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24 x 18 LASER SYSTEM

User’s Manual
VERSION 2015.01

Table of Contents
Safety 4

THANK YOU 5
LASER SAFETY 6
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 8
FIRE SAFETY 9
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT 10
Getting Started 11

SETTING UP YOUR LASER SYSTEM 12
PARTS AND ACCESSORIES 13
GET TO KNOW YOUR LASER 14
CONNECTING THE EXHAUST 18
CONNECTING THE WATER PUMP AND
AIR ASSIST COMPRESSOR 19
CONNECTING ELECTRICAL POWER 21

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Quick Start & Setup 22

OVERVIEW 23
80W+ LASER TUBE INSTALL 24
LASER TUBE TEST 28
MIRROR ALIGNMENT 29
FOCUSING 34
QUICK START 35
Troubleshooting 36

Appendix 39

APPENDIX A: ROTARY ATTACHMENT SETUP
40
APPENDIX B: WARRANTY STATEMENT 42

Safety
This section explains safety guidelines to use your laser.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Thank You
Thank you for your purchase of a FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System. It is our wish that this product adds value to your
business or hobby activities for years to come. Please take time to read this manual in its entirety to safely use your
laser to its full potential.

In order to guide you through these documents, we have provided you with these icons:

FIRE WARNING
This fire warning icon calls attention to fire risks that are present while operating the laser.

WARNING & CAUTION
This warning and caution icon are present when special attention to information is required.

USEFUL TIP OR INFORMATION
This icon indicates a useful tip or information that will help you operate more efficiently.

ETHERNET
This icon indicates information related to connecting your laser to your computer using an
Ethernet connection.

Laser Safety
The output of the CO2 engraving laser is fully contained in a Class 1 enclosure during normal operation. The laser
cabinet has a safety interlock switch that deactivates the laser if the door is opened during operation, and no special
precautions are necessary to operate the high power laser safely. However, the output beam of the Alignment Laser
(visible red diode laser) is accessible to the operator during normal operation, giving the total system an overall rating
of Class 3R. While this device employs the same technology as a handheld laser pointer, it is potentially hazardous if
its beam is directed into the eye.
GENERAL OPERATION PRECAUTIONS
The laser operator should observe the following:

•

NEVER operate the machine with any of the panels removed. Be aware that removal of any portion of
the cabinet will expose a Class 4 laser system and greatly increase the risk of injury and/or fire. Personal
injury and fire risks are especially pronounced if the machine is operated with the bottom panel removed.
Remember that the CO2 laser beam is invisible!

•

NEVER engrave or cut any material containing PVC or vinyl. These materials (along with other chlorine/
chloride containing materials) produce a corrosive vapor that is extremely harmful to humans and will
destroy your machine. Your warranty will be void if your machine is damaged by corrosion from engraving
or cutting PVC or vinyl.

•

NEVER engrave or cut any unknown material. The vaporization/melting of many materials, including but
not limited to PVC and polycarbonates, can give off hazardous fumes. Please refer to the MSDS sheet from
the material manufacturer to determine the response of any work material to extreme heat (burning/fire
hazard).

•

NEVER operate your machine unattended. There is a significant risk of fire if the machine is set improperly,
or if the machine should experience a mechanical or electrical failure while operating.

•

ALWAYS use the air assist, especially while vector cutting. Vector cutting movements are relatively slow
and apply an extremely large amount of heat to the work piece. This buildup of heat can cause a significant
fire risk.

•

DO NOT disassemble the machine or remove any of its protective covers while the unit is plugged in.

•

DO NOT defeat the door interlock.

•

DO NOT look into the beam of the Alignment Laser (visible red diode laser)

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

•

DO NOT operate the Alignment Laser without the focus lens in place. The unfocused beam can be reflected
out of the chassis.

•

NEVER operate the machine without a properly operating ventilation system. Most materials produce an
irritating smoke when engraved. Some materials, including but not limited to paint, varnish, composition
board and plastics, produce compounds that can be harmful if concentrated.

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

The standard reference for laser safety is the American Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, Z136.1-2000, developed
by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This reference is the basis for many of the federal regulations
for laser and laser system manufacturers, and for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laser
safety guidelines. It contains detailed information concerning proper installation and use of laser systems. While
the ANSI standard itself does not have the force of law, its recommendations, including warning signage, training,
and the designation of a laser safety officer, may be compulsory under local workplace regulations when operating
laser systems above Class I. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that the installation and operation of the Full
Spectrum Laser Hobby Advanced Laser System is performed in accordance with all applicable laws. Copies of ANSI
Standard Z136.1-2000 are available from:
LASER INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
12424 RESEARCH PARKWAY, SUITE 125
ORLANDO, FL 32826
(407) 380-1553

Electrical Safety
The AC input power to the Full Spectrum P-series laser sytems are potentially lethal and is located on the far right
within the cabinet.

•

DO NOT open any of the machine’s access panels while the unit is plugged in. Opening a
panel may expose the operator to the unit’s AC input power.

•

DO NOT make or break any electrical connections to the system while the unit is turned on.

•

DO NOT access the electronics area with hands or tools unless the unit is disconnected
from power.

The power supply is capable of outputting DC 20,000V at up to 20mA—always make sure to give the supply
capacitors adequate time to discharge before accessing the electronics area. This power is also provided to the
discharge terminals on the laser tube itself. Your laser shipped with silicone terminal covers that prevent access
to bare wiring—notify Full Spectrum Laser support and immediately cease operations if these covers ever slip and
expose bare wire.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Fire Safety
Laser cutting and engraving systems represent a significant fire hazard due to the extremely
high temperatures generated by the laser beam. While the objective of most cutting and
engraving operations is to vaporize material without burning, most materials capable of being
cut or engraved are inherently combustible and can easily ignite. Usually this is a small flame
of burning material issuing from the cut zone which self extinguishes due to the air assist or
de-powering of the beam. However, it is possible for the flame to propagate and set fire to the
machine and threaten its surroundings.
Experience shows that vector cutting with the laser has the most potential to create an open flame. Acrylic in all its
different forms has been shown to be especially flammable when vector cutting with the laser. Please also be aware
that stacking materials (especially organic materials such as paper) can lead to increased risk of flame propagation or
work piece ignition.

Please read the following warnings and recommendations and follow them closely at all times!

•

NEVER leave the laser system unattended during operation.

•

KEEP the area around the machine clean and free of clutter, combustible materials,
explosives, or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline.

•

ALWAYS keep a properly maintained and inspected 5lb or larger fire extinguisher on hand.
Full Spectrum recommends a Halogen fire extinguisher or a multi-purpose dry chemical
fire extinguisher. Halogen extinguishers are more expensive than a dry chemical, but offer
certain advantages should you ever need to use an extinguisher. The Halogen extinguisher
discharges a clean, easily removable substance that is not harmful to the mechanics or
wiring of the laser system. The dry chemical extinguisher discharges a sticky, corrosive
powder that is very difficult to clean up.

•

ALWAYS use air assist when vector cutting.

•

BE CAREFUL when vector cutting. Many materials have the potential to burst suddenly into
flames – even materials that may be very familiar to the user. Always monitor the machine
when it is operating.

•

KEEP YOUR LASER SYSTEM CLEAN – A build up of cutting and engraving residue and
debris is dangerous and can create a fire hazard. Keep your laser system clean and free of
debris. Regularly remove the cutting grid to clean any small pieces that have gotten stuck or
fallen through.

Compliance Statement
The FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System is a class 3R laser product, as defined in International Standard IEC 60825-1.
The FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11, the Federal Performance Standards
for Light-Emitting Products, except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated July 16, 2001. The Center for
Devices and Radiological Health of the US FDA issued Laser Notice No. 50 to permit manufacturers to classify and
manufacture their products in accordance with the International Standard.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Getting
Started
This section guides you to assemble your laser for the first time.

Setting Up Your Laser System
Setup of the FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System usually takes less than 30 minutes, but there are a few things you
will need to take care of before it arrives:

•

Purchase distilled water for cooling the laser. Your laser comes with a pump and tubing for circulating the
water through the tube and back into a reservoir. Please make sure to only use distilled water—neither
filtered nor deionized water will work and tap water will cause deposits that can destroy your tube and
void the warranty.

•

Purchase a container to act as a reservoir for the distilled water. Be sure to check the container regularly
to ensure that the water remains clean and deep enough to cover the pump.

Once your laser has arrived, you will need to do the following to set up your machine:

•

Remove the laser and accessories from the box

•

Connect the exhaust, cooling and air assist systems

•

Remove the zip ties (3) that secure the drive belts during shipping

•

Connect electrical power

•

Connect the laser to your computer using an Ethernet cable

•

Install the latest version of RetinaEngrave (download information can be found in the shipping box)

NOTE
Please do not throw away the laser’s box and packaging, you may need it later.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Parts and Accessories
Your laser shipped with the following included parts and accessories:

DESCRIPTION

QTY

Pro LF laser engraving machine

Exhaust Fan

Exhaust Tubing

Air Compressor

Water pump + tubing

1 set

Honeycomb cutting table and black slat table

1 set

Power Cable

Focus Ruler

Software Download Sheet and QuickStart Guide

#10

Key sets (1 set for ignition and 1 for compartments)

#11

Additional Accessories:
Metal Square for lens removal + Hex Key/Screw Driver + Clamps

2 sets

1 set

Get to Know Your Laser
The following figures will introduce you to the important parts of your FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System

1
7
8
5
2
4
3

MAIN ASSEMBLY
1.

Work area lid with protective window

2. RetinaEngrave CapTouch Control Panel
3. Mirror 2
4. Laser Head
5. X cable carrier
6. Magnetic Safety Interlock Sensor
7.

Emergency Stop (press to engage; twist to release)

8. Main power switch (not shown; right side of machine)
9. Work area base
10. Autofocus plunger

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Knife-edge Table (included)

Honeycomb Table (included)

WORK AREA INTERIOR
1.

X axis drive motor

2. Y cable carrier
2
3

3. Ammeter

REAR INPUTS
1.

AC power input

2. Water inlet

3. Air inlet

4. Water outlet

LASER HEAD ASSEMBLY
1.

Mirror 3

2. Mirror 3 adjustment screw
1

3. Air assist input
4. Air assist nozzle
5. Autofocus plunger

6. Autofocus wiring connection
6

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

DRIVE MOTOR DETAIL
The Y drive motor is located in the front of the machine
work area. It is coupled to the Y axis belts by two axles with
flex couplings. If the laser head crashes, the gantry can be
become misaligned: if this occurs, turn off the machine and
loosen the 4 hex screws on each coupler. Grab the left and
right side of the gantry and adjust it back to a square position. Retighten the hex screws.

Connecting the Exhaust
It is mandatory that the exhaust blower is connected and operating whenever you run a job on your laser. The
exhaust blower removes smoke and fumes from the case and exhausts them to the outside of the building. You
should never operate your laser without a working exhaust.
The exhaust port on your laser is a 6in flange, located on the rear of the unit (shown below). Use flexible metal tubing
to connect the laser system to the exhaust system. Check your system for leaks—most can be remedied with duct
tape.

Exhaust Port

Exhaust Fan and Tubing

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Connecting the Water Pump and Air Assist
Compressor
Your laser uses a water-cooled continuous beam CO2 laser tube. The tube requires a flow of room-temperature
water to regulate the temperature of the resonance chamber. Your purchase includes a water pump for cooling the
laser tube. A low-flow air compressor for vector cutting gas assist is included with all P-Series lasers.

NEVER FIRE THE LASER WITHOUT A CORRECTLY CONNECTED AND POWERED WATER PUMP
OR CHILLER. FIRING THE LASER WITHOUT TURNING THE PUMP ON OR, WORSE, WITH NO
WATER IN THE SYSTEM, WILL SEVERELY DEGRADE OR DESTROY YOUR LASER TUBE AND
VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

WATER PUMP CONNECTION
Please make sure that there are no air bubbles inside of the water jacket of the laser tube. Air bubbles can create
local hotspots in the resonance chamber and reduce the lifetime of your tube. If present, water bubbles typically
migrate to the electrodes on either end of the tube. You should visually inspect the laser tube to make sure that
bubbles are not present; slightly tilting the laser while powering on the circulation pump is usually sufficient to
remove bubbles.
The tube is cooled by a circulation pump. The pump must be submerged in a container of distilled water (distilled
water is available from any grocery chain—most customers use a 5gal paint bucket as the reservoir) with one
of the two provided silicone tubes being connected from its output to the Water Inlet fitting. The other tube is
connected to the Water Outlet fitting and is left to drain back into the reservoir.

WATER CHILLER UPGRADE (OPTIONAL)
The water chiller replaces the water pump. If your laser is shipped with a
water chiller then the pump is normally not included. Unscrew the cap at
the top of the water chiller and fill with water.
The basic radiator style chiller takes approximately 3-5 gallons of distilled
water; the advanced freon chiller requires 1-2 gallons.
The CW-3000 is the basic passive water chiller that we provide. It simply
intakes air at room temperature and keeps the water at such temperatures. It is an active water chiller that uses
Freon and has its own refrigerating system that cools the water. Connect the water OUTLET on the water chiller
to the water inlet of the laser. Connect the water INLET on the water chiller to the water outlet on the laser. Turn
the water chiller on and the water will be flowing. The other buttons on the advanced freon chiller adjust the
temperature and do not need to be adjusted. The ideal temperature for the water is between 55-80 degrees.

AIR ASSIST
Air is used as a pressurized gas to assist in cutting and engraving operations. The
pressurized air is critical to safe and efficient cutting operations as it not only helps
cut through material, but also helps prevent the formation of flames. The air assist
connection is a barbed brass fitting located on the rear of the laser.

THIRD-PARTY AIR ASSIST SYSTEMS
If you choose to attach your laser to a 3rd party air compressor, make sure to use at least one stage of air drying
and air cleaning (5 micron filter recommended) and limit the input pressure to no more than 30psi. Low-quality
compressed air can damage your focus lens.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Connecting Electrical Power
The FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System and available accessories are configured to accept 110VAC at 60Hz by default.
220VAC can be specified and these units connect directly to 220V 50/60 Hz. If you are unsure which voltage was
specified, contact support@fslaser.com
The electrical cord is found among the accessories. The power cord plugs into a C14 power receptacle located on
the right side of the machine in the rear. The laser system itself can be run off of most circuits without modification.
However please be aware that the accessories will increase the circuit load; the most significant power draw usually
comes from the blower/exhaust system. Consult the manufacturer’s information and manual for the operating
parameters of your exhaust system.

NOTE
Power On/Off: the laser’s main power is controlled by a key-lock switch on the front panel, near
the control panel interface. The control system power is controlled by 2 switches: a large red
button (e-stop) located on the front of the unit and a small black rocker switch located on the right
panel in the upper left corner. The e-stop is a normally-open twist to release button. To power the
laser down, simply press the button down until it locks. To power the laser up, twist the button
clockwise according to the indicating arrows on the surface of the button.

Quick Start &
Setup
This section is the next step to ensure that your laser is working properly

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Overview
Now that you have set up your laser and accessories and have installed the control software, the next step is to
ensure that your laser is working properly. The tube test and mirror alignment procedures should take less than
30 minutes and will ensure that your laser is performing optimally. Your laser’s main power is controlled by the
twist-release switch on the top of the case.
The first thing we are going to verify is that your laser tube did not crack during shipping. This should take less
than 2 minutes. The second test will check the mirror alignment and if necessary, adjust the mirrors so they are
once again aligned. The laser’s mirrors are aligned during assembly at our location, however shipping subjects
the laser system to a great deal of vibration which can cause the mirrors to vibrate slightly out of alignment.
These tests require the following tools and materials:

•

Scissors or small wire cutters (for removing axis zip ties.)

•

Thermal paper (This is the same paper that receipts are printed on. Used receipts work.)

•

Masking/painters tape (For taping the thermal paper to mirrors and apertures.)

Before we begin testing the laser, we need to free the motion system from its shipping restraints and remove the
accessories from the work area. The accessories are zip-tied to the front beam attenuator—cut the zip tie and
remove the accessories. The motion system is restrained by 6 zip ties: one on the X axis drive belt, two on each
Y axis drive belt and two securing the head slider. Carefully cut the zip ties, avoiding damage to the drive belts.
The focusing sub-assembly is also restrained by zip ties; they must be cut in order to perform alignment.

80W+ Laser Tube Install
Ensure the laser is powered off before starting this process. Place the tube in the mounts. The end of the tube with
a plastic cap should be facing towards the left(away from the optics). when viewing the machine from the back.
IMPORTANT – Orient (rotate) the tube so that the water inlet is facing down. This will allow air bubbles to escape
and prevent the motor from colliding with the inlet nub on 36x24 and 48x36 models.
Remove the plastic cap and attach the RED wire ring terminal to the left end of the tube with the included screw.
Ensure the screw is tightened firmly and then reinstall the plastic insulating cap. Make sure the cap is pressed on
as far as it will go or there is a possibility of arcing. Ensure there are no kinks in the red laser wire and there are no
breaks in the insulation. The red laser wire conducts 25,000V and must be treated carefully not to arc. Avoid sharp
bends or never put any loops in the red laser wire. Never touch any exposed metal parts or broken parts of the red
laser wire as these will spark out.
The left to right position of the tube is somewhat arbitrary. Use your best judgment to ensure the tube has adequate
clearance from the left wall and the optics on the right. If you have a 120 or 150W tube, your laser likely shipped
with an extension box that fits on the left side of the machine. After getting the tube in the correct position and
orientation, tighten the tube clamps using the allen screws.

Left end of laser tube with red wire and plastic cap
installed correctly.

Right side of the laser tube

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Attach the black wire with the single screw to the right end of the tube as shown. The black wire does not need to
be covered as all the energy is absorbed after passing from the red wire to the laser tube. Point this end toward the
mirrors. Infrared laser light exits this end when activated. The distance between the end of the tube and the first
optic is not crucially important.
After attaching the electrical connections, attach the rubber tubing sections to each end of the laser. These hoses
allow the cooling water to flow from the pump or chiller into the tube’s water jacket. The left end of the tube is the
water input and the right end is the water exit. After installing the water tubes, keep the laser powered off and turn
on your pump or chiller to ensure that water flows through the tube properly and inspect for any leaks.
The tube is now installed properly and ready for use.

Laser tube properly installed

BEAM PATH
The following figures detail the path of the laser beam through the laser’s chassis. The beam path and direction
are defined by the white arrows while the focused beam is denoted by the red arrow.

3
5
4
2
1

Laser tube emission aperture

2. Beam combiner
3. Visible red diode laser mount with adjustment thumbscrews
4. Mirror 1
5. Mirror 1 adjustment thumbscrews

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

WORK AREA: OPTICS SETS 2 AND 3
1.

Optics set 2 (Mirror 2 and adjustment
screws)

2. Optics set 3 (Laser head: mirror 3,
autofocus, focus lens and air assist)

DETAIL OF OPTICS SETS 2 AND 3
1.

Mirror 2

2. Mirror 2 adjustment thumbscrews
1

3. Mirror 3
3

4. Mirror 3 adjustment screws
5. Focus Lens (internal)

Laser Tube Test
In this test we are going to tape a piece of thermal paper between the laser tube aperture and the beam
combiner aperture and then test fire the tube.
1.

Make sure that the proper accessories are attached and engaged (water pump)

2. Open the work area cover.
3. Take a piece of thermal paper and tape between the Beam Combiner and mirror 1 with the sensitive
(shiny) side facing the laser tube output. Alignment is not critical, but make sure that there is a large
enough white space that can capture the beam output; the beam is approximately 5mm in diameter and
will exit from the center of the tube.
4. Close the cover.
5. Place the laser into test fire mode (FS/Z button, toggle until menu reads “Align Mode”.
6. Press the Test Fire button.
7.

A circular black mark with diffuse edges should appear on the thermal paper. If there is interference, the
mark will be occluded and/or have a very sharp edge. If this is the case, your tube is working but has
come out of alignment.

You should hear a ‘click’ and/or see a plasma arc inside the tube (may require more than one button press).
The click is from the power supply switching rapidly on then off for the test pulse. If you observe either of these
actions but no mark on the thermal paper, the paper was most likely reversed or incorrectly placed. If you do not
mark the paper and are not observing a noise during a test fire attempt, it is possible that the cover interlock was
not properly engaged; try shifting the cover or magnet closer to the sensor. If these solutions do not solve the
problem, please contact technical support at support@fullspectrumlaser.com

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Mirror Alignment
Your laser was aligned during assembly and test in Las Vegas—the CO2 beam and Alignment Laser beams were
matched to follow the same path through the mirrors and fire down the center of the focusing head. However,
shipping is a high-vibration environment and it is sometimes necessary to re-align mirrors. Before going through a full
re-alignment process, check and see what the current alignment is:

ALIGNMENT TEST
1.

Take a piece of thermal paper and place it in front of mirror 3, covering the aperture. Tape two edges so that
the paper will stay relatively taut over the hole. Press your finger firmly along the edge of the aperture to
make a mark on the thermal paper to show the aperture’s outline.

2. Jog the laser to the upper left corner.
3. Close the lid and test fire.
4. Observe the location of the mark on the thermal paper.
5. Jog the gantry halfway along the Y axis towards the lower (front) left corner. Test fire and observe the mark
6. Jog the gantry the remainder of the way along the Y axis and test fire at the lower left corner and observe.
7.

The burn mark should be relatively close to the center and should not “walk” after jogging the laser head.

If there was a great deal of variation in the location of the burn marks (more than 2mm of drift) you will need to align
your laser. We recommend first aligning the invisible cutting beam with the visible Alignment Beam—this saves a
great deal of time lost in opening and closing the lid for safe access while firing the laser. The procedure for this is the
following:
ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE
The New 5th Generation Hobby laser has an integrated beam combiner which greatly simplifies beam alignment.
The general procedure is to first align the red beam with the invisible beam then use the red beam as the primary
indicator for alignment.
1.

Put a piece of thermal paper on mirror #1.

2. Press the UNLOCK button on the laser control panel. In the unlocked state, you can move the laser head
around by hand and fire test dots using the TEST FIRE button.
3. Close the lid then press the TEST FIRE button on the laser control panel. A black dot should appear on the
mirror. Check that this dot is round and not clipped. You may need to press the test fire button several times

to get a dot. In the unlikely case the dot is still clipped after multiple test fires, the tube may be sitting at an
angle causing it to hit the beam combiner. Adjust one of the clamps of the laser tube to move the tube down
so it is not clipped by the beam combiner. This should not happen normally unless you changed the tube so
contact FSL tech support for more details.

Not Clipped
ok

Mirror
outline
Laser fire
dot

Clipped by
beam combiner

4. Move the X gantry (the long black bar) down to the lowest Y position as shown in the following picture. Put
a piece of thermal paper on location #2. Fire a test pulse and observe where the black dot appears on the
thermal paper.
5. Without moving the gantry and without touching any of the mirrors, adjust the red dot pointer so that the red
dot overlaps with the black dot. Do this by adjusting the screws that hold the red laser in place.

Revision 2 Diode Mount

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

6. Once the red dot overlaps with the black dot, the red is travelling along the same path as the invisible laser
beam and can be used to align the rest of the laser instead of relying on the invisible black dot.

Adjust beam combiner (BC) screws until
red dot is same height then twist BC
until both overlap
Laser fire
dot
7.

Move the X gantry to the top Y position. Fire another black dot onto the thermal paper. You should now
have two black dots (one from the upper Y position and one from lower Y position). Move the X gantry up
and down and verify that the red dot tracks from one black dot to the other black dot.

8. Move the X gantry to the lowest Y position. The red dot should now overlap with one of the black dots.
Adjust mirror #1 until the red dot is in the middle of the two black dots.

Laser fire
dot from
bottom Y

Adjust mirror until
red dot between
Laser fire
dot from top Y

9. Use a fresh piece of thermal paper and fire a test dot with the X gantry still in the lowest Y position. Move the
X gantry to the top position and fire another test dot. Now the two black dots should be closer together than
in step #6.
10. Move the X gantry back to the lowest Y position. Now adjust the red dot until it moves to the center of the
two black dots.
11. Repeat the process of firing two black dots on the top and on the bottom Y positions and adjusting mirror #1
to move the red dot to the center of the two black dots until the two black dots from the top and bottom Y
positions are centered on top of each other.
The idea is that when the laser is not aligned, you will have two black dots from the test fires in the top and
bottom positions. The red laser pointer is aligned with the invisible laser pointer so gives you immediate
feedback on the mirror adjustment. By adjusting it into the middle of the two black dots, you are splitting the
error difference. Usually after 1 or 2 iterations, the black dots will be exactly on top and this axis is aligned. The
goal is to have the two black dots overlap exactly. IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT THE DOTS BE IN THE CENTER
OF THE MIRROR BUT THEY SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE ON THE MIRROR. Mirror #1 is now aligned.

Adjust mirror until
red dot between

Black dots are
closer
-Move red dot between
two black dots
-Repeat until both on top
12. Once the mirror #1 is aligned, we will adjust mirror #2. Put a piece of thermal paper on mirror #3. Using the
red dot, adjust the mirror until the red laser is somewhere on the mirror.
13. Move the laserhead to the far right position. Fire a test dot here producing a black dot. The red and black
dot may be off slightly because the distance travelled by the laser beams is longer so any small errors are
amplified. Without touching any of the mirrors, adjust the red dot to overlap with the black dot through the
screws on the red laser diode mount or twisting the red laser diode mount.
14. Put on a new piece of thermal paper. Move the laserhead to the far left and fire a black dot. Move the
laserhead to the far right and fire a second black dot.
15. Now you should have two black dots on the thermal paper and the red dot. Verify as you move from the left
side to the right side that the red pointer tracks between the two black dots.
16. Move the laserhead to the far right. The red laser dot should overlap with one of the black dots. Adjusting
only mirror #2, move the red dot between the two black dots.

Laser fire
dot from
far right

Adjust mirror until
red dot between
Laser fire dot
from far left

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

17. Replace with a new piece of thermal paper and fire dots in the far left and far right positions. Again move to
the far right position then adjust the red dot between the two black dots. Repeat until the two black dots are
exactly on top of each other. Mirror #2 is now aligned.
18. Once mirror #2 is aligned, put a piece of thermal paper on top of the lens. Adjust the screws on mirror #3
until the red dot is in the center of the lens. Fire a black dot into the thermal paper.
19. Move the laser head around and verify the red dot does not move away from the black dot anywhere on the
laser bed. The closer you get the dots stationary, the better aligned the laser will be. You can fire black dots
at the 4 corners of the laser bed and verify none of them are more than 2mm away from each other.

Adjust mirror #3
until red dot centered

Congratulations, your laser is now aligned!

Focusing
The laser must always be in focus when in operation. Not only will you not have full power but low power out of
focus laser beams will burn or start fires instead of cutting through materials. Focusing the FSL P-Series 24x18
Laser System is quick and easy. Your laser included a focus ruler sized for the included 2-inch focal length lens.
To focus for engraving or cutting, simply place the ruler on the top of the engraving plane and jog the Z table up
or down until the small notch rests evenly with the flange of the air nozzle (shown below).
As an alternative to the focus ruler, you can use the included autofocus mechanism. Full Spectrum Laser
recommends using the focus ruler to achieve best results. Note that for thin or delicate materials you should
always use the focus ruler.

Using Focus Ruler

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Quick Start
Your FSL P-Series 24x18 Laser System is ready to use if you have read the manual to this point and followed
all of the foregoing instructions. Please remember to use caution while operating the laser and make sure that
all accessories are functioning properly before running any job. The following instructions provide a general
workflow for taking an original design and turning it into a laser cut part:
1.

Create your artwork/design in the software program of your choice (e.g. CorelDraw) or use the Design
View tab of RetinaEngrave.

2. Turn on the machine and accessories and wait for it to find an IP.
3. Once the machine has an IP (approx. 30s), launch RetinaEngrave.
4. Place your piece of sample material on the honeycomb.
5. Focus the laser head onto the sample piece.
6. Close the cover.
7.

From CorelDraw, call up the print menu.

8. Select the “Full Spectrum Engineering” Driver.
9. If the “Pre-flight check” fails, check that both your document page size and printer page size match the
size of the work area, and that no artwork Is outside the boundaries of the page.
10. Once the pre-flight check is clear, continue printing to the software.
11. Your design will be loaded and then rendered by RetinaEngrave under the default raster tab.
12. Once you have set the power levels and layer ordering to your liking, you can run the job. If you plan to
run it often, you can save the project file to a location on your hard drive.

RetinaEngrave3D Software
The latest version of RetinaEngrave3D can be downloaded using your credentials from http://Full Spectrum Laser.
com/resources/software-manual-downloads. This page also has the latest version of the software manual, which
includes installation, setup and use instructions.

Troubleshooting
This section contains a list of potential problems and techniques to solve them

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION
1.

Disengage large red emergency stop safety
switch on front panel. Turn it clockwise to
disengage.

2. Turn ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
Machine and Control

3. Disconnect the flourescent light bulb in case of

panel does not turn on.

any shorts.

The water and magnet swicth are not 1.
activated.

Machine and controi
panel respond, but
cutting beam does not
discharge

Check that the water IN line on the laser is
connected to the water source and the water
flows OUT of the laser

2. Ensure the lid is closed and the black magnetic
switch is being activated by the magnet on the
top lid. It is common for the magnet of the switch
to slip slightly during the shipping. You can
remove the magnet completely from the lid and
place it directly on the black magnet switch. Try
3 positions for the magnet: center, bottom and
top. Often times the magnet switch needs to be
tilted slightly so that one end faces the magnet to
activate.
3. Open Open the back and look for the blue power
supply. This has 2 LEDS. When both the magnet
and the water switch are activated, the YELLOW
led will be lit. This will turn off if you open the lid.
If the YELLOW LED is not lit then either the power
supply is not functional or one of the protection
switches is not activated.
4. The RED led turns on when the laser is activated.
If neither the red nor the yellow LED turn on then
the fuse inside the power supply may have been
blown.

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION
1.

Ensure the laser is focused using the ruler. Always
use the ruler even if you used the autofocus tool

2. Clean mirrors
Power appears low

3. Check alignment

1.
Power is uneven from top
left corner to bottom right
corner (weaker on bottom
right)

Check alignment

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Appendix

APPENDIX A: ROTARY ATTACHMENT SETUP

The rotary attachment requires disconnection of the Y-Axis motor from the motor driver. The attachment
effectively replaces the Y-Axis by rotating the object as the laser fires.
Place the rotary attachment in the machine. Align it parallel with the X axis by dragging the red dot over a
straight object like a label or piece of tape on the bottom. Raise the jack (on the right in the image below) until
the work piece is level. Use a level to check the surface.

Rotary Attachment with Glass Work Piece

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

ROTARY ATTACHMENT CONNECTION
Your rotary attachment ships with a round 4-pin connector that is designed to mate with the Y axis plug on the
right side of the work area (Figure 16). With the power off, unscrew the ring securing the connectors together
and disconnect the motor driver cable. Connect the rotary attachment cable in the same fashion. To reconfigure
the laser for normal operation, simply power off the unit and switch the 4 pin rotary connector with the 4 pin you
created for the Y axis.

Rotary Attachment Connection

Rotary attachment/Y motor electrical connection

2. Y motor wire harness

Rotary Attachment Loose Electrical Connection Detail

APPENDIX B: WARRANTY STATEMENT

Please note that the most current warranty agreement can be found at http://Full Spectrum Laser.com/serviceand-support.
Within the first 30 days, Full Spectrum Laser will replace or repair any defective parts free of charge and pay for
ground shipping of parts. Overnight shipping is available at extra charge.
Outside the first 30 days, Full Spectrum Laser will replace or repair any defective part within the warranty
period free of charge but shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer. The warranty includes
parts and labor only. Shipping of defective and replacement components is excluded by the warranty. The
customer may arrange their own shipping or drop parts off to exchange parts at our warehouse free of
charge. Typically Full Spectrum Laser has most replacement parts on hand for immediate shipment of under
warranty parts.
All defective parts must be returned to Full Spectrum Laser postage paid for evaluation before replacements are
issued unless otherwise authorized. The warranty is valid for normal use only and excludes Acts of God, user
error and use outside of normal parameters. Parts damaged by fires are considered user error if the machine
is left unattended. Just like operating a household gas stove, always stand next to the machine with a fire
extinguisher and be ready to turn it off in case of a fire and never operate the machine unattended.
Prior to 8/7/2012, the extended warranty was charged separately and the Hobby Lasers had a 60 day base
warranty on all items excluding shipping unless an extended warranty was purchased.
After 8/7/2012, the Hobby lasers have a 60 day warranty on all items and a free extended limited 1 year warranty
which excludes consumable items/shipping included in their price.
The limited warranty excludes shipping and consumables and other normal wear and tear items. All electronic
items (control cards, power supplies, motors) and most mechanical items are covered under the extended
warranty unless damaged by abuse/fires. Consumables not covered include, but are not limited to, rubber parts
such as tubing, belts, plastic wheels, lenses, mirrors, other optics, and laser tubes.

P-SERIES 20X12 CO2 LASER USER’S MANUAL

Within the first 30 days the original purchaser may transfer the balance of your warranty to anyone else free of
charge provided you notify us in writing. Outside of the first 30 days, we will only provide warranty and tech
support services to the original purchaser unless a warranty transfer fee is paid as there is a cost involved with
initial tech support of new users and accounting fees. If you sell your machine, the warranty remains valid but
the buyer must arrange with the original purchaser to request RMAs and send in the machine for repairs unless
a warranty transfer fee is paid.

©2015 Full Spectrum Laser LLC
6216 S Sandhill Rd Las Vegas, NV 89120
Phone: (702) 605-0644 • Fax: (650) 215-9917
Technical Support
Phone: (702) 802-3103
Email: support@fslaser.com
Website: http://fslaser.com/support

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