BASIC MAINTENANCE
Section 4-6
Troubleshooting Guide
Engraving Quality
Problem Possible Cause Possible Solution
“Fuzzy” looking raster engraving or small
text appears like a “double image”
• Dirty laser system
• Graphic, graphic software, graphic
software setup, color palette,
monitor display colors, or driver
settings have changed
• Speed to fast for the material
• Out of focus
• System needs tuning
• Worn X-axis belt and/or drive gear
• Laser Tube is faulty
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and
belts
• Check to see what has changed.
Refer to the “Computerized
Controls” manual to properly setup
the graphics software. Check driver
settings.
• Slow down engraving speed
• Re-focus
• Run “Tuning” feature in printer driver
• Replace belt and/or drive gear, and
run “Tuning” feature
• Replace laser tube
Fine detail is missing such as the serif’s
of characters or thin lines of script fonts
when raster engraving
• Speed too fast for the material
• Laser cannot respond to low duty-
cycle, high speed engraving
• Out of focus
• System needs tuning
• Laser spot size too big
• Slow down engraving speed
• Run enhancement feature in the
printer driver
• Re-focus
• Run “Tuning” feature in printer driver
• Use shorter focal length lens
Vertical or diagonal background pattern
present when raster engraving large
areas and/or large amounts of material
• Dirty laser system
• Slight pattern is normal
If the pattern is excessive:
• Loose motion system components
• Worn or damaged X-axis bearings
• Worn or damaged X-axis rail
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and
belts
• Don’t remove so much material or try
engraving shallower or deeper. Try
changing PPI and or DPI. Use a 50%
black fill to “halftone” the background
which can hide the pattern
• Check X-axis bearings, belt, optics
• Replace X-axis bearings
• Replace X-axis arm
Horizontal background pattern present
when raster engraving large areas and/or
large amounts of material
• Dirty laser system
• Slight pattern is normal
If the pattern is excessive:
• Laser is too cold or hot
• Laser tube is faulty
• Clean all optics, rails, bearings and
belts
• Don’t remove so much material or try
engraving shallower or deeper. Try
changing PPI and or DPI. Use a 50%
black fill to “halftone” the background
which can hide the pattern
• Check and/or clean filters
• Make sure ambient temperature is
within specifications
• Replace laser tube
Engraving disappears, becomes “lighter”,
or appears “choppy” when raster
engraving at high speeds within ½ inch of
Y-axis ruler
• Normal condition. The laser system
needs to accelerate and decelerate
within this area
• Move graphic and/or material to the
right, outside of this area
• Slowing the raster speed down
reduces the effect
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