Epilog Fusion M2 32 Manual page 204

APPENDIX B: MATERIAL SETTINGS
Fusion Series Suggested Material Settings (Fiber)
Material
Powder Coating
Etching/Marking
Two to three passes are suggested (one pass to ablate the powder coating, 2nd or 3rd pass to polish up the metal underneath). A little less power, higher
frequency and less focus adjustment will be required for the 2nd or 3rd pass, depending on the base metal. The idea is to ablate then polish. An alternative to
running two or more passes is to run one pass and then use a common cleaner such as Simple Green or a citric-based cleaner with short, stiff bristle brush to
scrub out the residual material remaining in the mark area. If using this technique, it may be necessary to raise or lower the marking table from around 0.07"
to 0.10".
• These are only guidelines: Brightness or darkness of a mark is a matter of personal preference and can be very dependent of the type of
material being marked. As such, there is no "correct" setting. Working with the four different fiber settings becomes fairly intuitive in a very
short period of time for most users. If you have a material that is not listed, try to compare it to similar materials listed and use those settings
as your starting point.
• Speed Settings: The speed setting scale of 1% to 100% is not linear – i.e. 100% speed will not be twice as fast as 50% speed. This non-linear
scale is very useful in compensating for the different factors that affect engraving time.
• Power Settings: The power settings are linear – i.e. 50% power is half as much as 100% power.
• General Metal Engraving / Base Settings: In the world of metals the grade, type, hardness and chemical composition are endless. Metal
alloys are engineered for specific applications and have their own strengths and weaknesses. With such an unlimited selection, we've yet
to come across a metal which proved to be incompatible with the FiberMark. Metals can be engraved at just about any settings. Of course,
there are many variables to consider for metal engraving. The lasers wattage, hardness of metal, desired mark (etch, polish, anneal) and the
required time/contrast/depth will have to be considered when deciding on the final settings.
• General Annealing Settings: Producing an annealed mark is very dependent on the material being out of focus. Run the laser at slow speed
and full power then adjust the focus while the machine is running until you achieve the annealed mark you need.
• Test your material: If you do not achieve the results you are looking for with the recommended settings, try resending the job and start by
changing only one variable at a time. Changing only one variable at a time will help to determine the correct setting for your material.
• Laser settings can sometimes be confusing because many materials can be marked over such a broad range of settings. If you have difficulty
in finding the correct setting you can send a sample to the Epilog Laser Applications lab. We will determine if the material can be marked and
provide appropriate setting for your laser.
To print a copy of these settings to keep next to your laser, go to www.epiloglaser.com/material-settings.
DPI/Freq. 20 watt
600 DPI Speed: 30 - 40%
Power: 100%
Frequency: 100%
Focus: +.05 to .07"
Fusion Series Suggested Material Settings (Fiber)
30 watt
Speed: 40 - 50%
Power: 100%
Frequency: 100%
Focus: +.05 to .07"
- 198 -
50 watt
Speed: 50 - 60%
Power: 100%
Frequency: 100%
Focus: +.05 to .07"