I have an OMTech 30W Fiber laser and I keep getting the artwork to engrave slightly outside the framing. I am marking coins so need the image perfectly centered. I have read to go to the origin tab but, that is not an option on fiber lasers in my device settings.
Have you spent any time to align your red dot frame?
How would I do this? A lot of the recs seem to be for co2 lasers. I can’t find much on Fiber lasers.
On the coins it seems to always start inside the edge and it finishes coming of the edge or right at the edge.
For galvo the process is actually much easier than other laser types.
First you will need to find the center of your workspace.
The “rest pos” this denotes the center of your workspace. Adjust until your red dot hits the very center.
Then draw a 2" square and place that in the center of your workspace, engrave it into some black card stock. Then frame it. If the frame is off, use the red dot offset and scale to align the frame to the burned square.
Note that you will need to refresh the machine each time you make an adjustment. You can do so by right clicking on the Devices button in the Laser Window.
Thanks, I will check it out.
But, does the red dot really matter in terms of getting the image square? I read that you really just have to make sure the framing is aligned.
No, you can align the frame with decent results without centering the laser first, but having the laser centered to the workspace will make alignment easier. I suggest you do both but it is not completely necessary. If you wish to have perfect centering I would urge you create a jig, and for repeatable results centering the rest position as well.
As advised by @soniclab, use a jig.
I have some cheap strips of metal from ACE Hardware that I just cut the strip the size I need for a jig… after cutting or indenting enough you can stick a coin in there and be at the center every time. Doesn’t take long to do, just cutting a circle. I have a 60W MOPA.
With coins you can’t really adjust it by the frame function. The eyeball will see that it’s off center.
Yep, jig is the way
I did some round Christmas tree ornaments and round coasters this year for gifts. It was imperative to center my designs on these circular pieces of wood. Here’s my process:
1.) Measure your circle of wood (coins).
2.) Draw a circle in Light burn that matches the diameter of your wood (coins).
3.) center your design in that circle.
4.) Delete the design (temporarily) and engrave just the circle on a piece of cardboard.
5.) Place your wood (coin) in that circle.
6.) bring back your design to lightburn with the UNDO option.
7.) Delete the circle.and burn the design to your material.