1. General Safety

Read and familiarize yourself with all safety precautions and procedures before using the machine. Strictly follow all safety precautions. Ensure that the machine is properly assembled and working properly.

• Use this laser engraving device following all applicable local and national laws and regulations.
• Use this device following the instruction manual and the manual for the engraving software included with it. Only allow this device to be installed, operated, maintained, repaired, etc. by others who have also read and understood both manuals. Ensure that this manual and the software manual are both included with this device if it is ever given or sold to a third party.
• DO NOT operate continuously for more than 5½ hours. Stop for at least 30-minute intervals between uses.
• DO NOT leave this device unattended during operation. If anything abnormal occurs while working, immediately cut off ALL power to the machine and contact our customer service or your dedicated repair service. Similarly, ensure the device is FULLY turned off after each use.
• DO NOT allow minors, untrained personnel, or personnel suffering from a physical or mental impairment to install, operate, maintain, or repair this device.
• Any untrained personnel near the operating device MUST be informed of potential hazards and fully instructed on how to avoid injury during its use.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher, water hose, or other flame-retardant system nearby in case of accidents. Ensure that the local fire department's phone number is displayed nearby. In the case of a fire, cut electrical power before dousing the flame. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of accidents and familiarize yourself with its instructions before use to avoid potential blowback.

2. Laser Safety

When used as instructed, this machine comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However, the invisible engraving laser, the laser tube, and its electrical connections remain EXTREMELY dangerous. Used or modified without care, they can cause serious property damage and personal injury including but not limited to the following:

• The laser will easily burn nearby combustible materials
• Some working materials may produce radiation or harmful gases during processing
• Direct exposure to the laser will cause bodily harm including serious burns and irreparable eye damage

As such:

• DO NOT modify this device or disable its safety features except as specifically instructed by customer service or a trained technician. Adjusted, modified, or incompatible equipment may result in dangerous radiation exposure and other injury.
• NEVER leave any part of the cabinet open during operation except (when needed) the pass-through doors.
• Never interfere with the laser beam by placing any body part in the laser path during operation or attempting to view the laser directly. When using the pass-through doors or otherwise risking exposure to the laser beam, take measures to protect yourself from potentially reflected laser beams. This includes the use of PPE such as protective eyewear rated OD 5+, which is specially designed to filter the specific wavelength of your engraver's laser.
• DO NOT stare or allow others to stare continuously at the laser beam during operation even if the cover is closed and they are wearing protective eyewear.
• ONLY use this engraver if its automatic shutoffs are working properly. If you notice any problems when you first set up the engraver, test them before undertaking any other work. Do not continue use if the shutoffs do not occur. Turn off the device and contact customer service or your repair service. Never disable these shutoffs.
• DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, use this laser engraver if the water-cooling system is not working properly. Always activate the water-cooling system and visually confirm that water is flowing through the entire system before turning on the laser tube. Use this engraver with an industrial water chiller or its equivalent. We do not recommend using a water pump and bucket for cooling high-powered laser tubes such as the one in this engraver. Do not use ice water or water over 100°F (38°C). For best results, keep water between 60–70°F (15–21°C). Replace heated water but never allow the system to run without water or allow the water to become colder than 50°F. Immediately stop use if the water-cooling system malfunctions.
• DO NOT use generic coolant or antifreeze in your cooling water, as they may leave corrosive residues and solidify inside your hoses and piping, causing malfunctions and even explosions. Use custom laser-safe formulations or use and store your engraver in a climate-controlled area.
• DO NOT leave potentially combustible, flammable, explosive, or corrosive materials nearby where they could be exposed to the direct or reflected laser beam.
• DO NOT use or leave sensitive EMI equipment nearby. Ensure the area around the laser is free of strong electromagnetic interference during any use.
• ONLY use this machine for working the materials described in the Material Safety section of this manual. The laser settings and engraving process must be properly adjusted for specific materials.
• Ensure the area is kept free of other airborne pollutants, as these might pose a similar risk of reflection, combustion, etc.

The reference standard for laser safety is the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1-2000), which is provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

This reference is the basis for federal regulations and laser system manufacturers, as well as the laser safety guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It contains details on the proper installation and use of laser systems.

3. Electrical Safety

• ONLY use this device with a compatible and stable power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage.
• DO NOT connect other devices to the same fuse, as the laser system will require its full amperage. Do not use standard extension cords or power strips. Use only surge protectors rated over 2000J.
• ONLY turn on the power to this device when it is well grounded, either via a firm connection to a 3-prong outlet or via a dedicated grounding cable firmly connected to the proper slot on the cabinet. Do not use an ungrounded 3 to 2 prong adapter. The device's grounding should be checked regularly for any damage to the line or loose connections.
• The area around this laser engraving device should be kept dry, well-ventilated, and environmentally controlled to keep the ambient temperature between 40–95°F (5–35°C). For best results, keep the temperature at 75°F (25°C) or below. The ambient humidity should not exceed 70%.
• Adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the electrical components of this device must be done ONLY by trained and skilled professionals to avoid fires and other malfunctions, including potential radiation exposure from damage to the laser components. Because specialized techniques are required for testing the electrical components of this marking system, it is recommended such testing only be done by the manufacturer, seller, or repair service.

Unless otherwise specified, ONLY undertake adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the device when it is turned off, disconnected from its power supply, and fully cooled.

4. Material Safety

• Users of this laser engraving machine are responsible for confirming that the materials to be processed can withstand the heat of the laser and will not produce any emissions or byproducts either harmful to people nearby or in violation of local or national laws or regulations. In particular, do not use this device to process polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Teflon, or other halogen-containing materials under any circumstances.
• Users of this laser engraver are responsible for ensuring that every person present during operation has sufficient PPE to avoid injury from the emissions and byproducts of the materials being processed. In addition to the protective laser eyewear described above, this may require goggles, masks or respirators, gloves, and other protective outer clothing.
• DO NOT, under any circumstances, use this laser engraver if the exhaust system is not working properly.
• Ensure that the exhaust fan can remove the dust and gas produced by the engraver as it pertains to local and national laws/regulations. Immediately stop use if the exhaust fan or vent pipe malfunctions. Periodically check the air assist intake filter to ensure it is dust and debris-free.
• Users must exercise special caution when working with conductive materials as the buildup of their dust and ambient particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or produce other effects including reflected laser radiation.

This machine can be safely used with the following materials:

Plastics

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.)
• Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET, Mylar, Polyester, etc.)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG, PET-G, etc.)
• Polyimide (PI, Kapton, etc.)
• Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, etc.)
• Polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal, Delrin, etc.)
• Polypropylene (PP, etc.)
• Styrene

Other

• Cardboard
• Ceramics, including Dishes, Tile, etc.
• Glass
• Leather
• Paper & Paperboard
• Rubber
• Stone, including Marble, Granite, etc.
• Textiles, including Cotton, Suede, Felt, Hemp, etc.
• Wood, including Cork, MDF, Plywood, Balsa, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Poplar, etc.

See the manual of this engraver for the recommended parameters for the most commonly engraved materials.

This machine CAN NOT be used with the following materials or with any materials that include them due to their nature to emit toxic fumes when lasered:

• Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI])
• Astatine
• Beryllium Oxide
• Bromine
• Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Cintra, etc.)
• Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylenes (Teflon, PTFE, etc.)
• Iodine
• Phenolic Resins, including various forms of epoxy
• Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan, etc.)

Besides materials that give off toxic fumes, DO NOT use this engraver on metals with high conductivity and reflectivity, such as:

• Aluminum
• Titanium
• Copper

For all other materials, if you are unsure about its safety or laserability with this device, seek out its material safety data sheet (MSDS). Pay special attention to information about safety, toxicity, corrosiveness, reflectivity, and reaction(s) to high heat. Alternatively, contact our support department for further guidance.

5. Warning and Instruction Signs

On the cabinet engraver series, warning and instruction signs are clearly displayed in areas where improper use can result in personal injury or damage to the machine/property.

For models sold in North America and Australia, the signs are labeled in the following locations:

For models sold in the EU and UK, the signs are labeled in the following locations:

If any of these labels are missing, illegible, or damaged, replace them with new and identical ones at the original positions.