Full Version: Dummy With New Epilog Laser Needs Help
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#10]
29 Mar 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#8] 29 Mar 2007
Larry,
It says in my owner's manual what you described about the USB. The manual says to turn the laser off and back on again to fix the problem each time it occurs. I have been playing, er I mean working with the laser since lunchtime and have had no problems at all since switching to using Ethernet.
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9] 29 Mar 2007
Don,
You will get more business if you answer your phone. I tried calling you today. ( insert gregarious good natured laugh here)
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#12]
29 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11] 29 Mar 2007
So Sorry... I must have been out to lunch.... Or assisting customers...
As you most likely have figured out, I'm just getting started in this whole Engraving/SandCarving/Laser Transfer Business. My Yellow Page Ads are scheduled to come out the end of next month. 99 out of a 100 calls I get so far on my High Desert line are from sales people trying to sell me timeshares in the desert, Insurance, Credit Card Processing, etc., etc. I am running two businesses inside the same Retail Store. My other business has been supporting me for almost 13 years but is fading into the sunset. However, I sometimes get swamped with customers and at the same time both phones are ringing. Until my Yellow Page Ads, and some other afvertising are out, I sometimes have to choose between answering a phone that undoubtedly will be another salesperson, or waiting on my customers that are in the store, as well as answering the "Profitable Line".
I apologize for the inconvience Chuck. If you need to get ahold of me, I can PM you the other number at the store, (you know, the one I answer unless I'm closed or out to lunch) or would be happy to phone you.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#12] 29 Mar 2007
Don,
No need for apologies. It was no inconvenience at all...except tracking down the number. ( insert laugh here).
The only reason I was calling was to say hi and share in your fun a little bit.
I'm not sure, but I "believe" you can put a business number on the do not call list as well. Don't know if that would be detrimental or not...or if it is even possible.
I understand about one business support the other.....fortunately for ME my wife is able to run the upholstery business so I can focus on this......best as I can anyway.
Oh by the way, I just got word the Vision shipped last week. With any luck at all, I'll have it next Friday :)
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14]
29 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13] 29 Mar 2007
Chuck,
That's great news about the Vision. After what I went through with the NH dongle deal, I took your advice and walked away. The "Gunsmith" (actual owner of the machine) has decided also to pass on paying $682.00 for a used or refurbished Dongle and has decided to buy the Vision model that you're getting. He Is gonna sell his IS400.
As for me, once I recover from spending my life savings on my new Epilog Laser, Rayzist Blasting Cabinet, Heat Press, and all the peripherals. I have my eye on the Vision Phoenix 12x12. But I'm not gonna rush it. By the time I'm ready, I may be able to afford the one like you bought. Vision's manufacturing plant is a couple hours away from me. My distributor for my Epilog Laser is also my distributor for Vision. They invited me to the Vision Plant for a "three hour tour, a three hour tour" (How many know what a three hour tour is? Be careful, you're showing your age) (Insert good natured Chuck laugh here)
Anyway, thanks for great gesture on the phone call. What-a-guy...
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14] 29 Mar 2007
Don,
I have developed a great relationship with Mike Colcord at Vision. I have also invited him or one of their tech support folk to join the forum.
Anyway, perhaps the gunsmith could call Mike directly at Vision and maybe be able to convice him to give him the show special which would save about $700.00 on the machine. I do not know if it will help or not, but he could always mention my name. Although that might do more harm than good. ( insert self deprecating laugh here).
I personally think you made the right choice walking away........
Oh, by the way, personally I liked Mary Ann over Ginger. ;-)
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#16]
29 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15] 29 Mar 2007
I knew you'd get it.... ( Insert hugh Belly Laugh Here) I had a big crush on Mary Ann when I 12 or 13.
I'll pass on the info to my neighbor (AKA: The Gunsmith)
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#17]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#10] 29 Mar 2007
From: UncleSteve [#18]
29 Mar 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#17] 30 Mar 2007
You shouldn't be having problems with the laser heating up to.......
OH! You mean "cool" as in fun, great, having a ball.... NEVER MIND! :O)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#19]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14] 29 Mar 2007
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#20]
29 Mar 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#17] 30 Mar 2007
Hi Larry,
So far it's great. Been at it for about seven hours now. Only problem I'm having is getting things lined up. I've never used Corel Draw before and it's taking me an average of two to three wasted attempts each time I try something new to finally get a good one. Been doing different sized small annodized aluminum labels to try and learn. I tried using my Signmaking program (Flexi-Pro V.8) but that didn't work as well as Corel. But I'll hang in there. It's just too much fun to let a little thing like not knowing what i'm doing stop me.
I bought PhotoGrav. Haven't installed it yet. Been busy unpacking the laser. Looking forward to giving it a try though. Happy to hear you're having good results with it.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#21]
29 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#19] 29 Mar 2007
Hi Harvey,
He asked me what I thought he could get for it and I told him I didn't know, but without a working Dongle it will greatly reduce the value as whomever bought it would have to purchase a new program from NH or accept a used/refurbished one for $682.00. Or perhaps someone that already owned one would be interested.
He mentioned a figure of $4,000.00 and reminded me that it had very, very, little use. I told him I would check. One just went for $4,550.00 on eBay with the same Gravostyle 98 with the same colored Dongle (Yellow) that worked. I honestly don't know what he'd let it go for. He has decided that he wants to buy a Vision engraver like the one that Chuck bought at the ARA Trade Show last month, and the IS400 is just taking up space at his shop.
He truly feels that NH stuck a knife in his back (his description was much, much, more colorful) but is beginning to think that maybe he should just salvage what he can and move on. If anyone were interested in his machine I'll ask him if I can pass on his phone number and they can deal directly with him. If they end up getting a good deal, I'll take a large Latte please :O)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#22]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#20] 29 Mar 2007
On my machine I set the page to the table size.
Then I work in the upper left corner of the page and place the item against the upper left rulers.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#23]
29 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#22] 30 Mar 2007
Harvey,
That's what I've been doing. Problem is that sometimes the top or left side will get chopped off, and everything looks centered in Corel Draw, but it comes out off-center, (little to the left) when engraved. I have been putting the file in the top left corner, and then nudging it just a little to the right and down. This is working, but i shouldn't have to do this. any ideas?
From: Goodvol (JIMGOOD) [#24]
29 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#23] 29 Mar 2007
Don,
Are you sure your Corel Draw file is truly zeroed at the top left corner? Take a look at your rulers and make sure they reflect zero in both directions. If not, drag the corner of the ruler (you'll see a vertical and horizontal line follow your cursor) and place it on the upper left corner of your workspace. Then you will truly be at 0,0.
I hope this helps.
Jim
From: Tony (ANTE) [#25]
30 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#23] 30 Mar 2007
Don,
Check that your origin is set at 0,0 (as Jim has suggested).
To do this, set page to size of your table bed 24 X 12. Click on the ruler and page will pop-up where you set your origin at 0,0 or you may set it at 24" in x and 12 in y direction, however when placing your work on page you will have to use negative value in y direction. To check that you have rulers in absolute 0,0 positions draw a vertical line about 1/2" high and place it in 1 or 2" in x and y direction, than draw another line in horizontal direction and place it to intersect with first (you will have + sign). Send it to laser and after lasering verify that it is engraved at in correct location.
Tony
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From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#26]
30 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#23] 30 Mar 2007
Make sure that the things in your Corel drawing are not touching or going over the edge of the drawing. Keep them inside the edge of the drawing.
If you need to engrave right to the edge of an object then you could take a piece of cardboard and vector cut a shape that matches the shape of the object to be engraved. Then place the object in the cardboard and engrave on it. Put the vector on one layer and the engraving on another layer and just turn off the printing icon for the layer you're not printing at the moment.
This method lets you place the object anywhere on the table and also helps align any odd shape that might not be square, so doesn't align well in the corner.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#27]
30 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#23] 30 Mar 2007
I have found that I need to keep edge lines at least .003" off the edges in Corel or it sometimes puts out negative numbers.
Is your laser truly homing to the proper 0,0 each time?
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#28]
30 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Thank you all for your help. I will continue looking back on your suggestions as I learn more about this. What I have tried was to set my workspace in Corel Draw to the size of my substrate, and then when I send my graphic to the engraver, I again set the size in the Print Driver to the size of my substrate. This is working perfectly!! I have tried six different things and every one has turned out great. When I am more experienced I will go back and try to do it the recommended way (setting size to 24"x12") But for now It Works!!!
Thanks again to all.
EDITED: 30 Mar 2007 by HIGHDESERT
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#29]
30 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#20] 30 Mar 2007
Don..basic principle..use the Align & Distribute feature. It's under Arrange on the menu bar at the top. I set my Corel page to my laser table top size as default. I then design my project inside a rectangle of the size I want the finished piece to be. I use the Align & Distribute feature to align the rectangle to the upper left corner. (that's home position as a default in the machine). You can also use the same feature to align all your objects to each other as you require.
If your working with text, I set my text up in inches in lieu of points. That just makes more sense to me. (Cntl + J) will get you there, click on text and down in the bottom of that screen is the option to reset it.
Hope this helps
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