4-9 Optical Path Adjustment

1. Cannot cut materials using the default power and speed settings in Beam Studio.
2. The engraving result is lighter in specific areas, making the overall effect uneven.
3. The cut surface/cross-section of the material is not perpendicular and appears slanted.

1. 2.5mm Hex wrench (Allen key)
2. Double-ended wrench
3. Phillips screwdriver
4. Disinfectant spray / Alcohol spray
5. Pliers
6. Double-sided tape
7. Cotton swabs
8. T8 Torx screwdriver

Actual Steps:

• Place the tape on the first mirror, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam.
  
  
   
• Adjust the beam expander to the default "3".
  
  
   
• Close the back cover and perform a laser pulse.
  For HEXA RF 30W, please perform 5 pulses.
  For HEXA RF 60W/80W, please perform 2 pulses to prevent the double-sided tape from catching fire.
  
   

• Demonstration

  (For HEXA RF 30W, please perform 5 pulses. For HEXA RF 60W/80W, please perform 2 pulses to prevent the double-sided tape from catching fire.)
  
   

• Check the results.

  Examples of Tape Test Results
  Good Example - Round and Clear	Bad Example - Weak, Hollow, or Irregular

• Good result >> Step 7

• Bad result, or no mark at all >> Contact Customer Service
  • Possible causes:
    • Laser tube is damaged and needs replacement.
    • Laser power supply is damaged and needs replacement.

1. Open the door cover.
2. Place a piece of double-layered double-sided tape at the entrance of the third mirror.
3. Go to the Action mode and tap 'Motors' (to release the motors).
4. Move the laser head to the bottom right corner.
5. Ensure the red laser is on.
6. Close the door cover.
7. Perform 2 - 3 pulses. (RF 30W x 3, RF 60W/80W x 2)
8. Check if the red laser dot and the burn mark overlap.
9. Adjust the red laser if necessary.

Correct Example - Overlapping	Incorrect Example - Not Overlapping

Note:
If the red dot does not fall on the tape, it means your red laser path is too far off.
You might find it on the second mirror; please move the red dot to the reflective area of the mirror.

If you cannot find the red laser, it means the red laser pointer is malfunctioning or too far offset. Please go to this link to recalibrate the red laser.

Step Overview:

Actual Steps:

1. Remove the tape, and place a new piece of double-layered double-sided tape on the second mirror.
2. Move the laser head to the top left corner.
3. Close the door cover and perform 2-3 pulses. (RF 30W x 3, RF 60W/80W x 2)
4. Visually check if the red laser and the burn mark overlap.

Correct Example - Overlapping

Incorrect Example - Not Overlapping

• Good result - Overlapping >> Step 9

• Bad result - Not overlapping >> Step 8.1

• How to correctly loosen the screw fixative: First, spray alcohol on the screws to dissolve the gel or glue and wait a few seconds, then use a T8 screwdriver to loosen the three screws, and the fixative can be removed.

   

• Demonstration (Please note that the screws in the video were loosened prior to recording.)

• Confirm the position of the laser spot and the screws and directions that need to be adjusted.

  Please refer to the examples below to find the number and the corresponding adjustment method:
   

• For #1: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the bottom right to overlap.
  The top left screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.
  
  
   

  For #2: 
  The red laser dot needs to move straight down to overlap.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned counterclockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #3: 
  The red laser dot needs to move down first, then to the left to overlap.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned counterclockwise to move the dot down.
  The top right screw needs to be turned clockwise to move the dot to the left.
  Please refer to the photo below.
  

   

  For #4: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the right to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned counterclockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #5: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the left to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #6: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the right first, then up to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned counterclockwise to move the dot to the right.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned clockwise to move the dot up.
  Please refer to the photo below.
  

   

  For #7: 
  The red laser dot needs to move straight up to overlap.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.
  

   

  For #8: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the top left to overlap.
  The top left screw needs to be turned counterclockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

• After adjusting the screws, please reinstall the fixative (mount).

Step Overview:

Actual Steps:

1. Remove the tape, and place a new piece of double-layered double-sided tape at the entrance of the third mirror.
2. Move the laser head to the middle left position.
3. Close the door cover and perform 2-3 pulses. (RF 30W x 3, RF 60W/80W x 2)
4. Visually check if the red laser and the burn mark overlap.

Correct Example - Overlapping

Incorrect Example - Not Overlapping

• Good result - Overlapping >> Step 10

• Bad result - Not overlapping >> Step 9.1

• There are three screws on the second mirror; turning them clockwise or counterclockwise will change the beam path.
   

• First, spray alcohol on the nuts to dissolve the gel or glue and wait a few seconds, then use a T8 screwdriver to remove the three screws, and the fixative can be removed.

• Demonstration

• Confirm the position of the laser spot and the screws and directions that need to be adjusted.
  Please refer to the photo below to find the number similar to your red laser dot position.
  
   

• For #1: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the bottom right to overlap.
  The bottom right screw needs to be turned counterclockwise.
  Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #2: 
  The red laser dot needs to move straight down to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #3: 
  The red laser dot needs to move down first, then to the left to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned clockwise to move the dot down.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned counterclockwise to move the dot to the left.
  Please refer to the photo below.
  
   

   

  For #4: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the right to overlap.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  

  
  For #5:
  The red laser dot needs to move to the left to overlap.
  The bottom left screw needs to be turned counterclockwise.
  Please refer to the photo below.
  
   

   

  For #6:
  The red laser dot needs to move to the right first, then up to overlap.
  The top left screw needs to be turned clockwise to move the dot to the left.
  The bottom right screw needs to be turned counterclockwise to move the dot up.
  Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #7: 
  The red laser dot needs to move straight up to overlap.
  The bottom right screw needs to be turned counterclockwise to move the dot up. Please refer to the photo below.

  

   

  For #8: 
  The red laser dot needs to move to the top left to overlap.
  The top right screw needs to be turned clockwise. Please refer to the photo below.

  
  
   

• After adjusting the screws, please reinstall the fixative (mount).

• Please use the link to download the file, and engrave/cut it on a 3mm clear acrylic.
  
   
• The circle of the tool will match the entrance in the image below.

• If your machine cannot cut any area of the work platform, you must make a temporary tool.
  Please use a piece of clear tape and fold it to cover the sticky part.
  Draw two lines as shown below.
  
   
• The intersection of the lines on the tape will be the center of the circular entrance.
  (It is recommended to mark two marks as shown by the red dots below to align the lines on the tape.)
  

• Once the tool is ready, move the laser head to the center position.
  
   

• Use the tool to check the vertical alignment.
  Align the circle or mark of the tool with the entrance, and check the position of the red laser dot.

  Acrylic
  Correct Example		Incorrect Example

  Tape
  Correct - Centered	Incorrect - Not Centered

• Correct result >> Step 11

• Bad result >> Step 10.1

• Slightly loosen these 4 screws; do not remove them or loosen them too much.
   
  • After loosening the screws, you can now push the laser head inward or outward.
    • Push outward:
      
      
       
    • Push inward:
      
      
       
• After moving the laser head, retighten the screws.
  
  
   
• Please perform Camera Calibration in Beam Studio.
  (This can be done as a final step after completing all optical path adjustments.)
  

• Move the laser head to the center position.
  
   

• Use the tool to check the horizontal alignment.
  Align the circle or mark of the tool with the entrance, and check the position of the red laser dot.

  Acrylic
  Correct - Centered		Acceptable - Top	Bad - Bottom

  Tape
  Correct - Centered	Acceptable - Top	Bad - Bottom

• Good or acceptable result >> Step 12

• Bad result >> Contact Customer Service
  • Possible cause: The angle of the laser beam is too far off and needs to be adjusted upwards or replaced.

• Move the laser head to the center of the work platform and place a piece of paper under the tip of the nozzle.
  Adjust the work platform height so the distance between the paper and the tip of the nozzle is about 5mm to 10mm.
  
   

• Check if you can see a focused red laser dot or red light as shown in the image below.
  

  Good result - Centered	Bad result - No spot	Bad result - Not centered

• Correct result >> Step 13

• Bad result >> Step 12.1

• This step will teach you how to adjust the screws on the third mirror to correct the vertical optical path from the third mirror to the work platform. Correct the vertical beam path by adjusting the screws on the third mirror.
  There are three screws on the third mirror; turning them clockwise or counterclockwise will change the vertical beam path, meaning the position of the small spot on the tape will change.
  
   
• Please learn how to correctly loosen the nuts.
  Use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn counterclockwise to loosen the nut.
  

• How to determine the position of the laser spot?
  If you cannot see the focused spot, you can observe the red light. The area with the stronger light is the position of the laser spot.

  Example

  As shown in the image, the stronger light indicates the laser spot should be at the bottom left.

  To move the laser spot to the center, it needs to move up and right, so we recommend turning the top right screw clockwise.

  Demonstration

• After adjusting the screws, please tighten the nut by turning it clockwise.
  

• Adjustment complete, no problem >> Step 13

• No matter how you adjust, the laser spot does not appear or cannot be centered >>
  • Use the link for advanced adjustment.
    >> Advanced Optical Path Adjustment
  • After advanced adjustment, return to Step 12.1 to try adjusting the red dot.

• Move the laser head to the bottom right corner of the work platform, and place a piece of paper under the tip of the nozzle.
  Adjust the work platform height so the distance between the paper and the tip of the nozzle is about 5mm to 10mm.
  
   

• Check if you can see a focused red laser dot or red light as shown in the image below.
  

  Good result - Centered	Bad result - No spot	Bad result - Not centered

• Correct result >> Step 14

• Bad result >> Step 13.1

• This step will teach you how to adjust the screws on the third mirror to correct the vertical optical path from the third mirror to the work platform. Correct the vertical beam path by adjusting the screws on the third mirror.
  There are three screws on the third mirror; turning them clockwise or counterclockwise will change the vertical beam path, meaning the position of the small spot on the tape will change.
  
   
• Please learn how to correctly loosen the nuts.
  Use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn counterclockwise to loosen the nut.
  

• How to determine the position of the laser spot?
  If you cannot see the focused spot, you can observe the red light. The area with the stronger light is the position of the laser spot.

  Example

  As shown in the image, the stronger light indicates the laser spot should be at the bottom left.

  To move the laser spot to the center, it needs to move up and right, so we recommend turning the top right screw clockwise.

  Demonstration

• After adjusting the screws, please tighten the nut by turning it clockwise.
  
   

• Adjustment complete, no problem >> Step 14

• No matter how you adjust, the laser spot does not appear or cannot be centered >>
  • Return to Step 12.1 and ensure the laser spot is exactly at the center of the work platform.
  • After adjustment, skip directly to Step 14.

• Place a piece of single-layer tape on the tip of the nozzle, move the laser head to the center of the work platform, close the door cover, and fire one pulse.
  
  
   

• Demonstration

• Remove the tape and check if the laser spot is round.
  • Good example - Centered and round:
  • 
     
  • Acceptable example - Round but slightly off-center:
    
  • Bad example - Not round:
    
    
    

• Good or acceptable result >> Step 15

• Bad result >> Step 14.1

• No burn mark at all >> Advanced Optical Path Adjustment
  • After advanced adjustment, return to Step 14 to check the laser spot again.

• Determine the position of the vertical spot and find the corresponding screws and directions to adjust. First, you must understand the entire area the spot can move within.
  In fact, this range is identical to the area of the nozzle tip. The indent on the tape represents this area.
   
• Next, find the number similar to your vertical spot position.
• Diagram: 
• Next, use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it.
  Use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn counterclockwise to loosen the nut.
  
   

• After adjusting the screws, you must apply new tape and perform pulses again to check the position of the spot.
  
  
   

• Demonstration:

   

• If you find this method difficult, you can use the red dot to get a general idea of the actual CO2 optical path position, and then perform pulses.

   

• After adjusting the screws, please tighten the nut by turning it clockwise.
  

Step Overview - Bottom Right

• Place a piece of single-layer tape on the tip of the nozzle, move the laser head to the bottom right corner of the work platform, close the door cover, and fire one pulse.
  
   

• Demonstration

• Remove the tape and check if the laser spot is round.
  • Good example - Centered and round:
  • 
     
  • Acceptable example - Round but slightly off-center:
    
  • Bad example - Not round:
    
    
    

• Good or acceptable result >> Adjustment complete! (If your laser head was adjusted in Step 10.1, please be sure to perform Camera Calibration.)

• Bad result >> Step 15.1

• No burn mark at all >> Advanced Optical Path Adjustment
  • After advanced adjustment, return to Step 14 to check the laser spot again.

• Determine the position of the vertical spot and find the corresponding screws and directions to adjust. First, you must understand the entire area the spot can move within.
  In fact, this range is identical to the area of the nozzle tip. The indent on the tape represents this area.
   
• Next, find the number similar to your vertical spot position.
• Diagram: 
• Next, use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it.
  Use pliers to hold the screw, then use a double-ended wrench to turn counterclockwise to loosen the nut.
  
   

• After adjusting the screws, you must apply new tape and perform pulses again to check the position of the spot.
  
  
   

• Demonstration:

   

• If you find this method difficult, you can use the red dot to get a general idea of the actual CO2 optical path position, and then perform pulses.

   

• After adjusting the screws, please tighten the nut by turning it clockwise.
  

• Recheck the center point Step 14 If the center and the bottom right cannot be centered simultaneously >>

• Collect tape with burn marks (Step 16) Please collect the burn marks at the following locations.

• Place a double-layer tape on the red laser pointer, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam, and fire 3 pulses.
  Stick the results on a piece of paper and mark the location.

  
   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks from the 1st to the 2nd mirror. Place a double-layer tape on the 2nd mirror, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam, fire 2 pulses at the top left corner, and another 2 pulses at the bottom left corner.

   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks at the entrance from the 2nd to the 3rd mirror. Place a double-layer tape on the 3rd mirror, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam, fire 2 pulses at the middle left, and another 2 pulses at the middle right.

   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks at the nozzle tip in the center. Place a piece of single-layer tape on the tip of the nozzle, move the laser head to the center of the work platform, and fire one pulse.

  
   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks at the nozzle tip in the bottom right corner. Place a piece of single-layer tape on the tip of the nozzle, move the laser head to the bottom right corner of the work platform, and fire one pulse.

  
   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks at the entrance of the 3rd mirror from top left to top right. Place a double-layer tape on the 3rd mirror, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam, fire 2 pulses at the top left side, and another 2 pulses at the top right side.

  
   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Collect marks at the entrance of the 3rd mirror from bottom left to bottom right. Place a double-layer tape on the 3rd mirror, making sure it is at a 90-degree angle to the beam, fire 2 pulses at the bottom left side, and another 2 pulses at the bottom right side.

  
   

• Write down the mirror positions and the pulse counts (as shown below)
  

• Finally, take a close-up photo of the nozzle tip spot.