In fashion, they say that accessories can make the outfit, and that may be the one thing that the fashion and engraving industries have in common. Sometimes, it’s the applications that accessories allow to be done which make the system worthwhile. At other times, accessories just make things work easier and move faster.

In this article are a few of the accessories available to the industry from its top suppliers. Take a look.

Gravograph, Atlanta, Georgia, has many key accessories that should be considered for new and future applications. Their Vector Cut should be considered for all cutting applications. The size of the table is equivalent to the engraving field on the laser and is easily inserted into the lasing cabinet. Utilizing the vector cut table eliminates the reverse side damage caused by the cutting process. Their LS Pin Table Fixture is an accessory ideal for locating irregular-shaped items, and the Cylindrical Device Fixture rotates cylindrical parts during raster processing, allowing 360 degree marking. As an addition to this accessory, a Tilt Device can be purchased that allows not only cylindrical parts to be processed, but also tapered parts. In tandem with their standard air assist feature, Gravograph offers a fully Integrated Air Compressor. This device mounts within the lasing cabinet and provides compressed air on demand to the laser. There are no external connections required by the end user. Their newest accessory is a fully Integrated, Filtered Exhaust System. The laser mounts directly to the top of the exhaust unit, which provides exhaust to remove the fumes and debris caused by lasering some materials.

Epilog, Golden, Colorado, notes that although their systems are already incredibly functional, Epilog offers several special options that provide even more ways to utilize the system. Their Rotary Attachment is ideal for engraving quality and ease of use on glasses, mugs with handles and other cylindrical objects. The unique design does not require you to measure the circumference of the cylinder, center and clamp your engraving piece, or prop the Rotary Attachment to accommodate tapered objects. Also, Epilog’s Vector Grid is the ideal tool for vector cutting, reducing underside burning by lifting the material off the table and supporting it on an aluminum grid. The Double Head Attachment, an accessory available on the Legend 32EX, allows you to produce two products at the same time. By splitting the laser beam into two separate beams, the Double Head Attachment provides the capability to simultaneously engrave or cut two products at once. The Double Head Attachment is so convenient and productive, it’s like having another laser at only a fraction of the cost.

Universal Laser Systems, Scottsdale, Arizona, offers an array of accessories for their laser platforms. The Dual Head Option allows laser processing of two identical jobs at the same time. The High Torque Rotary Fixture was developed to allow laser processing around cylindrical surfaces. The Honeycomb Cutting Table minimizes burning of the back side of materials being cut all the way through by supporting materials above the reflective work table in the machine. One of the most exciting new accessories from ULS is their HPDF Optics accessory. It achieves dramatically improved resolution for applications requiring extremely fine detail (small font sizes) or photos. Contact ULS for more information.

Xenetech, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has several accessories available for their laser systems. The air assist option is used to prevent flames from being generated while material is being engraved or cut. The air assist is not attached to the lens carriage, so this option will not cause excess drag on the system. The laser cutting table supplied by Xenetech is available for all three of the table sizes they manufacture, and it has an anodized plate on the bottom to minimize reflection. Also, it clips to their standard table rulers, preventing movement while changing material. Their cylindrical attachment option holds items up to 6.75” in diameter, and the spring-loaded tail stock with cone keeps the item in place for a second engraving pass, if needed. Xenetech’s dual-head option is available for customers that laser mark high-quantity items with the same layout. This second head splits the tube power between both carriages, and it is easily removed to allow the full use of the standard engraving area. Finally, they have optional lenses available for different applications. Their 1.5” focal length lens allows the laser owner to produce very small characters and artwork with very high resolution. The 4.0” focal length lens can help laser owners increase their output when high resolution is not important.

Laser Products Software, Fayetteville, Georgia, presented by Sculptured Collectibles, offers Laser Product Software, software with ready-to-cut product designs for your laser engraver. These innovative designs are organized in 12 packages, and each design package contains 150 to 250 products ready to be cut on a laser. Laser Product Software has military, professional, sport, hobby, pet and other miscellaneous designs done in wall tribute, desktop, picture frame and clock designs. There are more than 1,000 ready-to-cut designs. Each design package includes a DVD on how to assemble these easy-to-make products. More information is available from the company.

LaserAlign Systems, Hazelton, Pennsylvania, offers their LaserAlign I and LaserAlign II, specialized tools for serious laser engravers. LaserAlign I is a precisely machined Aluminum and Stainless Steel fixture that fits on your engraving table, on top of your existing alignment rulers. The guides are perfectly square and much taller than those from the factory. The rulers are more precise and much easier to use, with unique features that save you money. LaserAlign II is a self-centering fixture, precisely engineered from aluminum and stainless steel with a precision gearing and measurement system. It is designed so that any work piece you place on the fixture will be instantly and perfectly centered every time. For more information about these specialized laser tools, contact LaserAlign Systems.

ISS Sales, Green Bay, Wisconsin, offers a full line of support tools and accessories for laser and rotary engravers. Production tools like MultiMat material holding mats keep pieces in place and focal points accurate, and the Laser Align Jig keeps an accurate center point on parts that vary slightly in size and shape. Both reduce costly mistakes and trim valuable minutes from each job. You stay on track for order delivery. EngravePro, a CorelDraw Utility, delivers Engravers’ layout tools for CorelDraw 10, 11 and 12. Also available is their Photograve Bitmap Processing software, which delivers high-quality bitmaps for lasers in seconds, versus manual editing which can take 15 minutes or more. Vector Image Collections from BEE-Lineand Vector Art enhance your work with quick and easy art for your standard layouts. Fullyeditable clip-art with no crossover lines assures quality work, quickly and easily. ISS Sales also offers laserable marble and granite in a variety of sizes and shapes.

American Biltrite, Moorestown, New Jersey, manufactures TransferRite ULTRA tape for laser engraving. The construction of the paper will allow a laser to burn clean edges, and if the job requires a color fill, it will absorb any excess color, so cleanup will be minimal. Removal is easy, with no traces of residue left behind. The company manufactures all of its products under the ISO 9001:2000 standard.

Benecor, Wichita, Kansas, offers VectorCore, a welded aluminum honeycomb cutting grid panel for cutting tables in laser engravers. VectorCore offers a much cleaner cut than plastic grids. Plastic grids absorb the energy of the laser beam, which causes a carbon buildup on the plastic. When the laser strikes this buildup, it ignites and causes smoke damage to the product. VectorCore grids do not have this problem. VectorCore is a cost-effective, value-added accessory for your laser engraving machine. Further information is available from the company.

PhotoBrasive®, Duluth, Minn., offers LaserTapeâ„¢, a sandblastable laser mask designed to create high-detail stencils for the awards and engraving industry. LaserTape allows you to use a laser machine in correlation with a sandblast machine to create high-detail stencils for the awards and engraving industry. LaserTape conforms beautifully to surfaces without wrinkling. It burns clean and leaves no adhesive residue, making for an effortless removal. LaserTape contains no PVC fumes which can damage laser components and subject operators to harmful, noxious fumes. Furthermore, LaserTape can be color-filled after sandblasting, providing substantial additional value to the final piece. Whether you’re producing high-end corporate awards, promotional products or giftware, LaserTape is the perfect fit for your laser engraving operation. Available in 3 mil thickness, LaserTape can be purchased in a variety of sizes.

LaserBits, Phoenix, Ariz., offers you the ability to measure the output of your laser system with digital accuracy. The Wizard Laser Power Meter works with all system types up to 250 watts. Use the power meter to ensure the consistency of your system’s output and track any changes over time. Using the laser power meter is easy, and the advanced electronics automatically adjust the sensing range. Bring a new level of accuracy to your laser by monitoring the laser output, and save time and materials. More products and information are available from LaserBits.

REFLEX Analytical Corporation, Ridgewood, N.J., is a fabricator of CO2 laser optics for use in Universal, Epilog and many other lasers. CO2 laser optics are designed and fabricated for cutting, welding and laser engraving at 10.6 microns. They include ZnSe plano-convex and meniscus lenses, ZnSe beam splitters and windows, KCl (Potassium Chloride) and NaCl (Sodium Chloride) lens protectors, turning mirrors, Molybdenum mirrors, total reflectors, metal mirrors, zero phase reflectors, output couplers, end reflectors and phase retardation reflectors.

High Tech Images, Englewood, Colorado, offers two patented devices especially useful for desktop laser systems: The Schnozzle® and Laser Launch Pad®. The Schnozzle is a gas and air delivery system that directs compressed air onto the material surface. This reduces flame-up, protects the lens, improves cut quality and increases speed. This device greatly enhances the performance of the laser in a variety of applications. Schnozzle offers the potential for new applications unique to your materials. The Launch Pad functions as a cutting table, allowing airflow above and below the material. The surface area of the honeycomb catches most of the vapor created by cutting. This greatly reduces cleanup requirements of the part and your laser engraver. The Launch Pad is freestanding on adjustable legs and slips easily on the bed of almost every brand of laser engraver.

Access Business Solutions, Hudson, Wisconsin, sells quality used laser engraving equipment in a variety of makes, models and wattages. All machines come with warranties and are refurbished by the technicians at Access. Buying used also means lower price tags and quicker delivery times. For a current list of available equipment, contact the company directly.

LaserPro, Walnut, California, offers a number of accessories for their laser systems. Their SmartBox cutting accessory integrates the cutting box with a honeycomb table, supporting bars and supporting pieces. The cutting box is specially designed to reduce the air trapped in the honeycomb table cells while cutting through thick materials, including acrylic and wood. Rotary Attachment allows the LaserPro laser engraving systems to engrave on cylindrical or round objects. This option uses a fourth axis to rotate your object 360 degrees to engrave on cups, wine glasses and even baseballs. LaserPro also notes that laser cutting and engraving using the SMARTguard System assures optimum safety. If there is a malfunction, the alarm system will be active and shut down the operation system immediately. More accessories and information are available from the company.

Engraving System Integrators, Fairview Park, Ohio, offer the Coaxial Air Nozzle for LaserPro laser engraving systems. It produces airflow in the same direction as the laser beam. This helps reduce the heat on the engraved item surface from a very close distance. In cutting textiles, the Coaxial Air Nozzle prevents char on the cutting edges. The Coaxial Air Nozzle is also very helpful for rubber stamp makers and for industries that need to laser mark on small areas. The vertical spouting design produces a stronger airflow that blows away the dust more easily, providing a cleaner product surface.

CONCLUSION

That wraps up our feature of laser accessories. Did you find anything to complement your laser with? Remember that these are just small selections of what each company has to offer. To learn more, be sure to give them a call or visit their website.