Section 14: Material Engraving Techniques; Co2 Laser Materials/Techniques; 3D Engraving - Epilog Fusion M2 32 Manual

SECTION 14: MATERIAL ENGRAVING TECHNIQUES

CO2 Laser Materials/Techniques

Your Epilog Laser system is very versatile. It can mark and cut many different materials. Following is information regarding
some of the materials the laser will mark and cut. Check the Epilog website (www.epiloglaser.com) periodically for new
laser applications, tips and techniques to use with your laser. For specific information regarding materials not mentioned
below, please contact your local Epilog representative.

3D Engraving

Earlier in the manual we discussed dot patterns and how those patterns are used to create raster images. 3D mode looks
at the dots and the dot patterns in a very different way than basic raster engraving mode, especially when using grayscale
images.
In 3D mode, instead of looking at the dots and determining where to fire the laser based on the dot spacing, we look at
the dots and determine how much laser power (wattage) to apply to each dot. In basic raster engraving mode, every dot
is fired at the same laser output. In 3D mode we have the ability to adjust the laser output for every dot.
An additional aspect of 3D mode is that, unlike basic mode, the laser fires continuously between most dots – even if it is
engraving from a 10% fill pattern to a 30% fill pattern. This is by design so there is a gradual change in the depth of
engraving when the artwork transitions from one shade of gray to another. The only time that this is not true is when the
artwork changes from 100% black to 100% white (or visa versa). Because we adjust the way the laser fires in 3D mode
we also have to adjust the artwork that is used to create good 3D images, and this is where 3D engraving can get difficult.
Since we're going to vary the laser power output for every dot, we want artwork that will produce
more than one level of gray. We want artwork that gradually blends from one shade of gray to
another. You need an object that looks something like this circle to create a 3D image.
Engraving this circle in 3D mode will create a dome with center being the high point (because it's a
light shade of gray) and the outside edge being deep (because it's a darker shade of gray).
This explanation describes the most basic functions of 3D engraving and some of the theory behind
In this sample, the black background would be engraved
away. Using this technique, the leaf stands up away from the
background, with the edges of the leaf being the highest points
and the stems being engraved the deepest.
This image would engrave deepest around the edges of the
leaf and less deep in the body.
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CO2 Laser Materials/Techniques