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Summary of Contents for Omtech USB475a
- Page 1 V20231220 USB475a Cabinet Laser Engraver User Manual Read Carefully Before Use Keep for Future Reference...
- Page 2 PREFACE Thank you for choosing our laser equipment. Your CO₂ laser engraving machine is intended for personal and professional use. When used in accordance with these instructions, it comprises a Class 1 laser system but some components remain extremely dangerous. Never disable the preinstalled safety devices and always use your laser safely and responsibly.
- Page 3 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ..........................1 1.1 General Information.......................1 1.2 Symbol Guide ........................2 1.3 Designated Use ........................2 1.4 Technical Specifications ......................3 1.5 Components...........................4 2. Safety Information........................10 2.1 Disclaimer..........................10 2.2 General Safety ........................10 2.3 Laser Safety.........................11 2.4 Electrical Safety........................12 2.5 Material Safety ........................12 3.
- Page 4 4.4.8 Adjusting the Laser Movement Mode ................28 4.4.9 Adjusting the Laser Settings..................28 4.4.10 Setting the Origin Points ....................29 4.4.11 Setting Default Parameters ..................30 4.4.12 Restoring Default Parameters..................30 4.4.13 Setting the Interface Language...................30 4.4.14 Setting the Machine’s IP Address................31 4.4.15 Diagnostic Tools ......................31 4.4.16 Setting the Screen Reference..................32 4.4.17 Adjusting Engraving Layers..................32 4.4.18 Adjusting Movement Parameters ................33...
- Page 5 1 Introduction 1.1 General Information This manual is the designated user guide for the installation, setup, safe operation, and maintenance of your cabinet laser engraver. It is divided into six chapters covering general information, safety instructions, installation steps, operation instructions, maintenance procedures, and contact information. ALL personnel involved in the installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and repair of this machine should read and understand this manual, particularly its safety instructions.
- Page 6 1.2 Symbol Guide The following symbols are used on this machine’s labeling or in this manual: These items present a risk of serious property damage or personal injury. These items address similarly serious concerns with regard to the laser beam. These items address similarly serious concerns with regard to electrical components.
- Page 7 1.4 Technical Specifications Model USB475a Diameter 50 mm 1.96 in. Laser Tube Length 1100 mm 43.3 in. Diameter 18 mm 0.71 in. Focus Lens Thickness 2 mm 0.08 in. Focal Length 50.8 mm 2 in. Diameter 25 mm 0.98 in.
- Page 8 1.5 Components Front View A. Cover—The cover provides access to the main bay for placing and retrieving materials, as well as fixing the laser path alignment and other maintenance. Power to the laser is automatically cut when the cover is opened. B.
- Page 9 Rear View A. Top Rear Access Door—This door opens to the laser bay, holding the laser tube and its connections. B. Laser Tube—This long glass tube is filled with helium, nitrogen, and CO₂ gas and water cooled to safely produce your engraving laser.
- Page 10 Laser Path A. Laser Tube— This long glass tube is filled with helium, D. 3rd Mirror—This adjustable-angle mirror moves with the laser head to allow the laser beam to travel nitrogen, and CO₂ gas and water cooled to safely produce your engraving laser.
- Page 11 Connection Inputs A. USB Port—This port allows you to load and save designs and parameters directly onto the engraver. B. USB Line Port—This port connects to your control computer and its engraving software using any of its USB ports. C. Ethernet Port—This port connects to your control computer and its software either directly or via the internet.
- Page 12 Control Console Sets the starting point for the laser head. Returns the machine to the saved default parameters. Stops work or returns to a previous menu. Starts or pauses the work. Enters a command or confirms your selections. Moves the laser head along the X and Y Manually fires the laser.
- Page 13 Console Screen A. Graphic Display Area: Shows the whole file’s track and the running track. B. Version Number: Displays the version numbers of the panel and motherboard. C. System Time: Displays the current system time. D. Parameter Display Area: Displays the running file’s file number, speed, max power, etc. E.
- Page 14 2. Safety Information 2.1 Disclaimer Your engraver may differ somewhat from those shown in this manual due to options, updates, etc. Please contact us if your engraving machine came with an outdated manual or if you have any other questions. 2.2 General Safety Instructions •...
- Page 15 2.3 Laser Safety Instructions When used as instructed, this machine comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However the invisible engraving laser, the laser tube, and its electrical connections remain extremely dangerous. Used or modified without care, they can cause serious property damage and personal injury including but not limited to the following: •...
- Page 16 2.4 Electrical Safety Instructions • ONLY use this device with a compatible and stable power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage. • DO NOT connect other devices to the same fuse, as the laser system will require its full amperage. Do not use with standard extension cords or power strips.
- Page 17 This machine can be safely used with the following materials: Plastics • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) • Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.) • Polyethylene (PE) • High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.) • Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET, Mylar, Polyester, etc.) • Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG, PET-G, etc.) •...
- Page 18 3. Installation 3.1 Installation Overview A complete working system consists of the laser engraving cabinet, its vent, a water tank (not included) with a pump (included), all applicable connection cables, and the laser and access keys. The cabinet can use designs provided by the enclosed engraving software by direct or internet connection with your computer;...
- Page 19 Step 3. Retrieve the access keys from the main bay in the front of the machine. Use them to unlock the lower bay in the front and take out the accessories pack. Check that you have received all of the following: a power cord, a ground wire, USB and Ethernet cables, a USB flash drive with engraving software included, a water pump and water piping, an exhaust pipe with a hose clamp, a set of allen keys, a tube of silicone sealant, an acrylic focus- ing tool, an access key, and this manual.
- Page 20 3.5 Water Cooling Installation The provided water pump is essential to your engraver's performance and longevity. When this laser works without a properly maintained cooling system, its glass tube WILL explode from excess heat. NEVER touch or adjust your engraver's water supply while the pump is connected to its power supply. To install your pump, fill a dedicated tank with at least 7.5 litres (1.6 gal.) of distilled water.
- Page 21 3.6 Exhaust System This engraver doesn’t come with an inbuilt exhaust fan. Follow the steps to set an exhaust system before use. 1. Connect the provided exhaust pipe to the port of the laser engraver, and t he other end to your exhaust fan. Expand the pipe if longer is needed.
- Page 22 3.9 Initial Testing Emergency Shutoff Because of the risk of fire and other hazards during engraving, this engraver includes a large and easy-to-reach emergency stop button near the control panel. Press it down to stop the laser tube instantly. When your engraver arrives, its e-stop is already pressed. Release the e-stop and press the reset button to allow the laser to function.
- Page 23 Water Shutoff Because of the danger posed by an uncooled laser tube, this engraver also shuts off the laser automatically when the water cooling system malfunctions. After ensuring that the emergency stop button and cover protection both work, you should also test that the water shutoff works properly before conducting any other work on your machine.
- Page 24 4. Operation 4.1 Operation Overview Operate this laser marking machine only in accordance with all the instructions provided in this manual. Failure to follow the proper guidelines detailed here can result in property damage and personal injury. This section will address only some of the options and features provided by the operation software. Before beginning to use the machine, make sure that you have read this entire manual (particularly the Safety Information above), the separate software manual, and any and all warnings provided on the machine itself.
- Page 25 Step 8. Customise your design's contrast and engraving depth by adjusting the parameters in your engraving software or directly through the control panel. If your engraving instructions detail the power setting in milliamperes, use the following conversion chart to find the appropriate power setting: Power 65–75% 100%...
- Page 26 4.3 Instructions for Specific Materials The following instructions are suggestions to help speed safe work with a range of materials. The user should research the specific safety and engraving requirements of their specific material to avoid the risk of fire, hazardous dust, corrosive and poisonous fumes, and other potential problems.
- Page 27 Metal CO₂ laser engravers should not be used for marking, engraving, or cutting metal. They are best suited for working coatings applied to a metal base, and care must be taken not to attempt work on the underlying metal itself. A variety of coatings specialised for CO₂...
- Page 28 Textiles When engraving textiles like cloth and fleece, generally use low power and fast speed. As with leather, be especially attentive to the possibility of fire and dust. Wood As with rubber, there is a huge variety of woods and testing your specific material is essential to get the best results. In general, wood with consistent grain and colouring engraves more evenly.
- Page 29 4.4 Control Console Instructions 4.4.1 Overview You can control your engraver directly from the built-in control panel, through a direct connection with your computer, or over the internet. For details on operating your engraving software, see its separate manual. The built-in control panel can operate the laser manually or engrave designs loaded onto flash drives and external hard drives connected to the USB port on the right side of the cabinet.
- Page 30 4.4.2 Setting the Laser Power When you press ENT in the main interface, the cursor box will initially select the “Speed” parameter, as shown in the figure below: Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to change between the parameters. Select the “Power” parameter, as shown below: Press ENT while the red cursor is on “Power”...
- Page 31 Press ENT key again and the following interface pops up. Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to change the parameter value. Press ENT to save the change. Press ESC to invalidate the change and return to the main interface. 4.4.4 Function Menu Press MENU on the main interface to enter the Menu interface: Push the ▲...
- Page 32 4.4.7 Resetting the Axes When Axis Reset+ is selected, push ENT and the display will show: Push ▲ or ▼ to select an item. Press ENT to start the resetting of the selected axis, and the message “Resetting Is Underway” will show on the screen. Upon completion, the message will automatically disappear and the system will return to the main interface.
- Page 33 The operation method is the same as the previous setting. When Continue is selected, press PULSE to fire the laser, and release the key to finish firing. When you finish your adjustments, save them by selecting Write with the ENT key or hit ESC to leave without saving your changes.
- Page 34 4.4.11 Setting Default Parameters When Set Fact. Para. is selected, the current parameters of the machine will be stored as its defaults. They can then be retrieved by using the Restore Default Parameters command. It is recommended that you save your machine's actual factory default settings, so they can be easily restored when need be.
- Page 35 4.4.14 Setting the Machine’s IP Address When IP Setup is selected, press ENT and the display will show: Push ◄ or ► and ▲ or ▼ and ENT keys to change the parameters. The default address of the engraver is 192.168.1.100.
- Page 36 4.4.16 Setting the Screen Reference When Screen Origin is selected, the following dialogue box will pop up: This interface shows the position of the origin. Different origin positions can generate different reflections of the graph over the X/Y axis. The operation method is the same as described above. 4.4.17 Adjusting Engraving Layers When the system is idle or the work is finished, press ENT to enter the layer parameter section.
- Page 37 4.4.18 Adjusting Movement Parameters In the Para Setting submenu, select Movement Parameters to display the following interface. Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters. 4.4.19 Setting the Frame Parameters In the Para Setting submenu, select Frame Setting to display the following interface: Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows.
- Page 38 4.4.21 Adjusting Reset Speeds In the Para Setting submenu, select Speed Setting to display the following interface: Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters. 4.4.22 Adjusting the Machine’s Configuration In the Para Setting submenu, select Machine Config to display the following interface: Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows.
- Page 39 4.4.24 Setting an Interface Password When the cursor is on Panel Lock, press ENT, and the following dialogue box will pop up: Push the ▲ and ▼ keys to select items. When the blue cursor is on the intended item, press ENT to enter the corresponding interface.
- Page 40 4.4.26 Setting the Machine’s Date and Time In the Controller Setup submenu, select Time Setting+ to display the following interface: Select and adjust the parameters by pushing the arrows. When you finish your adjustments, move the cursor to Write and press ENT to save the parameter change or ESC to exit without saving. Read can load saved parameters. 4.4.27 Authorisation Management and Keyboard Layout Your engraver should arrive already authorised and ready to go.
- Page 41 5. Maintenance 5.1 Maintenance Overview The use of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous laser radiation exposure. Before any cleaning or maintenance work, always switch off the device and disconnect it from its power supply. Always keep the system clean, as flammable debris in the working and exhaust areas constitutes a fire hazard. ONLY allow trained and skilled professionals to modify or disassemble this device.
- Page 42 If the water remains visibly clean at all times, it is still recommended that you clean the water tank about once a month as a precaution, changing the water as you do so. If you use an industrial water chiller instead of the provided pump, follow its separate instructions for maintenance but similarly ensure that the water used remains cool, clean, and pure.
- Page 43 Remove the pressurised air hose and laser guide connections. Once positioned over your clean lens-cleaning tissue, remove the lens from the lens holder by carefully turning the lens holder and letting the lens and its O-ring drop onto the cleaning cloth. Examine the O-ring and, if necessary, clean it with a cotton bud and a lens-cleaning tissue or cloth.
- Page 44 5.3.4 Cleaning the Mirrors The mirrors should be similarly cleaned if there is any debris or haze on their surface to improve performance and avoid permanent damage. The 1st mirror is located in the back left of the machine beyond the far end of the Y axis. The 2nd mirror is located on the Y axis at the left end of the X axis.
- Page 45 5.4.1 Laser Tube Alignment To test the alignment of the laser tube with the 1st mirror, cut out a piece of tape and place it on the mirror's frame. DO NOT place the tape directly onto the mirror. Turn on the machine and set the power level to 15% or lower. Press PULSE to manually fire the laser.
- Page 46 5.4.2 1st Mirror Alignment After ensuring the laser is well aligned between the laser tube and 1st mirror, check the alignment between the 1st and 2nd mirrors. First, use the direction arrows on the control panel to send the 2nd mirror to the back of the bed along the Y axis.
- Page 47 5.4.3 2nd Mirror Alignment After ensuring the laser is well aligned between the 1st and 2nd mirrors, check the alignment between the 2nd and 3rd mirrors. Repeat the steps and adjustments above, taking care to use the tape on the mirror's frame and not its surface. 5.4.4 3rd Mirror Alignment After ensuring the laser is well aligned between the 2nd and 3rd mirrors, check the alignment between the 3rd mirror and the workbed.
- Page 48 QR code to the right. Come join the OMTech community at our official laser group on Facebook or visit the company forums at omtechlaser.com! Check our YouTube channel for helpful hints and instructional videos.
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