TroubleshootingTrotec/en

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🧪 Most important tip
Do a small test cut before every laser job, for example a red 15 × 15 mm square with a black circle in the middle.

A test cut only takes a few minutes, but prevents many errors caused by wrong material settings.

📄 File and import problems

CorelDraw or another program displays the file incorrectly

Symptom
The file appears to be empty, lines or objects are missing, entire panels are missing, or the program crashes when opening the file.

Possible cause:

• The exporting program saved the file incorrectly.
• Especially with DXF files from ArchiCAD, Rhino or similar programs, lines can be missing or distorted.

Solution:

1. Save the project in several formats.
2. Recommended: DXF, AI, EPS, PDF and SVG.
3. Try opening the file in Inkscape, Illustrator or CorelDraw.
4. Then export it again as DXF or EPS.

Lines, objects or designs are missing

If elements are missing, proceed in the same way as in the section "CorelDraw or another program displays the file incorrectly".

• Save the file in several formats.
• Open the file in a different program.
• Export it again.
• Visually check all lines before lasering.

The drawing is much too small after import

DXF files often do not store units of measurement.

Therefore:

• Check the size after every import.
• Check whether the original program exported in millimeters, centimeters or another unit.
• Scale the file correctly if necessary.

🚨 Important
Always check the size of your drawing after opening or importing it in a new program.

The line colors are wrong

This problem can occur with Rhino files, among others.

Solution:

• Save the project in several formats.
• Recommended: DXF, AI, EPS, PDF and SVG.
• Open the file in CorelDraw, Inkscape or Illustrator.
• Check the colors.
• Then export it again.

✂️ Cutting, scoring and engraving

Scoring does not work

Symptom:

• The laser head moves over the material, but no visible line is produced.

Solution:

• Create the lines as hairlines, i.e. 0 mm lines.
• Set the process type for the color used to cutting (Cut).
• Take over power and speed from the engraving settings.
• Then do a test cut or test score.

Corners and short lines are not lasered

Symptom
The job runs normally, but corners or short lines are skipped when cutting or scoring.

Cause:

• Speed too high.
• Power too low.
• The laser automatically reduces power in curves and corners.

Solution:

• Reduce the speed.
• Increase the power.
• Do a test cut.
• On Trotec machines, check the power correction if necessary.

The cut does not go through the material

• Check the focus.
• Reduce the speed.
• Increase the power.
• Check the material settings.
• Do a test cut.
• On Trotec machines, check that no unwanted CMYK or other color codes are being used.

The kerf is too wide or the edges are burnt

Possible causes:

• The focus is wrong.
• Too much power.
• Speed too low.
• The material melts or burns heavily.

Solution:

• Check the focus.
• Reduce the power.
• Increase the speed.
• Adjust the material settings.
• Do a test cut.

The engraving is barely visible or not visible at all

• Check the focus.
• Increase the power.
• Reduce the speed.
• Check the DPI/PPI.
• Do a test engraving.

Protective film forms bubbles or smoke sticks to the material

• When only cutting, leave the protective film on both sides.
• When engraving, remove the protective film from the side to be engraved.
• Set the process air or air assist correctly.

Can I continue lasering in the same place on another day?

Usually very difficult. Feel free to ask the managers for help.

The exact zero point is very hard to find again later. So plan your jobs so that they can be completed in a single session if possible.

⚡ Machine does not respond

The laser cutter does not respond after switching on

Possible causes:

• The emergency stop is pressed.
• The lid is open.
• The front flap is open.
• The membership card does not have the required permission.
• The machine was not activated correctly.

Solution:

1. Release the emergency stop.
2. Close the lid and the front flaps.
3. Use the membership card again.
4. Restart the machine.

📅 Reservations

The reservation overview is located in the Happylab member portal.

In addition, Fabman shows when the machine is reserved after you. In this case, a countdown runs until the machine switches off.

⚡ Machine does not start or reference

Speedy 400: The light comes on, but the machine does not respond

Cause:

• The red front flap is not completely closed.

Solution:

1. Open the lid.
2. Open the red front flap.
3. Close the front flap completely again.
4. Close the lid.
5. Start the machine again.

All LEDs on the control panel are blinking

Solution:

1. Switch off the machine.
2. With the machine switched off, carefully push the laser head to the middle.
3. On the Speedy 400, only do this if the table is not too close to the laser head.
4. Close the lid.
5. Switch the machine back on.

The machine should then reference normally.

Q500 aborts in the middle of a job and beeps

Cause:

• The lid is not completely closed.
• The contacts were shifted by leaning on the machine.

Solution:

• Close the lid completely.
• Do not lean on the machine.
• Check the job again and start it.

💻 RUBY / JobControl / Workspace

No more jobs can be positioned on the workspace

Possible causes:

• The job is larger than the working area.
• Jobs already placed are blocking the area.
• "Minimize to job size" is deactivated.

Working areas:

• Speedy 400: 1000 × 610 mm
• Q500: 1300 × 900 mm

Solution:

1. Check the job size.
2. Remove jobs that are no longer needed from the workspace.
3. Activate "Minimize to job size" in the printer driver.

JobControl freezes when opening a file

Possible cause:

• The file is too large.
• Too many vectors.

Solution:

• Simplify the file.
• Remove unnecessary vectors.
• Split the job into several files.
• Reduce raster graphics if necessary.

✂️ Scoring, cutting and corners

Scoring does not work on the Q500 or Speedy 400

• Create the line as a hairline, i.e. 0 mm.
• Set the color to cutting.
• Use the engraving values as a starting point.
• On the Q500, use a power of at least approx. 30 %.
• Set the speed to between approx. 7 and 40, depending on the material.
• Do a test cut.

Corners and short lines are missing

Rules of thumb:

• More power.
• Less speed.
• On the Q500, do not go below approx. 10 % power.
• Keep the speed at or below 20 if possible.
• Check the power correction.

🎯 Focus and Z-offset

Setting the focus correctly

• Set the focus to the surface of the material.
• For thick materials, use the Z-offset.
• Never set the Z-offset lower than -4 mm.

🚨 Warning
A Z-offset that is too far negative can cause a collision between the laser head, the material and the honeycomb table.

🧹 Cleaning and maintenance

Focus tool fell into the machine? Under the table?

• The front flap can simply be folded open. Then you can take the focus tool out from under the table again.