Fiber Laser Training - Revision history

Kent.durvin: Minor wording improvements, added ABS to the don't cut list.

2026-02-22T16:15:37Z

Minor wording improvements, added ABS to the don't cut list.

Kent.durvin: Edit line breaks

2026-02-22T03:41:35Z

Edit line breaks

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 21 February 2026
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	=== SAFETY WARNINGS ===		=== SAFETY WARNINGS ===
	This laser can be dangerous if used improperly: It can cause serious deep burns if the safety interlock is bypassed. It can start a fire if flammable ~~material~~ are in the beam. It can produce toxic fumes with some materials.		This laser can be dangerous if used improperly: It can cause serious deep burns if the safety interlock is bypassed. It can start a fire if flammable materials are in the beam. It can produce toxic fumes with some materials.

	Use of this laser is the responsibility of the member, and the member should take note of whether the material being marked is suitable. First, do not mark wood, paper, polystyrene, or any other ﬂammable materials. The Thunder Laser is suitable for some of these, but the fiber laser does not have air assist blowing on the laser beam, so fire is much more likely.		Use of this laser is the responsibility of the member, and the member should take note of whether the material being marked is suitable. First, do not mark or cut wood, paper, polystyrene, or any other ﬂammable materials. The Thunder Laser is suitable for some of these, but the fiber laser does not have air assist blowing on the laser beam, so fire is much more likely.

	Items that have been etched with the laser may be VERY HOT. Touch your work piece with caution!		Items that have been etched with the laser may be VERY HOT. Touch your work piece with caution!

	Please keep all doors on the laser surround shut properly while the machine is in use, and ensure that all items to be ~~marked~~ can ﬁt within the enclosure.		Please keep all doors on the laser surround shut properly while the machine is in use, and ensure that all items to be lasered can ﬁt within the enclosure.

	Exercise special caution when working with conductive materials, as the buildup of their dust and ablated particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or		Exercise special caution when working with conductive materials, as the buildup of their dust and ablated particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or produce other eﬀects, including reﬂected laser radiation.

	produce ~~other eﬀects~~, ~~including reﬂected~~ laser ~~radiation~~.		Some items have coatings on them that produce dangerous fumes. One example is galvanized steel: this is most of the steel you ﬁnd at hardware stores, especially for construction or outdoor purposes. While the ﬁber laser is capable of marking these items, the coating on them contains zinc and lead and can cause serious health issues to the people in the area.

	~~Some items have coatings on them that produce dangerous fumes. One example is galvanized steel: this is most of the steel you ﬁnd at hardware stores, especially for construction or outdoor~~		Do not place anything in the path of the laser that should not be marked. The laser is not necessarily safe just because it is currently not cutting. Use common sense and precautions, and treat the laser as if it could spontaneously turn on at any moment.

	~~purposes. While the ﬁber laser is capable of marking these items, the coating on them contains zinc and lead and can cause serious health issues to the people in the area.~~

	Do not place anything in the path of the laser that should not be marked. The laser is not necessarily safe just because it is currently not cutting. Use common sense and precautions, and treat the

	laser as if it could spontaneously turn on at any moment.

	Do not place reﬂective items in the path of the laser. The reflected beam can cause damage to the wires and structure of the laser and enclosure.		Do not place reﬂective items in the path of the laser. The reflected beam can cause damage to the wires and structure of the laser and enclosure.
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	Select the layer of your graphics.		Select the layer of your graphics.

	Search in the Materials Library for presets that best match the project. To do this, ﬁnd the tab labeled Material		Search in the Materials Library for presets that best match the project. To do this, ﬁnd the tab labeled Material Library at the bottom of the window in LightBurn. Select your material, then the subcategory. For example, ''Steel'', ''black''.

	Library at the bottom of the window in LightBurn. Select your material, then the subcategory. For example, ''Steel'', ''black''.

	Click '''Assign'''. This copies these settings from the library to the chosen layer. If you have one file for cut and engrave, repeat the process with different layers for each.		Click '''Assign'''. This copies these settings from the library to the chosen layer. If you have one file for cut and engrave, repeat the process with different layers for each.
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	==== HOUSEKEEPING ====		==== HOUSEKEEPING ====
	If your work on the laser produced any dust (such as in the case of reliefs or heavy etching on slate material), please vacuum it out of the enclosure with a shop vac and carefully use compressed air to		If your work on the laser produced any dust (such as in the case of reliefs or heavy etching on slate material), please vacuum it out of the enclosure with a shop vac and carefully use compressed air to remove dust from the lens.

	remove dust from the lens.

	Be sure that no work piece is left inside the laser enclosure.		Be sure that no work piece is left inside the laser enclosure.
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	==== SPEED ====		==== SPEED ====
	Speed controls how much time the laser spends on a given line, so the slower the speed the more energy		Speed controls how much time the laser spends on a given line, so the slower the speed the more energy and heat is put into any given square mm of space. So in many cases a lower speed could be more

	and heat is put into any given square mm of space. So in many cases a lower speed could be more

	~~aggressive, but this may change based on material properties. This may go up to 7,000 mm/s. The setting~~

	goes as low as 1mm/s, but this isn't a practical speed (50mm/s is reasonable).		aggressive, but this may change based on material properties. This may go up to 7,000 mm/s. The setting goes as low as 1mm/s, but this isn't a practical speed (50mm/s is reasonable).

	==== POWER ====		==== POWER ====
	Power is the percentage of total power used, so in the case of this equipment, 100% power = 60w		Power is the percentage of total power used, so in the case of this equipment, 100% power = 60w maximum power. The higher the number, the more energy will go into the material. The range is 0 to 100.

	maximum power. The higher the number, the more energy will go into the material. The range is 0 to 100.

	==== FREQUENCY ====		==== FREQUENCY ====
	Kind of like sandpaper: the lower the frequency, the more aggressive. The higher the frequency, the more		Kind of like sandpaper: the lower the frequency, the more aggressive. The higher the frequency, the more smooth and polished the results will be. The frequency range for the JPT MOPA is 1khz-600khz where 1

	smooth and polished the results will be. The frequency range for the JPT MOPA is 1khz-600khz where 1

	~~would be the most aggressive. To transition from removing material to cleaning up, you should make~~

	several passes, increasing the frequency each time.		would be the most aggressive. To transition from removing material to cleaning up, you should make several passes, increasing the frequency each time.

	==== Q-PULSE WIDTH ====		==== Q-PULSE WIDTH ====
	This is the time between the start of one pulse and the start of the next pulse. For basic black marking,		This is the time between the start of one pulse and the start of the next pulse. For basic black marking, 200ns works ﬁne. Change these values to get different color outcomes for the same power/speed settings.

	200ns works ﬁne. Change these values to get different color outcomes for the same power/speed settings.

	~~If you choose a setting outside the range, the machine will not let you start a job. The eﬀects of this setting~~

	~~are subject to many variables including material, ambient temperature and humidity, material temperature~~

	and thickness, etc. Try to do a test burn if you change this setting to dial in your results.		If you choose a setting outside the range, the machine will not let you start a job. The eﬀects of this setting are subject to many variables including material, ambient temperature and humidity, material temperature and thickness, etc. Try to do a test burn if you change this setting to dial in your results.

	=== MANUALLY FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH ===		=== MANUALLY FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH ===
	This should not need to be done, as the touch stick should be set to the right height. However, if you are experiencing problems, this is an easy thing to		This should not need to be done, as the touch stick should be set to the right height. However, if you are experiencing problems, this is an easy thing to do to ensure you are getting the best results from the laser.

	do to ensure you are getting the best results from the laser.

	~~1. Launch LightBurn software and start a new project. Make a small square near the center. You~~

	can center work by selecting the pointer tool, selecting your shape, and typing P on the keyboard.		1. Launch LightBurn software and start a new project. Make a small square near the center. You can center work by selecting the pointer tool, selecting your shape, and typing P on the keyboard.

	2. In the Cuts/Layers window, double click your work layer and use these settings:		2. In the Cuts/Layers window, double click your work layer and use these settings:
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	5. Check that your material is under the laser (the red dot should be framing the area it will mark) and then press '''Start'''.		5. Check that your material is under the laser (the red dot should be framing the area it will mark) and then press '''Start'''.

	6. The laser will start to mark the material. Using the up and down buttons, adjust the height of the		6. The laser will start to mark the material. Using the up and down buttons, adjust the height of the laser head until the light from the laser is at its brightest and the noise from the laser is loudest.

	laser head until the light from the laser is at its brightest and the noise from the laser is loudest.

	7. Once you have found the brightest and loudest position, hit '''Stop'''.		7. Once you have found the brightest and loudest position, hit '''Stop'''.

Kent.durvin: More copies from the PDF, with corrections.

2026-02-22T03:34:26Z

More copies from the PDF, with corrections.

Show changes

Kent.durvin: Created Wiki file based on FIBER LASER QUICK START.

2026-02-22T02:18:57Z

Created Wiki file based on FIBER LASER QUICK START.

New page

Each user should only run one laser at a time and not leave the room during operation. We ask that members not use both lasers at the same time as a courtesy to other members.

Use the [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13U5PU7s04y_03e1okDAO7_bZcwkuJV2mRPhgqNKvxqg/edit?gid=0#gid=0 Laser Signup Sheet] to reserve time on the laser.

=== Capabilities: ===

* 60W JPT MOPA EM7 with enclosure
* Cuts thin brass, aluminum.
* Etches or marks aluminum, the anodized coating on aluminum, brass, stainless steel, glass and ceramics.
* Working size: 110x110mm (F160) and 210x210mm (F290) lens

=== SAFETY WARNINGS ===
This laser can be dangerous if used improperly: It can cause serious deep burns if the safety interlock is bypassed. It can start a fire if flammable material are in the beam. It can produce toxic fumes with some materials.

Use of this laser is the responsibility of the member, and the member should take note of whether the material being marked is suitable. First, do not mark wood, paper, polystyrene, or any other ﬂammable materials. The Thunder Laser is suitable for some of these, but the fiber laser does not have air assist blowing on the laser beam, so fire is much more likely.

Items that have been etched with the laser may be VERY HOT. Touch your work piece with caution!

Please keep all doors on the laser surround shut properly while the machine is in use, and ensure that all items to be marked can ﬁt within the enclosure.

Exercise special caution when working with conductive materials, as the buildup of their dust and ablated particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or

produce other eﬀects, including reﬂected laser radiation.

Some items have coatings on them that produce dangerous fumes. One example is galvanized steel: this is most of the steel you ﬁnd at hardware stores, especially for construction or outdoor

purposes. While the ﬁber laser is capable of marking these items, the coating on them contains zinc and lead and can cause serious health issues to the people in the area.

Do not place anything in the path of the laser that should not be marked. The laser is not necessarily safe just because it is currently not cutting. Use common sense and precautions, and treat the

laser as if it could spontaneously turn on at any moment.

Do not place reﬂective items in the path of the laser. The reflected beam can cause damage to the wires and structure of the laser.

Do not place ﬂammable items in the path of the laser.

More items known to be dangerous to laser etch:

* Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI]). (Vegetable tanned leather is safe but stinky.)
* Astatine
* Beryllium Oxide
* Bromine
* Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Sintra, etc.)
* Some fake leather is actually PVC.
* Fluorine, including Polytetraﬂuoroethylenes (Teﬂon, PTFE, HDPE etc.) There are plenty of halogen-containing-polymers, so if your item is plastic and you aren't sure it's on the safe plastics list, just avoid it as it can be lethal.
* Iodine
* Phenolic Resins, including various forms of Epoxy
* Galvanized metals, and metals containing zinc, lead, or other toxins.
* Pot-metal may contain any number of hazardous metals.
* Tin-coated steel.

=== OPERATION ===

==== POWER ON ====

# Please go back and read the safety warnings above.
# Power on the mini PC beside the ﬁber laser (password hackrv@@) and open LightBurn.
# Turn on the yellow power strip to the right of the laser. Listen to be sure that this engages the ventilation. (It turns on all three fans, because that keeps exhaust from going over to the other laser.)
# Once the ventilation is running, turn the red emergency stop button clockwise and pull out. This will turn on the laser.

==== FOCUS ====
Place you material under the left side of the head. The focus lines for both lenses are on a sticker on the side of the laser head

The focal sticks are hung on the wall behind the laser computer. Open the enclosure door on the side closest to the computer and make sure your focal stick (410mm long for the F160 lens) lines up from the line marked on the laser head to the top of your material to be

marked.

==== Burn! ====
Place your material in place underneath the laser head. Open LightBurn and open your prepared ﬁle or start a new project.

Select the layer of your graphics.

Search in the Materials Library for presets that best match the project. To do this, ﬁnd the tab labeled Material

Library at the bottom of the window in LightBurn. Select your material, then the subcategory. For example, Steel, black.

Click '''Assign'''. This copies these settings from the library to the chosen layer. If you have one file for cut and engrave, repeat the process with different layers for each.

CTRL-A to select all. Press the '''P''' key to center your image in the laser work area.

Select the Laser pallet, and click '''Frame'''. The laser will project a red image on the bed. (This is ''not'' the work laser and is safe.) There are options in the Frame dialog: It can be a simple outline, the outside shape of your image, or a detailed sketch, with or without inside shapes. You can use the more detailed types to confirm orientation. (Up on Lightburn is towards the gantry on the laser.) For alignment, switch back to Hull. It is much faster.

Move you material to line up with the red framing laser image.

Shut the enclosure door. (The safety switch is at the top left of the enclosure in the front. If LightBurn gives you a door safety switch error, the laser will not start.)

Confirm everything is the way you want it.

Click '''Start'''. The laser will immediately start and will mark your material or anything else in its path.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:15, 22 February 2026
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	* 60W JPT MOPA EM7 with enclosure		* 60W JPT MOPA EM7 with enclosure
	* Cuts thin brass, aluminum.		* Cuts thin steel, brass, aluminum, and other metals up to 2mm, but it takes a long time.
	* Etches or marks aluminum, the anodized coating on aluminum, brass, stainless steel, slate, glass and ceramics.		* Etches or marks aluminum, the anodized coating on aluminum, brass, stainless steel, slate, glass and ceramics.
			* Marks stainless steel with black or other colors (It is hard to predict the colors.)
	* Working size: 110x110mm (F160) and 210x210mm (F290) lens		* Working size: 110x110mm (F160) and 210x210mm (F290) lens
	* Software: Lightburn (For Fiber it works a little differently.)		* Software: Lightburn (For Fiber it works a little differently.)
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	Do not place anything in the path of the laser that should not be marked. The laser is not necessarily safe just because it is currently not cutting. Use common sense and precautions, and treat the laser as if it could spontaneously turn on at any moment.		Do not place anything in the path of the laser that should not be marked. The laser is not necessarily safe just because it is currently not cutting. Use common sense and precautions, and treat the laser as if it could spontaneously turn on at any moment.

	Do not place reﬂective items in the path of the laser. The reflected beam can cause damage to the wires and structure of the laser and enclosure.		Do not place reﬂective items in the path of the laser. The reflected beam can cause damage to the wires and structure of the laser and enclosure. To prevent reflections, a layer of tape can be applied.

	Do not place ﬂammable items in the path of the laser.		Do not place ﬂammable items in the path of the laser.
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	* Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI]). (Vegetable tanned leather is safe but stinky.)		* Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI]). (Vegetable tanned leather is safe but stinky.)
			* ABS produces cyanide gas when heated
	* Plastics containing Bromine, like some fire retardant plastics		* Plastics containing Bromine, like some fire retardant plastics
	* Plastics containing Chlorine including Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Sintra, etc.) Some fake leather is actually PVC.		* Plastics containing Chlorine including Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Sintra, etc.) Some fake leather is actually PVC.
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	* Galvanized metals, and metals containing zinc, lead, or other toxins.		* Galvanized metals, and metals containing zinc, lead, or other toxins.
	* Pot-metal is a generic term and may contain any number of hazardous metals.		* Pot-metal is a generic term and may contain any number of hazardous metals.
			(One reference: [https://www.accurl.com/blog/what-materials-can-a-fiber-laser-cut/#What-Materials-a-Fiber-Laser-Cutter-Can-Not-Cut Accurl])

	=== OPERATION ===		=== OPERATION ===
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	# Read the safety warnings above. I know you skipped that part.		# Read the safety warnings above. I know you skipped that part.
	# Power on the mini PC beside the ﬁber laser (password hackrv@@) and open LightBurn.		# Power on the mini PC beside the ﬁber laser (password hackrv@@) and open LightBurn.
	# Turn on the yellow power strip on the wall to the right of the laser. Listen to be sure that this ~~engages~~ the ventilation. (It turns on all three fans, to keep exhaust from going over to the other laser.)		# Turn on the yellow power strip on the wall to the right of the laser. Listen to be sure that this turns on the ventilation. (It turns on all three fans, to keep exhaust from going over to the other laser.)
	# Turn the red emergency stop button clockwise and pull out. This will turn on the laser.		# The laser is the silver box on the floor to the right of the table. Turn the red emergency stop button clockwise and pull out. This will turn on the laser.

	==== FOCUS ====		==== FOCUS ====
	Place you material under the left side of the head. The focus lines for both lenses are on a sticker on the side of the laser head		Place you material under the left side of the head. The focus lines for both lenses are on a sticker on the side of the laser head.

	The focal sticks are hung on the wall behind the laser computer. Open the enclosure door on the side closest to the computer and make sure your focal stick (410mm long for the F160 lens) lines up from the line marked on the laser head to the top of your material to be		The focal sticks are hung on the wall behind the laser computer. Open the enclosure door on the side closest to the computer and make sure your focal stick (410mm long for the F160 lens) lines up from the red line marked on the sticker on the laser head to the top of your material to be

	marked.		marked.
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	Press CTRL-A to select all. Press the '''P''' key to center your image in the laser work area.		Press CTRL-A to select all. Press the '''P''' key to center your image in the laser work area.

	Select the Laser pallet, and click '''Frame'''. The laser will project a red image on the bed. (This is ''not'' the work laser and is safe.) There are options in the Frame dialog: It can be a simple outline, the outside shape of your image, or a detailed sketch, with or without inside shapes. You can use the more detailed types to confirm orientation. (Up on Lightburn is towards the gantry on the laser.) For alignment, switch back to Hull. It is much faster.		Select the Laser pallet (next to the Material Library tab), and click '''Frame'''. The laser will project a red image on the bed. (This is ''not'' the work laser and is safe.) There are options in the Frame dialog: It can be a simple outline, the outside shape of your image, or a detailed sketch, with or without inside shapes. You can use the more detailed types to confirm orientation. (Up on Lightburn is towards the gantry on the laser.) For alignment, switch back to Hull. It is much faster.

	Move you material to line up with the red framing laser image.		Move you material to line up with the red framing laser image.
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	If your work on the laser produced any dust (such as in the case of reliefs or heavy etching on slate material), please vacuum it out of the enclosure with a shop vac and carefully use compressed air to remove dust from the lens.		If your work on the laser produced any dust (such as in the case of reliefs or heavy etching on slate material), please vacuum it out of the enclosure with a shop vac and carefully use compressed air to remove dust from the lens.

	Be sure that no work piece is left inside the laser enclosure.		Be sure that no work piece or jigs are left inside the laser enclosure.

	Check and be sure that the tools for the laser are in reasonable and visible places on the bench (metric ruler, infrared thermometer, etc.)		Check and be sure that the tools for the laser are in reasonable and visible places on the bench (metric ruler, infrared thermometer, etc.)
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	=== MANUALLY FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH ===		=== MANUALLY FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH ===
	This should not need to be done, as the ~~touch~~ stick should be ~~set to~~ the right height. However, if you are experiencing problems, this is an easy thing to do to ensure you are getting the best results from the laser.		This should not need to be done, as the focus stick should be the right height. However, if you are experiencing problems, this is an easy thing to do to ensure you are getting the best results from the laser.

	1. Launch LightBurn software and start a new project. Make a small square near the center. You can center work by selecting the pointer tool, selecting your shape, and typing P on the keyboard.		1. Launch LightBurn software and start a new project. Make a small square near the center. You can center work by selecting the pointer tool, selecting your shape, and typing P on the keyboard.
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	4. In the ''Laser>Frame'' menu, check '''Run Continuously'''.		4. In the ''Laser>Frame'' menu, check '''Run Continuously'''.

	5. Check that your material is under the laser (the red dot should be framing the area it will mark) and then ~~press~~ '''Start'''.		5. Check that your material is under the laser (the red dot should be framing the area it will mark) and then click '''Start'''.

	6. The laser will start to mark the material. Using the up and down buttons, adjust the height of the laser head until the light from the laser is at its brightest and the noise from the laser is loudest.		6. The laser will start to mark the material. Using the up and down buttons, adjust the height of the laser head until the light from the laser is at its brightest and the noise from the laser is loudest.

	7. Once you have found the brightest and loudest position, ~~hit~~ '''Stop'''.		7. Once you have found the brightest and loudest position, click '''Stop'''.

	8. Wait for the work to cool sufficiently and then measure the height from the work to the red line on the laser head sticker. This is your optimized focal length. You can make a touch stick that length so that you can quickly set the height of the laser head housing to this position over your work each		8. Wait for the work to cool sufficiently and then measure the height from the work to the red line on the laser head sticker. This is your optimized focal length. You can make a touch stick that length so that you can quickly set the height of the laser head housing to this position over your work each