This Section






Upgrading Your Firmware
Installing New Firmware Onto Your Computer
Transferring New Firmware From Your Computer To Your Laser System
Upgrading The Epilog Dashboard Print Driver
Converting Old .Dat Files To Be Compatible With A New Driver Version:

Upgrading Your Firmware
Your laser system is capable of having its operation firmware upgraded. The
firmware is the command software in your laser system that controls how yourlaser system operates (think of firmware as the “brains” of your system). A
firmware upgrade reprograms your laser system to take advantage of newcapabilities or enhancements to the system.
To accomplish the reprogramming, you just “Print” a special file to your laser
system. The process is explained below.
Upgrading your laser is a two-step process:1.
2.

Download the new firmware to your computer and extract (also known as
Unzipping or decompressing) it.
Transfer the new firmware from your computer to your laser.

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Section 17: Upgrading the OperationalFirmwareInstalling New Firmware onto Your
ComputerFirmware upgrades are available at any time by downloading the firmware filefrom the Epilog web site - www.epiloglaser.com under the Downloads tab. Or,
you can contact Epilog Technical Support and they can e-mail the appropriate file
to you. (You can also join our Driver Notification mailing list to be automaticallynotified when new versions of firmware or the driver become available!). The
firmware version that your system is currently running is displayed on the LCD
panel when you first power up your laser system – it will read Version 1_0_X_X.
Downloading – From the Epilog web site download the new firmware and save.
Normally, the default Save location is onto your Desktop folder. Use a thumbdrive, flash drive or other portable media to move the downloaded file from one
computer to another if you need to.
When you download the firmware it comes as a compressed file in the following
format: legendMini_1_0_X_X.exe. The X’s designate the actual version of thefirmware. Once this file is on the computer that is attached to your laser you willneed to extract (Unzip or decompress) it so it’s in a format that can be transferredto the laser.
Extracting – When you download the firmware file from our web site onto yourcomputer it will normally be saved to your Desktop. When it downloads it will create an
icon on your Desktop named legendMini1_0_0_X_X.exe. Double click on the icon to
extract it. After double clicking on the icon the following window will appear:

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Section 17: Upgrading the OperationalFirmwareAt this time it’s important toknow which folder you are
unzipping this file to.
If you are unsure, use theBrowse button to select afolder where you know you
can retrieve this file later.
Click on the Unzip button.
The following message appears after the file is Unzipped:
Click the Okay button.

Once the file is extracted it changes from an .exe format to a .hex format that will
be named LegendMini1_0_X_X.hex, (again, the actual number will change
depending on revision level). It is the .hex format file that you will use to upgrade
your laser.
Keep track of the folder where you saved the extracted .hex file. You will needto access this file again in the next step.

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Section 17: Upgrading the OperationalFirmwareTransferring New Firmware fromYour Computer to Your Laser
Use the following procedure to transfer the legendMini.hex file to the laser:
Create a simple drawing in your graphics package. For this example, we’ve typed in the
text “Firmware Upgrade”.

The next step is to Print, select the Dashboard driver, and click on Properties.

174

Section 17: Upgrading the OperationalFirmwareGo to the Advanced tab,check the Update
Firmware box and thenclick on the Load button.

Go to the folder that
contains the unzipped.hex file, select it andthen click Open.

175

Section 17: Upgrading the OperationalFirmware
The .hex file will show in
the Update Firmware Filebox.

Click Okay.

Click Print.

At this point, the .hex file will begin transfering to your laser. The laser knows that it isbeing upgraded and the graphic that you created will not print, nor will it show up as aJob. Instead, you will see the a message on the LCD panel on the laser. When you are
asked to reboot the process is complete.
The programing process takes about three minutes to complete.
DO NOT DISTURB THE LASER DURING THE UPGRADE PROCESS!!!
After you have rebooted your laser, the process is complete and you will see the newversion number of firmware on your LCD when the laser powers up.

176

APPENDIX AWARRANTY STATEMENT
Epilog Corporation warrants to the original purchaser of Epilog Model 13000 that this product will befree from defects in material or workmanship when purchased, and under proper, normal use within two(2) years from the original date of purchase, with the exception of the motors which are warranted forthree (3) years from the original date of purchase.
Epilog will replace or, at its option, repair the defective part(s).
Normally, Epilog will supply areplacement part for the customer to replace. Once the replacement has been performed, the replaced part
must be returned to Epilog. In the case where repair is required, Epilog requires that the defective part, or
machine, be returned to the Epilog factory or other Epilog designated facility. Epilog will be responsible
solely for the cost of repairs, including parts and labor, which are made at an authorized Epilog facility.
All other costs for replacement or repair, including, but not limited to, packaging and shipping both to andfrom Epilog, shall be paid by the owner. A “Core” charge may be required by Epilog to insure the returnof replacement and repair parts. This warranty excludes any damage from abuse (including, without
limitation, incorrect voltages, power surges, fires, improper or insufficient ventilation “acts of God” orother situations out of the control of Epilog), failure to operate in accordance with instructions provided in
the Owner’s Manuals for the Epilog models 13000, including specific safety and operational warnings
contained therein, cosmetic damage sustained in use, and damage caused by unauthorized modificationsof any equipment. All warranties to original purchasers are non-transferable. The registered owner must
initiate warranty claims within the warranty period.
THE ABOVE AND FOREGOING IS THE ONLY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED; INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT ARE MADE
BY EPILOG ON MODEL 13000. ANY WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW ARE HEREBY
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. No oral or written information or advice given by Epilog, its dealers, its
distributors, agents, officers, or employees shall create a warranty or in any way increase the scope of thiswarranty. Neither Epilog nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or deliveryof the Epilog Model 13000 shall be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages,
including but not limited to damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of businessinformation, adverse health impacts, fire, and the like, arising out of the use or inability to use theseproducts.
Epilog Corporation provides no warranties whatsoever on any software used in connection with Epilog
Model 13000.

177

APPENDIX A

THIS PAGE WAS
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK178

APPENDIX B
PRINTING FROM AUTOCAD
In This Section
 Printing from AutoCAD

The following include general instructions on Printing from AutoCAD Software.
AutoCAD is a very powerful software tool that is often used in conjunction withthe laser for cutting applications. Like any tool, understanding how it works andits limitations are helpful in getting the most out of it. Below are general
instructions for printing from AutoCAD. AutoCAD versions 14 to the present are
mostly compatible with Epilog systems. Each version of AutoCAD uses slightly
different printing conventions that may or may not affect the way you print from
AutoCAD and each different version may produce different output from the laser.

Printing/Plotting
Sending jobs from AutoCAD is heavily dependent on the print settings in the
AutoCAD Print/Plot window. Since there are so many different settings that
AutoCAD requires, it is important that you double-check all of the settings thatare critical to success. Previewing your image before sending it to the laser isvery helpful in preventing print problems.
AutoCAD is capable of producing extremely complicated drawings with manylayers, colors, etc. Since there is no limit to the level of complexity that an
AutoCAD drawing can achieve, users should keep in mind that the laser is a 2D
cutting machine that usually cuts a single piece of material in any given job.
While your laser system is capable of handling complex drawings, users may findthat eliminating extraneous detail before “Printing/Plotting” may make their laser
equipment more productive.

179Appendix B Printing From AutoCAD
Color Mapping
Creating objects of different colors in AutoCAD allows the user to take advantageof the Vector Color Mapping capabilities of the Epilog Dashboard print driver.
Color mapping assigns different Speed and Power settings to an object based on
its color allowing you to both cut and mark in a single setup. For a detailed
description of how Color Mapping works, refer to the Using The Epilog Legend
Dashboard, Color Mapping section of this manual.
Model Space, Paper Space, and Precise Location
AutoCAD was designed to print to paper plotters and some of the assumptions(especially Scaling and Margins) that AutoCAD makes when printing can cause
frustration for laser users that are used to being able to send a job to the laser andhave its precise location be very predictable. Printing from either Paper Space orModel Space will work. Be aware that the scaling and margin assumptions madeby AutoCAD can affect both the size and location of the work.

Helpful Hints
When printing from AutoCAD you will need to set up your AutoCAD page sothat it is square. This prevents the objects from rotating 90 degrees when you
print them. The page in the example below is set to 24 x 24 inches.
Place all of your objects in the upper portion of the AutoCAD page (seeillustration below). If you are printing to a bed size of 24 x 12 inches (610 x 305mm) and you have a 24 x 24 inch page, the objects in the lower 12 inches will not
be processed.

180

Appendix B Printing From AutoCAD
Set the Piece Size tomatch your AutoCAD
page size.
Setting your AutoCAD
page and the Dashboard
print driver settings to asquareconfiguration(36” x 36”, for instance)
isnecessary
toovercome AutoCAD’s
tendency to rotate yourartwork 90 degrees.

In the AutoCAD print window, set
the pen colors that you are using to.001 inch.
The AutoCAD default for all pens
is .010 and a line weight this large
disables vector cutting. If the line
weight is not changed to .001 inch,
vector cutting will not be possible.
When the laser receives a job
where the line weights are toolarge, the laser system will justbeep when you attempt to run the
job.

181

Appendix B Printing From AutoCAD

Other useful settings in the AutoCAD print window are:Set the page orientation to Portrait.
Set Plot area to Limits.
Scale set to 1:1.
Pen Sizes .001 inch (0.0254 mm).
Dashboard print driver installation for Ethernet connection

182

APPENDIX CADDITIONAL DASHBOARD
PRINT DRIVER INSTRUCTIONSIn This Section
 Windows Vista Dashboard print driver installation for USB connection
 Windows Vista Dashboard print driver installation for Ethernet connection
 Windows 7: Setting up the TCP/IP address in the computer

Windows 7: Setting up the TCP/IP
Address in the Computer
Windows 7 uses a slightly different, but very similar protocol than previous
versions of Windows. These instructions will guide you through the Windows 7
protocol.
Once you have set the IP Address at the laser, you will need to set the TCP/IP
address on your PC.
From the Start menu at the bottom left
corner of your PC monitor, selectControl Panel

183

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

Click on Network and Sharing
CenterClick on Change
adapter settings

184

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

Select the Local Area
Connection option andthen right click on
Properties

Highlight Internet Protocol
Version 4 (TCP/IP) andthen click on Properties

185

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions
Select Use the following IP
address:

Type in the following IP
Address and Subnet mask:
192.168.3.3
255.255.255.0
Default gateway:
Leave blank

This number is not an error;
the last digit of the IP addressin this window must be
different than the IP address
set in your laser system.
Click the OK button in this window and then click on the Close button in the next
window.
That’s it! The IP Address in your computer is set. Your computer will be able totalk to your laser after you install the print driver (which is the next step).

186

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

Click on the
Printers icon .

Click on Add a
Printer

After clicking on Add a Printer you can follow the instructions earlier in the
manual. Follow the screen prompts and navigate to the Epilog CD ROM where
the files for the driver are located. If you have any trouble, Epilog Technicalsupport is available at 303-215- 9171.

187

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

188

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

Windows 8: Installing the 64-bit
Epilog Dashboard Print Driver inWindows 8
Before you can install the 64-bit Epilog Dashboard Driver in Windows 8 theDriver Signature Enforcement feature in Windows must be disabled. Once theDriver Signature Enforcement is disabled, you will be able to proceed using
standard Windows driver installation protocol. Once the Dashboard Driver isinstalled for the first time you can install new versions without having to disable
the Driver Signature Enforcement again. The procedure to disable Driver
Certification Enforcement in Windows 8 is shown below:

1.

Open the Charms Bar and select “Settings”. The Charms Bar is displayedby moving your mouse cursor into the lower right corner of your display.

2.

Select “Change PC Settings”.

189

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

3.

Select “General”.

4.

Scroll to the bottom of the General page. Under “Advanced Start-Up” select“Restart Now”.

190

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions
5.

Once the PC comes back up, select “Troubleshoot”.

6.

Select “Advanced Options”.

7.

Select “Start-Up Settings”.

8.

Select the “Restart” button.

191

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

9.

Press either the F7 key or the number 7 key from your computer keyboard.
This selection disables the Driver Signature Enforcement which will thenallow you to install a printer driver.
After pressing either key your computer will reboot. Now, Log in as normal
and go to the Control Panel. Select “Devices and Printers” and you areready to install the driver as illustrated in your Epilog Owner’s manual.

Because the Desktop of Windows 8 is so much different than any previous
version of Windows we’ve included one way to get to the Control Panel

192

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions
below. There are many paths that will get you to the Control Panel so if you
are comfortable with another method, use it instead.
10.

Open your Charms Bar and select the Search icon.

11.

Type “Control Panel” into the Search box. As you type, the icons that do
not start with a “C” immediately start to disappear.

12.

Select the Control Panel icon.

193

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

13.

Select Devices and Printers. You will now be able to install a print driver.

194

Appendix C Additional Dashboard Instructions

INDEX
2
21 Cfr 1040 · 1, 5

A
Accessories Kit · 24, 86
Acrylic · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 151
Cast · 136
Extruded · 136
Acrylic Idea Factory · 151
Air-Cooled Laser Tubes · 11
Ambient Air Temperature · 11
Anodized Aluminum · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 138
Ansi · 2
Aperture Safety Label · 7
Auto Focus · 59, 86, 88, 89, 101, 114, 161

B
Bearings · 161
Blower · 8
Brass · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 138, 139

C
Carriage Position
Park Position · 87
Cerdec · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134
Certification/Identification Label · 5, 6, 159
Class A Digital Device · 165
Cleaning · 14, 117, 118, 120, 124, 145, 148
Bearing Rails · 120
Exhaust Blower And Duct · 124
Optics · 118
Color Filling · 145, 149
Color Mapping · 47, 48, 71, 176
Colorado Heirloom · 154
Compatibility · 161, 162
Control Panel Command Keys
Function Keys

195

Pointer · 98
General Purpose Keys
Go · 94
Reset · 87
Stop · 93
Control Panel Keys
Indicator Lights
Pointer Light · 98
Cooling · 1, 11
Coreldraw · xi, 47, 57, 58, 76, 81, 115, 162
Corian · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 151
Crossover Cable · 23, 33
Crumb Tray · 109

D
Dashboard · i, xi, 23, 24, 33, 37, 47, 48, 63, 70, 74, 75, 77,
83, 85, 88, 129, 162, 167, 170, 176, 177, 178, 179
Advanced Tab · 47
Color Mapping · 47, 48, 71, 176
Configurations · 70
Dithering · 63, 65, 66
Floyd Steinberg · 64
Jarvis · 64, 66
Low Res · 63, 66
Stucki · 64, 65, 66
Frequency · 52, 68, 115
General Tab · 47, 50
Multiple Pages · 76
Multiple Passes · 75, 127, 129
Photograph Mode
Floyd Steinberg · 64
Jarvis · 64, 66
Stucki · 64, 65, 66
Piece Size · 58, 71, 85, 177
Raster Settings · 62
Resolution · 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 147, 161
Upgrade Firmware · 74
Vector Settings · 67
Vector Sorting · 69
Data Port Connections
Ethernet 10baset · 18
Ethernet Port · xiii, 6, 18, 23, 33, 34, 36, 37, 161, 178,
179
Usb Port · xii, 6, 18, 23, 24, 161, 179
Defeatably-Interlocked Protective Housing Safety Label · 7Delrin · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 142

INDEX
Delrin Seals · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134
Dithering · 63, 65, 66
Do Not · 2, 3, 8, 172
Door Interlocks · 2
Dpi · 54, 55, 56, 57, 65, 66, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 147

H
Home Position · 84, 114

I
E

Identification Plates · 152
Iec 60825-1 · 1, 5, 6
Innovative Plastics · 155
Integrated Vacuum Table · 85
Integrated Vector Grid · 137, 147
Ip Address · 19, 33, 34, 35, 36, 179, 182, 185

Educational Materials · 151, 154
Electrical · 1, 3, 7, 1, 10, 161
Electrical Safety Label · 7
Engraving Multiple Pages · 76
Engraving Multiple Passes · 75, 127, 129
Enter/Go · 77, 94
Escape/Stop · 93
Ethernet · xiii, 6, 18, 23, 33, 34, 36, 37, 161, 178, 179
Ethernet 10baset · 18
Exhaust · 7, 8
Blower · 8
Cleaning Blower And Duct · 124
Exhaust Blower · 8
Exhaust System · 1, 7, 8, 124
Blower · 8
Explanatory Label · 6JJarvis · 64, 66
Jds · 152, 153
Job Storage · 91, 99, 101
Johnson Plastics · 155

K
Kentucky Woodcrafts · 154
Keyboard Commands · 91

FFederal Communications Commission (Fcc) Notice · 161,
165
Federal Performance Standards For Light-Emitting
Products · 1
FireExtinguisher · ix, 4, 118, 136, 148
Safety · 1, 4, 7
Fire Extinguisher · ix, 4, 118, 136, 148
Fire Safety Label · 7Fire Warning · ix, xiii, 1, 4, 7, 8, 110, 117, 118, 135, 136,
148
Firmware · 74, 167, 168, 170
Floyd Steinberg · 64
Focus · 59, 86, 87, 88, 89, 114, 161
Auto Focus · 59, 86, 88, 89, 101, 114, 161
Frequency · 52, 68, 115
Front Access Door · 107, 108

G
Glass · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 151, 156
Go key · 94
Go Key · 77, 94
Gold Coast Graphics · 156
Green Indicator Light · 98
Green Indicator Lights · 98

LLabelsAperture Safety Label · 7
Certification/Identification Label · 5, 6, 159
Defeatably-Interlocked Protective Housing Safety Label·7
Electrical Safety Label · 7
Explanatory Label · 6Fire Safety Label · 7Fire Warning · 8
Non-Interlocked Protective Housing Safety Labels · 6
Warning Label · 6, 8
Laser Diode Pointer · 1, 2, 5
Laser Institute Of America · 2
Laser Tube · 117, 126
Laserable Plastic · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134
Leather · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 153
Lubricating
Bearing Rails · 120

M
Maintenance
Cleaning Your Machine · 14
Manual Focus · 86

196

INDEX
Marble · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 151, 155
Material Suppliers
Acrylic Idea Factory · 151
Alumamark Horizons Inc. · 153
Colorado Heirloom · 154
Educational Materials · 151, 154
Ferro Corporation · 156
Gold Coast Graphics · 156
Identification Plates · 152
Innovative Plastics · 155
Jds · 152, 153
Jhm Marketing · 154
Johnson Plastics · 155
Kentucky Woodcrafts · 154
Pdu · 153
R. S. Owens · 152
Rowmark · 155
Stanton Manufacturing · 154
Victory · 138, 152
Materials
Acrylic · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138,
151
Alumamark · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 153
Anodized Aluminum · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135,
138
Cermarkl · 156
Glass · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 151, 156
Leather · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 153
Notary Seals · 135, 142
Plastic · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 143, 144
Plywood · 146
PVC · 13, 144
Stainless Steel · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134
Wood · 72, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 145, 146, 147,
148, 149, 151, 154, 156
Melamine · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 151, 153
Memory · 99, 161, 162
Temporary Memory · 99, 161

N
Network · 18, 35, 163, 180
Ip Address · 19, 33, 34, 35, 36, 179, 182, 185
IP Address · 19, 33, 34, 35, 36
Subnet Mask · 36
Network Connections
Crossover Cable · 23, 33
Non-Interlocked Protective Housing Safety Labels · 6
Notary Seals · 135, 142P
Pdu · 153
PDU · 153
Photograph Mode
Floyd Steinberg · 64
Jarvis · 64, 66
Stucki · 64, 65, 66
Photos · 51, 52, 57, 65, 66, 121, 124
Plastic · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 143, 144
Plywood · 146
Pointer · 1, 2, 5, 98, 161
Pointer key · 98
Pointer Light · 98
Power · 1, 10, 51, 52, 55, 56, 62, 63, 67, 71, 127, 128, 147,
161, 176
Print Driver · xi, 23, 49, 167
Dashboard · i, xi, 23, 24, 33, 37, 47, 48, 63, 70, 74, 75,
77, 83, 85, 88, 129, 162, 167, 170, 176, 177, 178,
179
Protocol · 35
Pvc · 13, 144

R
R. S. Owens · 152
Raster Engraving · 61, 63, 81
Red Dot Pointer · 1, 2, 5, 98, 161
Regulatory Compliance · 1, 5
21 Cfr 1040 · 1, 5
American Standard For The Safe Use Of Lasers Z136.12000 · 2
Ansi · 2Class A Digital Device · 165
Fcc Notice · 161, 165
Iec 60825-1 · 1, 5, 6
Reset key · 87
Reset Key · 87, 94
Resolution · 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 147, 161
Resolution Settings · 55, 56, 57, 65, 66, 130, 131, 132, 133,
134, 147
Rgb Color · 161
Rowmark · 155

S
Safety · 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 161
ANSI · 2
DO NOT · 2, 3, 8, 172
Dos · 13
Electrical · 1, 3, 7
Federal Performance Standards For Light-Emitting
Products · 1
Fire · 1, 4, 7
NEVER · ix, 4, 13, 7, 117, 136, 148O
Optics · 118
Cleaning · 118
Osha · 2
OSHA · 2

197

INDEXOSHA · 2
Scanned Images · 51, 52, 81
Scanner · 164
Service · xi
Software · 163, 175
Coreldraw · xi, 47, 57, 58, 76, 81, 115, 162
Solid Wood · 145
Specifications · xi, 157, 161
Speed · 51, 52, 55, 56, 62, 63, 67, 71, 127, 128, 147, 161,
163, 176
Stainless Steel · 130, 131, 132, 133, 134
Standard Features
Air Assist · 101, 107, 137, 144, 147, 161
Auto Focus · 59, 86, 88, 89, 101, 114, 161
Front Access Door · 107, 108
Integraded Vector Grid · 137, 147
Integraded Vector Grid · 109
Integraded Vector Grid · 137
Integraded Vector Grid · 144
Integraded Vector Grid · 147
Integrated Crumb Tray · 109
Integrated Task Plate · 109
Integrated Vacuum Table · 85
Integrated Vector Grid · 109, 137, 144, 147
Task Plate · 109
Vacuum Hold-down · 109, 110, 111, 112
Vector Grid · 109, 137, 144, 147
Stanton Manufacturing · 154
Stop key · 93
Stop Key · 93
Stucki · 64, 65, 66
Subnet Mask · 36
Suppliers · 151

T
Table Size · 58, 85
Task Plate · 109
Technical Support
Direct Line · i, 159

198

Online · iTemperature · 161

U
Upgrade Firmware · 74
Usb · xii, 6, 18, 23, 24, 161, 179
USB · xii, 6, 18, 23, 24, 161, 179
Usb Port · 18
USB Port · 18

V
Vector Cutting · 52, 67, 82, 83, 129
Vector Grid · 109, 137, 144, 147
Victory · 138, 152
Vinyl · 13, 7
Vista · 161, 162, 179

W
Warning · ix, 6, 8, 7, 11, 117, 135, 138, 148
Warning Label · 6, 8
Warnings
DO NOT · 2, 3, 8, 172
Fire Warning · ix, 8, 117, 135
Labels · 6, 8
Warranty · xi, 13, 11, 144, 173
Windows
Vista · 161, 162, 179
Windows 7 · 179
Windows 2000 · 2, 23, 161, 162
Windows XP · 161, 162
Wood · 72, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 145, 146, 147,
148, 149, 151, 154, 156