Automatic focusing

The focus setting on your laser engraver is an important factor for achieving optimal engraving results. The focus setting refers to the distance between the head of your laser machine and the material you are engraving. Trotec offers different focus modes for different applications. They include:

Sonar Technology

Sonar Technology^TM is an "automatic" focus mode that does not require you to use a focus tool. Instead, you press the Z-positioning keys on your laser engraver, and an ultrasonic sensor on the laser head detects the surface of your work piece. The focal point is calculated automatically and the Z-axis of the laser engraver moves in the appropriate position. Sonar Technology^TM provides the highest level of accuracy for focusing on every position of the working table. This highly accurate focus mode makes it easy to use the correct focus mode on your laser engraving machine every time.

In addition, it is possible to focus the laser using an integrated light bar focus, the material thickness or manually using focus tools.

Light Bar Focus

If you are working with flat, opaque items or materials of unknown thickness, the Light Bar Focus is ideal. This mode works by using sensors (light barriers) that are installed laterally in the enclosure. You enable this focus mode on the keyboard of your laser engraving machine, which causes the processing table to automatically move up until the sensors detect the engraving material and calculates the correct focal point.

Software Focus

JobControl Software includes a feature that calculates the optimal focus point when you enter the material thickness and the lens used. The software, which has a "bi-directional connection" with the laser engraving machine, senses the exact height the work table. Once you enter the information in the software, the table moves to the correct position with only one press of the button.

This is an ideal focus mode for processing materials with known thickness.

Focus Tool

Each focus tool ist pre-set to the focal length of the corresponding lense and is appropriately colour coded. The operator simply hangs the focus tool on the laser head, and then moves the working table manually until the surface of the workpiece to be engraved touches the focus tool. Now the right focus point is set. This focus mode is fast and flexible.
This method is especially useful when you work with a lot of different materials, if the material thickness is unknown or can not be measured and for cylindrical objects.

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