New to this... need all the help I can get

[Neatriab]

Hi everyone...I recently purchased an inexpensive laser unit from a chinese manufacturer. The manufacturer is liaucheng Shenhuil and it is model dc-440III.Comes with Newlydraw software . I am brand new to this. I want to engrave adonized aluminum and acrylic items mostly. My problem is not with the software , but how to line up my job so that my image engraves on the tag. My machine does NOT have a light showing where the laser beam itself is on the material. Can I add some sort of colored light so the beam shows for easier alignment? There are also no units of measurement on the machine itself, so how do I use the "rulers" in newlydraw to align my laser to my item that needs to be engraved? And I need to place my object on something(cheap machine ...no honeycomb grid included). Can I easily purchase materials to make one? There is no instruction manual..at least not one that helps... Ready to start my projects so any help is appreciated.

[zax15uk]

If you are mainly engraving the table does not need to be honeycomb, just a piece of aluminum would be fine.

The rulers in Newlydraw (design section) are unrelated to the output, this is common for plotters and most similar systems. When you select the items to output and send it to the engrave section you can move it around to any location you want. It works very well and is easy once you figure it out.

I would suggest you use 'jigs' for this type of work, create a template of the item (or multiples) and use it for accurate alignment.

Zax.

[Litografa]

Check forum for DIY red dot laser pointer, it was started by notexpert IMHO

[zax15uk]

Adding a red dot pointer helps for certain tasks but for lasering on tags or similar it is better to use a jig setup IMHO

I actually use both methods depending on the job, usually the rulers I fitted to the machine are sufficient and match with Newlydraw for accurate positioning. They also compensate for theta (rotation) better than just a dot for the origin.

Zax.

[Neatriab]

So the jig idea is super simple so that is what I will begin with. As I begin to take on new projects, The red light will have to come into play. I also faceted some rulers to the machine. Between the jigs, the rulers and the templates it is all starting to line up. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Im sure more post to come!

[bpoulin]

I have found for dog tag type of tags, jigs made out of 1/8" hardboard work really great, first I'll vector cut out the dog tag outline, then the tags just drop right into the jig.

[zax15uk]

I make my tag jigs from 'foamies', super fast and cheap. I usually decal cut one layer and have another as the backing, I do multiples so I can have another panel of tags setup ready to replace. I've engraved literally thousands like this, for companies and charities.

Zax.

[bpoulin]

Zax what are foamies? And how much do they cost? I get a 4'x8' sheet of hardboard for under $7

[zax15uk]

Search for 'craft foam sheets' or 'fun foam sheets', foamies is a brand name I believe.

For a larger machine your material is probably the best choice, but for the desktop engraver these are ideal. They come in various sizes, the largest I've seen are about 16" x 22".

I use the smaller sheets as they fit perfectly in my machine, 60 sheets for $1.

Zax.