SECTION 6:
DOs AND DON’Ts
DON’T!
NEVER operate the machine without a properly operating vent to the outside! Most material
will only produce an irritating smoke when engraved. Some materials, including but not
limited to paint, varnish, composition board and plastics produce compounds that can be
harmful if concentrated. A properly installed vent is the only way to ensure that problems do
not occur.
NEVER engrave or cut any material containing PVC or vinyl. When engraved, a corrosive
agent is produced that will destroy your machine.
NEVER operate your machine unattended. There is a significant risk of fire if the machine is
set improperly, or if the machine should experience a mechanical or electrical failure while
operating.
NEVER operate with any of the covers or enclosures removed, and never modify the enclosure.
The laser is invisible!
DO
Please allow a few minutes a week for cleaning your machine. Just a small amount of effort at
the end of the week will pay off with years of trouble free operation of your machine.
Learn how your machine operates so you can plan your layouts to minimize processing time.
There is a considerable difference between typical and maximum engraving time for a given job
size and speed. In the example below, the reasons for the difference are shown.
The design on the right will engrave in about one third of the time required for the
design on left, even though the text and the number of characters are identical. The difference
is the border. Engraving time depends on how much of the surface the laser must "scan". A
border requires the laser to scan virtually the entire surface. The design on the right has no
border, and the laser only has to go over the lettering. Even the area between the top and
