Dremel DIGILAB LC40 Operating/safety Instructions Manual

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Page 1

IMPORTANT

Read Before Using

Operating/Safety Instructions Consignes d’utilisation/de sécurité Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad

IMPORTANT

Lire avant usage

IMPORTANTE

Leer antes de usar

DIGILAB LC40 Laser Cutter

P.O. Box 081126 Racine, WI 53408-1126

Call Toll Free for Consumer Information & Service Locations

Pour obtenir des informations et les adresses de nos centres de service après-vente, appelez ce numéro gratuit

Llame gratis para obtener información para el consumidor y ubicaciones de servicio

1-844-4DRML3D (1-844-437-6533) www.dremel.com

For English Version

See page 2

Version française

Voir page ??

Versión en español

Ver la página ??

Page 2

Safety Symbols

The definitions below describe the level of severity for each signal word. Please read the

manual and pay attention to these symbols.

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION, used with the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in minor or moderate injury.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

General Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Laser Cutter Safety Warnings . . . . . . .4-5

Additional Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . .5

Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

FCC and IC Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Information on Intellectual Property . . . . .7

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

Material Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-13

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Tools & Supplies Needed for Setup . . . .13

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Getting to Know Your Laser Cutter . .16-18

LCD Touch Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-38

Laser Control Software . . . . . . . . . . .39-44

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45-60

Locate & Cut Zip Ties . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Install Honeycomb Sheet . . . . . . . . . . .46

Remove Camera Lens Cap . . . . . . . . . .46

Attach Water Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Attach Air Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Attach Hex Box™ Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Attach Exhaust Shroud . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Exhaust Connection . . . . . . . . . . . .50-55

Attach Power Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Test GFCI Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Turn On the Laser Cutter . . . . . . . . . .57

Get Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Fill Hex Box™ with Distilled Water . . . .58

Connect a Computer to the

Laser Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Network Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60-61

Tests & Alignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62-69

Mirror Alignment Overview . . . . . . . . .62

Tools & Supplies Needed for

Tests & Alignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

4 Corner Mirror Alignment Test . . .63-64

Mirror Alignment Procedure . . . . . .65-69

Tube Guard Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Operating the Laser Cutter . . . . . . . .71-81

Prohibited Uses & Restrictions . . . . . .71

Create a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82-84

Shipping & Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Serviceable Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Firmware and Open Source Software . . .87

Dremel Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Page 3

GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications

below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered

or dark areas invite accidents.

Do not operate laser cutter in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Laser

beam may ignite the dust or fumes.

Set up and operate the laser cutter in a wellventilated area. Place laser cutter on flat nonflamm able surface and away from flammable material. Provide at least 8 inches of unobstructed spacing around laser cutter to allow ventilation. Laser cutters may create

fumes that irritate eyes and airways. Obstructing airflow into or out of laser cutter may result in serious personal injury.

Always use a properly configured, installed, maintained, and operating fume/smoke exhaust system as recommended by the manufacturer when operating the laser cutter. Caustic fumes and smoke from the

cutting and en gra ving process mus t be extracted from the laser system and exhausted outside or properly filtered to reduce the risk of personal injury.

Always keep a properly maintained and inspected fire extinguisher in the area.

Typically, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) chemical fire extinguishers should be used.

Laser cutters must be operated only by persons familiar with their operation and manufacturer’s instructions. Operation of

laser cutters by persons unfamiliar with their operation and manufacturer’s instructions can result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Do not allow unsupervised children and bystanders to interact with the laser cutter while it is operating. Persons unfamiliar with

the operation of the laser cutter may change its setup, which may increase the risk of electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Laser cutter plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use an y adapte r pl ugs w ith earthed (grounded) laser cutters. Unmodified plugs

provided with this laser cutter. Failure to follow all instructions listed

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Work Area Safety

and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.

While operating the laser cutter, avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipe s, ra diators , ran ges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of

electric shock if y our body is eart hed or grounded.

Do not expose laser cutters to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a laser cutter may

increase the risk of electric shock.

Before every operation of a water-cooled laser cutter, make sure that the coolant connections and laser tube are leak-free.

Water leaks may increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the laser cutter. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or movi ng parts . Damaged o r

entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not opera te laser cutter s in damp location s. U se of lase r cutters in damp

locations may increase the risk of electric shock.

Personal Safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a laser cutter. Do not use a laser cutter while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or me dication. A mome nt of

inattention while operating laser cutters may result in serious personal injury.

Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection appropriate for class of laser engraver. Protective equipment such as

heat and cut resistant gloves used when work pieces are hot or have sharp edges will reduce personal injuries.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing

Electrical Safety

or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving pa rts. Loose

clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

Be careful removing work pieces from the laser cutter. Cutting with a laser increases

Page 4

GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS

the temperature of the work piece and the temperature of the work piece may remain high after laser cutter stops operating.

Touching hot work pieces before they cool down may result in burns.

Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of laser cutters allow you to become complacent and ignore laser cutter safety principles. A careless action can cause severe

injury within a fraction of a second.

Laser Cutter Use and Care

Prevent idle laser cutter from being used by children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the laser cutter or these instructions to operate the laser cutter. Laser cutters can be

dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

Maintain l aser c utt ers. C hec k for misalignment or binding of moving parts,

LASER CUTTER SAFETY WARNINGS

Never expose yourself

to the laser beam since it ma y ca u se physica l bu r ns a n d ca n cause severe eye damage. Proper use and

care of this laser cutter system are essential to safe operation.

Neve r o per ate the lase r cut ter syst em without constant super v i s i o n of th e cutting and engraving process. Exposure

to the laser beam may c ause ignit ion of combustible materials and start a fire.

Never use PVC or other nonconductive duct materials for the exhaust system.

Static charges may build up and may cause a risk of fire or explosion.

Alway s use fire r ate d rigid or flex ible metal or metalized ducting in the exhaust system. Non-fire rated exhaust ducting may

increase the risk of fire.

Always inspect the exhaust fan and duct work for obstructions and ensure proper air flow exists before each use .

Unobstructe d and properly maintained exhaust fan and duct work will reduce the risk o f fire and effecti vely extract caustic fumes and smoke.

breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the laser cutter’s operation. If damaged, have the laser cutter repaired before use. A poorly maintained laser engraver

may result in a risk of shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Use the laser engraver in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the laser engraver for

operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Service

Have yo ur laser cutter serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the

safety of the laser cutter is maintained.

Never engrave or cut any unknow n material. Only e n g r av e mat e r i a l s recommended by the manufacturer. The vaporization/melting of many materials, in c l uding b u t no t li m i ted to PV C an d polycarbonates, can give off hazardous fu mes. Alwa ys refer to the Sa fety Data

Sheet (SDS) from the material manufacturer to deter m i n e the r e s p o nse of any w o r k material to extreme heat (burning/fire hazard) to prevent hazards.

Always use th e air assist as recommended b y t h e m a n u f ac t u r e r, especially wh i l e c u t t i n g . C u tt i n g movements are relatively slow and apply an extremely large amount of heat to the work piece. Avoid the build-up of heat in

order to reduce the risk of fire.

Keep the i n t e r i o r of t h e laser c u t t e r, including the table tray, clean and free of debris. Clean the laser. A build-up of cutting

and engra v i n g r e s i du e a nd d e br i s is dangerous and may increase the risk of fire.

Never look into the beam of the alignment laser. Eye injury can result.

Page 5

LASER CUTTER SAFETY WARNINGS

Never operate the alignment laser without

he focus lens or other optical elements of

t laser cutter in place. The unfocused beam

may b e refl ect ed o ut of the c hassis and increase the risk of eye injury.

Do not operate the laser machine with any of the panels removed. Remember that the laser beam is invisible! Exposure of the

laser beam will greatly increase the risk of injury and/or fire.

Before using the laser machine, test the grou nd fault circ uit inte rru pte r ( GFC I) provided with the supply cord to insure it is operating correctly. A properly operating

GFCI reduces the risk of electrical shock.

Do not attempt to modify or defeat the safety interlock system for any reason.

This could result in exposure to hazardous laser radiation.

Do not use laser cutter with extension cords. The GFCI on the machine power cord

will not prevent electrical shock from the extension cords.

Always use provided work piece support structure. Fabrication without honeycomb

support may lead to fire or release of stray radiation.

Do not use irregularly shaped work piece.

Risk of stray radiation or fire.

Do not stack work pieces. Stacking work

ieces increases the risk of fire.

Us e onl y reco m m e n ded ac c essories.

Follow i n s t ru c t i o n s that a c c o m p a ny accessories. Use of improper accessories may cause hazards

Ensure tools and parts such as spacer puck, wrench, debris, etc. are removed from the honeycomb plate before starting a laser job. Objects or debris may interfere

with th e laser he ad and le a d to st r a y radiation or risk of fire.

Do Not Block exhaust fan. VOCs created by the l a s e r en g r a v e r pro c e s s must be properly vented to help prevent personal injury.

This product is provided with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) built into the power cord plug. If replacement of the

plug or cord is needed, use only identical replacement parts.

Do not try to clean exhaust ducting. The high co nc e n t ra t i on of partic l e s may become airborne and create inhalation exposure.

Do not spill water on the Hex Box™ unit.

Damage to electronics may occur.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNINGS

Use of controls or

adjustm e n t s or pe r f o rmance of pro c e dures o t h er th an those s p e c i f i e d h e r ei n may re s u l t i n hazardous radiation exposure.

Do not tap o r scra t c h

LCD scre en with sha rp objects. T h e LCD sc r e e n may be c o m e

damaged.

Do not m ove th e laser

head b y h a n d wh e n locked. Moving a locked laser head by hand

may result in damage to the gantry system.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Use care when removing the tube guard. The LED

lights may be damaged by contact with tube guard edges.

Never remove the

mirrors for cle a n i n g !

Take extra caut i o n t o n o t m o v e t h e orientation of the mirrors as this will affect laser beam alignment and would require time intensive laser beam realignment.

Page 6

SYMBOLS

IMPORTANT: Some of the following symbols may be used on your LC40. Please study

them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to

perate the tool better and safer.

Symbol Designation / Explanation

Volts (voltage)

Amperes (current)

Hertz (frequency, cycles per second)

Diameter

Alternating current (type or a characteristic of current)

Alerts user to read manual

Earthing terminal (grounding terminal)

Warns of laser radiation. Avoid direct eye exposure. Class 3R laser

product.

Warns of high voltage. Contact with high voltage can cause death or

serious injury.

This fire warning icon calls attention to fire risks that are present while

operating the laser.

This symbol designates that this tool is listed by Underwriters

Laboratories, to United States and Canadian Standards.

Page 7

FCC AND IC COMPLIANCE

FCC COMPLIANCE

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to pr o v i d e rea s o n a b l e protecti o n agains t harmful i n t e rf e r e nc e in a r e s id e n t ia l in stal lati o n. Thi s equip ment ge nera t es, us e s , and c a n radiat e radio f r e q u e n c y ener gy and, if not inst alled and used in ac c o r d ance w i t h th e ins t r u c tions, may cause h a rm f u l inte r f e r e n c e to r ad i o co m m u n ication s . How e v e r , th e r e is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televis i o n r e c e pt i o n, w hi c h ca n b e determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• R e o r i e n t o r re lo c a te t he r ec e i v in g

antenna.

• Incr e ase the se p arat i on b e twee n th e

equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on

INFORMATION ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Con sul t t he deale r o r an e xpe rie nce d radio/TV technician for help.

Changes and Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer or registrant of this equipment can void your authority to op e r a t e this e q u i p m e n t under Federal Communications Commission’s rules.

INDUSTRY CANADA (IC)

This device complies with Industry Canada’s licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause interference;

and

(2) T h i s dev i c e must accept any

interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

The device meets the exemption from the routine evaluation limits in section 2.5 of RSS 102 and compliance with RSS-102 RF exposur e , us er s can ob t a i n Can a d i a n informa t i o n on RF e xp o s u re and compliance.

Th e Dr e m el LC 40 is in t ended for las e r cutting / e n g r a v i ng material s to cr ea t e objects using digital files and digital designs that you create or own, or have the right to use when you operate the Dremel LC40. When cutting/engraving materials to create objects using the Dremel LC40, it is your responsibi lity to e nsure that you do not infringe any third party intellectual property right s or v iola te a ny applic abl e laws or regulat i o n s , s u c h a s U . S . o r f o r ei g n intellectual property laws.

The Dremel LC40 may not be used to create objects using digital files or digital designs protected by intellectual property rights owned by third parties without such third parties’ permission to use such digital files or digital designs for the creation of such objects. Using the Dremel LC40 to do any of the following, which are provided to you as examples and must not be viewe d as an exhaustive list, may require the permission of third parties: to create a duplicate or

facsimile (in whole or in part) of any digital de sign not ow n ed b y yo u, t o cr eate an object from a digital file you do not own, or to make an object from a scan of a physical object that you did not create. It is your responsibility to obtain such permission. In some cases, you may not be able to obtain such permission. Where such permission cannot be obtained, you must not create such objects. You must not modify, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Dremel LC40, except as pe r m it t e d by applicable law.

If you use the Dremel LC40 in any way other than as rec omm ended and describ ed in these Operating/Safety Instructions, you do so at your own risk. Using the Dremel LC40 to m a k e obj e c t s that i nf r i n ge any intellectual property rights owned by third pa r ties cou l d result in civ il o r cr i mina l prosecution and penalties, and you could be liable f o r m o n ey d am a g e s, f in e s , o r imprisonment.

Page 8

SPECIFICATIONS

LASER SYSTEM

Laser Type: Sealed CO2 Laser Tube

Laser Power: 40W

Laser Classification: IEC 60825-1 Class 3R

Beam Size: 6.5 mm diameter @ 1.2 m

Working Current: 20mA

Wavelength: 10.6 μm

LASER CUTTER WEIGHT & DIMENSIONS

Dimensions: 32” x 20” x 8.25” (812.5 mm x 508 mm x 209.55 mm)

Weight: 63.3 lbs (28.7 kg) (without Hex Box™ or accessories)

Shipping Weight: 100 lbs (45 kg)

HEX BOX™ WEIGHT & DIMENSIONS

Dimensions: 7.25” x 11” x 7.25” (184 mm x 279 mm x 184 mm)

Weight: 10 lbs (4.5 kg)

Total Water Capacity: 35 oz (1 liter)

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

LC40 input rating: 120V, 60Hz, 6 A

Hex Box™ rating: 12V DC, 4.7 A

SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

Compatibility: Mac & PC

•Apple® Mac® OS® X v10.9 or later

(Mavericks)

•Microsoft® Windows® 10

•Microsoft® Windows® 8.1

•Microsoft® Windows® 7 SP1

Browser Compatibility: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, & IE

Min Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixels

Ability to Connect Through Network (Ethernet or Wireless) without Internet Connection

Wireless connection frequency: 2.4 GHz

OPERATING CAPACITIES

Engraving Area: 18.4” x 12” (467 mm x 304.8 mm)

Cutting Area: 20” x 12” (508 mm x 304.8 mm)

Max Engraving Height: 1.25” (32 mm)

Max Cutting Height: ¼” Wood and Acrylic (6 mm)

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Recommended Environmental Temperature: 60-85F (16-29C)

Sturdy, flat, and level workspace that holds weight of the Laser, material, and Hex Box™.

For indoor use only.

Page 9

10” (254mm) Min.

8”

(203mm)

Min.

8”

(203mm)

Min.

WALL

30”

(762mm)

Laser Cutter

8”

(203mm)

Min.

8”

(203mm)

Min.

Hex Box™

SPECIFICATIONS

LASER CUTTER & HEX BOX™ CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Page 10

MATERIAL USAGE

Table 1

Acrylic

†

LC40 Commonly Used Materials

Aluminum, anodized

Plywood*

†

Cork

Cardboard

Cotton fabric

* Must be California 93120 Phase 2 & TSCA Title VI compliant for formaldehyde

Table 2

ABS

Beryllium oxide

Carbon

Chlorinated plastics

Coated carbon fiber

Coated materials

Epoxy based or phenolic resins

Fiberglass

Fluorine based plastics:

PTFE (Teflon) Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)

Galvanized metal

HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene)

Leather, Artificial or Treated

Materials containing:

• Astanine

• Bromine

• Chlorine

• Fluorine

• Formaldehyde (including wood)

• Flame-retardants

• Halogens

• Iodine

Mirrored surfaces

†

Birch Plywood and Acrylic are available from Dremel.

LC40 Prohibited Materials

Denim fabric

Felt (wool)

Glass

Leather, unstained

Maple, solid

Mat board

Nylon

Painted material, varnished materials

Particleboard, paneling

Polycarbonate

Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name of Neoprene)

Polypropylene foam, Polypropylene sheet

Polystyrene foam

Polyurethane, Polyurethane foam

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Found in many common products such as but not limited to; flooring, siding, piping, roofing membranes, credit cards, toys, flexible tubing.

POM Delrin/acetyl.

Rubber

Styrofoam

Wood that has been:

• Coated

• Fumigated

• Pressure treated

• Stained

Oak, solid

Paper

Rubber, laser grade

Walnut, solid

While the LC40 can cut and etch a variety of materials, some materials such as most metals, cannot be marked and will give less than desirable results. Other materials may not have acceptable finish quality.

Page 11

RESOURCES

Resource Description Location

Quick Start Guide

Provides an illustrated walkthrough of how to un-box the laser cutter and start a job.

Printed version is located in the box with the laser cutter. It is also available on digilab.dremel.com/support/ laser-support

Laser Cutter LCD Interface

Dremel LC40 Control Software

Dremel Website

DigiLab Website

Dremel Customer Support

Term Definition

Air Assist

Provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the laser cutter. Also allows control of the laser head, run recent jobs, and adjust machine settings.

Provides the interface for setting up, saving, and sending cutting and engraving jobs to the laser cutter.

Access project inspiration and downloads, Dremel product information, and customer support.

Access information about Dremel DigiLab products, education projects, and more.

Contact Dremel for product support, maintenance, and service.

Air delivery system that helps to control flareups. Air is supplied by the Hex Box™.

On the laser cutter machine

Enter the IP address of the laser cutter into the browser.

dremel.com

digilab.dremel.com

1-844-437-6533 dremel.com/digilab-support

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Alignment Laser

Auto Array

.bin File

Cut

Design Software

An additional laser diode whose beam results in a red dot that is used to help align the mirrors.

A software function that creates a grid of the desired size by repeating the selected image.

A binary file format used to save and load workspace projects to and from a computer.

Also called "vector", used for cutting through work piece. This function requires a vector, or line file to execute.

Graphics editing software used to create and manipulate images for laser cutting and engraving.

Page 12

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Engrave/Etch

Exhaust Hose

Exhaust Shroud

Exhaust Port

Firmware

Greyscale

Hex Box™

Honeycomb Plate

Job A project that is sent to the laser for fabrication.

Laser Head

LC40 Control Software

Function, also called "raster", used to darken or remove the surface of a material, rather than cut through it. This function requires an image file to execute.

Duct that is connected to the laser cutter unit to vent byproducts outside or into a filtration unit or to outside ventilation.

A metal tubing connection that is screwed onto the rear of the laser cutter unit over the exhaust vent fan.

An opening on the rear of the laser unit that allows the vent fan to draw air out of the workspace.

Software that is embedded on the computer hardware of the laser cutter and controls its operation. Updates to the firmware will be provided by Dremel and applied to the laser cutter directly over the internet.

Also called "dither", takes a black and white image and assigns different densities of dots to visually create a number of different shades of grey. Darker areas of the image will have more dots, while lighter areas will have less dots.

A separate and interconnected part of the laser cutter system that integrates the water circulation and air assist functions of the laser cutter.

An aluminum tray that rests on the bed and supports the work piece as it is cut and engraved.

An assembly of components, including a mirror, lens, and cone, which the laser passes through before making contact with the material.

The laser control software that is provided on the machine and accessed by a computer through the network connection.

Laser Tube A glass tube located at the rear of the laser unit that generates the laser beam.

Lens

Material The substance of which the work piece or work is composed.

Material Library

Mirrors

Project

Raster Digital art composed of horizontal and vertical rows of pixels.

Score

Spacer Puck

A glass lens in the laser head that focuses the beam of the laser for optimal cutting and engraving.

A listing of materials for which suggested laser settings are predefined in the Dremel LC40 Control Software.

A set of mirrors that direct the laser beam of the laser from the tube to the work piece.

A planned piece of work created in the Dremel LC40 Control Software which can be sent to the laser engraver as a job.

Function used to make a mark on the surface of the material when you want to emphasize the outline of text or an object

A small cylinder that is placed between the work piece and laser head to assist in focusing the laser.

Page 13

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Touch Screen Touch activated full color display.

Vector Art

Vent Fan A fan located in the exhaust port that helps draw air out of the workspace.

Work piece

Workspace

X-Axis Guide Rails

Y-Axis Guide Rails

Art created using vector illustration software programs, such as Adobe Illustrator

Also called "work" or "material". It is the object to be cut or engraved with the laser.

a) The area inside of the laser unit that is open for work piece placement and the movement of the laser head. b) A screen in the Dremel LC40 Control Software where a job is created. It provides a graphical representation of the intended job and its position relative to the general boundaries of the laser working area.

A set of rails at the rear of the laser bed that allow movement of the laser head to the left or right side of the workspace.

A set of rails on either side of the laser bed that allow movement of the laser head to the front or rear of the workspace.

or Corel Draw®.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the world of Dremel Digilab. Our mission is to mentor you through the digital fabrication process and share best practices for bringing your ideas to life.

Lase r c ut ti ng and e n gr a vi ng are proc e s s e s that wi l l invok e expe r i m e nt at io n a n d pe r s i s te nc e. Thankfully, the Dremel experts are here to make your job easier with online tips, documentatio n, and live support. T he Drem e l L a s e r C u t te r b r i ng s ro b u st func t i o n al it y such as n e t w or k connectivity, recommended settings for

co mmon ly used materi als, and mul tisensor checks. To get started with the La s e r Cutter fol l o w the in i tial se t u p routine on the touch screen to guide you through the hardware and software setup of the machine.

You can register your Laser Cutter and crea t e a user profi l e by goi n g to dremel.com/support/product-registration. Your profile gives you access to a variety of laser projects and support. Once setup and regi stratio n is complete , you are ready to start making.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR SETUP

Distilled Water Funnel Scissors Screwdriver

Page 14

UNPACKING

Box 2

Tote Bag & Box 1

LC40

1 2

3 4

Box 3

Straps

Two pers o n l i f t

laser cutter alone may result in personal

requ i r e d .

injury.

Lifting the

Crea te a wor kst ation. Prep are a fl at, sturd y tab l e or work b e n c h t h a t c a n support the weight of the Laser and Hex Box™. The workstation should be close to an e le c tr ic a l ou t l e t an d allo w for necessary ventilation described in the SETUP sectio n "Exhaust Connec tions" page xx.

Open the top of the box.

1. R e mo ve Re u s a bl e T o t e B a g f r o m packaging and pull out box 1. Open lid to reveal the project sample material and the Honeycomb Plate.

2. Remove Instructional Manual, Water Hoses, Air Tube, Screws, Hex Box™ Cap, Hex Key W rench, S pacer Puck from box 2.

3. R e mo ve f oa m t o rev e a l t he La s e r Cutter. Use two people to lift Laser Cutter out of box by straps and place on workstation. After the Laser Cutter has been taken out of the box, hook straps to the Reusable Tote Bag. DO NOT CUT STRAPS.

4. Open the lid of the Laser Cutter to reveal box 3 with Hex Box™, Exhaust Duct, and Exhaust Shroud.

Note: Sav e the D remel Digi Lab Las er Cutter packaging for future transport and storage.

Page 15

KIT CONTENTS

DIGILAB LC40 Laser Cutter

For English Version

See page 2

Version française

Voir page 37

Versión en español

Ver la página 73

IMPORTANT

Read Before Using

IMPORTANT

Lire avant usage

IMPORTANTE

Leer antes de usar

1-844-4DRML3D (1-844-437-6533) www.dremel.com

P.O. Box 081126 Racine, WI 53408-1126

Operating/Safety Instructions Consignes d’utilisation/de sécurité Instrucciones de funcionamiento y seguridad

Call Toll Free for Consumer Information & Service Locations

Pour obtenir des informations et les adresses de nos centres de service après-vente, appelez ce numéro gratuit

Llame gratis para obtener información para el consumidor y ubicaciones de servicio

The LC40 laser cutter is shipped with the following included parts and accessories:

Reusable Tote Bag Project Sample

Material

Operating/Safety

Instructions

Ethernet

Cable

(2) Hose Clamps Hex Box™

Connector Cord

Honeycomb Plate Quick Start Guide

Water Hose

(1 blue & 1 clear)

Hex Box™

Air Tube

(black)

Hex Keys

Water Tank Cap

Lens Cleaning Wipes Spacer Puck Alignment Paper Laser Cutter

Hex Box™ Exhaust Hose Exhaust Shroud

Page 16

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LASER CUTTER

21 3

Fig. 1

LC40 Laser Cutter

1. Lid

2. Touchscreen

3. Start Button

4. USB Port (for service only)

5. Ethernet Port

6. LED Lights

7. Laser Tube Shroud

8. Honeycomb Plate

9. Gantry

10. Mirror 1

11. Beam Combiner Lens

12. Mirror 2

13. Laser Head a. Mirror 3 b. Focus Lens c. Air Nozzle

d. Laserhead Knob e. Wide Angle Camera

14. Power Switch

15. Power Cord

16. Hex Box™ Power Outlet

17. Air Inlet

18. Exhaust Shroud

19. Water Outlet

20. Water Inlet

Hex Box™

21. Water Tank Cap

22. Water Tank

23. Power Inlet

24. Air Outlet

25. Water Outlet

26. Water Inlet

Page 17

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LASER CUTTER

”

8 9

Fig. 2

Page 18

’

’E

18 19 2017

’

Fig. 3

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LASER CUTTER

REAR VIEW OF LASER CUTTER

REAR VIEW OF HEX BOX™

Fig. 4

Page 19

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

192.168.1.115 v1.0.0

LASER

HOME

JOG SPEED

FAST

TEST FIRE

OME JOB HISTORY TOOLS NETWORK

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Do not tap or scratch LCD screen with sharp objects. The LCD screen may become damaged.

The LC40 touch screen allows control of the basic functions of the laser without the need to connect to a computer.

St a t u s Ba r — D i s p l a ys in f o rmation about selected conditions of the LC40.

Menu Bar — D ispla ys the icon s a nd names of the Touch Screen menus.

Co ntr o l I n ter face — Inform atio n or additional action pertaining to selected menu item.

IP Address — A unique number used to connect t h e L a s er C u tt e r over a network to a web browser.

Firmwar e Ve r s i o n — Di sp l a ys th e currently installed firmware version.

Page 20

HOME JOB HISTORY TOOLS NETWORK

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

Status Bar

Status Icon Name What it means

Ethernet

Wireless

Water

Cooling

Vent

Fan

Air

Assist

Lid WHITE: Lid is closed. RED: Lid is open.

Note: Water Cooling. Vent Fan and Air Assist icons will only update in real time. (When the Hex Box is activated by the LC40).

Menu Bar

LC40 is connected to a computer or a network router via Ethernet Port. The icon will disappear when there is no Ethernet connection.

LC40 is connected to a computer or network router via wireless. The icon will disappear either when there is no wireless connection or when the Ethernet icon is active. When LC40 is connected with both Ethernet and Wireless, only the Ethernet icon will display.

WHITE: Cooling system functioning normally. RED: Cooling system needs attention.

WHITE: Vent fan functioning normally. RED: Vent fan needs attention.

WHITE: Air assist functioning normally. RED: Air assist needs attention.

HO M E — Acc e ss to la ser h e a d po sitio n controls and to test fire the laser.

JOB HISTORY — Lists previously run jobs and provides option to re-run them.

When necessary, the LCD touch screens will offer options to return to the previous screen or advance to the next screen.

Tap to return to previous screen.

Tap to proceed to the next screen.

TOOLS — Information about the unit and settings.

NETWO RK — Inf orma tio n and acces s to network connection settings.

Page 21

HOME > UNLOCKED

192.168.1.115 v1.0.0

LASER HOME

JOG SPEED

FAST

TEST FIRE

HOME JOB HISTORY TOOLS NETWORK

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

LASER HOME – Moves the laser head back to its origin location. Button will flash when homing is necessary.

JOG SPEED – Toggles between fast and slow laser head movement speed. Fast is default speed.

TEST FIRE – Enable the laser to fire for a sh o r t period to identi f y its lo c a t i o n relative to the material.

Directional Arrows

Moves the la ser hea d in di rect ion of arrow.

Laser Head Locked (default)

Do not move the laser

head b y hand w h e n

locked. Moving a locked laser head by

hand may result in damage to the gantry system.

A cl osed lock icon indicat es that the lase r head is loc ked and c an only be move d us in g th e di re ct io n al ar r o w buttons.

Pres s i n g the l o ck butt o n toggl e s between locked or unlocked laser head setting.

Page 22

192.168.1.115 v1.0.0

ASER

OME

OG SPEED

AST

EST FIRE

HOME JOB HISTORY TOOLS NETWORK

HOME > LOCKED

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

Laser Head Unlocked

An open lock icon indicates th at the laser head can be moved by hand.

Note: When Laser Head is unlocked the Dire cti onal Arrows and Speed v irtual buttons are nonfunctional.

JOB HISTORY

This tab displays jobs received by the laser cutter.

As received from the factory, this list is empty. The Factory Reset opt io n will clear J ob His to ry . Job creation is explained in the Software Section.

Once a job is sent from the software to the laser, it will appear in the job history tab.

NAME — the name of project job(s) within the Job History list.

RUN TIME — required time to complete project.

Tap to preview the job and open the submenu for the job.

Page 23

JOB HISTORY

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

This screen displays options for the Job selected from the list.

DELETE – Delete files from the Job History list.

RUN PERIMET E R – Exec u t e s t h e r u n perimeter.

NEXT – Changes the text to LOADING. The Job will prepare to start.

Note: If a job is rerun, the system safety checklist will appear (see page XX Operation Screens).

Page 24

TOOLS > MENU SCREEN

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

This screen displays available tools for mangement of the laser cutter.

ABOUT — Displays laser cutter information su c h as m o d e l nu m b e r , se r i a l nu m b e r , firmwar e versio n , usag e , and ne tw o r k information.

FACTORY RESET – Remove all information stored o n L C40 and r etu rn it to fact ory defaults.

SETTINGS – Shows language and display settings.

HELP - Displays service menu with customer service contact information.

TUTORIALS – Displays short tutorials on operation of the laser.

TEST FILES – Displays and allows execution of test files to verify proper operation of the laser.

UP D A T E SER V I C E – D i s p l ays av a i lable service updates from Dremel. Updates are pushed to t h e unit a n d cann o t be re q u e s t e d . The u s e r has t h e option to accept or ignore the update.

LI CEN S ES – Displ ays the lists of OP EN SOURCE software licenses associated with the unit.

PR I V ACY P O LICY – Di s plays a w e bsite address for further detail s on Dremel privacy policy.

Page 25

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

TOOLS > ABOUT THIS DEVICE

TOOLS > FACTORY RESET

This sc ree n disp lay s l aser cutt er hardw are and software information.

MODEL NUMBER — Displays unit model number.

SERIAL NUMBER — Displays unit serial number.

FIRMWAR E NUMBE R — Dis p l a y s th e curre n t l y installed firmware version.

USAGE — Displays total hours of time that jobs have been run.

WIRED IP — Displa y s Et h e rn e t IP ad d r e s s , if connected.

WIRELESS I P — D is plays IP address assigned b y wireless router.

MAC ADDRESS — Displays unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller.

FCC ID — Displays FCC ID

IC ID — Displays IC ID

This screen allows for verification of factory reset selection.

BACK – Tap to can cel factory rese t a nd return to Tools > Menu Screen.

RESET – Tap to perform factory reset.

NO TE - T he fol lo win g act ions o ccu r when F act or y Re se t i s performed:

• EULA screen will appe ar on next power up and needs to be accepted.

• Country and Language selection will appear on next power cycle.

• Job history on the LCD software Interface will be cleared.

• Default material settings will be restored for the Laser browser interface software.

• User custom material settings will be cleared.

• Network configuration will be restored to default with all custom settings cleared.

• Saved wireless network and password will be cleared.

• Ve ntilati on setting will re vert back to default of EX TERNAL FILTRATION/VENTILATION SYSTEM.

Page 26

TOOLS > SETTINGS

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

This screen displays available settings

LANGUAGE – Displays a sub-menu where LCD me n u w a r n in g s la nu a g e c a n b e selected.

LIGHTS – Disp l a y s a sub-me n u whe r e cabinet LED lights can be turned “ON” and “OFF”.

VENTILATION – Displays a sub-menu screen where ventilation type can be selected.

PRIM E WATER P UMP – Disp lay s a submenu with water pump controls.

TOOLS > SETTINGS > LANGUAGE

This screen displays and allows selection of different languages.

Note: Choosing the language on this screen does not set the software language on the computer, only the LCD warning screens are affected.

Page 27

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

TOOLS > SETTINGS > LIGHTS

This screen displays the option to turn ON or OFF the LED lights that illuminate the workspace.

LED ON/OFF — Turns “ON” and “OFF” LED lights. LED lights are “ON” by default. If the main power switch is cycled, the light setting will return to the default.

TOOLS > SETTINGS > VENTILATION

This screen provides an option to select between the internal vent fan and external ventilation systems such as a booster fan, a standalone filtration system, or an external fume ventilation system.

To assure proper removal of fumes produced during operati o n o f Dremel L C 4 0 laser c u t t e r , th e ventilation selection must match the actual fume extrac tion set up. Dremel LC40 must be set up according to instructions provided in the Exhaust Connections chapter of the Setup section on page XYZ to assure proper ventilation.

ONBOARD FAN — Select when only the vent fan in the laser cutter is used to exhaust workspace fumes.

EXTERNA L SY ST E M — Se l e c t if la s e r uni t is connected to a booster fan, standalone filtration system, or an external fume ventilation system.

Page 28

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

TOOLS > SETTINGS > PRIME WATER PUMP

This screen provides control to start the water pump during priming of the laser cooling system.

START – Starts the coolant pump.

This screen provides control to stop the water pump during priming of the laser cooling system.

STOP – Stops the pump.

Page 29

TOOLS > HELP

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

Th i s screen dis p lays cus t omer ser vice con tact information.

TOOLS > TUTORIALS

This screen provides access to available tutorial.

FO CUS LA SER HEAD – Instr ucti ons fo r adjusting the laser head to focus the laser beam on the work piece surface.

MACHI NE SETUP – In str ucti ons for t he initial setup of Dremel LC40.

OTHER – Instructions for cleaning of the mirrors and lens.

Page 30

TOOLS > TUTORIALS

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

Sequence of screens stepping through JOB PREP.

Sequence of screens stepping through HOOK UP.

Page 31

TOOLS > TEST FILES

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

This screen displays available test files and allows their execution.

Tes t files are used to verify proper operation of select functions and features of Dremel LC40 laser cutter.

• Test Files "CUT TEST - BOX 1" thru "CUT TEST BOX 12" are used to identify optimized cut and score settings.

• Test Files "ENGRAVE TEST" are used to identify optimized engrave settings.

• Recommended material size for tests: 12”x20

Preview the test file.

This sample screen illustrates how the option to run a test file can be selected.

NEXT — To start running the job.

Page 32

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

TOOLS > UPDATE SERVICE

Th is scr een pr ovid es n etwo rk c onne ctiv ity and status of update service from Dremel.

LOCAL NETWORK – Shows whether ethernet or wireless is connected to the local network.

UPDATE SERVICE – Indicates if the unit is able to comm uni cat e with the up dat e s erv ice (Internet connection is required).

UPDATE STATUS – Provides information regarding any new software updates.

LAST CONNECTION TIME – Shows how long ago the last update service connection was made. If unit is actively connected to update service, then the LAST CONNECTION TIME will not be shown.

If an u pdate is available, an UPDATE AVAILABLE screen and UPDATE PENDING screen will be shown.

The update prompt, which appears on the Home menu screen, allows allows a user the option of accepting the update or deferring for another time.

TOOLS > LICENSES

Displays information regarding open source software licenses.

Page 33

LCD TOUCH SCREEN

000.000.000

TOOLS > PRIVACY POLICY

Provides the web address where the current and complete privacy policy can be reviewed.

NETWORK > MENU SCREEN

This screen displays the Network connection menu. Available options allow connection or disconnection from the wireless network and set up a static IP address.

WIRELESS – Setup or modify a wireless local a r ea network co n n ec t i o n for t he Dremel laser cutter to connect to.

STATIC IP – Setup the Dremel laser cutter to use a Static IP address or default to a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol address) IP address.

Page 34

NETWORK > WIRELESS

TOUCH SCREEN

This screens displays wireless networks detected by Dremel LC40.

Selecti n g an availa b l e netw o r k will sta r t the connection process.

Wireless network signal strength indicator.

This scre en display s t he pass word p rompt that ap p e a r s when a p a s s w o r d pr o t e c t e d wi r e l e s s network is selected.

Page 35

NETWORK > WIRELESS

UNA BLE TO CONNECT

RETRY

TOUCH SCREEN

This scree n dis plays a not ification that a ppears when a successful wireless network connection is made.

DONE – Return to Network menu screen.

This scree n dis plays a not ification that a ppears when co n n e c t i o n to the wi r e l e s s ne tw o r k is unsuccessful.

RETRY – Allows adjustment of the network information and an attempt to connecting again.

ACCEPT – Return to Network screen.

Page 36

NETWORK > STATIC IP

TOUCH SCREEN

This screen displays network set up options.

WIRELES S IP – A l l o w s s e t u p a n d con f i g u r a t i o n of t h e Wireless Network Connection.

WIRED IP – Allows setup and configuration of the Wired Ethernet Network Connection.

This screen displays options for setting a static IP address for a wireless or a wired (LAN) network.

STATIC IP – Allows selection of Static IP adress.

DHCP – A l l ow s select i o n of Dynam i c H os t

Configuration Protocol address IP address. Values displayed on IP Address, Netmask, and Gateway are ignored but saved for future use.

AUTO DNS – Allows the Dremel Laser Cutter to use the domain name system server as determined by the network router.

MANUAL – Allo ws for i nputting a specific DNS server IP address.

Edit settings

SAVE – Save Static IP settings.

CANCEL – Cancel Static IP setup.

Page 37

TOUCH SCREEN

OPERATION SCREENS

These screens appear during operation.

CHECKLIST SCREEN

Th is s cree n di spla ys s y stem ch ecks pe r form ed automatically by Dremel LC40 and operator inputs that must be completed before a job can be started.

CHECKLIST SCREEN — ERRORS DETECTED

Displays errors detected in systems of the Dremel LC40 while it is preparing to start a job. The status bar will also display red icons for system or systems where errors were found.

Link to a trouble shooting tutorial related to the system where an error was found.

Page 38

OPERATION SCREENS

TOUCH SCREEN

If all icons at the top are white, then items in the checklist should be green.

Manual checks that can be completed after the work piece is placed in the workspace and laser head adjusted using the spacer puck.

To start the job the lid must be closed and the Start Button rapidly pressed twice.

JOB IN PROGRESS

This scre e n di s p l a y s th e jo b fi l e na m e , ti m e remaining to complet e the job, and two control buttons.

PAUSE - Temporarily pause the job, which can be resumed from the same place.

STOP – Cancel the current job.

Page 39

1 1

1 0

0 181716151413121110 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 19

IMPORT REDOUNDO A UTO ARRAY MATERIAL OPTIONSTIME: 00:00:00 RUN PERIMETER

TART

ILE EDIT HELP PROJECT NAME: JOB 1

LASER CUTTER

Workspace Saved

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

This section introduces the major interface features of the Laser Control Software. The Laser Control Software is a combination of print driver and control software that communicates with, downloads jobs to, and controls the laser system. There is no download required. The software will link a web browser with the LC40 using the IP address (found at the bottom of the LCD home screen) on the local connection (Wireless or Ethernet).

Menu Bar — includes the following menu options: File, Edit (shown when a project is opened), and Help.

Tool Bar — inc lude s the followin g tool s : Impo r t , U n d o, R e do , A u to Array, Material, Time, Options, Run Perimeter, and Start.

Workspace — On-screen area where a job is created. Provides a graphical representation of the intended job and it s p o s i ti on re l a ti ve to t h e gene r a l bou n d a ri e s of th e l a s e r working area.

Project Name — displays the name of the current project.

Zoom In — enlarges workspace screen detail.

Zoom Out — reduc e s wo r k sp ac e screen detail.

Return to Default Size — auto size to fit window.

Stat u s — di s p l ay s st a t us o f t h e current project.

Page 40

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

FILE EDIT HELP PROJECT NAME: JOB 1

LASER CUTTER

A B C

Menu Bar

A. FILE

OPEN — select to open a file.

IMPORT — import a file or use the camera capture feature to create a file or place a picture

of your laser bed in the background of your workspace.

B. EDIT

REDO — to redo most recent action/change.

UNDO — to undo most recent action/change

COPY — select to copy the object that is highlighted.

DUPLICATE — select to duplicate the object that is highlighted.

PASTE —

FLIP HORIZONTAL — select to flip horizontal the object that is highlighted.

FLIP VERTICAL — select to flip vertical the object that is highlighted.

ROTATE RIGHT — select to rotate right the object that is highlighted.

ROTATE LEFT — select to rotate left the object that is highlighted.

SELECT ALL — select to select all.

DESELECT ALL — select to deselect all.

select to paste the object that is highlighted.

C. HELP

ABOUT YOUR LASER — select to see more details about your laser cutter.

MANUAL — select to access the laser manual.

TUTORIALS — select to see tutorials for your laser.

FAQS — select to see a list of frequently asked questions with answers.

PROJECT INSPIRATION — select to browse project inspiration.

CUSTOMER SERVICE — select to see customer service contact info.

Page 41

Tool Bar

MPORT

EDO

NDO

UTO AR RAYMATE RIA L

PTIONSTIME: 00:00:00

UN PERIMETER

START

A B C D E F G H I

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

IMPORT

Click to impor t a fil e or use the camera capture feature to create a file or place a picture of the laser bed in the background of the workspace. Alternatively, the file can be dragged and dropped directly into the workspace.

FILE – Use import/file to bring in a file as typically done in other software programs. For PDF files the options are to bring in only cut files, only engrave files, or both. Select the option from the drop down menu. All other file types will default to either engrave or cut based on their optimal application.

UNDO

Click to undo most recent action/change.

REDO

Click to redo most recent action/change.

AUTO ARRAY

Choose the object to duplicate. Then click and high l i g h t th e nu m b e r of ti m e s to duplicate the object.

CAPT URE – Use impo rt/ captu re to take advantage of the camera capture feature. This can be used to either place a picture of the material that’s on the honeycomb plate, into the bac k g r o u n d o f t h e so f t w a re worksp ace Thi s f eatur e can be use d f or placing a file on top of an oddly shaped material, or to take a picture of a sketch, and transform that sketch into a file that can be engraved or cut.

Page 42

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

MATERIALS

Observe a l l p r o v i d e d warning s and safe t y

instructions when using the Dremel LC40.

Failure t o d o s o m a y r e s u l t i n f i r e, equipmen t dam age, property damage or personal injury.

Never engrave or cut any

unknown material. Only engrave material s recommended by the manufacturer. The vaporization/melting of many materials, including but not limited to PVC and polycarbonates, can give off hazardous fumes. Always refer to the Safety

Data S h e e t (SD S ) from t h e mat e r i a l manufacturer to determine the response of any w o r k m a t er i a l t o e x tr e m e h ea t (burning/fire hazard) to prevent hazards.

Click to select a material from the list of Dremel provided defaults, or choose “more” to a dd / d e le t e /e d i t t h e list of f av o r i te materials. Use the star to denote a default material that will be saved and used for all jobs, until changed. The settings that are populated when a material is selected will be applied to all files brought in, unless edited in the print settings box, or changed in the materials list.

TIME

Click to calculate a rough estimate of how long the job will take to complete.

OPTIONS

Display s mo r e ad v a nc e d settings an d defaults.

Page 43

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

RUN PERIMETER

Laser head will mov e along the exte rior perimeter of the job. Click again to stop this motion, otherwise it will continue running.

PAUSE – Appears once a job starts and will pause the job.

START

This button will send the job to the laser.

STOP – Appears once the job starts and will cancel the job.

PRINT SETTINGS

A print s e t t i n g s bo x will pop u p when clicking on an imported file. There are two ta b opt i o n s at th e top (Cu t / S core a n d Engrave ) , an d only th e on es that ar e applica b l e f o r t h a t f i l e t y p e w i l l b e highlig h t e d . T h i s b o x c a n b e m o v ed anywhere on the screen simply by dragging it . The jog i n the t o p right c o r n e r wil l expand “ad v a n c e d ” se t t in g s fo r mo r e control. The “X” will minimize the box and can be reopened by clicking on the pencil that appears.

CUT

This function is used when cutting through a work piece. This function is also called “vector” since a vector, or line file is needed in o rder to exe cute. The laser h ead will follow the lines of the file. The software will detect up to 21 different colors in a line file and allow adjustment of the print settings based on those colors. The order that the different colors are cut can be adjusted in the p rint previ ew s cre en o nce re ady to send.

HEAT – A djus t how quick ly t he l ase r is firing, or how much heat is generated on the surface of the work piece. Turning up the heat will cause charring for materials like wood or paper, but will create a glossy edge for a material like acrylic.

SPEED – Adjust how quickly the laser head moves. Slowing the laser head down allows it to cut deeper into the work piece, while turning the speed up prevents the cut from going as deep.

DEPTH – adjust to control how deep the laser will go into the work piece. Turning up the depth will increase the likelihood that th e wor k pie c e will be c u t all the w a y through.

# OF PASSES – adjust to control how many times the lase r trac e s ove r the lines . Increasing the number of passes means the laser will execute that job, then immediately execute it in the exact same loca t i o n however many times entered. Increasing the number of passes can be an effective way to ensure the work piece is cut all the way through, especially as the thickness of the material goes up.

SCORE

A function when it is preferred not to cut all the wa y t h r o u g h the wo rk piec e . This function requires a vector, or line type file and is most useful when emphasizing the outline of text or an object. It is very similar to “cut,” but the software will default to less pow erful settings , in an atte mpt t o mark the work piece, but not cut all the way through it.

Print Settings box (Cut)

Print Settings box (Score)

Page 44

DREMEL LC40 CONTROL SOFTWARE

ENGRAVE

This fu nc t i on dark e n s or re m o ve s th e su r f ace o f the wor k pi e c e , ra t her t h a n cutting th rou gh it. T his funct ion is also known as “raster” and will require an image file to execute. The laser head will move side to side like an inkjet printer.

Print Settings box (Engrave)

BLACK/WHITE THRESHOLD – Use this to adjust the amount of black that is included in the image. The furthest left setting will include a larger amount of black from the file, whil e the furthe st righ t s etting will include less black, or a larger amount of white.

GREYS CALE – Ta kes a black an d whit e image and assign s differen t densi ties of dots to visually create a number of different shades of grey. Darker areas of the image will have more dots, while lighter areas will have less dots. This is useful for images that ha ve a lot of di f fere n t colors , an d it is desired that the finished product appear more realistic. This setting can be toggled on or off.

INVERT – This setting will transform the im a g e so tha t the whi t e ar e a s be c ome black, and the black areas become white.

DEPTH – Adjust to control how deep the laser will go into the work piece. Turning up the depth will remove more material, so that a noticeable void is felt when touching the work piece, creating almost a 3D effect.

Turning d o w n the d e p t h will k e e p the surface of the work piece relatively flat or even.

SPEED – Adjust how quickly the laser head moves. Slowing the laser head down will ge ner ally ma ke the engr a vin g darke r o r deeper, while turning the speed up typically results in a lighter finish.

RESOLUT I O N – 3 differe n t resolu t i o n options are available: low, medium, high. This setting adjusts the DPI (dots per inch) in the image, the low setting will be faster and lig ht er tha n the high set ti ng . In l ow setting th e resolu t i o n is p ix e l a t ed , or individual dots are easy to see. The high setting will result in a less pixelated final result.

JOB PREVIEW

After pressing “start” the PREVIEW screen allows re v i ew of al l the se t t in g s and placement of the files before sending the job to the laser. Changes can be made to th e orde r the f iles ex ecu te. By de fau l t, engraving is completed first then cutting. If other settings need to be adjusted, exit out of th i s box before sendin g the job. If everything l ooks correct, t he job can be sent to the laser. The physical start button on the laser must be pressed twice before the job will begin.

Job Preview Screen

Page 45

SETUP

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using

the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any

assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive

safety measures reduce the risk of starting the Laser Cutter accidentally.

Cut and Remove Zip Ties

On ce all i nteri or packa ging has bee n removed from the laser, locate both zip ties securing the laser head and gantry.

One zip tie can be found at each end of the gantry.

Fig. 5

Using a small pair of scissors or diagonal cutting pliers, carefully cut and remove both zip ties. DO NOT cut any other cord or wire. Be aware that the laser tube is ex t r e m e ly fr a g i l e . Be c a r e f ul NO T to damage any part of the machine during this process.

Page 46

SETUP

Install Honeycomb Plate

Place the honeycomb plate inside the laser on the laser bed. Be careful not to damage any part of the machine during this process. The head can be moved out of the way by hand if necessary.

Th e ho n eycomb plat e si t s fl a t at the bottom of the laser. There is a slight rece s s in the bed to h e l p al i g n th e honeycomb plate (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7

Recess in Laser Bed

Recess in

Laser Bed

Remove Camera Lens Cap

Remove the cap from the camera lens on the laser head.

Camera

Fig. 8

Lens

Cap

Page 47

Attach Water Hoses

’

U S

’

SETUP

1. Place the Hex Box™ in the workspace. The maximum distance the Hex Box™ can be placed from the laser cutter is 5 feet.

2. R e mo ve t h e s h o rt s i li c on e tubi n g capping the water inlet and outlet on the back of both the laser cutter and the Hex Box™.

Water Hose

Fittings

Clear Water

Blue

Hose

Water

Hose

Fig. 9 — Rear of Laser Cutter

3. Match the blue and clear water tubes to the appropri ate inl et and out let fittings on the laser cutter and the Hex Bo x™, Fig. 9 & 10. The fit tings are labeled with colors to help identify the appropriate tubes.

Water Hose

Fittings

Blue

Clear

Water

Water Hose

Hose

Fig. 10 — Rear of Hex Box™

Push the ends of the tubing onto the fittings until they are snug.

Correct Incorrect

Page 48

’

U S

SETUP

Attach Air Tube

Connect the Air Tube to the fittings on the laser cutter and the Hex Box™. There are labels on the laser cutter and the Hex Box™ to help identify the correct fittings. Fig. 11 & 12.

Air Tube Fitting

Air Tube

Fitting

Air Tube

Fig. 11 — Rear of Laser Cutter

Push the ends of the tubing onto the fittings until they are snug.

Correct Incorrect

Air Tube

Fig. 12 — Rear of Hex Box™

Page 49

’

U S

SETUP

Connect Hex Box™ Connector Cord

Connect the Hex Box™ connector cord to the laser cutter and the Hex Box™. Fig. 13 & 14.

Connector

Fitting

Connector

Fitting

Connector Cord

Fig. 13 — Rear of Laser Cutter

Attach Exhaust Shroud

Using a screwdriver, attach the exhaust shroud to the back of the laser cutter, Fig. 15. Ensure that the shroud is flush ag ains t the back sur face of the las er cutter.

Attachment of the exhaust tubing to the shro u d is exp l a i ne d in the Ex h au s t Connections section.

Connector

Cord

Fig. 14 — Rear of Hex Box™

Fig. 15

Page 50

4 ft Max.

Outside

Window

Clamp

t C

onne

tions

SETUP

Venting/Exhaust

Ob serve all prov i ded

warn i n g s an d sa f e ty in s truct i ons when using the Dre m el LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire,

equipment damage, property damage or personal injury.

Al w ays u s e th e las e r

cutter with a properly functioning exhaust and/or a filtration system. Emissions from some materials

and the long-term effects to exposure are unknown, which may lead to personal injury.

It is important to properly vent the laser exhaust system. The laser melts and/or burns material as it moves along its axis and depending on the type of material can ge ne ra te s m o k e . Th e smo k e is

compo sed of partic ulates, fu mes and gase s . Th e ex ha u st is ne c e s sa r y to remove these products.

Exhaust Scenarios:

Case 1; Digilab LC40 is used with internal exhaust fan.

Case 2; Digilab LC40 is used with an in-line exhaust duct booster fan.

Case 3; Digilab LC40 is used with an external air filtration system.

Use Cas e 1: The LC4 0 wi l l use the supp l i e d fle x i b l e duc t and inter n a l exhaust fan to vent to the outside of the building.

Choose a well-ventilated area to set-up the Digilab Laser.

Securely connect one end of the flexible exhaust duct to the laser exhaust shroud

Fig. 16

Exhaust system configuration example using the DigiLAB internal exhaust fan. When using the internal exhaust fan be sure to choose correct ventilation option on the LCD during the laser startup sequence.

Attach the flexible duct to the laser exhaust manifold with the hose clamp provided. Extend the flexible duct the required length to reach the vent hood keeping it as straight as possible. Cut the excess duct off with wire cutters and attach to the vent hood with the hose clamp provided. Stretching the duct and keeping it straight improves exhaust flow through the duct.

Page 51

SETUP

Vent Terminal

Clearance

Above grade, veranda, porch, deck, or balcony

Window or door that may be opened

Permanently closed window

Vertical clearance to ventilated soffit located above the terminal within a horizontal distance of 2 feet from the center of the terminal

Unventilated soffit

Outside corner

Inside corner

Each side of center line extended above meter/regulator assembly

3' within a height 15' above meter/regulator assembly

Service regulator vent outlet

Nonmechanical air supply inlet or combustion air inlet to any other appliance

4' below or to the side of

opening, or 1' above opening

(36")

4' below or to the side of

opening, or 1' above opening

(36")

Mechanical air supply inlet

3' above if within 10' (6')

Above paved sidewalk or paved driveway located on public property

Under veranda, porch, deck, or balcony

(7' ***)

()= indicates clearances required in Canada *Maintain clearances in accordance with local installation codes and the requirements of the gas supplier ***A vent shall not terminate directly above a sidewalk or paved driveway that is located between two single family dwellings and serves both dwellings. ****Permitted only if veranda,porch,deck,or balcony is fully open on a minimum of two sides beneath the floor.

* (12"- Canada Only****)

12" (12")

12" (36")

* *

* 3' within a height 15' above meter/regulator assembly

12" (36")

3' above if within 10' (6')

(7' ***)

* (12"- Canada Only****)

12" (12")

Indoor Installation

(See p.9)

Outdoor Installation

(See p.9)

Air Supply Inlet

Area Where Terminal is Not Permitted

Clearance Requirements from Vent Terminations to Building Openings for SV Models

* All clearance requirements are in accordance with ANSI Z21.10.3 and the National Fuel Gas Code,

ANSI Z223.1 and in Canada, in accordance with NSCNGPIC.

Fig. 17

Page 52

Booster Fan

Outside

Window

Clamp

SETUP

and the other end to the louvered duct outl e t w i t h inc l u d ed hos e c l a m p s. Minimize the number of 90-degree bends. You should be able to limit the number of bends to two. If replacing a windowpane, use a wooden board or similar with a 4” diameter cut out to place in the window opening. Use foil tape to close any gaps between the outer diameter of the duct and the board and between the board and th e window frame, doorfr ame, or opening that was chosen. See fig. 13.

Use Cas e 2: The LC4 0 wi l l use the supplied ducting and an in-line exhaust duct boost e r fan to ve n t t h e LC4 0 outside of the building.

Choose a well-ventilated area to set-up the Digilab Laser.

Securely connect one end of the flexible

exhaust hose to laser exhaust manifold and the other end to the blower air inlet side with included hose clamps. Take the second hose and securely connect one end – us ing sup plied clam ps - to th e blower’s air outlet side and route the othe r en d to th e ou t le t ven t . To ta l combined length for the two ducts must not exceed 20 feet. Minimize the number of 90-degree bends. Set up should never have more than four bends.

Use a wooden board or similar with a 4” diameter cut out to place in the window opening or the chosen opening to block air from coming in. Use foil tape to close any gaps between the outer diameter of the hose and the board and between the board and the window frame, doorframe, or opening that was chosen. See fig. B.

Fig. 18

Exhaust system configuration example using an external in-line duct exhaust fan. When using an external exhaust fan be sure to choose correct ventilation option on the LCD during the laser startup sequence.

Attach the flexible duct to the laser exhaust manifold with the hose clamp provided. Extend the flexible duct the required length to reach the exhaust fan. Secure the duct with the provided hose clamp. Mounting the fan to the wall keeps the duct length to a minimum. However, other configurations are possible depending on the location of the outlet vent hood. Keep the duct length short and straight and cut off the excess with wire cutters. Attach the duct to the exhaust fan and outlet vent with the hose clamps provided.

Page 53

SETUP

Other precautions:

• Do not locate the vent termination near a window or any other structure, which has glass facing the termination.

• Avoid installation where the unit will be exposed to excessive winds.

• Install in a location where the exhaust gas flow will not be affected by fans or range hoods.

• Take car e that exh aust ga s will not affect neighbors.

• If sn ow is expect ed to accum ulate , insure the end of the duct hood is not co vere d with s now o r hi t by fa llin g lumps of snow.

• Never install the outlet in a below grade such as in a window well.

• Always duct the exhaust to the outside of the building away from where people may congregate. For exhaust placement recommendations relative to windows, doors, air inlets and other opening see figure 15.

• Make-Up Air

One important design criterion for any

heating, cooling or ventilation system is called “make-up air” or “replacement air.” This is based on th e idea that whenever your laser vent system sucks air out of a sealed room, that creates a vacuum, unless you provide a source of make-up air to replace the air you are evac u a t i ng . Thi s ser v e s the same purpose as having air returns in each room of a hous e wit h a force d - a i r heating or cooling system.

A source of make-up air is important in any l a s er vent s y s te m. Witho u t ad e q u ate re p lacement air, e x h a ust effici ency can drop and res ult in an inability of the vent system to remove the fumes from a room operating under vacuum pressure.

A temporary make-up air system can be as simple as opening a window in the work area, although this may not be very practical in a commercial shop. Users often provide replacement air by runn i n g a le ng th o f d u c t f r o m t h e outdoors to (near) the laser.

Always select a route that will provide th e st r aighte st an d mo s t di rect p a th outd o o r s . N e v e r u s e P V C o r o t h e r nonco nductiv e duct mat erials for the exhaust sy s t e m . Always use r i g i d or flexible metalized ducting in the exhaust system. Flexible metalized ducting must be UL181 rated. Improper selection of ducting can cause static charges, may result in dust build up inside the duct, and may caus e a risk of fire or combustion.

Check local building codes and with your home o w n er assoc i a t io n rules a n d regulations to ensure your laser is not in violation of any ordinances, rules an d regulations. Always use the steel hose clamps provided with your DigiLAB laser to connect ductwork. Always use foil duct tape at con n e c t io ns to preve n t th e escape of small amounts of particulates, smoke and fumes.

Always use the Dremel DigiLAB laser in a well-ventilated area.

Setup recommendation:

• 2 x 10 fe et exhaus t ho s e ma ximum (provided with the Digilab Laser).

• Never use an exhaust hose smaller than 4” diameter.

• Ensure that the hose is never coiled, kinked or flattened.

• Exhaust routing: Recommending a set up with no elevation rise (see figure xyz).

• Maximum two 90-de gree be nds p er hose.

Page 54

SETUP

Use an exterior grade caulking compound around perimeter.

Foil tape applied

to 4-inch duct and

wall interface.

Clamp

• Use l ow-pressur e drop ve nt l ouvers Typically found on clothes dryers and bathroom vent fans.

Single louver ducts

recommended

Multi louver ducts

NOT recommended

Exhaust system configuration example using the DigiLAB internal exhaust fan. When using the internal exhaust fan w/ bl o w e r ass i s t a n t , be su r e to c h o o s e correc t ventilation option on the LCD during the laser startup sequence.

Recommended features for an exhaust vent hood:

• IMPOR T A N T: C h oo se a si n gl e, ligh t w e i gh t lou v e r /d am p er wh i c h requires minimal exhaust duct flow to open.

• Wide mouth anti-gust hood design.

• Damper prevents back-flow of exhaust air.

• Screen/g rat e to keep ou t birds and rodents.

• Always use rigid or flexible metalized

duct tubing. Never plastic. Plastic box hood and louvered hood sections are acceptable.

• Alway s u s e th e s u p pl ie d f l e x i bl e metalized duct. If additional duct is required, it must meet Underwriters Laboratory specification UL181.

• Rigid metal duct tubing can be used but, all seams must be sealed with foil tape.

• Semi rigid duct is not recommended because of the potential for fume leaks along the spiral crimp.

Use Case 2: The unit will use a secondary standalone portable filtration system:

Before se tting up and

operating the Portable Fi l t r a t i o n System, read the por t a b l e filtration system instruction manual.

Set-up with Portable Filtration System:

Choose a well ventilated area to set-up the Digilab Laser and portable filtration system.

If you have purchased the Digilab Laser Bundle with the filtration system or if you have pu rc h as ed ano t h e r Por t a b le Filtration System, follow the instructions below:

Read the ins t r u c ti on ma nu a l of th e supplied filtration system to properly set up the filtration system unit.

Fig. 19

Page 55

SETUP

Clamp

Fig. 20

Do not common vent this appliance to an existing ventilation system without an HVAC professional to ensure proper airflow and compliance with local building code regulations.

Connecting the Laser to the Filtration System:

Use the 10’ exhaust hose supplied with the laser and connect securely on end of the hose to the shroud at the back side of the Laser and the other end to the inlet of the air filtration system, using the supplied hose clamps (see figure 17). Expand the hose to the length needed to connect the laser to the filtration system. Ensur e that the hose is never co iled , kinked or flattened.

Al w a y s turn on the fi l t r a t i o n system before starting the job and let it run for about 30 seconds after the job is finished to evacuate fumes and gases out of the Laser before lifting the glass lid of the Laser. Always turn off the exhaust system in between jobs to extend the life of the filters.

Always use the Dremel DigiLAB laser and Filtration system in a well-ventilated area.

Filter change frequency of the filtration system: Follow the instructions for filter change per the manual of the portable filtration system.

Recommendations for units:

- In s u re a mi n i m u m 200 c f m and 35

inch e s w a te r co lu m n ( 87 m ba r) pressure.

- Unit must be Underwriters Laboratory

listed for safety.

- Utilize HEPA fi lt e r technol o g y and

carbon filter technology.

- Filtration system must be listed by the

manufacturer as approved for use with Laser cutters/engravers.

Page 56

SETUP

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Plug in the Laser Cutter

Plug the Power Cord from the back of the laser cutter into a grounded outlet.

Note: The Laser Cutter draws about 6.0 Amps at its maximum power. Be careful not to connect too many other devices on the same circuit. Make sure not to exceed the current rating of the circuit.

Test GFCI Unit

Test GFCI before each

use. D o no t use Dremel LC40 if the GFCI indicator does not turn red after pressing the RESET button. Take Dremel LC40 to a Dremel

authorized service center for repair.

Do not use laser cutter

with extension cords.

The GFCI on the machine power cord will not prevent electrical sh ock from th e extension cords.

Test before each use. A

faulty GFCI can result in electric shock.

The laser cutter is equipped with a GFCI (ground fa ult circuit interrupter) unit mounted on the cord, Fig 22.

1. P r es s ‘T E S T ’ but t o n . Re d shou l d

disappear from the indicator window.

2. Press and release ‘RESET’ button. Red

shou l d reap p e a r in th e i n d i ca t or window.

Fig. 21

Fig. 22

Indicator

Reset

Test

Page 57

Turn On the Laser Cutter

SETUP

Locate the power switch at the back of the unit (above the power cord) and turn the laser cutter on.

Get Started

When the unit is powered on for the first time (or if a factory reset is performed) the tou c h s c re en w i l l p r e se nt t h e following screens:

• Select a country,

• Select a language,

• End-user license agreement (EULA),

After following the directions in the prior sc r e ens, the Ge t Sta r t ed sc r een wi l l appear.

Tapping the Next button starts the hook u p s c r e e n s . The sc r e en s review previous steps outlined in

the Operating/Safety Instructions.

Afte r co nf ir mi n g all ho s es an d connections are correct, stop at the Start Pump screen and follow the instructions below.

Fig. 23

Power

Switch

Page 58

SETUP

I R

E T U

Y A

T U

A T

N T

R É

’ E

U E N

R A

U A

E R

R T

I E

’ E

U S A

D E

e x

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Fill Hex Box™ with Distilled Water

Do not spill w ater on the H e x B ox ™ u ni t.

Damage to electronics may occur.

1. Start the water pump by tapping the start button on the laser cutter’s LCD screen.

2. Using a funnel, fill the Hex Box™ with distilled water until the water tank is full, figure 24.

3. Add distilled water to the water tank until there are no visible bubbles in the Laser Tube and water level in the tank has stabilized at full.

4. When the tank is full, tap next button to proceed to the stop water pump screen.

5. Stop the water pump by pressing the stop button on the laser cutter’s LCD screen.

Fig. 24

Line

Fill

6. Screw on the Hex Box™ Cap.

Page 59

SETUP

Connect a Computer to the Laser Cutter

For a hardwire connection:

1. Connect the Ethernet Cord to the laser cutter (Fig. 25) and the computer.

2. Open an internet browser window on the computer.

3. Type in the "IP" number displayed at the bottom of the laser cutter’s LCD screen into the browser’s URL bar.

For a wireless connection:

1. Select Network on the laser cutter’s LCD screen, then select Wireless from the Network menu. (Fig. 26)

2. S e le ct a net w o r k f ro m t h e lis t of aval i a b l e ne tw or ks , then e n te r password to connect the laser cutter.

3. Open an internet browser window on the computer.

4. Type in the "IP" number displayed at the bottom of the laser cutter’s LCD screen into the browser’s URL bar.

Fig. 25

Ethernet

Port

Fig. 26

Static I P: C onnect to th e netw ork by assigning a persistent IP address that is assigned for the machine. This address will be maintained permanently and will not change if the machine is rebooted.

TIP: If the Dremel LC40 Control Software is ta king a while to load , or no t wo rking pr oper ly try refre shin g th e br owse r to reload the software.

"IP" Number

Page 60

SETUP

Wireless or Ethernet

Router Internet

Ethernet

Wireless or Ethernet

Router Internet

Network Setups

PEER TO PEER ETHERNET CONNECTION

Scenario 1: Connecting the laser to a single computer using Ethernet connection.

• Optional: If the computer has a second Ethernet port or built-in wireless, the

computer can access both the internet and the laser unit.

• The laser unit does not have access to the Internet (optional for Laser connection)

unless the computer bridges/shares the Internet connection.

Note: The laser does have the option to set a Static IP address using the LCD software interface.

Fig. 27

Scenario 2: Connecting two or more laser units to a single computer using Ethernet connection.

A computer that has two or more Ethernet ports may connect to additional Laser Cutters.

• Optional: If the computer has has an additional, separate Ethernet port or built-in

wireless, the computer can access both the internet and the laser unit.

• The laser unit does not have access to the Internet (optional for Laser connection)

unless the computer bridges/shares the Internet connection.

Fig. 28

Page 61

SETUP

Wireless or Ethernet

Router

Internet

Ethernet

Wireless or Ethernet

Router

Internet

Ethernet

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) CONNECTION USING A ROUTER

Scenario 3: Connecting the laser to one or more computers using a router with wireless and/or Ethernet Connection.

In this scenario, the user does have an Internet connection through the router.

One or more computers access the laser unit as well as the Internet through the Router.

The laser unit gets access to the Internet from Router.

Note: The laser does have the option to set a Static IP address using the LCD software interface OR the Router can assign a Static IP address.

Fig. 29

Scenario 4: Connecting two or more laser units to one or more computers using a router with wireless and/or Ethernet Connection.

Fig. 30

Page 62

TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Mirror Alignment Overview

Alignment of the mirrors is performed before t h e Dremel LC 4 0 is sh i p p e d . However, before the laser cutter unit is used for the first time and periodically duri n g its u s e , the m i r r o r alignment shou l d be ch e c ke d and ad ju st e d if necessary.

Misalignment most often occurs when:

• gantry is manually moved while the

motors are locked,

• air assist nozzle is displaced,

• main laser tube is replaced,

• mirrors / lens are replaced, or

• during shipping.

Fig. 31

Focus

Lens

Laser Beam

Alignment of the mirrors is necessary to be certain that the path of the main laser is perfectly parallel to both the Y and X axis of the laser in all extreme corners of the m achine. Due to tole ran ce o f the mechanical assembly, every laser must be aligned. The goal of alignment is is that the laser beam should enter the lens as perfectly centered and perpendicular to the focus lens as possible. Improperly aligned laser beam will result in the focus point being out of line with the centerline of the laser head (Fig . 31).

Properly Aligned Improperly Aligned Improperly Aligned

TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR TESTS & ADJUSTMENTS

• 1.5 mm Hex Key

• 2 mm Hex Key

• 2.5 mm Hex Key (included)

• 3 mm Hex Key

• Alignment Paper (included)

• Wipes

Page 63

Test Fire

Mirror 1

irror 2

Laser Head Mirror 3

Axis A-B

Axis B-C

xis C-D

Beam Combiner

ens

TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Fig. 32

Mirror Alignment Layout

4 Corner Mirror Alignment Test

Before running the first job, check t o make sure that the mirrors are properly alig n e d . T h is t e st s h ou ld a l so b e performed as a troubleshooting measure for power loss, clipping, or incomplete cutting. For this alignment test the laser must be “test fired” once in each corner of the machine. This is done to make sure the laser beam is following the correct path to the mirrors, to the focus head, and ultimately through the lens to the mater ial. Figur e 32, M irror Alig nment Layout.

Note: Laser lid must be closed for each test fire.

Materials needed:

• Thermal paper (supplied).

• 2.5mm hex wrench (supplied).

1. Open the lid.

2. Place the thermal paper: Take a small piece of thermal paper approximately the same size as the face of the lens and place it over the focus lens under Mirror #3. See figure 33.

Mirror 3

Thermal

Paper

Focus Lens

Fig. 33

3. Press the paper down with a finger so that a c ir cl e ap p ea rs th at de monst r ates the out er rim of th e lens. Sometimes pencil lead or crayon will help to show the edges of the lens and mirrors.

Page 64

TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Max. Locatio n Diameter

Mirror Diameter

Ideal Spot

Locatio n

hermal

aper

3. P osit ion the Laser H ead: Mo ve the laser head into the upper left corner (Locat ion A) o f the workspace, see Figure 32.

4. Close the lid.

5. Using the LCD touch screen display, test fire the laser (

on the Home screen) from the Test

Fire screen. Th e F i r e button will appear after all of the system checks are passed. Press the button one time and observe where the spot lands on the thermal paper. If the spot does not ap p e a r , rep e a t . If i t still doe s not appe a r , c ha n ge po s it io n s o it i s possible to look through the openings in the tube guard and confirm that the tube is actually firing.

6. R e pe at T e s t F i r e i n ot he r t hr ee corners: Without removing the thermal paper, repeat firing the laser once in each of th e oth e r co rn er s of the machine (Lower Left B, Lower Right C, Upper Right D). See figure 32.

a. Open the lid. b. Position the laser. c. Close the lid. d. Repeat as in step 5. Observe which

mark is from which location.

7. Check Results: With the forth corner test fire complete, open the lid and obse rve the thermal tape. The four burn marks should overlap each other (see illustration). If they do not overlap nearly perfectly, the mirrors will need to be aligned.

8. If the dot is perfectly aligned a second test is to place thermal paper under the air nozzle on the honey comb at all 4 corners. Fire the laser using test fire and verify that a smooth circle appears on the paper. This ensures that the air nozzle is not clipping the laser path. If it is, fine-tune the nozzle by loosening the set screw and adjusting.

by tapping Test Fire

Fig. 34

All 4 spots should be

within the diameter

shown in figure

above. Ideally

exactly on top of

each other.

3 spots together, 1

spot apart indicates

the gantry has one

corner physically

higher or lower than

the others.

9. I f the mirror align m e nt te s t is not succ essful then perform th e Mirror Alignment Procedure on page 65

10. I f the m i r ro r align m e n t test i s

successful the laser cutter is ready for use.

Page 65

TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Mirror Alignment Procedure

Steps:

1. Gantry Alignment

2. Preparation

3. Verify centering and no clipping at mirror #1

4. Align Axis A-B (Y-Axis) using Red Dot.

5. Align Axis B-C (X-axis)

6. Centering on focus lens. (Z-axis)

Materials needed:

• Thermal paper (supplied). When supply is e x ha us te d , pu r c h as e ad h e s iv e backed thermal paper.

• 2.5mm hex wrench (supplied).

Step 1: Gantry Alignment

The first task of mirror alignment is to ensure that the gantry is perpendicular to the Y a x i s rails. Often mi s a l i g n m en t occurs when the ga ntry is bum ped or moved while the motors are in a locked state.

1. To verify alignment, push the gantry all

the wa y forw a r d f o r w a rd unti l it contacts the front stops and backward until it contacts the rear stops.

2. The gantry should touch the stops at

the same time on both the left and right side. If it touches evenly, move to Step 2: Preparation.

3. I f The gan t r y do e s not t o u ch bo t h

sides, the motor connector under the tube guard needs to be loosened.

a. Do this by removing 3 screws of the

tube gu ar d and li ft i n g th e tube guard up off of the posts. (see Tube Guard Removal, page 70)

b. Loosen the screw on the left side of

the motor connector. Fig. xq.

c. Shift the gantry tight against the

front stops and hold evenly.

d. Tight e n the screw on t h e mot o r

connector while holding the gantry.

e. Replace the tube guard using great

care not to damage any wires or the laser tube.

4. Rerun the 4 corners mirror alignment tes t to s e e if furt h e r alignm e n t is necessary.

Step 2: Preparation

Prepare your tools and workspace.

1. Power On Laser Cutter: The machine must be powered on to continue this procedure. Allow the machine time to boot up the touch screen operating system.

2. Gather Tools: A 2.5 mm hex wrench an d a sup ply o f the rmal p a per are requ i r e d to p e r fo rm the m i rr or alignment procedure

NO T E : DO N O T over- t i g hten or overloosen adjustment screws, see figure wq. Tightening or loosening any of the three adjustment screws on the mirrors or the red dot diode will move the position in a particula r dir ection depending on the positioning of the other screws. Some experimenting is required to understand the relationship of each screw and how adjust i n g o n e aff e c t s t h e a l i g n m en t lase r ' s r e d d o t p o s it io ni n g. W h e n adjusting the screws, use the absolute minimum turn of the hex wrench to move the red dot or the mirror into position. If one or two turns of the screw from the just seated screw position does not move the red do t i n t o p o s it io n, i t i s recommended to release all three screws back to the just seated position and start over. Ove r tight enin g the scre ws can damage the mirror holding plate. Check for any loose screws at either the mirror holders, the lens, or anywhere on the gant r y . to ensu r e ef f i c i en cy duri n g alignment procedure.

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TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Step 3: Verify No Clipping at Beam Combiner and at Mirror #1.

1. Open the lid.

2. P lace Ther mal P aper: Tak e a sma l l piece of thermal paper (approximately 1 inch (25 mm) should be plenty) and place it firmly over the beam combiner near the aperture side of the laser, see figure 36.

3. Press the paper down with your finger so t h a t a ci r c l e appea r s th at de monst r ates the ou t er rim of th e lens. Sometimes pencil lead or crayon will help to show the edges of the lens and mirrors.

4. Close the lid.

5. Using the touch screen display, test fire the laser from the Test Fire screen. The Fire button will appear after all of the system checks have passed. Press the but t o n o ne t i me a nd o b se rv e where the spot lands on the thermal paper. (From here forward called *Test Fire*)

6. The spot should be centered on the beam combiner. Remove the thermal paper.

7. Repeat steps 2 – 5 at Mirror #1 (Fig.

37).

8. The spot should be nearly perfectly centered at Mirror #1 and not clipped by the beam co mbiner. If it is no t, ther e is a p r o b l em w it h th e tub e mo u n t i n g as t h e r e is ve ry li t t l e to adju s t be t w e en th e tu b e an d th e mounting of Mirror #1.

9. Remove the thermal paper and clean all t a p e resi d u e f r om t h e beam combiner and Mirror #1.

Fig. 36

Fig. 37

Mirror #1

Thermal Paper

Adjustment

Screws

Thermal

Paper

Spot should

be centered.

Clipped spot

indicates an

alignment issue.

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TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Step 4: Align Axis A-B (Y-Axis) using Alignment Laser's Red Dot.

Conceptually, you wi ll be aligning the invisible cutting beam and the Alignment Laser's visible red dot with the axis of the shaft from A to B. When the beams are perfectly parallel with the A-B axis, do not continue to change Mirror 1. Further changes to Mirror 1 will then negate the alignment to the axis.

1. Open the lid.

2. P lace Ther mal P aper: Tak e a sma l l piece of thermal paper (approximately 20 mm should be plenty) and place it firmly over Mirror #2, see figure 38.

3. Press the paper down with a finger so that a c ir cl e ap p ea rs th at demonstrates the outer rim of Mirror #2. Sometimes pencil lead or crayon will help to show the edges of the lens and mirrors.

4. Move the Gantry to posi tion B, see figure 32.

5. Close the lid.

6. *Test Fire* Observe where the spot land s t h ro ug h the l i d . Wi th ou t remo v i n g the p a p e r it may b e necessary to mark this spot. This is SpotB1.

7. A d ju s t only the vi s ib l e red do t to match the spot.

Do not move the gantry at this time, and do not adjust Mirror #1 yet. Using the 2.5mm hex wrench, make micro adjustments to the three adjustment screw s of the a lign ment laser , and position the red dot exactly over the burn mark at position B on Mirror #2. If the red beam is not hitting the mirror at all, it may be necessary to use a la r g e r card o r paper t o determi n e where the red dot is. Go slowly and do not overtighten screws. Small turns of the screws are required to move the beam at long distances. It is best to align th e red do t at th e furt h e s t distances B and C to avoid small angle issues introduced at A or D.

Fig. 38

Thermal

Paper

Mirror #2

Adjustment

Screws

8. Without removing the paper, move the gantry to A.

9. *Test Fire*. If possible change position to se e if th e test fir e la nds on the thermal paper without opening the lid. If it is not possible it may be necessary to use the suggested marks in step 6. This is SpotA1

a. If the two marks are exactly on top

of each other,

i. then the Y axis is aligned. Do not

make any more changes to M1

ii. Move on to B-C X axis alignment.

10. If the 2 dots are not on top of each

other at A and B, continue as follows:

a. Move the head back to position B.

b. Note that the red dot can now be

used to pre dict where th e next lase r fi r e sho t s will be if it is aligned as in 7a.

c. While at position B, slowly adjust

Mirror 1. Not the red dot! See Note Z above.

d. Change the mirror so that the red

dot moves halfway toward spotA1.

e. Leave the gantry at B, Close the lid

and tap *Test Fire*.

f. T he ne w S p o t B2 sh o u l d h a v e

moved toward SpotA1 and match the red dot.

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TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

g. If the red dot does not match the

new Spot B2, tweak the red dot (not M1) as in step 7.

h. Move the gantry to A, close the lid

and *Test Fire*. Observe the new SpotA2. It should be only a little closer to SpotB1.

i. Note: If at any time spots become

conf u s i n g, sh i ft th e pa p er o r re m ove it co mplete l y an d sta r t with a clean piece. Spots will have to be redone and *Test Fired* at both A and B.

j. Continue this cycle of:

i. Fire Spot B,

ii. tweak the red dot,

iii. Fire Spot A,

iv. ad just M1 w hile the gan try is

at B

v. un t i l t h e s p o ts c r e a te d a r e

perfectly on top of each other. The spots o n M2 may not b e perfectly centered, but should certainly not extend off of the edge of M2.

Step 5: Align Axis B-C (X-Axis) using Alignment Laser's Red Dot.

Alignment of the B-C axis is often much easier than the A-B axis due to proximity of the gantry and experience learned on the fi r s t axis. It c a n n o t be stressed enou g h that th e A - B axis sh o u l d be aligned before attempting to align the BC. As w i t h A - B an d M1 , on c e B- C is aligned, do not continue to adjust M2. Further adjustment of M2 will negate the alignment of B-C.

1. Open the lid.

2. P l a c e The r m a l Pape r as be f o re on Mirror 3.

3. Move the Gantry to Position C.

4. Note that it is possible that Mirror 2 ca n be adju s ted f a r en o ugh o u t of range an d potenti a l l y damage the rubber of Mirror 3 when the laser is fired. Look for the alignment Laser. It

should give an indication of where the beam is pointing. Adjust Mirror 2 so that the red dot is hitting the thermal paper.

5. C l o se the lid an d t a p *Tes t Fire*. Without removing the paper it may be necessary to mark this spot. This is SpotC1.

6. Adjust only the red dot beam to match the Spot C1. As thi s is the f urth est distance it will take extremely small movements of the screws to move the red dot.

7. Move the head back to position B.

8. C l os e th e li d an d ta p *T e s t Fi re * observing and marking the spots as necessary. This is SpotB1.

9. As before if SpotC1 and SpotB1 are not exactly on top of each other adjust the red dot using Mirror2 this time to adjust the location of the red dot half way to SpotB1.

10. See steps above and repeat this cycle

of:

i. Fire Spot C,

ii. Tweak the red dot,

iii. Fire Spot B,

iv. adjust M2 while in position C.

v. un t i l the s p o ts creat e d are

perfectly on top of each other. The spots on M3 may not be perfectly centered, but should certainly not extend off of the edge of M3.

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TESTS & ALIGNMENTS

Step 6: Align Axis Lens holder (z-Axis) using Alignment Laser's Red Dot.

Centering of the beam on the lens is the most critical component of alignment. However, as the distance from M3 to the lens is very short, it is difficult to make drastic changes to the position of the laser spot. Resist the urge to adjust M2 or M1, because as indicated before, it will only create misalignment.

1. Open the lid.

2. P lace Ther mal Paper: Take a s mall piece of thermal paper (approximately 20 mm should be plenty) and place it firmly over the lens.

3. Press the paper down with a finger so that a c ir cl e ap p ea rs th at de monst r ates the ou t er rim of th e lens. Sometimes pencil lead or crayon will help to show the edges of the lens and mirrors.

4. Move the Gantry to Position C.

5. Move the lens to its lowest position usin g t h e f o cu s p u c k o n t h e honeycomb.

6. C l os e th e li d an d ta p *T e s t Fi re * Without removing the paper as it may be necessary to mark this spot. This is SpotL1.

7. Tweak the red dot to match the spot on the paper. Due to the reflections of all of the mirrors the red dot may not move with the same screw turns as it did previously.

8. Adjust Mirror 3 continuing to test fire unti l th e spot is ne a r ly pe rf ec tl y centered.

a. Note: do not overly tighten Mirror 3.

b. I n rare in st an ce s , it m ay be

necessary to acc ess the Mir ror 3 mounting screws.

c. F u ll y remo v e the lens h ol d er

asse m b l y b y loos e n i ng the thumbscrew.

d. Loosen the two Mirror 3 mounting

screws enough to rotate the lens in the direction of the missing shot. While holding the lens, retighten. The screws tend to rotate the mirror in the direction of tightening.

e. Replace lens holder assembly.

9. After the spot is centered rerun the 4 Corners Tests. The spots should now be nearly on top of each other. Also be sure to check that the nozzle is not clipping the laser patch and adjust if necessary.

Page 70

TUBE GUARD REMOVAL

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive

safety measures reduce the risk of starting the Laser Cutter accidentally.

Do not touch the any part of the laser tube and its connections.

Laser tube and its connections may be hot if laser was used recently.

Use care when removing the tube guard. The LED lights may be damaged by contact with tube guard edges.

For some tasks, the Tube Guard requires removal so that components ca n be accessed. Examples are Gantry alignment (mot o r co n n e ct or a d j u st me nt ) , f a n cleaning, and laser tube replacement. If remov al i s requi red, fo llow the step s below.

1. M o ve the g a nt r y t o it’ s fu r t h es t forward point, Fig. 36.

Fig. 36

2. Loose the 3 captive fasteners of the guard, Fig. 37.

Fig. 37

3. Lift the guard slightly off of the posts that retain the bottom of the guard.

4. Rotate the guard counter clockwise as shown in fig 38.

Fig. 38

5. Lift the front left corner of the guard until it clears the plastic, Fig. 39. Use caution not to damage the LED lights. Continue to tip and rotate.

Fig. 38

Reverse steps to install.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Ob serve all prov i ded

warn i n g s an d sa f e ty in s truct i ons when using the Dre m el LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire,

equipment damage, property damage or personal injury.

Your laser cutter must

be properly vented to the outside at all times. Do NOT operate

unless properly vented as set forth in the owner’s manual or these instructions.

Failure to follow all instructions could result in pro pert y damage , perso nal injury or death.

Always use a properly

confi gured, ins tal led, maintained, and operating fume/smoke exhaust system as recommended by the manufacturer when operating the laser system. Caustic fumes and smoke from

the engraving process must be extracted from the la ser sys tem and exhau sted outside.

Alwa y s inspe c t the

exhau st f an a nd d uct work f o r o b s tr uc ti o ns an d en s u re proper air flow exists before each use.

Unobstructed and properly maintained exhaust fan and duct work will reduce the risk of fire and effectively extract caustic fumes and smoke.

Never engra ve or cut

any unknown material.

Only engrave materials recommended by the m a n uf ac t ur er . Th e vaporization/melting of many materials, in clud ing but not limit ed to PVC and polycarbonates, can give off hazardous fumes. Always refer to the Safety Data Shee t ( S DS ) f ro m t he ma t e ri al manufacturer to determine the response of any work m ate rial to e xtr eme heat (burning/fire hazard) to prevent hazards.

This product uses a laser beam to rapidly heat, melt and partially or completely vaporize the material, creating a number of gases and particulate matter. These byproducts of la ser op era tio n can, in some cases, pose health risks to those exposed to them.

To reduce or minimize exposure to their heal t h h a z a rd s, a lw ay s u se a n ap prop riate fil trat i on and/o r ex haus t syst e m a n d c a r ef ul ly c h oo s e y o u r material. When using materials other than those s u g ge s t e d by Dr e m e l , ask th e manufacturer for the SDS (Safety Data Shee t ) fo r ea c h m a t e r ia l. The SDS “H a z a r ds Id e n t i f ication” s e c t i on wi l l provide information to help determine if the materi a l o r it' s by prod u c t s a r e harmful. If the material does not have an SDS, consu l t the manu f a c t ur er to determine if the material generates toxic gases and/or dust, and if it presents fire or explosion hazards.

Representative materials listed in table 1 have been tested and with a properly inst a l l e d an d ma i n t a in ed ex h a u st / filtration system, levels are below current occupational standards. (See www.------for material specifics?). The commonly us ed mater ials in t able 1 can vary in composition depending on manufacturer and other factors. Dremel has not tested all poss ible co mbinati ons and no t all materials have documented health effects of materials in use. As such, the user is responsi b l e for materia l choice and subsequent health consequences.

The Laser engraver has an exhaust port, fa n an d du c ting whi ch is a mean s to remove byproducts created during laser operation. Always ensure the exhaust is functioning. Refer to page XX for proper venting co n f i g ur a t i o n s . E x h a u s t and filtrati on syste ms may not be able to remove al l hazardous substances or reduce their concentration to acceptable levels, so never use materials that are prohibited (see table 2). When used with a properly operating exhaust/ filtration system, cutting/engraving the suggested materials have not shown elevated levels of toxic em i s s ions bu t as mo r e data be c omes availab l e, th i s ma y cha n g e. Alwa y s c he ck www.c u r r e nt materialsTBD.com for the latest material information.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Laser Cutting / Engraving Prohibited Uses & Restrictions

The laser cutter may be used only for lawful purposes. Dremel does not recommend nor endorse the use of the laser cutter to create material that is:

i. Prohibited by local, state or federal law;

ii. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, poses an immediate threat to the well-being of

self/others, or is otherwise inappropriate for the environment; or

iii. In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, the laser

cutter will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.

iv. Used as a structural component - The use of parts made must be thoroughly

evaluated by a competent professional prior to being included in such structure.

v. In cont act with or cons ist s of f ood; Pri or mater ial use m ay trans fer and

contaminate food.

Do not attempt to cut or engrave human or animal tissue.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Before the laser can be used, an actual project must be created. The project is then s e n t to t h e las e r as a j o b and fabrication begins. When done, a part is re ady f o r re moval fro m th e un i t. The following steps cover the process from beginning to end.

Sequence of Operations:

1) Create a Project.

2) Place work piece on the honeycomb plate.

3) Focus the Laser Head.

4) Send the job to the Laser.

5) System check.

6) Run the Job.

7) Finishing the job.

Step 1: Create a Project

Projects are constructed by opening the workspace in the Dremel LC40 Control Software and importing a file (or files). The files are available from (3) sources:

A) Creating them in a graphics program.

B) Importing previously created files.

C) Using the camera capture feature.

Most files are created through the use of software such as CorelDRAW®, A dobe Illustrator® or other graphic software. Depending on the software and how the file was created, a project is developed to run a job that will allow the laser to cut, engrave and/or score the material. Table 3 below li sts severa l file types which can be imported into the Laser System software. Please refer to the 3rd part y soft w a r e ma n u f a ct ur er ’ s instructions regarding creation of vector or image files.

Table 3 Compatible File Types and Laser Processes

Extension File Type

.SVG Vector X X

Cut Engrave Score

Laser Process

.PDF Vector/Image X X X

.JPEG Image X

.PNG Image X

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Source A) & B) File Preparation Details

Most designers use software such as Corel Draw® or Adobe Illustrator® to create the design files to import into the Dremel LC40 Control software, but pictures that have been taken with a camera can also be used. Any software can be used that exports PNG, JPEG, PDF, or SVG files.

The Dremel software accepts both vector (SVG or PDF) and image (JPEG, PDF, PNG) based files. It’s best to think of “cut” and “engrave” separately when designing for the Dremel Digilab Laser Cutter. Vector file types are optimal to cut something out of a material, or trace along lines with the laser. Image file types are optimal to engrave into the surface of a material with various levels of intensity.

In order to use the file created in the design software, simply “save as” or “export” your file as one of the above file types. It’s best to save parts of the file that will have applied different laser settings or applications to, as different files before importing.

By default, the Dremel software will recognize different colors in vector files and allow the application of different settings based on those colors. For a single image file, the same print settings need to be applied to the entire file.

For example, to engrave the dark area in this image in a dark shade, and the white in this image in a light shade, it would be best to export the dark area and the white text and circle outline as two separate files:

dark engrave (image file) + light engrave (image file) = light and dark engrave

(a similar output could be obtained by bringing in a single image file and applying “grayscale”. In this case, however, the engraving will fill the object with tiny dots,

Similarly, to engrave the dark area and cut out the white text, it would be best to save the text outline as an SVG or PDF and the dark area as an image file:

dark engrave (image file) + text outline (vector file) = text and circle cut out

Multiple files can be sent to the laser as a single job. Simply import multiple files. If multiple files are exported from the same source file, the Dremel software will place them on top of one another by default.

rather then appearing solid.)

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Source C) On-board Camera Capture

There are two ways to use the camera capture feature. The first way is to use the ca m e r a to pul l a pi c t u r e of the material in t o the background of the software. Being able to see the size and location of the work piece in the software helps with aligning imported files, and redu c e s wa s t e d mat e r i al s . Th i s is especially useful when wanting to cover the entire surface, to place a file in an exact location (center, near an edge or corner, etc), or if it is a small piece of material.

In order to use this function (Option 1):

1. In the Dremel LC40 Control software, go t o IMPOR T m e nu . Click o n IMPORT>CAPTURE.

2. Follow the on screen instructions — Place the material onto the center of the honeycomb plate and close the lid. Click “NEXT”.

4. T h e c am er a w i ll t h e n c a p t ur e 9 different images of the bed and stitch them together.

5. Click “Done” to place this image into the background of the workspace.

6. The background image can be cleared at any time by going to Import>Clear Capture.

3. The LED lights in the laser will flash off, and a red dot will appear. If the red d o t is not o n top o f the w o r k piece, adjust the work piece and start again with step 1.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

The sec o n d way to us e th e came r a capture is to trace a drawing or sketch. For this application, it’s best to use a black marker on white paper.

Step s 1 - 4 ar e th e sa m e as in the previous capture method.

Follow steps 1 - 4 on previous page.

5. Drag a box aro und th e area of the sketch that will be turned into a laser fi le. Choose to make the selec tion sensitivity higher or lower by switching between the 3 threshold options and click “next.”

6. C h oo se wheth e r th e fi l e wi l l be engraved o r cut, an d whether th e background image should appear in the software by toggling the switches on or off and then click “done”.

7. The background image can be cleared at any time by going to Import>Clear Capture. The cut or engrave files can be cleared by hitting “delete” on the keyboard.

Import Project Files

Once the project file(s) are created they can be imported into Dremel LC40 and executed.

1. Import, drag and drop a file, or use the camera capture to begin a project.

Import PDF or SVG files for objects you would like to cut or score.

Import JPEG, PNG, or PDF file s for objects you would like to engrave.

More than one object can be sent to the laser in a single job by importing mult i p l e ob j e c ts int o the same workspace.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

2. Select the material type and thickness. The material library will automatically populate suggested cut and/or engrave print settings based on the material and thickness selected.

3. Move, scale, and adjust objects to the desired or i e n t a t io n . More precise adju s t m e nt s ca n be made in th e bottom left side of the screen.

4. Adjust print settings as needed. If the settings are changed in this box, they will ov erride Dr eme l reco mme nded sett i n g s u n t i l a n e w m at e ri al i s selected. The to p right sid e of the print s ettings box will unlock mo re precis e setting op tions. Review job and job execution order to make sure the desired result.

5. Send the job to the Laser.

If you wou l d li k e to sa v e a job to you r compute r to re pe a t again la t e r go to File/Save. The job will be saved in a .bin format and will contain each object, it’s location, and it’s print settings.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Step 2: Place Material on the Honeycomb Plate

Ob serve all prov i ded

warn i n g s an d sa f e ty in s truct i ons when using the Dre m el LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire,

equipment damage, property damage or personal injury.

Never e n g r a v e or c u t

any unknown material. Only engrave materials recommended by the manu f a c t u r e r. Th e va p o r iz a t i o n/ melting of many materials, including but not limited to PVC and polycarbonates, can give off hazardous fumes. Always refer

to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the ma t e rial m a n ufactu r e r to det e r mine t h e response of any work material to extreme heat (burning/fire hazard) to prevent hazards.

Al w a ys us e prov i d e d

work p ie ce sup p o r t stru c t u r e. F a br i ca ti on w i t ho u t

honeycomb support may lead to fire or release of stray radiation.

Do not use irregularly

shap e d work p ie ce .

Risk of stray radiation or fire.

Do n o t stac k work

pieces . Stacking work

pieces increases the risk of fire.

Place the work piece inside the laser on the honeycom b plate, Fig. 39 . Always place the work piece on the honeycomb plate for cutting jobs. For engraving or scoring thicker pieces of material, the honeycomb plate can be removed and the work piece placed directly placed on the surface that supports the honeycomb plate. If it is an irregularly shaped work piece (such as a circle), place the work

piece anywhere on the laser bed and use the camera capture feature in the Dremel LC40 Control software to align the design with the work piece. Be careful not to damage any part of the machine during this p r oc e s s . The la se r head ca n b e move d o ut of t h e w ay b y hand i f necessary, b y pressing the “ u n l o c k ” button on the LCD touchscreen.

Make sure the work piece sits flat on the honeycomb plate. If the work piece is not flat, the Laser beam will be out of focus. If the difference in flatness of the lowest spot to the highest spot or your work piece is more than 1/8" the Laser head could touch or move the work piece out of position. Depending on the job, the work piece can be aligned with the top left corner of the honeycomb plate, or placed at any location on the honeycomb plate.

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Step 3: Focus the Laser Head

The bottom of the laser head must be at the correct distance from the top surface of the wo r k piec e in or d e r to c u t or engrave a clean image.

To focus the laser head (Fig. 40):

1. Move the laser head so that it hovers

over yo u r w o r k pi e c e , ei t h e r by pressing the arrow buttons on the LCD touc h s c r ee n, HO M E m e nu , or b y pressing “unlock” and moving the laser head manually with your hand.

2. loosen the laser head knob (left hand

side of the focus lens). Loosening the knob frees up the focus lens to move up and down.

3. Raise the laser he ad and p lace the

spacer puck between the laser head and the work piece.

4. Let the laser head rest on the spacer

puck and tighten the laser head knob to fix the laser head in place.

5. Remove the spacer puck.

Note: If the work piece to be engraved is to o thick t o fit in the las e r with t h e honeycomb plate, remove the honeycomb plate and place the work piece directly on the s u r f ac e t h at s up p or ts t h e honeycomb plate. However, this is only recommended when engraving. Do not do this if the material needs to be cut.

Fig. 40

Laser Head

Knob

Spacer Puck

Work Piece

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OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Step 4: Send the Job to the Laser

Close the laser lid. The “Run Perimeter” feature on the LCD laser screen or in the Dremel LC40 Control software can be utilized to ensure that the work piece and the design are aligned. The “Run Perimeter” feature moves the head of the laser around the perimeter of the job as it is set up in the software.

Send the job file it to the laser so the laser can perform its system checks. From the Dremel LC40 Control Laser Software toolbar click "START" to run the job.

Step 5: System Check

Review the screen to make sure that all four system icons are white indicating the system is ready to run.

If any icons are red, the laser will notify you that these systems need to be fixed before beginning the job. A “?” next to the appropriat e line item wi ll help t o diagnose and correct each error.

Refe r to To uc h Scr e e n info r m a ti o n star t i n g on pag e 1 9 f or ad di ti o na l information.

Page 81

OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER

Step 6: Send a Job

Do not o perate when

access door is open. An

open door can lead to stray radiation, increased exposure to hazardous vapors or burn hazard."

Never operate the laser

cutter system without constant supervision of the cutting and engraving process. Exposure to the laser

beam may cause ignition of combustible materials and start a fire.

Alwa y s u s e t h e a ir

assist as recommended by the manufacturer, especially while cutt i n g . C u tt in g m o ve me n ts a r e relatively slow and apply an extremely large amount of heat to the work piece.

Avoid the build-up of heat in order to reduce the risk of fire.

Always use a properly

confi gured, ins tal led, maintained, and operating fume/smoke exhaust system as recommended by the manufacturer when operating the laser system. Caustic fumes and smoke from

the engraving process must be extracted from the la ser sys tem and exhau sted outside.

See the software section of the manual to learn how to create a project and send a job.

When the project is ready to be sent to the laser, press the “start” button on the LCD to send the job to the laser.

Ensure tools and parts such as spacer puck, wrench, debris, etc. are removed from the honeycomb plate before starting a laser job.

On the laser screen, verify that all system warning icons are still white.

The “Run Perimeter” feature on the LCD laser screen or in the laser software can be utilized to ensure that the material and t he design are a lig ned . The “Run Perimeter” feature moves the head of the laser around the perimeter of the job as it is set up in the software.

It is also possible to “Test Fire” the laser from the XYZ to make sure that the laser is firing properly.

If after test firing the laser and potential solutions are to clean the mirrors and lenses or re-align the mirrors. Consult the main t e n a nc e a n d t r o ub le sh o ot in g sections of this manual for more detail.

Double click the button on the laser LCD screen to start the job!

Step 7: Finishing the Job

Once the job is complete the finished part and the remaining material, can be removed from the laser.

1. Verify that the laser head is not firing

and h a s stopp e d m ov in g b ef or e opening the lid.

2. Open the lid to get access to the parts.

3. If the laser head is above the part, you

can unlock it by pressing the “Unlock”

button on the LCD HOME screen and then move the head to the top lef t corner by hand.

4. Carefully remove all pieces from the honeycomb plate. Be careful not to damage any part of the unit during this process.

Page 82

”

MAINTENANCE

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive

safety measures reduce the risk of starting the laser cutter accidentally.

Water Tank Maintenance

1. Change water every 30 days to remove part i c l e s and co m pe n sa te fo r evaporation.

2. Check water level daily. Remove cap to check water level. Add distilled water if needed.

3. Check to verify water is circulating by removing the cap to the water bottle. Check daily.

4. Check for mold. Must be cleaned with bleach if mold develops.

Fig. 41

Cleaning

Clean every 4 to 5 hours of use or once per day. Material that produces larger amount of smoke, such as wood, cleaning is r ec om m en d m o re f r eq ue nt . U s e extreme caution when cleaning the lens. If any scratches or pitting can be seen on the surface, the lens must be replaced. These imperfections reduce power and will result in less energy reaching the work piece.

Any cont aminant le ft o n the l ens wil l result in the de b r i s absor b i n g more ener g y , wh i c h c a n da m a g e the l e n s surface.

Materials needed for cleaning mirrors and lenses:

• Finge r c o t s o r l a t ex / vi ny l g l o v es ,

powder free.

• Cotton tipped swabs or lens wipes with

alcohol free solution.

Procedure for cleaning the focus lens:

1. Remove the lens from the lens holder, see figure 41.

2. Dip the swab or lens wipe in the lens cleaner solution, use a gentle circular motion to clean the lens surface.

3. Use dry swabs or wipes to gently dry the lens surface.

4. Reassemble the focus lens in the lens holder

Procedure for cleaning mirrors:

Neve r re m ov e th e

mi r r o rs fo r cleani n g !

Take ext r a caut i o n t o not mov e t h e orie ntation o f the mi rrors as this will affect laser beam alignment and would requ i r e tim e inten s i v e lase r beam realignment.

The materials needed are the same as for the lenses.

Remember to ch e c k alignment after cleaning the mirrors, especially if they have been removed for cleaning. All the same precautions apply as for cleaning the lenses.

Procedure for cleaning the laser tube lens (Lens 1):

This lens is located at the output end of the laser tube and shou ld be cleaned once every two months.

Be ex tra cau tious when cle aning this lens. It cannot be removed from the laser tube. Any damage to the lens results in a damaged laser tube.

Page 83

MAINTENANCE

Use the same procedure as cleaning the focus lens.

Procedure for cleaning the beam combiner lens.

For location of the beam combiner lens, refer to figure 2, page 18.

1. C l e an i n g t h e beam combine r lens re quire s rem oval of the lase r tu b e shroud. See page shroud.

2. D o not remov e the beam combin er lens.

3. D i p the sw a b or lens wi p e in the solvent. Use a gentile circular motion to clean the lens surface.

4. Use dry swabs or wipes to gently dry the lens surface.

5. Reassemble the laser tube shroud.

Fig. 42

69 for removal of the

Beam

Combiner

Lens

Guide Rails X and Y

a. Clean the X and Y guide rails weekly.

Clean more often if debris is visibly accumulating.

Its important to keep the left and right side rails clean to allow the moving part s of the la s e r to gli d e freel y without sticking or binding. Also, clean the guide rail between the two side rail s suppor tin g the mo ving gan try. Keeping these rails clean is important to maintain the high precision of the laser.

b. Use a clean soft cotton cloth to wipe

down the rail s. Re-lubricate with a

light coating of white lithium grease.

Enclosure and Top Cover

The enclosure and glass lid for the laser should be cleaned at least monthly.

Cleaning the enclosure:

• Wipe down the external surfaces of the enclosure with a soft cotton towel. Use light pressure to avoid scratching the surface.

• Cleaning the glass lid and side covers.

Use glass clea ner and a soft towel to clean the lid.

The plastic side covers should only be cleaned with glass cleaner or a mild soap soluti o n . Us e a so ft towel and light pressure. Do not use a paper towel, as this is more abrasive and can scratch the surface. Do not use alcohol to clean the plastic side covers.

• Use caution when cleaning the display screen as it is made of glass. Use light pressure.

Cleaning the interior:

The interior of the laser unit should be kept clean of debris. Check at least once per week and clean if necessary. Keeping the interior clean will reduce the risk of particles flaming during use. Moreover, reduc e the chan c e o f air b o r n e du s t interfering with the laser path.

• Remove the honeycomb plate and wipe or vacuum the interior of any debris.

• Pay particular attention to the laser tube cover as the small outlet openings can become clogged with debris.

Y-Axis Belts

a. Chec kin g belt tension. C hec k the

rubber b e l t s for tension e v e r y six mont h s . Th e ru bb er b el ts work together to move the gantry front to rear. I t s important t h at they ha v e relatively the same amount of tension. Tensi on i s diffi cult to me asure but there should not be sagging in one belt

Page 84

MAINTENANCE

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

and c omp lete tension in the other. Dremel lasers are delivered with the proper amount of belt tension. It is advisable to check belt tension when the laser is new to establish a good baseline for future reference. Simply depress th e belt li g h t ly with yo u r fingers and note the deflection. The belt should deflect about 1/4-1/2 inch with a light force.

b. Tensioning the belt. Loosen the idler

pulley set screw. Pull on the Y idler pulley mount by h and. Moderat e to strong force is recommended. Tighten the idler pulley set screw. Repeat for opposite side belt.

Exhaust Fan

Do not try to c l e a n

ex h aust ducting. The

high co nc e n t ra t i on of partic l e s may become airborne and create inhalation exposure.

a. Clean the exhaust fan and exhaust shroud.

After prolonged use, the fan performance can diminish due to dust build up on the fan blades and plenum. If the laser has been us e d for a l o t of wo o dc u t t i n g , cleanin g will need to be done more freq u e n t ly . De br is can st i c k to any surf a c e in its p a t h . I f fa n noi s e or vibration is detected, a good cleaning is overdue.

Remove the flexible exhaust hose from the exhaust shrou d. With a clean soft cloth, wipe the inside of the shroud to remove all residue.

Inspect the flexible duct for debris. If the di a m e t e r appe a r s to be const r i c t e d , replace exhaust duct with a UL181 listed product.

With a soft cloth, clean the dust off the fan blades. It will be necessary to remove the fan from the enclosure.

Page 85

SHIPPING AND STORAGE

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Two per s o n li f t

requ i r e d . Lift i n g t h e

laser cutter alone may result in personal injury.

Shipping the Laser Cutter

Refer to the unboxing section on page 14 of the manual for help in returning the LC40 t o i t s origin a l p a ck a g i ng configuration.

1. Unplug and wind up the power cord.

2. Unplug the hex box connector cord.

3. Disconnect the Ethernet cable.

4. Disconnect the air tube.

5. D i s c on n e c t the e x h a us t hose b y loosening the hose clamp.

6. Drain the cooling water. Place the hex box in a suitable container to capture the system water. Place the container in a location below the LC40. Remove the cap from the water tank. Disconnect the clear inlet water hose from the hex box and allow the water to drain. This will drain the water from both the hex box and the LC40 laser tube. It is important to drain as m uch wat er as pos sible in cas e o f freezing weat her . Tilting the hex b ox back and forth will help drain the water.

7. If shipping the LC40 in its original carton. Remove th e 4 sc r e ws secu r i n g the exhaust shroud and place the exhaust shroud in its carton.

8. Remove the honeycomb plate and place it in its package.

9. Whe n placing the LC40 in its origin al carton try to replace the foam pads in the order they came out. It is important th e foam p a d s securely capture the gantry system. Secure the gantry with plastic ties to minimize any movement of the gantry during transportation.

10. R e t u r n the h e x box to its o r i gi n a l

shipping lo c a t i on inside th e laser enclosure. If it cannot be placed inside, it must be secured to the pallet outside of the laser.

Fig. 31

11. When shipping the LC40 the unit must be se c u re d to a pa l l e t to pr ev e n t damage

Storing the Laser Cutter

1. Unplug and wind up the power cord.

2. Unplug the hex box connector cord.

3. Disconnect the Ethernet cable.

4. Disconnect the air tube.

5. D i s c on n e c t the e x h a us t hose b y

loosening the hose clamp.

6. Drain the cooling water. Place the hex

box in a suitable container to capture the system water. Place the container in a location below the LC40. Remove the cap from the water tank. Disconnect the clear inlet water hose from the hex box and allow the water to drain. This will drain the water from both the hex box and the LC40 laser tube. It is important to drain as m uch wat er as pos sible in case of freezing weat her . Tilting the hex b ox back and forth will help drain the water.

7. S t o r e in a cle a n , d ry du st fr e e

environment within a temperature range of 60- 8 5 F ( 1 6 - 2 9 C ). Ke e p th e laser covered to minimize dust build up inside the laser enclosure.

Page 86

SERVICEABLE PARTS

Observe all provided warnings and safety instructions when using the Dremel LC40. Failure to do so may result in fire, equipment

damage, property damage or personal injury.

Have your laser cutter serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of

the laser cutter is maintained.

Use only re com men ded accessories. Foll ow instructions that accompany accessories. Use of improper accessories may cause

hazards.

The following parts are available for service:

Part Number Description

2610047848 Lens assembly

2610047854 Mirror assembly

2610047890 Laser Tube asembly

1619PB2675 Drive Belt

2610048945 Spacer

2610048961 Exhaust hose

2610048951 Honey comb

1600A011SL Water pump

1600A011SK Air pump

2610048946 Alignment paper

2610048944 Lens Cleaner Wipes

Page 87

Firmware & Open Source Software

Firmware Updates

Dremel recommends that firmware is updated whenever Dremel provides an update.

Dremel will provide firmware updates to improve performance and add additional features for

the Laser Cutter throughout the life of the product. The Laser Cutter will be able to obtain new firmware by connecting the network connection (Ethernet or Wireless) to the Internet to allow the firmware to check for new firmware updates. The Laser Cutter will automatically download (in a background process) when a firmware update is available. The Laser Cutter will provide a prompt on the LCD display to allow it to proceed with the update.

Open Source Software used in this Dremel product

This product contains software components that are licensed by the holder of the rights under any version of the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) or any other open source software license which requires that source code be made available. A complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code is available by sending a written request to:

Dremel Attn: Open Source Software Officer P.O. Box 081126 Racine, WI USA 53408-1126

The request should include: (i) the name of the Dremel product, (ii) the serial number (if applicable), (iii) the software version (if applicable), (iv) your name, (v) your company name (if applicable) and (vi) your return mailing and email address (if available).

We may charge you a nominal fee to cover the cost of the physical media and distribution.

Send the request (i) within three (3) years of the date product was received that included the software which is subject of your request or (ii) in the case of code licensed under the GPL version 3 for as long as Dremel offers spare parts or customer support for that product.

Warranty regarding further use of the Open Source Software:

DREMEL provides no warranty for the Open Source Software programs contained in this device, if such programs are used in any manner other than the program execution intended by DREMEL. The licenses listed below define the warranty, if any, from the authors or licensors of the Open Source Software. DREMEL specifically disclaims any warranties for defects caused by altering any Open Source Software program or the product´s configuration.

You have no warranty claims against DREMEL in the event that the Open Source Software infringes the intellectual property rights of a third party. Technical support, if any, will only be provided for unmodified software.

Page 88

Dremel®Limited Warranty

Your Dremel LC40 is warranted against defective materials or workmanship for a period of one year form the date of Purchase with the exception of the following consumables: All lenses, mirrors and Laser Tube. The consumables (all mirrors, lenses and Laser Tube) are warranted against defective materials or workmanship for a period of 60 days from the date of Purchase. In the event of the product fails to conform to this written warranty, please take the following action:

1. DO NOT return your product to the place of purchase.

2. Please contact customer service

3. Carefully package the product by itself, in original packaging, with no other items, and return it, freight prepaid, along with:

a. A copy of your dated proof of purchase (please keep a copy for yourself).

b. A written statement about the nature of the problem.

c. Your name, address and phone number to:

CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES CANADA

Dremel Service Center 4915 21st Street Racine, WI 53406 Phone: 1 (800) 437-3635

OUTSIDE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES

See your local distributor or write to Dremel, 4915 21st Street Racine, WI 53406.

We recommend that the package be insured against loss or in-transit damage, for which we cannot be responsible.

This warranty applies only to the original registered purchaser. DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT RESU LTI NG FROM TA MPE RING, AC CID ENT, A BUS E, NE GLI GEN CE, UNAU THO RIZ ED REPAIRS OR ALTERATIONS, PRODUCT USE IN VIOLATION OF THE “GENERAL SAFETY AND USE WARNINGS,” UNAPPROVED ATTACHMENTS OR OTHER CAUSES UNRELATED TO PROBLEMS WITH MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY.

No employee, agent, dealer or other person is authorized to give any warranties on behalf of Dremel. If Dremel inspection shows that the problem was caused by problems with material or workmanship within the limitations of the warranty, Dremel will repair or replace the product free of charge and return the product prepaid. Repairs made necessary by normal wear or abuse, or repair for products outside of the warranty period, if they can be made, will be charged at regular factory prices.

DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES: DREMEL MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KI N D WHAT E V E R , EXPRESSE D OR I M P L I E D , AND ALL I M P L I E D WAR R A N T I E S OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED BY DREMEL AND EXCLUDED FROM THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. The obligation of the warrantor is solely to repair or replace the product. The warrantor is not liable for any incidental or consequential damages due to any such alleged defect. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you.

For prices and warranty fulfillment in the continental United States, contact a Dremel service location.

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation 1800 West Central Road Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056

Giles Tool Agency 47 Granger Av. Scarborough, ON M1K 3K9 Phone:1-416-287-3000

West Coast Tool 4008 Myrtle Street Burnaby, B.C. V5C 4G2 Phone: 1-604-873-5394

Dremel DIGILAB LC40 Operating/safety Instructions Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual