Episode 17: Laser Focal Lens Explained

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,

with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

There are four (4) common laser focal lens available.

Lens = Dot diameter
1.5″ = .003″
2.0″ = .005″
2.5″ = .007″
4.0″ = .012″

Each one of the lens serves a purpose.

1.5″ lens with such a tiny dot diameter size lends itself for very tiny to small images that require high detail. The Italian Charm Bracelets lend themselves well to this lens. As good as the dot size is for detail the cutting ability is terrible as it can only effectively cut standard engraving plastic stock and thinner, not much else.

2.0″ lens straddles the fence for great engraving quality due to the reasonably small dot size and the cutting ability of this lens is good enough to allow enough continuous power after the lens distance to continue on to cut rather well, even up to 1/2″ to 5/8″ thick acrylic.

2.5″ lens straddles the fence for really good engraving quality due to the reasonably small dot size and the cutting ability allows for enough continuous power after the lens distance to continue on to cut extremely well, even up to 5/8″ to 3/4″ thick acrylics.

4.0″ lens is extremely good for cutting ability as after the 4″ focal distance the lens maintains enough continuous power for greater distance than the other 3 lens making for a great cutting lens, especially for thick materials, such as 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″ thick acrylics.

Listen in as the details are explained as to why each can engrave, cut or engrave and cut.

Episode 16: Speed and Power

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,

with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

When customers ask me for settings to use when working with a new material, they hate the answer I give. NO, I do not have a setting for you!

But in all fairness it is a brutally honest answer and it shows how much I stress that it is imperative that laser operators test THEIR material on THEIR laser system to determine THEIR preference, which is completely subjective. What I like may be to dark or to light for the next guy and vice versa. This is entirely subjective so I always explain this and provide the following “Rule of Thumb” to begin with.

Raster Engraving “Rule of Thumb”

High Speed w/ Variable being Power

Vector Cutting “Rule of Thumb”

High Power w/ Variable being Speed

Of course there are exceptions to the rule, such as wood, glass and marble tend to require high power with slow speed to get optimal results but this provides a starting point for customers to begin their testing phase.

The best method I’ve found to determine optimal settings is to engraving five (5) 1/2″ boxes on a 2″x3″ piece of material, such as cherry wood. These boxes will all be side by side with each box set at full speed but each box have a different power settings. 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% & 100%. What this does is show dramatically different power outputs next to each other to get a sense of what is going to be the best setting to use for cherry wood. Make sure to engrave the settings of each box underneath the corresponding box!

The great thing about conducting your material testing in this manner is if you add velcro to the back of the wood piece and stick it to the wall above the computer that operates your laser system, you can see at a glance exactly what settings produce what results on that specific material. If you have a customer who is not sure of what the results will be you can show them this piece. You should ALWAYS create a “journal/log/spreadsheet” hard copy of these settings to have available in the inevitable event that your computer crashes. You’ll need this written reference as a backup or you will likely have to retest all your materials all over again. Fortunately you will also have this physical piece tested showing your results as well.

Conduct your testing phase on ALL materials as above or similar and you’ll have a visual reference, a hard copy and pride of determining the best setting to your likes!

Episode 15: Losing power at materials?

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,

with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

A rule of thumb to keep in mind. When power is being lost at materials there are 4 areas that could cause this:

1. Dirty optics … Check & clean all mirrors (3x) as well as the lens (1x). Also have a look-see at the lens at the end of the laser tube, might be dirty as well. Use a long Q-tip to clean and dry this lens.
2. Beam Alignment … If beam alignment is even slightly off, the further down the mirror system the more the offset becomes. Check beam alignment and adjust as necessary. Pay close attention to mirror #3 to ensure not clipping inside of tube above lens or at nozzle output.
3. Focal Distance … The 2.5” lens has a focal dot size of .007” so even if off 10-20 thousands of an inch can cause a significant loss of power at material. Check focal distance to get as close to accurate as possible.
4. Laser Tube … Laser tube is nearing its end of life span. If all else is correct then it could be the laser tube. A quick check would be to increase the Current Regulator (gray knob) to see if increasing the electrical current will revive laser tube.

CheckMate Lasers has beam alignment & focal distance tutorials available to its customer base. Simply contact us at Support@CheckMateLasers.com and we will provide you access to these tutorials.

Episode 14: Laser Table Choices

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,

with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

This weeks show it focusing on a discussion of the various table choices available for laser engraving and cutting machines. From the typical aluminum table to honeycomb vector cutting table to slat table. Louie even discusses how it is possible to fabricate your very own vacuum table. Tune in to see what table would best fit your needs and the pros and cons of the most common ones.

Episode 13: The Three R’s of Laser Tubes

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,
with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

This discussion is to address the unknown, unexpected, unplanned and unbudgeted (is that a word?) factor of laser tubes. I will be discussing the difference between the well know metal tubes from manufacturers such as Synrad, Coherent, Rofin, GSI, Universal and now Epilog as well as comparison to the newer more affordable glass laser tubes from the like of Laser Lowdown podcast show sponsor, CheckMate Lasers. The three R’s of laser tubes that MUST be taken into consideration are:

1. Recharge
2. Repair
3. Replace

Read the associated article here:
The Three R’s of Laser Tubes

Laser Lowdown, the “All Things Laser” podcast

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast, (distributed multimedia files over the internet for playback on a mobile device or a personal computer)

with your host Louie Alvarez. Turn up your volume and enjoy!

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Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast, hosted by Louie Alvarez continues the “online radio show” that bestows much laser related valuable information via verbal discussion.

Topics are scheduled to include Laser Engraving-Cutting-Marking-Etching systems, tips and tricks, shortcuts and how to tutorials, add-ons, accessories, materials, software and the Internet. Essentially anything that the laser owner, operator, buyer, dealer, distributor and manufacturers will find of interest and useful will be broadcast here. The Laser Lowdown will be produced on a regular basis as time permits.

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Future show topics …

• Build your laser business: Topics will include expanding into new markets, targeting new industries, releasing new products, marketing methods, promotion ideas, etc.
• Tips & tricks, shortcuts and tutorials: Learn how to efficiently utilize the tools you have, how to step by step, minimize procedure with shortcuts, tips & tricks to easily use software and hardware, tutorials on useful methods.
• Laser Systems: Discussion of the various systems on the market: Engraving, Cutting, Marking, Etching. Small to large format.
• Add-ons: Full color laser engraving, Deep Stone Carving, metal marking solutions
• Accessories: Rotary attachments, table mats, cutting tables
• Tutorials: How to… tutorials, accompanied with videos.
• Materials: Discussion of the many materials on the market that are used on laser systems and some you may not know of
• Software also will be covered since our lasers are no more than huge doorstops without it: CorelDRAW, PhotoGrav, Photoshop
• Applications: MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word, Quickbooks any that our industry uses or could find useful.
• Internet due to the vast yet overwhelming source of information available: Forums, Sources, Support,
• Industry in general: Trade shows, such as ARA, A&E and others, Magazines, Leaders, Publications, Books
• People of the industry, I look forward to interviewing some of the movers and shakers of the industry, the long time, well known members of our industry.

For suggestions, comments or requests log onto www.LaserLowdown.com or email Louie at LaserLowdown@gmail.com.

Episode 12: Growth Thru Organizations

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,
with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

Many people have lasers today, they are very prevalent and many have a core business product, market or industry that they tend to focus upon. Problem with that scenario is, as in anything in the business world there are ups and downs, peaks and valleys, so if all your eggs are in one basket, as they saying goes, you are going to be in a world of trouble when the product, market or industry you focus on heads down to the valley.

The question I have asked many a time is how to market and promote a business to a new client base, build your company brand awareness. How to capitalize on word of mouth?

Well you’ve come to the right place, listen in on Louie Alvarez on how during his laser shop days he built up his name brand recognition through local organizations. A must listen to and if implemented well and properly can guarantee successful growth of your business.

Episode 11: Pricing Guideline

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,
with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

All areas of the country will have different pricing structures. This is inherently due to the fact that all markets determine the price point of a product. Because there are so many variables in how to price a product that providing specific pricing is nearly impossible as the so many variable must be factored in.

Read the associated article here: Pricing Guideline

Episode 10: Laser Safety

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,
with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

A major incident occurred with a customer, fortunately based here in Las Vegas only a couple miles from my office, which required an extremely prompt response. Being so close in our isolated desert city, I was able to personally oversee the incident within about 15 minutes.

The occurrence was a fire last Wednesday, that occurred a second time two days later on Friday, this prompted me to take this topic and expand on the necessity of safety when using a laser system, especially when vector cutting materials, in this case acrylic. So listen in as I explain laser safety, when a fire happens, what causes it, how to prevent it, what to do if it happens to you.

[Show as slideshow]

Episode 9: Laser Markets

Welcome to Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast,
with your host Louie Alvarez.

Laser Lowdown, the All Things Laser podcast

The weeks show focuses on Laser Markets. Your considering purchasing a laser system or your looking for new areas to generate revenue or your ready to move on beyond your bread and butter projects and want to expand your horizons. Well this is the show for you, I first discuss establishing a core product line to create stability and reliability, after that has been successful then it is time to look at new market opportunities and new product lines.

Take a listen and make a comment at the bottom of this post; the good, the bad or the ugly. Make a request for a topic if you like, and of course check out the accompanying article linked here to this podcast.