Epilog Fusion M2 40 Laser Engraver

Epilog Marketing on the Fusion M2 Series Laser EngraverSystem Manual

Table of Contents

1. Machine Process
2. Software and Setup
3. Materials

General Notes

• The Epilog Laser Engraver/Cutter uses line weight in the drawing sent to it to determine how to interpret those elements.  A vector operation is a cut, and a raster operation is going to engrave the image onto the material in the machine.  If the line weight is equal to 0.001 points, it will be interpreted as a vector and if it's greater than that 0.001 points in weight (thickness) then it will be interpreted as a raster.
• The laser kerf is 0.004"
• Cutting/engraving order: Generally the machine etches first then cuts.  Almost always cuts inside before outside (Not true with letter outline).
• Color mapping can be used for different depths but you need to define the colors/depths in RGB color space and they must perfectly match the RGB values in the image software.  For help with this, please consult one of the Academic Technologists.

Machine Process

1. Start up

   1. Turn on computer and laser

   2. Turn on blower and compressor

   3. Clean lens (see details below)

   4. Set material to be engraved/cut onto grid

   5. Close cover of engraver

2. Set up Image to print

   1. Standard is Adobe Illustrator (see below)

3. On the Epilog Device

   1. Set manual focus depth, if not set to AutoFocus

   2. Scroll through setting → Find job and start

   3. Watch job complete, to make sure it doesn’t catch fire Always watch laser

   4. If on fire → blow out flame (DO NOT LEAVE LASER UNATTENDED)

   5. You can stop and remove media, but no good registration for continuing part if you do.

   6. Always watch laser!!

4. Shut down

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• Process: File → Print → Epilog → Setup → Preferences (this is the dashboard)
• Cut ⇒ set stroke width to 0.001 points for cutting as a vector operation
• Engrave ⇒ Anything above 0.001 point (raster operation)

Options to set in Preferences (Dashboard)

• Resolution: default is 600.  Max is 1200.  Go lower for faster etching.  Doesn't affect cutting.
• Autofocus on (and set material thickness size) or turn autofocus off and set grid up/down height with jog functions and jig.  Autofocus is not really autofocus since you have to manually put in the thickness
• Manual focus → place registration tool on focus head, then click focus on panel, then use the joystick to adjust the height of the table.
• If the material varies in height, jog to desired location and then focus.  Don't save anything → just uncheck autofocus and don't change stage height
• Reset → sends head back to home location without changing the height
• Center engraving → not used often. Sets a new home position. And that position is set by eye (manually).
• Pick raster/vector (cut) or both.  E.g. If you have both types in the file and set it to raster it will ignore the cut lines (stroke weight < 0.001pt)
• Make your Illustrator Artboard/paper drawing size the same as your stock size, and then make the size in preferences the same too.
• There are separate laser settings for both raster and vector
• Look in the manual for setting guidelines, but note that you may have to interpolate or guess, if the material or thickness is not covered explicitly
• Balance speed and power - Its useful to experiment with new materials/thicknesses to get best balance of cutting/burning
• Cutting small areas → head won't get to full speed in full areas.  10% speed per inch of width
• Engrave direction - generally starts at the back of the machine and works forwards ⇒ not often changed.
• May want to reverse to avoid soot from covering freshly etched surface
• Image dithering ⇒ not often changed.  May want to adjust for images or photos
  • “Jarvis” setting may work better with photos
• Speed Comp ⇒ Reduces speed by ½
• Power Comp ⇒ Reduces speed when rounding corners with cutting
• Sometimes a faster setting with multiple passes will work better because it doesn't burn as much. Higher power can lead to flame  

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Raster: variable depth control (Color mapping)

• Use RGB color mode (File → New → Color map RGB)
• Set color → laser cutting values in
• Print → Setup → Preferences → Color mapping

Loading presets for different materials (Advanced tab)

• • Print → Setup → Preferences → Advanced
  • Save and load preset settings for laser and piece size
  • Can dowload presets from Epilog

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