SECTION 8

Troubleshooting

Engraving Quality

Problem Possible Cause Possible Solution
“Fuzzy” looking raster engraving
or small text appears like a
“double image”
• Dirty laser system
• Graphic, graphic software, graphic
software setup, color palette, monitor
display colors, or driver settings have
changed
• Speed to fast for the material
• Out of focus
• System needs tuning
• Worn X-axis belt and/or drive gear
• Laser Tube is faulty
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and belts
• 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.
• Slow down engraving speed
• Re-focus
• Run “Tuning” feature in printer driver
version 4.17 and higher
• Replace belt and/or drive gear, and run
“Tuning” feature
• Replace laser tube
Fine detail is missing such as
the serif’s of characters or thin
lines of script fonts when raster
engraving
• Speed too fast for the material
• Out of focus
• System needs tuning
• Laser spot size too big
• Slow down engraving speed
• Re-focus
• Run “Tuning” feature in printer driver
version 4.17 and higher
• Use shorter focal length lens
Vertical or diagonal background
pattern present when raster
engraving large areas and/or
large amounts of material
• Dirty laser system
• Slight pattern is normal
If the pattern is excessive:
• Loose motion system components
• Worn or damaged X-axis bearings
• Worn or damaged X-axis rail
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and belts
• Don’t remove so much material or try
engraving shallower or deeper. Try
changing PPI and or DPI
• Use a 50% black fill to “halftone” the
background which can hide the pattern
• Check X-axis bearings, belt, optics
• Replace X-axis bearings
• Replace X-axis arm
Horizontal background pattern
present when raster engraving
large areas and/or large
amounts of material
• Dirty laser system
• Slight pattern is normal
If the pattern is excessive:
• Laser is too cold or hot
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and belts
• Don’t remove so much material or try
engraving shallower or deeper. Try
changing PPI and or DPI
• Use a 50% black fill to “halftone” the
background which can hide the pattern
• Check and/or clean filters
• Make sure ambient temperature is
within specifications