Failure at 1st laser burn attempt.

[nlalston]

Hello all.

Just a moment ago, I tried laser burning with my J-TECH 2.8w laser.  It turned out to be very unsuccessful.  As will be noted, in the attached picture, there are burn-splotches within the lettering of my logo.  I don't know why that happened, and hope that someone might be able to align me with whatever the reasoning is, behind this issue.  For one thing, I thought that this laser would offer a similar feature that my cheapo Chinese laser engraver (NEJE) has.  With that unit, the laser light could be on, to allow for 'spotting' the laser's position, without burning.  I'm pretty sure that the J-Tech laser supports the same, and that just maybe I am not doing something right. Any help, though, would be (as always) much appreciated.

Attachments:

[gerry]

Are you using the laser post processor? Reset the spindle startup time to 0 (don't remember exact title, not at home)? Mine is normally something like 4000.

[nlalston]

Dec 2, 2020 16:20:23 GMT -5 gerry said:

Are you using the laser post processor? Reset the spindle startup time to 0 (don't remember exact title, not at home)? Mine is normally something like 4000.

I actually have two laser processors.

1).  Axiom RichAuto Laser.pp2). 
2).  Axiom HHC Laser(mm) (*.mmg)

The first one is (I believe) that which was downloaded from jay's Phototronics website.  The second is the one that I have set up for usage in my machine.  Should that be as it is?  Or is a swapping required?

Additionally, I do remember reading something about that Spindle Startup Time, but that was when I was about to shut everything down.  I knew that the next order of business was going to be a job where the spindle would be required, and (if memory serves me correct) that '0' setting would have to be reset back to that '4000' position, before running a spindle job.  I just thought that I would leave everything alone, for then.

Thank you, gerry, for your input.

[johnb]

The spindle startup time is not the same thing as "turning off the spindle", but both are important. My J-Tech spindle controller has a switch for "laser" or "spindle". It's a simple matter of flipping the toggle to deactivate spindle rotation. The spindle start up time controls the amount of time that the machine requires to bring the spindle "up to speed" before digging in for a cut. I'm not really clear on what the importance is of this aspect, since...in normal use", my spindle starts up at "Home" (X-0, Y-O) and stays at speed until/unless that speed is reduced with the controller. There's plenty of time before it "gets to the work" for it to accelerate up to speed. I suppose that, if you were pausing/stopping and re-starting without first going "Home", this would come into play.

[nlalston]

Dec 2, 2020 19:54:19 GMT -5 johnb said:

The spindle startup time is not the same thing as "turning off the spindle", but both are important. My J-Tech spindle controller has a switch for "laser" or "spindle". It's a simple matter of flipping the toggle to deactivate spindle rotation. The spindle start up time controls the amount of time that the machine requires to bring the spindle "up to speed" before digging in for a cut. I'm not really clear on what the importance is of this aspect, since...in normal use", my spindle starts up at "Home" (X-0, Y-O) and stays at speed until/unless that speed is reduced with the controller. There's plenty of time before it "gets to the work" for it to accelerate up to speed. I suppose that, if you were pausing/stopping and re-starting without first going "Home", this would come into play.

Thank you, too, JohnB.

Yes, I DID see that L/S switch, and kept it in the forward (L) position, for Laser.  I don't know - methinks that I (again) may have missed something that should have been focused on.  I'll get it together, though - one way, or another  .

[joshuag]

Dec 2, 2020 15:26:32 GMT -5 nlalston said:

Hello all.

Just a moment ago, I tried laser burning with my J-TECH 2.8w laser.  It turned out to be very unsuccessful.  As will be noted, in the attached picture, there are burn-splotches within the lettering of my logo.  I don't know why that happened, and hope that someone might be able to align me with whatever the reasoning is, behind this issue.  For one thing, I thought that this laser would offer a similar feature that my cheapo Chinese laser engraver (NEJE) has.  With that unit, the laser light could be on, to allow for 'spotting' the laser's position, without burning.  I'm pretty sure that the J-Tech laser supports the same, and that just maybe I am not doing something right. Any help, though, would be (as always) much appreciated.

considering the issues you've faced with your current laser engraver, you might want to consider upgrading to the Monport laser. The Monport laser is known for its reliability, ease of use, and high-quality results. It offers a user-friendly experience and consistent performance, which could help you avoid the issues you've encountered with your current setup. Check out the Monport laser product for more information on its features and benefits. monportlaser.com/collections/co2-laser-engravers/products/monport-40w-lightburn-ready-12-x-8-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-with-fda-approval?sca_ref=5031521.ka374VZjm3

[jgarciaa]

Dec 2, 2020 15:26:32 GMT -5 nlalston said:

Hello all.

Just a moment ago, I tried laser burning with my J-TECH 2.8w laser.  It turned out to be very unsuccessful.  As will be noted, in the attached picture, there are burn-splotches within the lettering of my logo.  I don't know why that happened, and hope that someone might be able to align me with whatever the reasoning is, behind this issue.  For one thing, I thought that this laser would offer a similar feature that my cheapo Chinese laser engraver (NEJE) has.  With that unit, the laser light could be on, to allow for 'spotting' the laser's position, without burning.  I'm pretty sure that the J-Tech laser supports the same, and that just maybe I am not doing something right. Any help, though, would be (as always) much appreciated.

Certainly! It seems like you're encountering some challenges with laser burning using your J-TECH 2.8w laser. While it's disappointing that your initial attempts were unsuccessful, there could be several reasons behind the burn splotches within the lettering of your logo. Firstly, it's essential to ensure that your laser settings, such as power and speed, are appropriately configured for the material you're working with. Additionally, you mentioned a feature in your cheapo Chinese laser engraver (NEJE) that allows for laser positioning without burning, commonly known as "laser preview" or "laser pointer mode." It's possible that the J-TECH laser also supports a similar feature, but you may need to adjust your settings or use specific software to activate it. Double-checking the user manual or reaching out to J-TECH's customer support for guidance on this feature could be beneficial. Overall, troubleshooting issues with laser burning often involves experimentation with settings and techniques, so don't hesitate to try different approaches until you achieve the desired results. monportlaser.com/collections/co2-laser-engravers/products/monport-40w-lightburn-ready-12-x-8-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-with-fda-approval?sca_ref=5031521.ka374VZjm3

[jgarciaa]

Dec 2, 2020 19:54:19 GMT -5 johnb said:

The spindle startup time is not the same thing as "turning off the spindle", but both are important. My J-Tech spindle controller has a switch for "laser" or "spindle". It's a simple matter of flipping the toggle to deactivate spindle rotation. The spindle start up time controls the amount of time that the machine requires to bring the spindle "up to speed" before digging in for a cut. I'm not really clear on what the importance is of this aspect, since...in normal use", my spindle starts up at "Home" (X-0, Y-O) and stays at speed until/unless that speed is reduced with the controller. There's plenty of time before it "gets to the work" for it to accelerate up to speed. I suppose that, if you were pausing/stopping and re-starting without first going "Home", this would come into play.

It sounds like you're discussing the spindle startup time and its relevance in machine operation, particularly in comparison to laser control. While the J-Tech spindle controller provides a straightforward switch between "laser" and "spindle" modes, understanding the significance of spindle startup time is crucial. The startup time dictates how quickly the spindle reaches its operational speed, which is essential for efficiency and precision in machining processes. While it may not seem significant during normal use, situations where the spindle needs to stop and restart without returning to the home position could highlight its importance. In contrast, laser control operates differently, focusing on directing the laser beam for engraving or cutting purposes. Overall, both aspects play distinct roles in machine functionality, and considering these factors is crucial when choosing equipment like the Monport laser, known for its ease of use, quality, and affordability. monportlaser.com/collections/co2-laser-engravers/products/monport-40w-lightburn-ready-12-x-8-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-with-fda-approval?sca_ref=5031521.ka374VZjm3