Editing Instructions:Big Blue Laser (section)

== Operations ==
[[File:FusionPanel.jpg|left|thumb|Overview of the control panel]]

=== Overview ===

# Check the debris tray and empty if needed (lift up the grid panels to avoid having to take out the entire bed).
# Turn on the laser.
# Clean the lens (at the beginning of your session).
# Load the material.
# Set the laser focus and home point.
# Assign appropriate speed and power settings for the material type and thickness.
# Send the print job to the laser.
# Verify that the blast gates are open and air support is turned on.
# Turn on the exhaust vacuum.
# Close the lid.
# Press GO to begin the job.
# Monitor the job carefully, especially during vector operations.
# Check the lens every 1-2 hours and clean if needed.

=== Moving the laser head ===
Move the laser using the joystick and JOG mode:

# Press ▲ or ▼ until the light beside JOG lights up
# Use the joystick to move the head around. Pressing in any direction will move the head slowly; pressing and holding will first move slowly then speed up.

=== Cleaning the Lens ===


Note that Q-tips are abrasive and will wear away the coating on the lens. Always use a lens tissue.

# Remove the front cover using the three screws.
## Screws are captive - they won't fall out when they're loosened
# Wrap a Q-Tip with half a sheet of lens tissue
# Spray lens cleaner on half of the Q tip (block with your hand to keep the other half dry). Do not use Windex or anything other than lens cleaner.
# Clean the top and the bottom of the lens. Do not press hard/scrub; treat the lens like you would an eyeball.
# Dry the top and bottom of the lens using the dry side of the Q-tip.
# Clean the mirror (inside the head assembly). Do not attempt to loosen or remove the mirror.
# Dry the mirror using the dry side of the Q-tip.
# Replace the cover. Make sure the arms of the lens assembly are horizontal and resting on the two support pins of the head assembly.

=== Setting Home ===

# Turn on the red dot pointer.
# Press ▲ or ▼ until the light beside JOG lights up.
# Use the joystick to move the head to the home position.
# Press the joystick towards the laser (like a button) to set the home position. The screen will read "Setting..." then return to the JOB mode.

=== Setting Focus ===

# Hang the focus tool on the lens assembly screws.
# Press ▲ or ▼ until the light beside FOCUS lights up.
# On the screen, look to the left of the word focus. If you see two ^ symbols, the focus is in fast (coarse) mode. If you see one ^ symbol, the focus is in slow (fine) mode.
# To change between slow mode and fast mode, toggle the joystick to the left.
# Move the joystick up or down to move the ''bed'' up or down until the top of the material just touches the bottom of the focus tool.

=== Laser Settings ===

# Select File → Print or press Ctrl+P.
# Choose “Big Blue” from the printer dropdown menu.
# Press the Gear icon/Settings button to the right of the printer dropdown menu.
# Verify that Auto Focus is not selected.
# Ensure Center-Engraving is not selected if Center-Engraving is not being used.
# Ensure the Piece Size is the same as the workspace size in CorelDraw.
# If using raster mode, set the DPI (typically 600 for wood).
# Choose the operation type (Raster, Vector, or Combined)
# If using raster mode, set the raster settings according to the provided tables.
## Small parts (less than 4” x 4”): Reduce the speed to less than 50% to avoid wear on the belts and motors
# If using vector mode, set the speed, power, and frequency according to the table. 
# Press “Okay.”
# Select the Layout tab in the Print menu.
# Ensure “As in Document” is selected.
# Press “Apply” then “Print.” The job will be sent to the laser. The laser will not start until “GO” is pressed on the control panel.
[[File:Lasersettingsgearicon.jpg|thumb|left|Step 3: Location of gear icon]]
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[[File:Laserpiecepagesize.jpg|left|thumb|Step 6: Ensuring piece size is consistent with page size]]
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=== Laser Warmup ===
Check Skedda before using the laser. If the laser has not been used in a while (around 6 hours), you may need to warm the laser up to avoid missing parts of your file.

# Make sure the lens has been cleaned.
# Insert scrap material and focus the lens.
# Press ▲ or ▼ until the light beside JOG lights up.
# Move the head over top of the material.
# Make sure the blast gates are open and the vacuum and air support are on.
# Simultaneously press and hold the "Laser On Key" (manual fire button) while moving the head with the joystick.
# Release the Laser On key once the laser starts firing. The laser is now warmed up and ready for use.

=== Final Checklists ===

* Cut lines are red hairlines, vector etches are either a fill or a line thicker than 0.12mm
* Piece size in Epilog driver matches page size in CorelDRAW
* Speed, power, resolution are set per the manual
* In layout tab, “As In Document” is selected
* Laser is focused
* X/Y Home is set
* Lens has been cleaned
* Debris tray has been checked for debris
* Vents are open (default position is OPEN)
* Air support is turned on (default position is ON/handle parallel to pipe)
* Vacuum/blower is on
* [[Hearing protection]]/PPE is worn
* User is prepared to monitor the job continuously

=== Running the Job ===

# Press ▲ or ▼ until the light beside JOB lights up.
# Make sure the correct file name is shown on screen. If it is not, move the joystick up or down until the correct file is showing.
# Verify that all pre-use conditions are correct (see checklist).
# Press GO to start the laser.

=== Troubleshooting ===
Laser won't turn on: check the E-Stop (rotate the ring to reset)

Artwork isn't engraving in the right spot:

* Check that the page size in CorelDraw is the same as the piece size in the Epilog software.
* Check the layout tab and make sure that the position is set to "As in document."