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Engraving changes the surface; cutting separates material. Marking creates a visible identification or design, sometimes without deep removal. Marking capability does not imply cutting capability.

Not necessarily. Wavelength, output, optics and the material itself affect the result. A setting or material claim for one laser system does not automatically apply to another. Check the documentation for the exact machine and laser module.

No. Bare metal, coated metal and anodized metal can behave differently. Surface marking and cutting through metal are also very different tasks. Confirm the exact alloy, finish and intended process against the machine manufacturer's supported applications.

Use our Contact page for questions about your intended application. This FAQ covers general laser knowledge; it is not a Spider compatibility list or a specification sheet. Product-specific answers and validated resources will be added as they are confirmed.

Choose identified, laser-compatible stock supported by your machine. Confirm composition, coatings and thickness with the supplier before processing. A successful burn test cannot establish that unknown material is safe.

Do not laser-process PVC or PVC-based vinyl, PTFE, or materials containing hazardous halogens. Some resins, composites and treated leathers are also unsuitable. This is not a complete exclusion list: obtain composition and safety information, and follow the machine manufacturer's approved-material guidance.

Do not identify unknown plastics by lasering or burning them. Ask the supplier for the exact composition, coatings and safety data sheet, then confirm laser suitability with the equipment manufacturer. If the material cannot be identified and approved, do not process it.

Material composition, coatings and surface condition can vary between suppliers or batches. Keep the machine setup consistent and compare small samples of confirmed laser-safe stock. Record the material source and settings so a good result is easier to repeat.

No. Stay with the machine and monitor the work throughout processing. Keep the work area and accessible exhaust passages clear of debris, following the manual. If a fire develops, follow the machine's emergency procedure; evacuate and call emergency services if it cannot be safely controlled.

No. Containing the work area does not remove fumes and particles. Use the extraction or filtration arrangement specified for the machine and material, with suitable ducting and maintained filters. Stop processing if extraction fails or smoke escapes into the room.

No. Air assist directs air near the processing point; extraction removes contaminated air from the working area. One does not replace the other. Use only the accessories, airflow and exhaust arrangement approved for the machine and job.

No. Do not defeat safety switches or run with guards removed. Stop and contact the manufacturer if a lid, interlock or protective window is damaged or behaves unexpectedly. Use only the protective equipment specified for your machine and its operating mode.

Raster images are made of pixels and are commonly used for photos or filled engraving. Vectors describe paths and are commonly used for outlines and cutting. Import support and processing modes depend on your software and machine; check the preview before running a job.

A photo or bitmap does not inherently contain vector cut paths. You may need to draw or trace an outline in compatible design software, then check its size and geometry. Inspect the cutting preview rather than assuming an imported image will be treated as a cut.

No. Begin with the manufacturer's guidance for your exact machine, material and process. On confirmed laser-safe stock, a small test grid can help compare a limited range of approved settings. Keep the test supervised and record the successful combination.

Treat them as context, not a ready-to-run recipe. The same power percentage or speed value can mean different things on different equipment; even speed units may differ. Use settings validated for your machine, then test within its recommended range.

Incorrect focus can make a mark wider, weaker or less consistent. Follow the machine's focusing procedure for the actual material surface and thickness. Keep the workpiece stable and flat where required. Do not compensate for a setup problem simply by increasing power.

Check the artwork at its intended output size, the focus and material stability. Small text or low-resolution images may lose detail. Inspect accessible optics only as the manual allows, and use approved cleaning procedures. Compare one change at a time on a safe sample.

First confirm that the machine supports cutting that material and thickness. Check the selected process, focus, material flatness and recommended settings. Do not keep adding power or passes blindly. If the correct setup still fails, stop and ask the manufacturer for model-specific help.

Follow the manufacturer's shutdown, cooling and maintenance instructions. Remove accessible debris at the specified intervals and use only approved tools and cleaning materials on optics. Avoid improvised solvents, abrasive wiping or dismantling sealed parts. Ask for help if a lens or protective window is damaged.

Include the machine and module, software version, exact material and thickness, selected settings, expected result and what actually happened. Copy the full error message and list checks already tried. Do not rerun an unsafe job to capture evidence; describe what you have already observed.