Snapmaker 10W High Power Laser Module features high energy density,
which makes it powerful and efficient enough to engrave and cut a much wider variety of materials.
There are two ways for the 10W Laser Module to define its work area:
the Camera Capture method and the Work Origin method.
This video is going to show you how to use this module based on the Camera Capture method
by engraving on an anodized aluminum plate.
This video will cover four steps,
including Upgrade the Firmware, Calibration, Generate G-code and Start Engraving or Cutting.
Before starting, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
Laser safety goggles, six M4 × 8 screws,
a screwdriver with the H2.5 bit,
a calibration card or a piece of A4 paper,
a piece of blank A4 paper,
the provided calibration target and the anodized aluminum plate
as well as tools that come with the Snapmaker 2.0 machine,
including 14 M4 × 10 hex socket head screws,
silicone plugs and a cable holder.
Make sure the machine is powered off,
and then install the laser engraving and cutting platform and the laser module on the machine.
First, put the laser engraving and cutting platform pieces in the right order on the machine,
and fasten them with 14 M4 × 10 hex socket head screws.
Second, attach the laser module to the slider on the X Axis
with four M4 × 8 screws
and connect the laser module to the Toolhead port on the Controller.
Third, attach the Cable Holder to the Z Axis with two M4 × 8 screws,
and then lock the toolhead cable into place.
Note that the 10W Laser Module is a Class 4 laser product.
You should always use it together with the Snapmaker Enclosure.
Now, let's turn on the machine and update the firmware.
Firmware of V1.9.0 or later can be upgraded to V1.14.0 or later on the Touchscreen via Wi-Fi.
Go to "Settings", select "Firmware Update > Check for Updates > Update Now".
If it is your first time to use the 10W Laser Module,
"Safety Notes" will pop up on the Touchscreen.
Read them and check the box, and then tap "Get Started".
The machine will automatically enter the guide process.
The guide will only appear once. If you need it again,
swipe left on the homepage of the Touchscreen,
select "Settings > Guide".
Now, let's follow the guide to calibrate the laser module.
First, calibrate toolhead focus.
Tap "Start > Going Home" on the Touchscreen.
The laser module will go to its home position,
and then automatically move to the central position above the platform.
Put the calibration card or the A4 paper on the platform.
Lower the laser module gradually
until you feel slight resistance when you pull out the calibration card,
and it should be wrinkled when you push it forward.
Tap "Next" to proceed to the "Thickness Measurement Calibration".
Fix the calibration target to the center of the platform, and tap "Start".
Make sure the red dot falls on the calibration target.
Tap "Capture".
The machine will automatically capture the first and second calibration points
to calibrate the thickness measurement system.
Last, let's go on with "Camera Calibration".
Remove the calibration target and fix a piece of blank A4 paper to the center of the platform.
Tap "Next", put on the laser safety goggles and tap "Start".
The machine will cut a square on the paper and use it to calibrate the camera.
Note that you need to recalibrate the thickness measurement system
and the camera every time you switch to the 10W Laser Module from other toolheads.
Swipe left on the homepage of the Touchscreen,
select "Settings > 10W Laser",
and then you can select the proper calibration as needed.
Next, we will use the Snapmaker Luban to generate G-code.
Download the latest Luban from Snapmaker's official website
to upgrade it to V4.1.0 or above.
Open Luban on your computer.
Select language,
the machine model and the type of the laser toolhead through the "Configuration Wizard".
You can also go to "Settings > Machine Settings" on the menu bar to make changes.
Make sure that your computer and machine are connected to the same Wi-Fi network,
and then go to "Workspace".
Click "Wi-Fi" under "Connection", refresh the device list,
select your machine from the drop-down list, and click "Connect".
A notification will pop up on the Touchscreen.
Tap "Yes". The computer will be connected to the machine.
Now, use the silicone plugs or other tools to fix the anodized aluminum plate to the center of the platform.
In Luban, click "Back" on the top-left corner to go back to the homepage.
Select "Laser > 3-axis" to enter the "Laser G-code Generator".
"Job Setup" will pop up.
Because we are going to use the Camera Capture method,
we don't have to make any setup here. Just click "Confirm".
Select "Camera Capture > Add Background", and click "Start".
The machine will take a photo of the work area,
and make it a background in Luban.
When finished, click "Confirm".
If the captured image is distorted, don't worry.
You can fix it within a few steps.
Click "Calibrate", zoom in on the image and move the lines until they perfectly match the square,
and then click "Confirm > Apply" to see the finished image.
After you get a normal-shaped image,
click "Confirm" to finish the Camera Capture.
Next, go to the left toolbar to upload the object file.
Click to select the object.
You can adjust it directly with your mouse or set the size,
orientation and position precisely in the "Edit" panel.
As for the "Processing Mode", Luban provides four options.
"Black & White" "Greyscale" and "Halftone" are mainly used for engraving,
while "Vector" can be used for both engraving and cutting.
Here we choose "Vector" for engraving on the anodized aluminum material.
Click "Next > Create Toolpath".
You can select the material you use and its processing method in the "Preset" list
to get a set of recommended parameters.
Or you can configure work parameters on yourself.
When the setup is finished, click "Save > Generate G-code and Preview".
Luban also provides built-in "Case Library" to help you get started quickly.
Find the "Case Library" on the homepage or enter the "Laser G-code Generator",
click "File > Case Library" to choose your project,
and then use the "Camera Capture" function to position the object.
The built-in cases all come with preset parameters.
So, you can skip to click "Generate G-code and Preview".
When confirmed, click "Export > Load G-code to Workspace".
Now, it's time to laser engrave or cut.
In the "G-code Files" section, click "Start on Luban",
and select "Auto Mode" in the "Start Job" pop-up window.
Before you click "Start",
ensure that all the operators and bystanders have correctly put on laser safety goggles,
and the Enclosure is closed.
Click "Start".
The machine will automatically measure the thickness of the material, perform Auto Focus,
and start laser engraving or cutting.
But thickness measurement may fail if the material is over 50 mm-thick,
or its texture is transparent,
or its surface is glossy or specular, or if it's red or black.
In such cases, you should unselect "Auto Mode" on the "Start Job" window to enter the Manual Mode.
Manually input material thickness,
and click "Start" to start laser engraving or cutting.
During the engraving or cutting process,
you can still change "Laser Power" and "Work Speed" by operating in Luban.
When you finish, open the Enclosure and take out the finished work.
That's all for this video. To learn about the Work Origin method,
please continue to watch our video tutorial: How to Use the 10W Laser Module via Work Origin.
Thank you for watching!