1) Clean Parts

Make sure your lens, mirrors, and beam combiner lens are clean. Clean parts regularly (every four to five hours of lasering) to ensure maximum performance.

2) Check Mirror Alignment

Perform a 4 corner test,after approximately 20 hours of lasering, to ensure that your mirrors are properly aligned. If not, then align your mirrors to improve the laser output.

3) Check Beam Combiner

Beam combiner could be loose. See if it wiggles when you touch it. If so, hold it into place and tighten the white plastic screws.

4) Check Laser Tube

If the mirrors are aligned and clean, and the lens’ are clean and you’re still noticing decreased output performance, your laser tube maybe need to be replaced. 

Note that the tube will not suddenly stop working, but as the gases inside start to degrade, you’ll notice that the output gets weaker and weaker over time.

If none of the above resolve the issue, contact Customer Service at 1-844-437-6533.

There are four 3 common conditions which can cause may cause your laser cutter to ineffectively cut through materials.

1) Ensure The Material is Laserable for a 40W Laser

LC40 Material List

2) Material Variation

Most materials have some natural variation. The most common cause for not cutting through is that your material isn’t perfectly flat, so the laser is out of focus as it gets closer/further away from the material. Differences in material composition can also prevent the laser from cutting through (areas with more glue in plywood, pockets of air, knots it wood, etc.). Always store materials in a flat, dry area with something heavy on top to prevent warping.

3) Make Sure the Laser Head Isn't Focused

Make sure your laser head is focused.

4) Incorrect Settings

Validate that you have the correct material selected and/or appropriate cut settings selected. You may need to adjust settings provided in the library up/down 5-10%. Or, depending on the material type and manufacturer, you may need to create a unique material profile.

Here are some ways to make your engraving look better:

1) Ensure Your Laser Head is Focused

Make sure your laser head is focused.

2) Check for Incorrect Settings

Validate that you have the correct material selected and/or appropriate engrave settings selected. If you’re looking for something photorealistic, make sure you’ve selected “greyscale” in the software.

3) Increase Image Contrast

In your design software, bump up the contrast drastically so there’s a bigger difference between the lightest and darkest areas in the image.

4) Increase Image Size

Sometimes images look better when scaled up. Typically the larger the image the better it looks engraved, so it may be too small.

5) Choose a Different Material

Not all materials are recommended for engraving (like felt). If nothing above works, try using a different material.

1) Laser Needs to be Homed

The laser has lost it’s location and needs to be homed. This can be done by selecting “home” on the touchscreen.

2) There's an Issue with the Tube Guard

If the tube guard isn’t installed properly it will impede the homing sensors from working properly. Double check that the holes in the guard align with the locating pins on the bottom of th laser bed.

3) Check the Air Hose

Double check that the air tube isn’t sticking out too far, preventing the laser head from reaching the homing switch. If so, shorten the hose slightly by pulling it up, near the top of the laser head.

4) Switch Activators May be Broken

If the above didn’t eliminate the noise, it’s possible one or more of your location switches are bent. Check your location switches to make sure they’re not bent. If they’re not bent, they’re likely broken. Contact Customer Service at 1-844-437-6533 for more information.

If you are seeing or smelling too much smoke, this could be caused by a number of issues. Run through the checklist below to diagnose and fix this issue:

1) Check Material Settings

Double check that the correct material is selected in your material library or that your settings are what you meant to select. Having the power and/or heat too high can cause a lot of smoke

2) Check Material Compatibility

Not all materials are good and/or acceptable for laser cutting and engraving. Moisture, finishes, different types of glues, and material composition can create a lot of smoke.

3) Check for Loose or Kinked Ducts

Double check that your ducts are securely connected at both ends. Smoke may be escaping if not secured properly. Also, verify that there are no kinks in your ducts.

4) Make Sure You're Not Opening the Lid Too Soon

Try waiting a few seconds after the job finishes to open the lid. This helps the ventilation system remove extra smoke from the laser.

5) Make Sure you're Not Stacking Materials

If you’ve stacked several layers of materials, or if your material naturally has layers, this could be preventing your ventilation system from working properly. Always use a single piece of material.

6) Check to See if the Laser is Not Focused

Verify that your laser head is properly focused.

7) Check for Material Inconsistency

Most materials have inconsistencies across a single piece. Knots in wood, holes/gaps in the material, changes in density, and patches of glue are just some of the examples that could cause smoke.

8) Check the Ventilation System for Issues

If none of the above is working, make sure that you don't have any ventilation system issues before continuing to #9.

9) Get an Additional Ventilation System like a Booster Fan or BOFA Filter

If none of the above help, it’s possible that due to your material and/or environmental settings you may need an additional ventilation system like a Booster Fan or BOFA Filter to help pull the smoke out.

1) Material Inconsistency

Most materials have inconsistencies across a single piece. Knots in wood, holes/gaps in the material, changes in density, and patches of glue are just some of the examples that could cause this. Laser Not Cutting Through Material Troubleshooting (3rd tab on this page)

2) Mirror Alignment

Perform the 4 corner test to ensure that your mirrors are properly aligned. If not, then align your mirrors to improve laser output.

3) Nozzle Alignment

If your nozzle cone is not aligned, your laser beam could be clipping the side. Double check that you can see the diode shining through the cone and that it’s not loose when you touch it. If needed, adjust and retighten the screw.