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The materials I ordered came through very quickly in perfect condition as per usual, Hobart's is the only place I have found to be worth buying laser engraver materials from always great prices
So pleased with the service and the product.
Features That Make The Ultimate Laser System
From the development of laser sources, productivity enhancement technologies, advanced software, and beam delivery systems to their investment in the research of laser materials processing science and applications, ULS is dedicated to delivering the most innovative, costeffective, flexible, and scalable laser material processing solutions to meet current and future customer needs.
ULS Laser Sources
There are three main types of CO2 lasers available in the market served by Universal Laser Systems: metal core, ceramic core, and glass tube. Each of these categories employs various technologies for controlling and supplying power to the laser sources.
ULS Laser Innovation
Drawing on decades of expertise in materials processing, incorporating patented technologies and leveraging extensive field service experience worldwide, ULS has developed an advanced solution for laser cutting, engraving, and marking. This solution features an integrated air-cooled, metal-core CO2 laser source with a mode-replicating, free-space slab resonator and an integrated RF power supply. These technological innovations not only ensure compactness but also enable both pulsed and continuous wave (CW) operation. Moreover, with military-grade construction and the capability for complete laser reprocessing, ULS laser sources offer unmatched durability and maintenance efficiency.
ULS produces lasers with output power ranging from 10 watts to 500 watts, available in both 10.6μm and 9.3μm wavelengths.
All ULS laser sources are equipped with integrated air-cooling across the entire power range. These laser sources offer several advantages to customers:
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Superior Laser Cutting, Engraving, and Marking Quality: Enhanced beam focus ensures consistent and precise processing.
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High Processing Throughput: Optimized laser energy utilization significantly boosts system throughput.
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Versatility with Universal Features: Supports technologies such as Rapid Reconfiguration™, Dual Laser, and SuperSpeed™.
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Operational Safety: Constructed with aerospace-grade welded aluminum and low voltage power supplies, along with integrated safety features to minimize hazard risks.
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High Reliability and Serviceability: Innovative design and a dedicated laser service program greatly reduce system downtime.
Excellent Laser Cutting, Engraving, and Marking Quality
ULS CO2 laser sources are distinguished by their superior and consistent processing quality among air-cooled laser sources available today. This distinction is quantifiable across three key parameters: beam power distribution, spatial uniformity across the processing field, and sustained power consistency over time.
The text describes the advantages of ULS (Universal Laser Systems) lasers in laser materials processing. ULS lasers feature Gaussian beam profiles with high consistency (M2 of 1.1), which allow for precise focusing and high energy concentration, resulting in small kerf widths and superior resolution in marking, imaging, and engraving. Unlike other systems, ULS lasers maintain consistent focal spot sizes across their processing area due to a free-space resonator design. They also employ innovative air cooling technology up to 500 watts, which ensures stable operation and eliminates the need for water cooling, thus reducing system complexity and maintenance costs. This integration of resonator, power supply, and cooling system enables ULS lasers to deliver consistent performance under varying environmental conditions.
High Processing Throughput
Laser processing throughput depends on available power, laser response, and energy management. Peak power is crucial, but more power isn’t always better. Laser-material interactions vary with power delivery methods: continuous low power vs. short high power bursts. This affects material results, making it beneficial to have both high and low power lasers. CO2 lasers with quick response times, like metal core lasers, enhance throughput over slower glass tube lasers. High carriage speeds can decrease throughput by reducing overlap in raster imaging. Effective laser energy management optimizes throughput across different materials and applications. ULS lasers are designed for flexible and efficient energy management.
Multiple Universal Features
ULS laser sources are a key component of the product and technology ecosystem, working alongside other unique Universal features to provide optimal processing solutions for each customer.
- Rapid Reconfiguration™
- Dual Laser Configuration
- SuperSpeed™ Technology
- System Integration and the Intelligent Materials Database
Laser System User Interfaces
The Universal Control Panel (UCP) and Laser System Manager (LSM) are intuitive interfaces for ULS laser systems, offering expert-quality results. Features include a Printer Driver, Direct Import, an Intelligent Materials Database, manual override, Duplicate function, and Estimator for accurate processing times.
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Ease of Use: The user interfaces are crafted for intuitive operation, facilitating laser cutting, engraving, and marking in just three simple steps.
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High Productivity: Time-saving features enhance productivity by streamlining tasks. Key features include Direct Import, Materials Database, Duplicate, Estimate, Storage, and Organization.
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Processing Flexibility: Manual Controls provide customizable laser settings for diverse materials and applications, ensuring maximum processing versatility.
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Processing Quality: The UCP and LSM systems integrate Camera Registration to automatically correct material misalignment or stretching, guaranteeing precise processing.
Direct Import
PDF and DXF design files can be seamlessly imported into UCP and LSM systems. The LSM supports G-code formats in addition to PDF and DXF. Our Direct Import feature ensures the fidelity of the original design file, distinguishing us from laser systems that depend solely on printer drivers.
Intelligent Materials Database
The Intelligent Materials Database streamlines the process of setting optimal laser parameters for hundreds of materials, removing the need for trial and error and significantly saving time and resources. Users can easily select materials from the database, which then automatically calculates the precise settings for highquality laser processing results. For more information see further down the page.
Manual Control
The Manual Control feature enables users to configure laser settings tailored to specific materials and applications. Each laser processing parameter can be adjusted individually through the manual controls, offering unparalleled flexibility in processing.
Laser System Manager (LSM) ULTRA Series
The Laser System Manager (LSM) serves as the control software for ULTRA laser systems, offering a sophisticated user interface with extensive functionality and precise control. It enables users to effectively operate the laser system, handle design files, and apply laser material processing parameters with efficiency.
Design File Import, Printing, and Management
The LSM facilitates the import of industry-standard files such as DXF, PDF, and G-Code. Design files can also be transferred to the laser system via a printer driver compatible with both Windows and macOS. Within the LSM, these files are converted into control files, which include both design information and laser system settings. Control files can be viewed in either grid or list format and are searchable by image or file name.
Application of Laser Processing Settings
Laser processing settings for material or application are managed through the LSM. Available settings include raster, vector, speed, power, PPI, image density, dithering, acceleration, cutting order, processing direction, segment reduction, gas flow rate, SuperSpeed™ control, and rotary axis control. These settings can be automatically applied using pre-defined parameters from the Intelligent Materials Database or customized as needed.
Camera Control
Camera Control for Vision and Positioning in ULTRA laser systems incorporates installed cameras for displaying images and controlling functions related to vision. This includes locating registration marks and positioning control files on materials. A door-mounted camera offers an overview of the multi-function material support structure and its contents when the door is open. A carriage-mounted camera provides high-resolution close-up views and precise location of registration marks on materials placed on the support structure.
Precision Material Independent Autofocus Control
The LSM offers precise control for autofocus probe positioning and activation across multiple focus points, ensuring high-quality, consistent results. The focus operations are automated according to user-defined sequences and locations.
System Control with Automation Interface
The Automation Interface is an addressable device that handles input and output signals, facilitating control over external devices and allowing them to initiate laser system functions. The LSM manages the Automation Interface. For more details, refer to the Automation Interface Innovation section.
System Configuration and Calibration
The LSM allows configuration of settings such as Units (inches or millimeters), Laser Diode Control, X-Y Homing, and Autofocus (on/ off). Calibration settings are adjusted through wizards and dialogs, covering functions like Y-Axis, Autofocus, Alignment, Ruler Offsets, Lens, Carriage Camera, Door Camera, Rotary, and SuperSpeed™. Initial calibration is performed at the factory and during installation.
Further calibration is typically unnecessary unless updating software, replacing components, or performing diagnostics.
Wired and Wireless Network Management
ULTRA systems support both wired and wireless networks. The LSM enables network selection and device naming. Network connection is optional but provides access to Remote Diagnostics and Remote Operation via browser-compatible devices on the same network.
User Access and Administration
The LSM manages user names, logins, and privileges. Users can be set for local or remote access, and administrators can control privileges related to modifying control files, managing users, operating the laser system, and configuring settings.
Help and Diagnostics
The Help & Diagnostics Page offers information on the laser system’s status, access to Remote Diagnostics, and the ability to update LSM software.
HPDFO™ (High Power Density Focusing Optics)
ULS enhances laser marking and engraving capabilities by leveraging patented HPDFO™ (High Power Density Focusing Optics). This technology enables higher resolution marking on metals and expands the CO2 laser system’s material cutting capabilities.
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Increased Resolution: HPDFO’s smaller focal spot size allows for finer marks and narrower cut widths, achieving higher resolutions and tighter tolerances. In raster marking, it minimizes overlap, enhancing resolution for highly detailed, magnificationlegible graphics.
- Higher Power Density: HPDFO technology focuses laser energy into a smaller area, increasing power density and enabling direct marking on materials like steel and titanium. Without HPDFO, this would require more expensive lasers or specialized compounds. For example, a 150-watt laser with HPDFO matches the power density of a 1,000-watt system. This technology greatly enhances the versatility of CO2 lasers, allowing them to process more materials effectively.
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Configuration Flexibility: The size of the focus spot determines laser cutting, engraving, and marking resolution. HPDFO offers a significantly smaller diameter than standard lenses, ideal for achieving high-resolution processes. Conversely, longer focal length lenses are preferred for applications prioritizing high throughput and bulk material removal over resolution. They also accommodate material variations in flatness better due to their extended focal range, beneficial for non-flat materials or those affected by laser-induced distortion. Additionally, longer focal lengths ensure a more consistent kerf width when cutting thicker materials.
1-Touch Laser Photo™
1-Touch Laser Photo™ is an innovative product for converting digital photographs (BMP, JPEG, PNG or TIFF formats) into bitmap files that can be used to indelibly mark or laser engrave the image into materials such as hard wood, stone or metal to create high value products.
This transforms an ordinary photograph into a professional quality laser engraving. Prior to 1-Touch this was possible only by experimenting with halftone screens, dithering patterns, and laser settings – an expensive and time consuming methodology. 1-Touch automates this process and provides these benefits:
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Optimize Return on Investment: 1-Touch Laser Photo automatically converts digital photographs to optimized bitmaps, saving both time and materials.
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High Quality Results: Image processing software developed by the experts at ULS delivers professional quality laser marking and laser engraving results every time.
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Broadest Range of Material Compatibility: Photographs can be laser marked or laser engraved onto hundreds of materials using the optimized process setting calculated by the ULS Intelligent Materials Database.
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Regular Software Updates: New materials are added to 1-Touch Laser Photo every quarter.
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Intuitive User Interface: All that’s needed are three easy steps to transform a digital photograph to a professional-quality engraving.
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Stand Alone Software: 1-Touch Laser Photo is compatible with all brands of laser engravers.
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How to Create High Quality Laser Engraved Photos: 1-Touch Laser Photo transforms digital photographs into single bit raster graphics that are suitable for laser marking and laser engraving. The software does this by applying the bitmap screen that is the most suitable for the material that is being marked or engraved. 1-Touch also automatically applies image enhancements that have been developed by ULS. The finished bitmap is then exported to the laser system for laser marking or laser engraving the chosen material.
Sizing and cropping image
Selecting material from drop-down menu to automatically apply bitmap filter and image enhancements
Photograph engraved onto cherry wood using 1-Touch Laser Photo
Photograph engraved onto cherry wood using 1-Touch Laser Photo
Intelligent Materials Database
The Intelligent Materials Database is built upon several decades of research and development by scientists and engineers and is the most extensive repository of laser materials processing parameters for materials in the range of 10 watts to 500 watts.
The full power and capability of the database is accessible to users via the Universal Control Panel (UCP) and Laser System Manager (LSM). This feature is constantly evolving, with new materials and capabilities being added every day to provide customers with several ongoing benefits:
Enriched Materials Processing
Laser processing of materials can be a nuanced and highly technical endeavor. Proper selection of processing parameters for laser cutting, engraving, and marking a material can vary based on several factors including:
- Type of material
- Material thickness
- Available laser power
- Rate of energy delivery
- Laser wavelength
- Lens focal length
- Duty cycle of the laser
- Speed of the beam delivery system
- Number of pulses per inch
- Air flow rate
- Pulse waveform
- Exhaust flow rate
Without software assistance, users rely on iterative testing to achieve satisfactory results, which is unreliable and timeconsuming. This complexity limits the benefits of laser systems.
The Intelligent Materials Database by ULS simplifies laser material processing into three steps: 1) select a material, 2) choose the process type (cutting, marking, or engraving), and 3) enter the material thickness. It then automatically generates optimal processing parameters, removing the need for experimentation and enhancing productivity.
The database reduces complexity by considering material type, thickness, laser system configuration, and process type. The following section details these considerations.
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Material and Configuration: The Intelligent Materials Database provides laser processing parameters for diverse materials, determining whether marking, cutting, or engraving is possible based on the laser system’s configuration. It ensures consistent results by guiding users on material-specific nuances.
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Depth and Power: The database adjusts speed for desired cutting and engraving depths, optimizing throughput. It simplifies power setting selection, accounting for different material responses and supporting multiple laser configurations for flexibility.
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Wavelength and Capacity: ULS offers lasers with varying wavelengths, each affecting materials differently. The database adjusts parameters for optimal processing and includes specialized settings for applications like rubber stamps. Users can add custom notes for specific materials.
Improved Productivity
Without the Intelligent Materials Database, users rely on trialand- error to set processing parameters, causing delays and excessive scrap. The database reduces iterations and stores custom material parameters for quick recall, aiding efficient and accurate processing.
Investment Protection
ULS maintains the Intelligent Materials Database with ongoing updates to keep users informed of the latest materials for laser processing, ensuring continuous protection of customer investments.
Increased Safety
Processing materials with a laser system can be hazardous if incorrect parameters are used, potentially causing ignition and posing risks to the system, facility, and personnel. The Intelligent Materials Database addresses these safety concerns by providing rigorously tested parameters from laser material processing experts. For instance, many materials have a maximum cut depth, which, if exceeded, can be unsafe. Additionally, specific cutting or marking speeds are often set for safety reasons. The Intelligent Materials Database ensures optimal and safe laser material processing settings in all scenarios.