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Ultra Laser Guide🔗

Ultra series Universal Laser machines are all operated via LSM software; however, the R5000 comes equipped with a touch panel that already have LSM installed. So, it's not strictly necessary to have LSM installed on your own computers.

Machine Wattage Work area (mm) Software
Ultra R5000 50W 813 x 610 LSM

File Requirements for Ultra Machines🔗

Vector lines cannot be used for raster in LSM regardless of the line weight, only images and hatches can be used for raster in LSM.

Regarding colors, it is best to use the same color codes as VLS machine

Users should bring a USB containing their file (uls, pdf, dxf, png, jpg, ai ... etc).

The machine can read generic file such as pdf, dxf..etc directly off a USB, but cutting parameters will have to be set on the day of the cut.

Installing LSM offline (optional)🔗

If you wish to save some time (and get time estimate before the cut), LSM can be installed locally on your own computers, but it requires a configuration file to initialize to the correct machine.

After installing LSM, download the XML config file.

Press Windows key ⊞ + R and navigate to %ProgramData%\LSMDAT\16.3.954, overwrite the existing ServiceState.xml with the downloaded file and restart your computer to initialize LSM.

LSM and UCP conflict🔗

LSM and UCP can be both opened at the same time, but if a VLS machine is connected via USB, you cannot operate the LSM software until the USB is disconnected.

Configure a job file offline🔗

To configure the cutting parameters, first follow step 4 to import a file into LSM, and then step 7 to configure the cutting parameters.

Time Estimate🔗

Once you have all the cutting parameters configured, select Run-Time view (top right fourth option from the left), then click Accurately estimate to get the total amount of time needed for the job (HH: mm: ss).

Exporting a job file (uls)🔗

If you have installed LSM locally, you can pre-configure the parameters and export the job file as a uls file.

To export the uls, simply navigate to Control Files from the menu then click Export (download icon) on the file.

Machine Preparation (TA)🔗

Important

The instructions from here on should only be operated by the TA.

Before you begin cutting, the laser cutter must be properly set up for your material thickness. Do not press the Start button until setup is complete.

1. Turn on the air compressor🔗

Ensure the drain value is closed; then pull up on the red button to turn on the air compressor.

Air is only used during a work, while the machine is idle, R5000 will automatically close the air assist.

2. Turn on the machine🔗

On the top left of the machine, there's an emergency and power button. The emergency button should only be engaged in an emergency.

To turn on the machine, simply press the power button.

The machine will take a few seconds to turn on.

3. Log in🔗

The machine is operated via the touch panel on the right side on the machine, it's on a swivel arm. Swivel it out to operate the touch screen.
Use the Laser TA username and password to login.

4. File Transfer🔗

The touch panel also includes a USB port below the touch screen for file transfers. To copy the files from the USB, expand the menu on the left, and select Control Files, then select the + button on the bottom right.

From here, ensure the USB is plugged in, select Choose Files and then select USB on the screen.


Select the appropriate file unit millimeters, centimeters or inches then press Import

Supported common file types:

  • .uls (LSM parameter configured file)
  • .pdf
  • Images (.webp, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .svg, .tiff)
  • .ai
  • .dxf

Once imported, select the file to open it, LSM will automatically switch to System Operation mode.

5. Place Your Material🔗

Lay your material flat on the laser cutter bed, ensuring it’s aligned properly and fully within the work area.

If the head of the laser is too close to the bed, the bed can be moved down manually by pressing and holding the down button inside the machine on the right.

6. File Alignment🔗

There's a 2 ways to aligning your work/control file to the material.

A) Manual alignment🔗

To manually align the file, the process is the same VLS machines, enter Focus View (top right first option from the left) to move the laser head by simply clicking the canvas preview on the left, or type in the exact coordinates on the right panel.

Then enter Relocation View (top right second option from the left) to align the file to the laser head. Just like VLS, there's a 9 point grid for alignment position, then press O-V to align the selected point with the laser head position.

V-O will move the laser head to the selected point, this is useful if you want to align the material to the file, instead of the file to the material.

In Relocation View you're also able to scale and rote the file as needed.

B) Visual alignment🔗

R5000 is equipped with a vision system. Open the lid all the way, select Camera View (top right third option from the left), then press the eye icon to see the bed and material. From here, you can switch back to Relocation View and drag the design to match your material position.

7. Configuring Cutting Parameters🔗

Under System Operation select Settings View (top right right-most option), here you'll be able to configure the cutting parameters.

In the top portion of the right panel, there's a few options:

  • Create recipe
    • If a good parameter for a specific material and thickness is found, you can save the current parameter for future use.
  • Select recipe
    • Load a previously saved parameter setting, note that this include the color designation, double check Processes to ensure the correct color is assigned the correct process
  • Select material
    • Load parameters provided by the OEM based on material type, this is generally not used, as the OEM materials does not align with the materials we generally use.
  • SuperSpeed
    • Do not select, our machine is not equipped with this addon feature
  • Rotary
    • Do not select, our machine is not equipped with this addon feature

Under Processes tab, there might be multiple processes, the color on the right of the process indicated which color in the file is assigned that process, one process is one parameter configuration.

Click the process to edit it, or click + to add a new process. If a process does not have a color assigned, it'll be ignored.

In the process options, there's DB and Custom for both Raster and Vector.

  • DB Raster/Vector Mark/Vector Cut
    • DB uses OEM predefined parameters based on material type, and allows the user to adjust the Power output by +-50%
    • Once the material is selected, you can change the process from DB to Custom to see the OEM values
  • Custom Raster/Vector Cut
    • Custom allows you to input the power and speed % manually
    • Typically, only Laser 1 should have power output, Laser 3 should be at 0%

Press + or x to assign or unassign a color to a process.

Laser Source

R5000 is equipped with both a 50W CO2 (Laser 1) and 50W Fiber (Laser 3) laser source, during configuration it's important to configure use the laser source appropriate for your material. Generally speaking use CO2 laser source (Laser 1), the fiber laser is generally only used for marking/engraving metals like aluminum or plastics (PLA, PETG, not Acrylic).

Hybrid mode

Hybrid mode is when both the fiber and CO2 lasers are used, this is only for very specific usage, and should not be attempted without authorization from the managing faculty, as it creates additional fire hazards.

Flow type: Always set to Air
Flow rate: Changes the strength of the air assist (High/Low/Off)
Z focus: Always set to Autofocus

8. Starting the job🔗

Press the Start/Pause button on the top right of the machine to start/pause the job.

Alternatively, in the Focus view, there's also a software Start/Pause button.

After Cutting🔗

Wait at least 30 seconds before opening the lid to allow any remaining fumes to be safely exhausted.

Remove all materials from the machine, including offcuts. Do not leave behind any material inside the machine.

If you have more jobs to cut, repeat file transfer (TA) starting from step 4.

Shutting Down (TA)🔗

1. Clean up🔗

Make sure the user has removed all materials from the machine, including off cuts, and waste materials in the catch drawer. This process also counts towards usage duration.

2. Turn off the machine and compressor🔗

When you're finished, hold the Power button on the machine for 3 seconds to power it down.
Also turn off the air compressor.

3. Get paid🔗

Calculate the duration of usage, and charge the user accordingly.

4. Check the focusing lens🔗

If the lens if dirty, clean it with cotton swab and alcohol as needed.

Laser head cover the attacked magnetically.

The reflection mirror is a friction fit, simply pull it out using the handle

5. Drain the air compressor🔗

Warn

Do NOT attempt to open the drain value if the compressor is still highly pressurized (> 2 kg/cm2).

Open the drain value at the bottom of the air compressor, turn on the air compressor and tilt the air compressor slightly if needed.

Warning

Water will spray out of the drain value. prepare a container to catch the water that'll be drained.

Once no more water is being sprayed out, turn off the compressor and close the drain value.