Latitool f50 Laser Engraving Machine Instruction Manual

Latitool f50 Laser Engraving Machine

Product Information

The Latitool laser engraving machine is a versatile tool that can be used for engraving and cutting. It features a fixed-focus laser, which eliminates the need to manually adjust the laser spot size. The machine is equipped with laser shields to protect your eyes from glare and potential injuries. With a laser power of 5W, it can easily cut wood boards and engrave on stainless steel. The Latitool engraving machine also supports PWM control, allowing for more layered engraved patterns.

Product Usage Instructions

• Step 1: Installation of Control Box Assembly, Frame, and Tripod
  • Place the control box assembly, frame, and tripod in their designated positions.
  • Use the provided screws (M56, M520, M5*25) to secure the components. Place the screws first without tightening them, then tighten them diagonally.
  • Make sure to align the components according to the provided image and pay attention to the orientation of the outlines.
  • Use an M5 Allen wrench and M5 screw for the installation.
• Step 2: Installation of X-Axis Die Assembly
  • Push the X-axis laser module assembly into the base frame in the direction shown in the figure.
  • Properly adjust the eccentric nut.
  • Use the X-axis laser module assembly for this step.
• Step 3: Installation of Rear Frame and Tripod
  • Find the back end profile of the engraving machine as shown in the image.
  • Tighten the M5 screws on the shaft, following the provided enlarged view details. Place the screws first without tightening them, then tighten them diagonally.
  • Pay attention to the direction of the profile.
  • Use an M5 Allen wrench and M5 screw for the installation.
• Step 4: Installation of Timing Belt
  • Install two timing belts as shown.
  • Pass the timing belt through one end of the X-axis module roller to the other end.
  • Tighten the timing belt and fix it with a T-nut.

Safety Statement

Before starting laser engraving, please read this safety guide carefully, it mentions situations that require special attention, and includes warnings about unsafe behaviors that can cause damage to your property or even endanger your personal safety.

Laser Safety

• Latitool uses a Class 4 laser product. The high power of the laser can cause eye injury and burn skin.
• We installed a laser shield on the laser, the shield can filter out the diffuse reflection light of the laser spot to a large extent. However, it is recommended that you wear laser safety glasses when using the laser engraving machine. Avoid skin exposure to Class 4 laser beams, especially at close range. Adolescents must have parental supervision during use. Do not touch the laser beam and various moving points under working conditions.

Fire safety

• High-intensity laser beams generate extremely high temperatures and generate a lot of heat because the substrate burns off when cutting. Certain materials can catch fire during the cutting process, creating gases and fumes inside the device.
• When the laser beam hits the material, small flames usually appear here. It will move with the laser and will remain lit as the laser passes by.
• Do not leave while working, and be sure to have someone take care of the machine.
• After use, please turn off the power in time, and be sure to check whether there is any fire in and around the laser engraving machine. If there is a fire, please put it out in time, and check the sundries, debris, flammable materials, etc. in the laser engraving machine. There are fire extinguishers that can be used normally around the laser engraving machine. Fumes or air pollutants are safe; when using a laser engraver, fumes, vapors, particulates, and potentially highly toxic (plastics and other combustible materials) are generated from the material. These fumes or air pollutants can be hazardous to health. Take precautions.

Material safety

• Do not engrave materials with unknown properties.
• Recommended materials:
• Wood, bamboo, leather, plastic, fabric, paper, opaque acrylic, glass.
• Materials that are not recommended:
• Metals, gemstones, transparent materials, reflective materials, etc.

Safe use

• The engraving machine can only be used horizontally, and ensure that the engraving machine is reliably and reliably fixed to prevent accidental displacement or falling off the work surface during the work process and cause a fire;
• It is strictly forbidden to point the laser at people, animals or any flammable objects whether or not it is working.

Introduction of Latitool engraving machine

• Latitool laser engraving can be used for engraving and cutting.
• The Latitool laser engraving machine uses a fixed-focus laser, and the traditional laser is a zoom laser. It is necessary to look directly at the laser spot with the naked eye to find a suitable size. Latitool’s lasers are fixed-focus lasers, and only one fixed-focus plate is needed to obtain the best engraving focal length.
• Laser shields can help us block most of the glare, if we look directly at these glare
  1. the retina will be damaged and vision will decrease;
  2. it will cause your visual fatigue, which will reduce your work efficiency and learning efficiency;
  3. strong light will inhibit the secretion of melatonin and affect the quality of sleep;
• Laser shields can help keep you safe from these injuries.
• The laser power of the Latitool laser engraving machine is 5W, which can easily cut some wood boards and engrave on stainless steel.
• Latitool engraving machine supports PWM control (pulse width modulation), PWM will make the engraved pattern more layered.

Installation steps

• Step 1. Install the control box assembly, frame and tripod of the engraving machine
• Step 2. Install the X-axis die assembly
• Step 3. Install the rear frame and tripod of the engraving machine
• Step 4. Install the timing belt

Step 1

Step 1 Required Components

1. Screw M5*6
2. Screw M5*20
3. Screw M5*25

Installation Notes

1. Find the three large outlines in the image above, place the three outlines as shown, and pay attention to the orientation of the outlines.
2. Tighten the M5 screw on the shaft, and judge whether the installation is correct by the enlarged view details.

Notes

• Place the screws first, but do not tighten them
• Then tighten the screws diagonally
• Required tools: M5 Allen wrench + M5 screw

Step 02

Step 2 Required Components

Installation Notes
Push the X-axis laser module assembly into the base frame in the direction shown in the figure. Properly adjust the eccentric nut.

Notes
Required tools: X-axis laser module assembly

Step 03

Step 3 Required Components

1. Screw M5*6
2. Screw M5*20
3. Screw M5*25

Installation Notes

1. Find the back end profile of the engraving machine as shown above, and pay attention to the direction of the profile.
2. Tighten the M5 screws on the shaft and judge the correct installation by the enlarged view details.

Notes

• Place the screws first, but do not tighten them
• Then tighten the screws diagonally
• Required tools: M5 Allen wrench + M5 screw.

Step 04

Step 4 Required Components

• T-Nuts
• Screw M5*6

Installation Notes

1. Install two timing belts as shown. First pass the timing belt through one end of the x-axis module roller to the other end, then tighten the timing belt and fix it with a T-nut.
2. T-shaped nut fixing method (first put the T-shaped nut into the groove of the profile and turn it to fix, then tighten the T-shaped nut with screws), the T-shaped nut is as close to the end of the profile as possible.

Software installation and use

• Latitool supports the most popular LaserGRBL software, LaserGRBL is an open source, easy to use and powerful software, but unfortunately LaserGRBL software only supports Windows system (Win XP / Win 7 / Win 8 / Win 10).
• Of course, for Mac users, you can choose LightBurn, LightBurn is also a very good engraving machine software, but this software needs to be paid, and the cost is about 40 US dollars. This software also supports Windows systems.
• The Latiaool engraving machine moves according to the instructions sent by the computer. During the engraving process, the engraving machine needs to maintain a data connection with the computer, and the engraving machine software (LaserGRBL or LightBurn) cannot be closed. Since the operation is done on the computer, the configuration of the computer will affect the engraving speed and even the engraving quality.
• Next, we will focus on the installation and use of LaserGRBL software, and briefly introduce the installation and configuration process of LightBurn.

LaserGRBL software download
LaserGRBL is one of the most popular DIY laser engraving software in the world, we can download it at LaserGRBL website: http://lasergrbl.com/download/

Installing LaerGRBL
Double-click the software installation package to start the software installation, and keep clicking Next until the installation is complete

Adding custom buttons

• LaserGRBL software supports users to add custom buttons, you can add custom buttons in the software according to your usage habits. Here we recommend the custom button officially launched by LaserGRBL. Custom button download address: http://lasergrbl.com/usage/custom-buttons/. The downloaded custom buttons are as shown below:

• Next we will load the custom button into LaserGRBL software via LaserGRBL software.

• In the LaserGRBL software, right-click on the blank space next to the bottom button (as shown in Figure 3.3) → Import Custom Button, and then select the custom button zip package you just downloaded to import the custom button zip package. Press hold Yes (Y) until no window pops up to complete the custom button installation.

• The installed software is shown in the following figure:

Connecting the Laser Engraver

• Connect the engraving machine to a computer with LaserGBRL software installed
• Plug in the power of the engraving machine
• Open LaserGRBL software
• Select the correct port number and baud rate in the software – 115200, (under normal circumstances, the COM port does not need to be manually selected, but if you have multiple serial devices connected to the computer, you need to manually select it, you can select it manually in Windows Find the port of the laser engraving machine in the device manager of the system, the easier way is to try each of the displayed port numbers).
• Click the lightning connection logo in the software, when the lightning logo turns into a red “X” logo, it means the connection is successful.

Set the engraving drive direction

• A. Click the Grbl button at the top left and select Grbl Configuration in the options
• B. Change the value of the $3 option to 1, and click Write to complete the debugging

Set engraving parameters

• A. Select the engraving file.
  Open LaserGRBL software, click “File” > “Open File” in turn, and then select the graphics you want to engrave to engrave. Currently, LaserGRBL supports NC, BMP, JPG,, PNG, and DXF files.

• B. Picture parameters, engraving mode, engraving quality settings:

  • LaserGRBL can adjust the sharpness, brightness, contrast, highlights and other attributes of the target image. When adjusting the image parameters, you can see the actual effect in the preview window on the right. There is no standard here, just adjust to the effect you think you are satisfied with. .
  • The engraving mode usually selects “Line-to-Line Tracking” and “1bit Dithering”, 1bit dithering is more suitable for engraving grayscale graphics. If cutting, choose vector or centerline engraving mode.
  • The engraving quality essentially refers to the line width of the laser scanning. This parameter mainly depends on the size of the laser spot of the engraving machine. The laser spot used by the Latitool engraving machine is a rectangular spot, and the spot size of the core energy area is about 0.07*0.08mm. Therefore, the recommended engraving quality range is 5-8. Different materials respond differently to laser irradiation, so the specific value also depends on the specific engraving material.
  • At the bottom of the preview window, you can also rotate, mirror, and cut the image.
  • After completing the above settings, click Next to enter the settings of engraving speed, engraving energy and engraving ruler.

• C. Set the engraving speed, engraving energy and engraving size

  • It is recommended to use 1000mm/min for the engraving speed, which is the best value for the engraving effect after repeated experiments. Of course, you can increase or decrease this speed according to your own preferences. A faster speed will save engraving time, but it may be There will be a decrease in the engraving effect, and a slower speed will do the opposite.
  • In the selection of laser mode, the laser has two commands, M3 and M4. It is recommended to use the M4 command when engraving with 1bit dithering mode, and the M3 command is recommended to be used in other cases. If your laser has only the M3 command, please check whether the laser mode is enabled in the GRBL configuration. For the description of the GRBL configuration, please refer to the official instructions of LaserGRBL.
  • Selection of engraving energy Choose different energy according to different materials. We have attached the engraving and cutting parameters of common materials at the end of the manual for your reference.
  • Finally, set the size you want to engrave, and click the “Create” button to complete the setting of all engraving parameters.

Laser focus adjustment

• The effect of engraving or cutting depends largely on whether the laser is focused. Most of the existing laser engraving machines on the market use zoom lasers. You need to rotate the focusing nut while staring at the laser point to observe whether the laser is focused. The process experience is extremely bad, staring at the laser spot for a long time can damage your eyes (even with goggles), and more importantly, it is difficult for the naked eye to distinguish small focus changes, so it is difficult for you to find the best laser focus.

• In order to solve this problem, we abandoned the traditional zoom laser and installed a fixed-focus laser for the Latitool engraving machine. The specific focus position is about 2mm from the bottom of the acrylic cover, and each engraving machine is provided with a fixed-focus laser. coke. When in use, just adjust the height of the laser to make it a distance of a fixed focus from the upper surface of the object to be engraved or cut. The specific operation method is:

  • Move the laser head above the object to be engraved or cut;

  • Placing primes on the engraved or cut object

  • Loosen the fixing screws of the slide rails on both sides of the laser and let the laser slide down freely until it comes into contact with the fixed focal film (the laser can be lifted up slightly after contact, so that the fixed focal film can be finally taken out).

  * Tighten the fixing screws of the slide rails on both sides of the laser
  * Take out the fixed focus film and finish focusing

Positioning
The engraving machine does not know where to engrave the pattern, so before starting engraving, there is still an important job, which is positioning. We will complete the positioning operation in three steps:

• A. Select the “Move to the center point” button, the laser will move to the middle of the pattern, and then place the engraving under the laser

• B. Click the “Light up the laser” button, the laser will emit weak light, and the point where the laser irradiates is the center point of the engraving pattern. Based on this, the position of the engraved object is adjusted.

• C. Click the “Contour Scan” button, the laser will start to scan the outer contour of the pattern, the contour scanned by the laser is the outer contour of the picture on the computer, and the position of the engraved object can be fine-tuned again according to the scanned outer contour position (Ps: can be more Click the Wrap button again until the outer contour is where you want to engrave).

Start, stop engraving or cutting

• Start working
• After completing all the above operations, click the green button as shown in the figure to start engraving. There is an editable number next to the start button. This number is the number of times for engraving or cutting. Engraving or cutting, this function is especially useful for cutting.
• Stop working
• If you want to terminate the job halfway, you can click the red stop button as shown in the figure to terminate the engraving or cutting operation

Light Burn Installation Tutorial

• A. We can download the installation package on LightBurn official website: https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/trial-version-try-before-you-buy.

• B. Double-click the installation package to install (ps: LightBurn is a paid software, for a better experience, it is recommended that you purchase the genuine version, here we will demonstrate the installation of the trial version), click “Install” in the pop-up window

• C. Click Start Your Free Trial

• D. Click Find My Laser

• E. Click Add Device

• F. Set the origin, generally we set the origin in the lower left corner

• G. If the software is not connected to the machine, we can select the port of the laser engraving machine at the red box.

Common materials and their engraving and cutting parameter

recommendations

Engraving

| Basswood| 6-8| 280| 1000
Hardwood| 6-8| 280| 1000
Bamboo chips| 6-8| 280| 1000
Acrylic| 6-8| 280| 1000
Kraft paper| 6-8| 180| 1000
Mirror| 6-8| 280| 1000
Stainless Steel/Aluminum Alloy|

6-8

|

1000

|

1000

Cutting

| Basswood 1.8mm|

3

|

1000

|

400

Hardwood 6mm|

15

|

1000

|

400

Bamboo 1.8mm|

3

|

1000

|

400

Acrylic 2.8mm

|

12

|

1000

|

400

Kraft paper

|

1

|

1000

|

800

Common problems and solutions

The engraving machine cannot be connected to the software (here refers to the LaserGRBL software)

The engraving straight line is not straight

| ****

Missing driver

| In the LaserGRBL software, click “Tools” > “linstallCH340 Driver” to install the driver, restart the computer after installation and then connect
Incorrect port number selection| Choose the correct port
Incorrect baud rate selection| Baud rate to choose: 115200
Is the data cable connected?| Check if the data cable is connected correctly

Computer USB port problems

| ****

Try a different usb port

Repeatedly open multiple LaserGRBL software

| ****

Close the repeatedly opened LaserGRBL software

The belt is not taut

| ****

Retension the belt

The fixing screws at both ends of the belt are not locked| ****

Tighten the fixing screws at both ends of the belt

The rollers are not locked, and the bracket is shaking

| Tighten the eccentric nut under the bracket so that the bracket does not shake
The laser bracket is extended too long, causing the laser to shake| ****

Adjust the height of the laser

ABOUT COMPANY

• Customer Service:
  • For Laser Engraver technical support and service
  • Please email: latitool.official@gmail.com
• Manufacturer: Latitude Technology (Shenzhen) Co. , Ltd.
  • Address: Rom 101, Bldg L, No. 2, Dakeng Rd, Tongle Community, Baolong St, Longgang Dist,
  • Shenzhen,CN

References

• Download – LaserGRBL

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