The Alpha MK2 20W laser engraver simplifies the process with a three-step procedure, which makes it easy to achieve a great result every time. In this step, we’ll focus on how to set up the engraving process through the machine’s interface.
2.1. In the First Step: Click on the Screen to Select the Engraving Picture
Once your slate coaster is in place, you’ll need to choose your design. This design can be a New Year message, a custom logo, or any other graphic you want to engrave onto the slate.
- Load Your Design: On your Alpha MK2 20W, click the screen to open the file selection area. If you’ve saved your engraving file to a USB drive, insert it into the machine and select the design you want to engrave.
- Types of Files: Ensure your design is in an appropriate file format for engraving (e.g., JPEG, PNG, or SVG for vector-based designs).
The first step involves selecting the right engraving picture or design. This is the most critical part of the process, as it will dictate the final result.
2.2. In the Second Step: Set the Engraving Parameters
Now that you have your design loaded, it’s time to adjust the engraving parameters. The Alpha MK2 20W provides various settings that need to be configured to ensure a high-quality engraving.
Select the Material: Choose the engraving material, in this case, Natural Black Rock Plate (or slate). This is important because different materials require different settings for optimal results.
Set the Engraving Parameters: Set the parameters according to the following recommendations for engraving slate:
- Speed: 15,000mm/min
- Power: 100%
- Quality: High
- Passes: 1 (Since slate is a relatively soft material compared to metals or ceramics, a single pass should be sufficient.)
Set the Size: Ensure the size of your engraving is set correctly. This should be proportional to the size of your slate coaster, leaving some border space to ensure the design doesn't feel crowded.
Drag the Picture to the Engraving Area: Once the parameters are set, drag your design to the engraving area on the screen. Position it in the desired spot on the slate coaster, making sure it aligns with the engraving area that you have prepared.
2.3. Double-Check the Settings
Before proceeding, double-check all the settings. You want to ensure that the engraving will not be too deep (which could damage the slate) or too light (which could make the design hard to read). Once everything looks good, you are ready to move to the third step.
