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VLS Laser Guide🔗

VLS Universal Laser machines are all operated via UCP software:

Machine Wattage Work area (mm) Software
VLS 3.60 60W 600 x 300 UCP
VLS 6.60 60W 800 x 450 UCP

File Requirements for VLS Machines🔗

All files for VLS machines must follow specific settings to ensure proper cutting:

Any line that's intended as a cut or score must use a line weight of 0.00 mm or Hairline.

Additionally, the colour of the object will dictate the cutting order.

Colour Order Red Green Blue
■ Black 1 (First) 0 0 0
■ Red 2 255 0 0
■ Green 3 0 255 0
■ Yellow 4 255 255 0
■ Blue 5 0 0 255
■ Magenta 6 255 0 255
■ Cyan 7 0 255 255
■ Orange 8 (Last) 255 102 0
Tip

Assign colors and line weights using layers for easier editing and better organization.

Sending the file to UCP🔗

VLS machines are treated as printers. Jobs are created by sending the file as a print job to the UCP (Universal Control Panel) software.

Important

  • UCP does not allow resizing, rotating, or editing layers/colors.
  • UCP is only for sending jobs and setting laser parameters.
  • VLS machines can only be controlled via UCP.
  • UCP jobs can be exported, but it's best to bring your own Windows laptop with the job configured ready to cut.
  • If you do not have a Windows laptop, the atelier provides a Windows desktop with Rhino and AutoCAD installed.
    • Please bring your design in DXF or EMF format on a USB drive.
    • Note: This desktop is connected only to the 60W 6.60 machine, not the 3.60 machine.

Printing from Autocad🔗

Once your file is ready:

  1. Go to File → Print → Plot.

  2. In the pop-up window, select the laser cutter as the printer.

  3. Adjust your Plot scale, Plot offset, Drawing orientation

  4. Click Proerties → Custom Properties

  5. Explicitly set the Mode to Vect (Score and Cut) or Rast (Engraving), using Rast/Vect may cause problems. Follow these steps to configure the settings.

  6. Click OK to send the job.

Printing from Rhino🔗

Once your file is ready:

  1. Go to File → Print.

  2. Set the printer to the appropriate VLS machine. and select Properties, this will oen the UCP settings panel.

  3. Explicitly set the Mode to Vect (Score and Cut) or Rast (Engraving), using Rast/Vect may cause problems. Follow these steps to configure the settings.

  4. Switch Orientation if the preview is not in landscape.

  5. Ensure it's set to Vector Output

  6. Set View and Scale accordingly, then click Print

Adjusting Laser Settings in UCP🔗

  1. In UCP, under Settings, switch to Manual Control and select a color to edit.

  2. Adjust Power and Speed using sliders or enter values manually according to the parameter chart.

  3. Set the Mode to one of the following:

    • Raster (for engraving)
    • Vector (for cutting or scoring)
    • Skip (to ignore the color)

  4. (Optional) Set the Z-Axis to On, then adjust Z-axis to match your material thickness using sliders or enter value manually.

    • This will automatically set the focal length when you start the job.

  5. Click Apply to save the settings.

  6. Repeat for all colors used in your file.

  7. (Optional) For unused colors, set Mode to Skip.

  8. (Optional) Arrange colors in the desired cutting order by dragging a color:
    Engraving/Etching → Scoring → Cuts

  9. Click OK to save the settings for the job, you're now ready for cutting.

Time Estimate🔗

One everything is configured, click the Estimate View button on the right and then click Start to get a time estimate of how long it'll take to finish the job (H:MM:SS).

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 green Start button until setup is complete.

1. Turn on the air compressor🔗

Ensure the drain value is closed. The drain value is closed when it's horizontal like in the photo below

Info

The VLS 60W 3.60 laser system utilizes air pumps rather than a traditional air compressor. These air pumps are connected to an extension cord and will automatically activate when the extension cord is powered on.

2. Open UCP🔗

Connect the computer to the laser cutter via USB, then locate and open the UCP software.

3. Confirm Job is Ready🔗

Your file should now appear in the UCP window. If the wrong file is displyed, select the correct one from the job log.

⚠️ Do not press the green Start button yet.

Proceed with the physical machine setup.

4. Familiarize Yourself with the Machine🔗

Key Function Remarks
1 Power Computer with UCP open have to be connected via USB for the machine to turn on
2 Start lid have to be closed for the job to start
Also used to resume the job after a pause
3 Pause
4 Manual bed adjustment Used for setting the focal length manually (machine will automatically change heights if Z-Axis control is turned on in UCP)
also used for lowering the bed for material clearance.

All the above options are also available via software in UCP (with the exception of manually moving the bed height)

5. Place Your Material🔗

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

6. Focusing the Laser🔗

The laser must be refocused: - Every time you set up a new job, and - Any time you change material type or thickness.

Note

This step isn't required if you've set the material thickness (Z-Axis) in UCP.

Follow these steps to manually focus the laser:

1. Enter Focus Mode🔗

In UCP, click the Focus View button.

Then click a point on the bed in the area where you will be cutting. (Ensure the material is in place before doing this.)

2. Position the Focus Stick🔗

Place the focus stick flush against the laser head.

3. Adjust Bed Height🔗

Use the up/down arrow buttons to move the bed.

Raise or lower it until the laser head rests on the ledge of the focus stick.

4. Remove the Focus Stick🔗

Remove and store the focus stick.

7. Aligning the job🔗

1. Align the laser head to a corner of the🔗

In Focus View mode, move the laser head near a corner of your material

2. Move the job to the laser head🔗

click Relocate View, select a corner of the job to align, then click To Pointer

Ensure the laser cutter lid is fully closed before continuing.

8. Ready to Cut🔗

The laser is now focused and ready to cut.

Press the green Start button in the UCP software to begin the job.

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 Machine Preparation (TA) starting from step 3.

Shutting Down (TA)🔗

1. Clean up🔗

Make sure the user has removed all materials from the machine, including off cuts. This process also count towards usage duration.

2. Turn off the machine and compressor🔗

When you're finished, press the Power button on the machine or in UCP to power it down.
Also turn off the air compressor.

3. Get paid🔗

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

4. Check the focusing lense🔗

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

5. Drain the air compressor🔗

Warn

Do NOT attempt to open the drain value if the compressor is still highly pressurized.

Open the drain value at the bottom of the air compressor, turn on the air compressor and tilt the air compressor slightly if needed. Drain value is open when vertical like the image below.

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.