LaserPro Mercury User manual

USER MANUAL
MERCURY

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Content
QUICK MENU...........................................................................3
I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................5
Principles of CO2Laser .....................................................................5
Safety....................................................................................................5
Precaution............................................................................................5
Fire Precaution....................................................................................5
Warning Label .....................................................................................6
Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................7
Lens and Manual Focus Gauge.....................................................12
Instruction of Rotary Attachment....................................................13
TOP VIEW .........................................................................................14
Operation: ..........................................................................................14
SIDE VIEW ........................................................................................15
Dual Head Installation......................................................................16
II. RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION ...........................18
Computer ...........................................................................................18
Scanner..............................................................................................18
Software .............................................................................................18
III. HARDWARE INSTALLATION.........................................19
Cabling Connection:.........................................................................19
Parallel Transmission.......................................................................19
Serial Transmission..........................................................................20
Interface for Macintosh....................................................................20
Exhaust Ventilation...........................................................................20
IV. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION .........................................21
Install LaserPro Mercury driver to PC ...........................................21
V. OPERATION ......................................................................21
Environment ......................................................................................21
Flexible Utility of Your Memory Buffer...........................................21
Am I in Multiple File mode or Single File mode now? ................22
Start to Operate.................................................................................23
START/STOP ....................................................................................24
FUNCTION ........................................................................................28
Software Operation ..........................................................................40
VI. BASIC MAINTENANCE ..................................................61
Clean the mirror – Please refer to the figure as below...............61
Clean the focus lens ........................................................................63

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VII. TROUBLE SHOOTING ..................................................64
Quality Problems ..............................................................................64
Non-operational Problems ..............................................................64
Appendix A. 3D Function ......................................................65
Tip for 3D Application.......................................................................65
APPENDIX B. Application Parameters ...............................67
Engraving Parameter.......................................................................67
Cutting Parameters ..........................................................................68
APPENDIX C. Specification .................................................69
Optional Items:..................................................................................69

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QUICK MENU
1. Connect air exhaust system.
2. Setup computer and connect with engraving system properly.
3. Turn ON host computer system.
4. Install the MERCURY Driver. (for the first time use only)
5. Use Windows-based program (such as CorelDraw, PhotoShop, PhotoPaint, Illustrator,
CASmate, Signlab, EasySign, AutoCAD, etc.) to operate with the engraver.
6. Turn ON engraver. The lens carriage moves to the home position (upper left corner)
and the working table moves down 50mm approximately after system initialization. (If a
rotary attachment has been installed, the working table will move down to the bottom.)
7. Auto-focusing: under STOP status, put work-piece on the table, move X-axis (Please
refer to Fig. 3) and carriage by arrow keys to locate the lens carriage above the
engraving material (holding carriage by hands for prompt moving is acceptable under
STOP condition but not recommended). Press AUTO FOCUS the table will move
upward and stop at the focal positionautomatically.
8. The following is an example by using CorelDRAW V.11. Please ready the engraving
graphic in CorelDraw, and follow the instruction below to start work.
1. Layout
2. Page Setup
3. Set from Printer, choose Portrait
4. OK
5. Edit desired file (picture etc.)
5. File
6. Print
7. Properties
8. Options, choose desired Mode (refer to Fig. 11) then set up proper resolution,
power and speed
9. OK
10. Print
11. File name is shown on LCD then press START.
(Please refer to page 16, Start to Operate, for detail operation in different mode
selection)
NOTE:
zIf the memory buffer is set up in Single file / No Repeat mode, under START
condition,
the engraver will start to engrave/cut upon receiving a file. While if the memory
buffer is set up in Multiple File mode, receiving at least one complete file then press
START to start a job (refer to page 20, Start to Operate).
zChoices of DPI must be the same for both editing and printing out a file.
zTurn on the air exhausting system before engraving.
zThe maximum loading weightof working table is 20 kg.

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NOTICE:
1. In order to match Mercury driver’s color. Make sure your CorelDRAW V.11 or later the
“Color Management off” is disable. Please fallow the steps:
Tools Color Management Color Management Off OK.
2. When operating with CorelDRAW V.11 or later version, please choose Layout
Page Setup Set From Printer.
3. When using the available artworks from the Clipart of CorelDRAW, to prevent the
hidden vector lines shown on your engravings. Please do as follows:
Choose a file from Clipart, go to Bitmaps Convert to Bitmap, after converting
the file, go to Bitmaps Mode Grayscale OK.

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I. INTRODUCTION
Principles of CO2Laser
LASER is a Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
A CO2laser works by exciting the molecules of a carbon dioxide gas mixture.
To engrave, the beam is focused through a lens. The intensive beam can vaporize
the surface of the material leaving an engraved image or, in some cases, cutting through the
material.
Safety
Laser engravers that have the CDRH safety rating of Class 1 are required to have key safety
features such as an enclosed laser beam and safety interlock mechanisms designed to protect
the operator. In addition to the safety features of a Class1 machine, the LaserPro Mercury
has been equipped with a red guidance pointer. This red dot allows the operator to safely see
the focal point of the laser beam. It also gives Mercury the improved CDRH safety rating of 3R.
Precaution
1. The suitable temperature for working environment is 15 ~30 (60 ~86 )℃℃℉℉. In an
appropriate and comfortable working environment, the working efficiency will be much
better.
2. Always wear certified safety goggles. Reflective materials such as mirrors, enameled
brass and anodized aluminum may reflect a portion of the invisible laser radiation.
This may cause sever eye damage if appropriate safety goggles are not worn.
NOTE: Each LaserPro laser machine is equipped with a safety goggle, if you need
another one, please contact LaserPro for it or try to get one that meets the following
specification.
190-398 nm OD5+
10,600 nm OD5+
Visible light transmission: 92.9%
3. Do not attempt to modify or disassemble the laser system at any time.
4. Wear appropriate safety goggles especially when engraving with mirrors or coated
metals such as enameled brass and anodized aluminum..
5. Good ventilation is required to remove odors and vaporized materials to the outside of
the building or structure. An exhausted system is recommended.
6. Do not work with reflective metals, heat sensitive surfaces or other materials that may
produce toxic substances, such as PVC and Teflon.
7. A fire extinguisher should be available on hand at any time.
8. Never leave the machine unattended during operation.
9. Follow the recommendations for maintaining and cleaning your system. Not only will
this enable you to engrave efficiently, it will ensure that your machine runs safely as
well.
Fire Precaution
1. When cutting materials that easily caught on fire, such as acrylic, wood or paper, it is
advised to have air compressor turned on to prevent flame.
2. If cutting table, or honey comb table, is used for cutting purpose, do not leave any
material underneath, as when material at top is cut through, the material at below will
be burned easily due to trapped heat.

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3. It is not encouraged leaving the cutting job unattended, especially with materials
mentioned above.
The Safety Interlock System
The LaserPro EXPLORER is complete with a safety interlock system that automatically
shuts off the power supply to the laser whenever the top or front door is opened. There are
magnets on the top and front door, which activate this safety mechanism. Do not attempt
to remove or modify these magnets or any other component of the safety interlock system.
Warning Label
On the surface of Carriage
On the front cover of Laser Tube
On the front center of the top door
On the backside of the machine

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Frequently Asked Questions
1.What materials can be processed by CO2laser?
Virtually any materials such as acrylic, wood, fabrics, glass, leather, marble, stone,
rubber stamps, paper products, coated metals, plastics (especially micro plastic
developed by IPI, Spectrum and Rowmark etc.) other hard-surface materials blended
with polyester and fibers ( Corian™, Fountainhead™, and Avonite™ etc.) or laserable
simulated products of stone, wood and metal etc.
Bare metals can not get a good engraving result by using CO2laser. However, special
kind of spray has been developed that allows CO2laser to mark on the bare metals
such as stainless steel, aluminum etc. Do not engrave or cut materials which are heat
sensitive or toxic substances can be produced ( e.g. PVC and Teflon coating ).
2.What is the life cycle of the laser source?
The life cycle of laser source is around 20,000 hours, however it can be re-filled and
should be done by your dealer.
3.What is the main purpose of air assist system?
The air assist system can provide a much better engraving & cutting effect, as it will blow
away vaporized particles and prevent fire due to overheating.
4.What does cutting table do?
The cutting table, also known as honeycomb table, is especially useful for vector cutting
application. The space between materials and working table, gapped by cutting table,
allows heat and smoke to be disbursed and vented out which may otherwise cause bad
cutting effect.
5.What is the maximum engraving speed of LaserPro
Mercury?
The maximum engraving speed of LasePro Mercury is 1066 mm/sec (42 inch/sec). When
engraving an A4 (18 x 28 cm) size square with 250dpi at full speed, it takes LaserPro
Mercury about 18 minutes to complete.
6.How to engrave an extremely long working piece?
The back door (or panel) of LaserPro Mercury can be removed by taking away the
On the upper left side of the machine

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screws. For a better ventilation and safe purpose, this special design is to prevent the
back door being opened without notice during operating. However, you have to use
magnetic devices to short the connector of the magnetic switches on both side of the
front door while opening for engraving extremely long work-piece. When doing so, make
sure that you wear safety goggles to operate the machine.

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Front View
- 7 -
Control Panel
Laser Source
Front
Top Door
Switches & Ports
Air inlet connect
to air compressor
Air Flow
Adjuster
Press the ring to pull
out the air tube.
Air Flow
Fixer
Control Panel
Laser Source
Front
Door
Top Door
Air inlet connect
to air compressor
Valve Press the ring to pull
out the air tube.
Air Flow
Fixer
Turn clockwise to decrease the air
flow and counterclockwise to
increase the air flow.
Please avoid turn off.

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Back View
Disassemble
to maintain
#1 mirror.
Please refer to the
right layout.
Unscrew and
remove the
panel.
Unscrew and
remove the
dust prevention
box.
Unscrew and
pull out
#1 mirror
carefully
without
touching the
surface of the
mirror.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Laser
source
inside
Back Panel
(Back Door)
Top Door
NOTE: Please refer to Fig. 25 and follow the instruction
for the basic maintenance of mirror.
Motion System

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X-axis Motor
Y-axis Belt
Focal-Sharp™
Auto-focus Gauge
Manual Focus
Gauge Holder
Mirror 4 and Focus Lens inside
Dust Prevention Box (Mirror 2 inside)
Mirror 3 & Holder
X-axis Bearing
X-axis Belt
Bearing Track
Y-axis Belt
Magnetic Sensor
for Dual Head
Port for RotaryAttachment
Release the Screw to Pull
Out the Mirror

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Lens and Manual Focus Gauge
Focal Length Matched Color
LENS MANUAL FOCUS GAUGE
1.5” Option Purple Blue (same as 2.0”)
2.0” Standard Blue Blue
2.5” Option Gold Gold
4.0” Option Red Red
Manual Focus
Gauge Holder
Insert to the hole of
the holder for manual
focusing
Mirror
Lens 2.0, 2.5 or 4.0
Slot position for
Lens 1.5 only
Auto Focus Gauge
Focal-Sharp™
Manual Focus Gauge
Focus Carriage Assembly
Focus Probe

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Instruction of Rotary Attachment
1) Turn off the power of the engraver.
2) Put the rotary attachment onto the engraving table. Ensure the two screw holes should
match the two corresponding holes on the table and the white mark of the left side align to
the position of 24cm (9.45 inch) on the ruler, then tighten the screws.
3) Plug the cable of the rotary attachment into the port in the middle front of the engraver.
4) Turn on the power and the engraving table moves down to the lowest position
automatically.

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TOP VIEW
Operation:
NOTE: The maximum length of the engraving object is 450 mm (17.71 inch). The
maximum diameter of the padded rubber wheel is 94 mm. To get an accurate engraving
position during rotating, it is better that the diameter of the engraving object is not smaller than
90mm (3.54 inch). However, the maximum diameter of the loaded object is 180mm and the
limited loading weight is 7 Kg (15.4 Lb.).
1. Measure the diameter of the engraving area for setting up the software operation
(refer to Software Operation, Fig.20) before engraving.
2. Lift the lever, loading the engraving object, slide the adjustable end to the bottom of the
object firmly, then lower the lever of the fixture to secure it in place shown as in Fig II.
3. If the engraved object is too small, please use 4-inch lens to prevent collision between
carriage and rotary attachment devise.
port
Top
Window
Screw
Holes
lever
track
White Mark
ruler

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SIDE VIEW
4. Turn on the power. The rotary attachment is detected and the working table moves down
to the bottom automatically. The system initializes to the home position, at the same time.
5. Set up focus.
6. The following is an example of engraving process by using CorelDRAW V.11 or after
version
a. File
b. Print Setup, choose MERCURY
c. Properties
d. Paper, select Rotary Fixture
e. key in Offset value, Xvalue and Diameter value
f. OK
Define engraving location by moving the arrow keys and the red point will show the right
position you want. Moving the red point from rotary home position (at the base of the
padded rubber wheel) to the open end of the engraving object, the Offset value (refer to
Fig. II & Software Operation, Fig.20) will be displayed on LCD.
Base of the
padded
rubber
wheel
Open end of the engraving object
lever
O
motor
Adjustable end
NOTICE:
When doing the Print Setup under print driver setting, please always choose Layout
→Page Setup →Set From Printer, no matter operating with CorelDraw V.11, or
after version.
NOTICE:
Please always choose Portrait for Page Setup on CorelDraw V.11 no
matter X or Y value whichever is lager.
Layout →Page Setup →Set From Printer →Portrait
Caution:
zAdjust the working table and set up the focus under STOP status.
zSet up focus after initializing the system to prevent the carriage hit the engraving
object.

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Dual Head Installation
Step 1：Turn off the system.
Step2：Put the dual head carriage onto the X-axis belt bearing track.
Step3：Cut 25mm (1 inch) off the air assist tube on the original lens carriage.
Step4：Connect the air assist tube of the dual head with that of original carriage by “T”
connector.
Step5：Screw the metal frame which is attached to the right side of dual head to the
original lens carriage.
Step6：Turn on the power to test whether the dual head is installed properly. During
initiation, the system will detect the dual head carriage when it moves the lens
carriage to front-right side, so it would not crash the dual head carriage when move
the origin position.
Note：
“ T “
Connector
Metal
Frame

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1. Keep the screws on the lens carriage after taking off the dual head.
2. Put the black cap on the “T” connector after taking off the dual head to prevent air flowing
leaking.
3. Please choose dual head item from Paper option of printer properties before outputting a
graph with dual head carriage.

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II. RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION
Computer
Your PC must be sufficient to equip with Window 95 at least.
We recommend the specification of PC for better work as following.
CPU Pentium at least
DRAM 32 MB RAM or up
FDD One 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy
HDD 1.2 GB Hard Drive or up
SVGA 15" Super VGA Monitor
★ ★On Board Parallel Mode(Setup from PC BIOS):
SPP—Preferred Mode
ECP—Cable length less than 1.8meters
Scanner
Flat Bed
Minimum resolution: 200 DPI
Software
GCC driver (designed under Window 95 or higher level)
Windows Window 95 or higher
CorelDRAW Version 7.0 or higher version
Any program that can output HPGL commands

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III. HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Caution:
zTurn all equipment off before making any connection.
zCheck the plug of the power cord to see if it matches the wall outlet. If not, please contact
your dealer.
Cabling Connection:
1. Insert the power cord (male) into a grounded power outlet.
2. Plug the other end (female) into the engraver. The engraver has been design to
switch from 100 ~ 240 VAC automatically (100W engraver has to use 220~240 VAC only).
3. The engraver can communicate with a computer through either a serial (RS-232C) or a
parallel port (Centronics).
Parallel Transmission
Connect a parallel cable to the engraver (parallel port) then to the parallel port of the host
computer.
Caution:
Never use a mechanical switch box when a second printer port is required.
The electrical surges can cause damage to the computer and the engraver.
Power on/off
Switch
15 AMP
resetable fuse
3 AMP
resetable fuse
AC Power
Connector
Parallel
Interface
Connector
Serial Interface Connector