Universal Laser Systems VLS3.75 User manual

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VLS Platform User Guide
VLS3.75, VLS4.75, VLS6.75
(also for discontinued models VLS3.60, VLS4.60, VLS6.60)
www.ulsinc.com
Version 2020.09.0102

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Dear Customer:
Thank you for choosing Universal Laser Systems®. We appreciate innovative customers like you who have made
us an integral part of your business. Universal Laser Systems® (ULS) is committed to providing the highest level
of customer satisfaction and support. To ensure a favorable customer experience, we urge you to thoroughly
read the documentation provided with your equipment.
Your satisfaction is essential to us, and we welcome your feedback. Tell us about your experience with Universal
Laser Systems and our products at [email protected].
Should you have any questions, please email the ULS Support Team at s[email protected]om.
Again, thank you for choosing ULS.
Sincerely,
Universal Laser Systems
© 2020 Universal Laser Systems. All Rights Reserved.
Universal Laser Systems, Inc.
™ name and logo are registered trademarks. Digital Laser Material Processing (DLMP™) technology, Rapid
Reconfiguration™ technology, 1
-Touch Laser Photo™, MultiWave Hybrid™ technology and SuperSpeed™ are trademarks of Universal Laser
Systems. All other compa
ny and product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Universal laser systems are protected under one or more U.S. Patents: 6,983,001;7,060,934; 7,415,051; 7,469,000; 7,715,454; 7,723,638; 7,947,919;
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,101,883; 8,294,062; 8,599,898; 8,603,217; 9,155,988; 9,263,844; 9,263,845; 9,281,649; 9,346,122; 9,354,630; 9,694,448; 10.456,875; 9,737,958;
10,391,345
. Other U.S. and international patents pending.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Specifications .....................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2 - Safety ...................................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 3 - Installation........................................................................................................................................ 16
Chapter 4 – Operation ......................................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 5 – Accessories..................................................................................................................................... 68
Chapter 6 – Maintenance .................................................................................................................................... 91
Software
Your Reference Guide contains instructions on where to download the installation software online. Please follow
the instructions for proper installation.
Warranty
Your Reference Guide contains Warranty documents pertaining to your purchase. Should you require a copy of
the warranty, please contact ULS at [e-mail].
Parts
To order parts for your Universal laser system, contact ULS at suppo[email protected]om.

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Chapter 1 - Specifications

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VLS3.75
VLS4.75
VLS6.75
Operating Environment
Well-ventilated office (recommended) or clean, light-duty manufacturing
Operating Temperature
50 ºF (10 ºC) to 95 ºF (35 ºC) capable
73 ºF (22 ºC) to 77 ºF (25 ºC) for best performance
Storage Temperature
50 ºF (10 ºC) to 95 ºF (35 ºC)
Operating Humidity
Non-condensing
Power Consumption up
to:
Single Phase 110/230V AC, 10/5 Amp, 50/60 Hz
Grounded (earthed) and stable (surge and spike protected)
Particulate/Odor
Outside Ventilated
Exhaust System
High-pressure vacuum blower capable of:
250 CFM (cubic feet per minute) @ 6 inches static
pressure (425m3/hr. at 1.5kPa)
500 CFM (cubic feet per
minute) @ 6 inches static
pressure (850m3/hr. at
1.5kPa)
Computer
Requirements
(See the Installation
section for more
information)
Windows 7/10 (32/64 bit)
2.0 GHz Processor (minimum)
2 GB of RAM (minimum)
40 GB Hard Drive (minimum)
Software Requirement
Graphics- or CAD-based
Laser Safety
CO2Laser, Interlocked Safety Enclosure = Class 1 Red Diode Pointer = Class 2

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VLS3.75
VLS4.75
VLS6.75
Work Area
24 x 12 in.
(609 x 304.8 mm)
24 x 18 in.
(609.6 x 457.2 mm)
32 x 18 in.
(812.8 x 457.2 mm)
Table
29 x 17 in.
(737 x 432 mm)
29x 23 in.
(737 x 584 mm)
37 x 23 in
(940 x 584 mm)
Maximum Part
(W x H x D) with 1.5”
lens
29 x 17 x 9in.
(737 x 432 x 229 mm)
29 x 23 x 9in.
(737 x 584 x 229 mm)
37 x 23 x 9 in.
(940 x 584 x 229 mm)
Maximum Part
Weight
40 lbs. (18 kg)
Resolutions
2000, 1000, 500, 333, 250, 200, 83 DPI/LPI
Control
Requires a dedicated PC to operate;
Requires Windows 7/10 or higher PC (32/64-bit)
Interconnection
USB 2.0 High-Speed port only
Cabinet Style
Floor Standing
Laser Source
Options
10, 30, 40, 50,60 and 75 watts (10.6 µm wavelength)
30,50 and 75 watts (9.3 µm wavelength)
Power Consumption
up to:
110V/10A
230V/5A
Overall Dimensions
(W x H x D)
36 x 38 x 30 in.
(914 x 965 x 762 mm)
36 x 39 x 36.5 in.
(914 x 991 x 927 mm)
44 x 29 x 37.5 in.
(1118 x 991 x 953 mm)
Weight
(uncrated)
235 lbs. (107 kg) 270 lbs. (122 kg) 325 lbs. (147 kg)
Exhaust Hookup
One 4-inch (10.16 cm) port Two 4-inch (10.16 cm) ports
Laser Source Weight
10 watt = 13 lbs. (6 kg)
30 watt = 20 lbs. (9 kg)
40 watt = 23 lbs. (10 kg)
50/60 watt = 26 lbs. (12 kg)
75 watt = 29 lbs (13 kg)
Optional
Accessories
Coaxial Gas Assist Attachment, Lateral Gas Assist Attachment, Compressed Air Source,
UAC 2000 Filtration System, Flow-Through Cutting Table, Configurable Cutting Table (Pin
Table), Rotary Fixture, Lens Kits, HPDFO™, Automation Interface, 1-Touch Laser Photo™,
Direct File Import /Industry Standard Interchange Format Support

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Chapter 2 - Safety

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Description of Appropriate Use
This device is designed for laser cutting and engraving in an office, laboratory, workshop or light-duty
manufacturing environment. Materials to be processed must fit completely inside the system for proper
operation.
CAUTION: This device is not designed, tested, intended or authorized for use in any medical applications,
surgical applications, medical device manufacturing or any similar procedure or process requiring approval,
testing or certification by the United States Food and Drug Administration or other similar governmental
entities.
General Safety
Use of the equipment in a manner other than described in this manual or failure to follow the operational
requirements and safety guidelines listed in this manual can result in injury to yourself and others and may
cause damage to the equipment and your facility.
EXPOSURE TO THE LASER BEAM MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL BURNS AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE
EYE DAMAGE. Proper use and care of this system are essential to safe operation. Use of
controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
NEVER OPERATE THE LASER SYSTEM WITHOUT CONSTANT SUPERVISION OF THE CUTTING
AND ENGRAVING PROCESS. Exposure to the laser beam may cause ignition of combustible
materials which can lead to a fire. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on
hand at all times.
NEVER LEAVE MATERIALS IN THE LASER SYSTEM AFTER LASER PROCESSING HAS FINISHED.
Always remove all material including scrap material from the machine after use. Scrap
material left in the laser system including materials that collect in the removable cutting
table can be a fire hazard. It is also recommended you allow scrap materials to cool prior to
leaving the work area. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on hand at all
times.
A PROPERLY CONFIGURED, INSTALLED, MAINTAINED AND OPERATIONAL PARTICULATE
AND FUME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS MANDATORY WHEN OPERATING THE LASER SYSTEM.
Fumes and smoke from the engraving process must be extracted from the laser system and
filtered or exhausted outside.
SOME MATERIALS, WHEN ENGRAVED OR CUT WITH A LASER, CAN PRODUCE TOXIC AND
CORROSIVE FUMES. We recommend that you obtain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
from the manufacturer of every material you intend to process in the laser system. The
MSDS discloses all of the hazards when handling or processing a particular material.
DISCONTINUE processing any material that causes chemical deterioration of the laser
system such as rust, metal etching or pitting, peeling paint, etc. Damage to the laser system
from corrosive fumes is NOT covered under warranty.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE OR LIFT THIS SYSTEM ALONE. Obtain the assistance of
additional people when lifting or carrying (secure motion system and doors before lifting).
Injury may occur if improper lifting techniques are used or the system is dropped.

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DANGEROUS VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT WITHIN THE ELECTRONICSENCLOSURES OF THIS
SYSTEM. Access to these areas is not necessary during normal operation. If it becomes
necessary to open one of these enclosures for service reasons, please remember to
disconnect the power cord from your electrical supply.
NEVER REMOVE THE GROUND LEAD TO THE ELECTRICAL CORD AND PLUG THE SYSTEM
INTO A NON-GROUNDED OUTLET. A laser system that is not properly grounded is
hazardous and has the potential to cause severe or fatal electrical shock. Without proper
grounding, the laser system may exhibit sporadic or unpredictable behavior. Always plug the
system into a properly grounded (earthed) outlet.
THE POWER SUPPLY CORD IS THE MAINS DISCONNECT DEVICE; THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD
BE LOCATED CLOSE TO AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE POWER OUTLET. To disconnect the
equipment from the supply mains, the power cord should be unplugged from the power
outlet or main power inlet (appliance coupler) of the unit.
THE LASER SYSTEM IS DESIGNED AS A CLASS I, GROUP A, PLUGGABLE DEVICE. It is also
designed for connection to IT power systems which provide the most flexibility to the user.
THIS DEVICE IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH CDRH PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS UNDER 21
CFR 1040.10 AND 1040.11 AND TO COMPLY WITH EUROPEAN LASER SAFETY REGULATIONS UNDER EN60825-
1. CDRH is the Center for the Devices of Radiological Health division of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
in the USA. No guarantees of suitability or safety are provided for any use other than those specified by
Universal Laser Systems, Inc.
CO2Laser Safety
ULS Laser systems are designed to support a sealed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser cartridge that produces intense
invisible laser radiation at a wavelength of 10.6 microns in the infrared spectrum. For your protection, the laser
is contained within a Class 1* enclosure designed to completely contain the CO2laser beam. CAUTION: Use of
controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in exposure
to hazardous levels of invisible laser radiation.
•Laminated safety glass is employed in the viewing window to block 10.6-micron laser radiation from CO2
lasers. This viewing window will block transmission of CO2laser radiation allowing safe observation of
laser processing. Do not operate the laser system if the view port is damaged, with any of the doors
removed or if any of the safety interlocks are defeated.
•The intense light that appears during the engraving or cutting process is the product of material
combustion or vaporization. DO NOT STARE AT THIS INTENSE LIGHT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME OR
VIEW DIRECTLY WITH OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS BINOCULARS OR MICROSCOPES.
•This device contains a visible Red Diode Pointer (Class 2) to aid in positioning material to be cut or
engraved. DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE RED LASER BEAM OR USE A REFLECTIVE SURFACE TO
REDIRECT OR VIEW THE RED LASER BEAM. NEVER ATTEMPT TO VIEW THE RED LASER BEAM USING
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS BINOCULARS OR MICROSCOPES.
•The user door(s) are safety interlocked which will prevent the CO2laser beam from firing when the user
door(s) are opened. The Red Diode Pointer is NOT safety interlocked and can be automatically activated
with the door(s) either open or closed.

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•DO NOT OPERATE THE LASER SYSTEM IF ANY SAFETY FEATURES HAVE BEEN MODIFIED, DISABLED OR
REMOVED. This may lead to accidental exposure to invisible CO2laser radiation which may cause severe
eye damage and/or severe burns to your skin.
•Always use caution when operating a laser system.
*An enclosure which does not permit human access to laser radiation in excess of the accessible emission limits
of Class 1 for the applicable wavelength and emission duration.
Tamper Proof Labels
All laser cartridges are equipped with tamper-proof labels. There are NO field serviceable parts inside a
Universal Laser System, Inc. (ULS) laser cartridge. If your laser cartridge needs service, please contact the
Customer Service Team at [e-mail].
Safety Labels
CDRH and CE regulations require that all laser manufacturers affix warning labels in specific locations throughout
the equipment. The following warning labels are placed on the laser system for your safety. Do not remove
these labels for any reason. If the labels become damaged or have been removed for any reason, do not operate
the laser system and immediately contact Universal Laser Systems, Inc. at [email protected] for a free
replacement.
ULS CO2Laser Source Labels