Troubleshooting 8-3
Engraving appears “halftoned”
and not solidly filled when using
colors other than black
• Graphic, graphic software, graphic
software setup, color palette, monitor
display colors, or driver settings have
changed
• Check to see what has changed. Use
“Software Setup Guide” to properly setup
the graphics software to work correctly
with the laser system. Check driver
settings.
Wavy lines when vector
engraving or cutting
• Running too fast
• Dirty laser system
• Worn or faulty bearings
• Arm is out of square
• Firmware needs to be updated
• The highest quality vectors are obtained
by running less than 5% speed
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and belts
• Check and/or replace X and/or Y axis
bearings
• Square arm re-adjust left side Y-axis
bearings so both are contacting Y-rail
equally
• Firmware advancements have been
improving vector quality
Angled cuts when cutting
through thick materials such as
¼” acrylic
• Angled cuts are a normal condition if
they are equal on all sides of the object.
The front side of the object will always
be slightly smaller than the backside of
the object due to the material “spreading
more” at the focal point.
• Angled cuts on only one or two sides
indicates a slight beam misalignment at
the #3 mirror or focus lens
• Cut a square and observe that each side
is slightly tapered inward.
• Check and adjust the beam alignment
at the #3 mirror position and the focus
lens
The start and stop points of
circles, when cutting, do not
meet up
• Slight “notching” when cutting circles is
a normal condition due to the beam
starting and stopping at the same point
If the pattern is excessive:
• Dirty laser system
• Mechanical problem
• The laser beam has width and there is
heat effects from starting and stopping
the laser system at the same point. Try
extending the circle through the end
point by adding a small line segment to
reduce the effect. If cutting the material
when elevated off the table, make sure
that the center if the circles are
supported.
• Try rotating the circle 90 or 180 or 270
degrees. Sometimes this helps reduce
the effect
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and belts
• Turn machine off and check for binding
in the x & y directions. Check for
excessive belt tension.