Adjusting a Picture of the Eagles

In this example we will be lasering an image of an eagle onto black laser tile. Figure 1 shows a photo that I bought off the Internet. I am using this image because I want to see what the effect of having our background image being a bit out of focus and to see how it appears on the tile.
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Laser Engraving Wood

It may seem trivial to talk about laser engraving wood but considering that it is one of the products that most of us do a lot than we should spend some time talking about it. We can talk about raster engraving and vector engraving as two separate processes when it comes to wood.

Raster Engraving Wood

When a laser is raster engraving (Figure 1 shows us some samples of raster engraved images) the laser marks with a back and forth motion. This motion is similar to what you would see with a laser printer or an inkjet printer. The laser slowly moves its way down the table. The amount of the movement is dictated by the dpi that has been chosen in the driver. When we are engraving a message in wood we use the raster movement of the laser to create the message. … Continue Reading

Cermark / Thermark Metal Marking Spray

The TherMark process utilizes marking materials, or “inks,” available in various forms, which are applied to surfaces to be marked. The ink is then selectively fused – using patented laser marking technology – to the surface with a regular industrial marking laser. Finally, any excess ink is easily cleaned from the surface. The inks are scientifically formulated to make a permanent, chemical bond to surfaces, without compromising or damaging the material being marked.

TherMark marking materials are available as paintable liquids, aerosols or adhesive transfer tapes. The paintable liquid may be applied to surfaces with a brush, sponge or air sprayer. After fusing with the laser, any excess paintable liquid or aerosol spray can be cleaned from the surface by simply rinsing with water. Tapes are applied to surfaces using their own light adhesives. After fusing with the laser, the tape is lifted from the surface, carrying away any excess marking material. The used tape is then discarded.

Regardless of the application, the end result is a durable, high-contrast and high-resolution mark. (as appears from the Thermark web site) … Continue Reading

Working with Encore EconoFlex Material

Material – Engravers Express EconoFlex .025 thick plastic engraving material. This material is available in Brushed gold, silver and bronze. The core is made up of acrylic for easy cutting by lasers. The material can have 3M adhesive applied to the back of the material.

Application – Trophy Plates

Why Use EconoFlex?  When it comes to creating an engraving plate there are a number of steps involved. Aside from setting up the plates in CorelDraw and entering the text you have to engrave the plates, cut them out with a shear and then tape them. Note: some customers require either a scallop or a radius corner to help “spruce” up the plate. Using EconoFlex allows us to speed up our job for a number of reasons. … Continue Reading

Creating a Custom Colour Swatch Chart
By Mike Clarke
Sep 8, 2003, 23:58

Download RGB swatch page

Creating a Custom Colour Swatch Chart

One of the things that can be a problem when you are sublimating is creating colours that are the same as on your screen as what you get on your finished product. One way to help solve this problem is to create a swatch of your colours and print the swatch out so that you can compare the colours on your screen with what you have printed.

Creating the Swatch in CorelDraw Version 8 and 9

The colour chart file located below is a CorelDraw 8 file that has been created by McCollough for those who wish to print out the standard RGB chart. Each one of the color swatches has its appropriate RGB numbers attached to it. All you need to do is open the file and print it out on you material that you want to use for sublimation. … Continue Reading

Doing a Belt Change on an EX Laser Machine
By Mike Clarke
Jun 8, 2003, 21:33

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Doing a Belt Change on an EX Laser Machine

Changing an X drive belt is quite easy on the EX laser system. This file walks you through it.

Tools Needed
• Philips (Star) screwdriver
• Stapler
• Allan Wrench
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Setting Rotary Position to Home Upon completing the installation procedures for your Rotary attachment, you will want to ensure that your home position is aligned correctly. The following will guide you through this alignment. The Red Diode Pointer 1. Using the left and right arrow keys on your LCD Display, select the SETUP button the LCD Display. The Diode Pointer projects a red beam of light, which will pin point the home position of your rotary attachment. 2. Using the down arrow keys, scroll down to the “Diode Pointer” and select “Yes” by turning the round knob on the display to the right. Press “Enter”. … Continue Reading

Using the Epilog Rotary Attachment

Files

http://www.engrave.ca/files/mug_template_v8.cdr
http://www.engrave.ca/files/mug_template_with_different_turns_v8.cdr
http://www.engrave.ca/files/mug_template_with_no_turn_v8.cdr
One of the more intimidating techniques to learn on the laser engraver is how to use the rotary attachment. This help file should help eliminate any misgivings you may have.

1. If your table is not lowered than lower it down about 5 inches
2. Turn the power off to the machine
3. Plug in the rotary machine (the plug is under the left side of the machine (EX or LX and the front of the machine on the TT).
4. Turn the machine on.
5. The machine will know that the rotary attachment is plugged in and the X axis will settle over the attachment – see Figure 1.

Figure 1

6. Place your glass item in the attachment. Now the big question is where do I place my image? To answer this let us look at setting up the image in CorelDraw first. … Continue Reading

Working with CorelDraw’s Colour Palette for Lasers

Working with CorelDraw’s Colour Palette

One of the more overlooked features in CorelDraw is the use of Colour Palettes. Typically when we install CorelDraw, the program loads its default palette. If you look to the right of your screen you will see the colour palette – it is the bar that holds all the little squares of colour.

Let us look at the colour palette.

1. The first thing that I will get you to do is to open up the colour palette browser. This is found in WINDOW|COLOUR PALETTES|COLOUR PALETTE BROWSER – see Figure 1. … Continue Reading

Creating Images on a Path

Sometimes you may find it necessary to take an image duplicate this image so that it flows along a predetermined path.

Here’s how we create the image. … Continue Reading