5-2-16 Adjusting the focus

There are two ways to adjust the focus on beamo, which depend on whether it is a standard model or a model with an autofocus add-on. 

If you have the Beambox series, please check another instruction.

(1) Standard Model

1. Rotate the focus bar (acrylic bar) downward until it's vertical.

2. Loosen the laser head focus ring and lower the laser head until the focus bar rests on the workpiece.

3. Tighten the laser head focus ring, and rotate the focus bar upwards until it is vertical. 

▲ The acrylic bar should precisely touch the surface of the material. 

Note 1: If the ring is fastened on too tight, consider using pliers to untwist the ring. Cover the ring with a towel to prevent the ring from being damaged or scratched. 

If the probe is broken, you can try the following methods:

• Method #1 - Make the Probe:
  You can find the file in Beam Studio or the file here can also be downloaded.  Using 3mm acrylic for cutting this probe is recommended. 
  
  
  

• Method #2 - Using Coins:

  The coins will be easy to get and used to measure the distance.

  • USD  >> US quarters (25¢) x 7 pcs
  • EUR  >> 50 cents x 5 pcs
  • TWD >> $10 coins x 6 pcs
  • ...etc. (You can search or measure the thickness of the coins you have)

  
  
  

• Method 3 - Using Materials

  If you have materials with a thickness of 3mm, 4mm, 6mm...etc., you can use numbers of them to get the 12mm focus distances.

  Example - 3mm Acrylic x 4pcs:
  

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(2) With Autofocus Add-on

Probe Mode

Double-tap the button on the side of the module while it is straightly on top of the desired material. This allows the probe of the add-on to automatically detect the height of the material. Then, long-pressing the button on the side allows the laser head to return to its origin.

Software Mode

1. Enabling Autofocus

To control the autofocus add-on in Beam Studio and to switch heights in various layers, go to "Preferences" (Mac: Menu > Beam Studio > Preferences; Windows: Menu > Files > Preferences) and enable autofocus under the Add-on section.

Settings by files can be set in: Menu > Edit > Document Settings.

2. Setting the Layer Height

After enabling the add-on, a new "Focus Adjustment" checkbox can be found in the layer parameters panel.

In layers where "Focus Adjustment" is checked, the "Object Height" option will appear.

Adjust the values in "Object Height" to control the laser head's height when cutting in this particular layer.

If the "Focus Adjustment" is unchecked, the module will continue to use the same height as the beginning of the work or the previous layer.

3. Z Step

When cutting thick materials, you may want to run multiple passes. For example, in layers with "Focus Adjustment" enabled, when "Execute" is greater than 1, a controllable option, "Z Step," will appear. This value controls how much the laser head degrades after commands in between layers, which are directed at cutting thicker objects.