MINI 18/24 & HELIX - Epilog Laser Engraving And Cutting .

MINI 18/24 & HELIXLaser S ystem Manual Model 80 0 0Register your system now for driverupdates and access to our Training Suite!TRAINING.EPILOGLASER.COM/REGISTERTechnical Support: 1 (303) 215-9171Knowledge Base: support.epiloglaser.comSystem Registration: training.epiloglaser.com/registerDriver/Firmware: epiloglaser.com/legend-driversUPDATED FEBRUARY 2020 EPILOGLASER.COM/MANUALS

TABLE OF CONTENTS Fire Warning1Introduction2How to Use This Owner’s Manual.2Icons Used in this Manual.2Section 1: Safety3Laser Safety.3Electrical Safety.4Fire Warning.5Safety Features and Regulatory Compliance.6Do’s and Don’ts.9Section 2: Getting Started111. Unpacking the Laser System.112. Choose Where to Locate the System.123. Connecting the Exhaust.124. Connecting Electrical Power.145. Connect the Laser to Your Computer.156. Set the Mini/Helix IP Address.157. Sign Up for Driver Updates and Register Your System.16Section 3: Driver Installation19Windows 7: Ethernet Installation.19Windows 7: USB Installation.23Windows 8 and 10: Ethernet Installation.26Windows 8 and 10: USB Installation.30Section 4: The Epilog Job Manager35Epilog Job Manager Instructions.35How to Install the Epilog Job Manager.35Trouble Shooting Job Manager Installation.37Important Epilog Job Manager Notes.38Using the Epilog Job Manager.38Section 5: Using The Laser Dashboard 45Changing Laser Dashboard Defaults.45General Tab.46Advanced Tab.49Color Mapping Tab.51Additional CorelDRAW Laser Dashboard Features.52Section 6: Mini/Helix Control Panel53Display.53Button Functions.54Job Storage: Temporary Memory.59Section 7: Quick Start Guide61First Test Job.61Artwork Setup.61Setting a Vector Cutting Line.63Landscape or Portrait.66- i -

Table of Contents Piece and Page Size.67Section 8: Cleaning & Maintenance69Reduce Fire Risk with a Clean Laser.69Cleaning the Auto Focus Plunger.69Cleaning the Optics.69Cleaning the Optical Strip and Encoder.70Cleaning and Lubricating the Bearing Rails.71Crumb Tray Cleaning.73Exhaust Cleaning.73Section 9: System Features75Air Assist.75Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus.75Image Dithering.77Color Mapping.78Reset Home Position.83Red Dot Pointer.83Movable Home Position.84Center Engraving.85Front Access Door.87Task Plate.87Vector Cutting Table.88Changing the Table.88Vacuum Hold-Down Table.89Integrated Crumb Tray.89Section 10: Optional Features91Pin Table.91Rim-Drive Rotary Attachment.94Optional Lens Assemblies.100PhotoLaser Plus.101Section 11: Upgrading the Operational Firmware109How to Upgrade Your Firmware.109Section 12: Printing From AutoCAD111How to Print from AutoCAD to the Laser.111Section 13: Material Engraving Techniques113Laser Materials/Techniques .1133D Engraving.113Acrylic.114Anodized Aluminum.115Brass - Painted.116Glass.117Notary Seals: Delrin.118Plastic Engraving/Cutting.119Rubber Stamps.120Wood.124- ii -

Table of Contents Section 14: Specifications129Epilog Mini / Helix Laser Technical Specifications.129Compatibility.130Recommended PC.130About The CO2 Laser Source.131Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice.132Section 15: Technical Support133Contacting Technical Support.133Frequently Asked Questions .134Section 16: Material Suppliers137Industry Material Supplier List.137Appendix A: Warranty Statement141Warranty Statement for the Epilog Mini/Helix Laser.141Appendix B: Material Settings143Epilog Mini / Helix Suggested Material Settings .143Index147- iii -

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FIRE WARNING Fire WarningYour laser system uses a high intensity beam of light that can generate extremely high temperatures whenit comes into contact with the material being engraved, marked or cut. Some materials are extremelyflammable and can easily ignite and burst into open flame setting the machine afire. This open flame is very dangerousand has the potential to destroy not only the machine, but the building in which it is housed.Experience shows that vector cutting with the laser has the most potential to create an open flame. Many materials aresusceptible to igniting, but acrylic, in all its different forms, has been shown to be especially flammable when vectorcutting with the laser.Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely at all times! Stay with the laser. Never operate the laser system while unattended. Keep the area clear. Clean around the machine and keep the area free of clutter, combustible materials, explosives,or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline. Be prepared with a fire extinguisher. Always keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher on hand.Epilog recommends a Halotron fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher. The Halotronextinguishers are more expensive than a dry chemical, but offer certain advantages should you ever need to use anextinguisher. The Halotron extinguisher discharges a clean, easily removable substance that is not harmful to themechanics or wiring of the laser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a sticky, corrosive powder that isvery difficult to clean up. Use Air Assist. Always use the system’s Air Assist feature when vector cutting. Use caution when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential to suddenly burst into flames when cut with alaser – even materials that may be very familiar to the user. Always monitor the machine when it is operating. Clean the laser. A buildup of cutting and engraving residue and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard inits own right. Keep your laser system clean and free of debris. Regularly remove the Vector Cutting Table to cleanany small pieces that have fallen through the grid.- 1 -

INTRODUCTIONHow to Use This Owner’s ManualHow to Use This Owner’s ManualThank you for purchasing an Epilog Mini or Helix Laser system. Your Epilog system has been designed to be easy tooperate, but you will utilize it to its fullest potential by taking some time to read this owner’s manual prior to use. You willbe ready to use the Epilog Laser system as soon as you read the first few sections. Then you can refer to topics in theremaining sections, as you work.Icons Used in this ManualLook for these symbols to help you find valuable information throughout the text:Helpful notes to keep in mind when running the laser!This icon signifies advice you can try that will save you significant time.This icon highlights current contact information for receiving help.Warnings and cautions to keep in mind when running the laser.This icon indicates the potential for fire damage when operating the laser.- 2 -

SECTION 1: SAFETYLaser SafetyLaser SafetyThe Epilog Model 8000 Laser System is a Class 2 laser product, as defined in International Standard IEC 60825-1.The Epilog Model 8000 complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11, the Federal Performance Standards for LightEmitting Products, except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated July 16, 2001. The Center for Devices andRadiological Health, of the US FDA, issued Laser Notice No. 50 to permit manufacturers to classify and manufacture theirproducts in accordance with the International Standard.The output of the embedded high-power CO2 engraving laser is fully contained. The laser cabinet has safety interlocksthat turn the laser off if the door is opened during operation, and no special precautions are necessary to operate thehigh-power laser safely. However, the visible output beam of the Laser Diode Pointer (Red Dot Pointer) is accessible tothe operator. While this device employs the sam

Use caution when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential to suddenly burst into flames when cut with a laser – even materials that may be very familiar to the user. Always monitor the machine when it is operating. Clean the laser. A buildup of cutting and engraving residue and debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard in