| 3D Engraving | A process that allows for the engraving of different depths on the same job. Process does require a special driver (3D effects driver: now standard on many machines) and special three dimensional graphics software. |
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| Air Assist | An optional attachment on some laser engraving systems that allows for a constant stream of compressed air to cross the engraving and cutting surface at the point of burn. This process is ideal for deep, clean engraving and cutting. |
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| Auto Focus | A feature available on some laser engraving machines that allows for the automatic focus of the lens on the area to be engraved. |
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| Beam | The cylinder of light that comes out of the laser head. This is what makes the mark on the selected material by vaporizing it.
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| Beam Delivery | The assembly which contains and delivers the laser beam to the work area. |
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| Beam Splitter | A method of separating a laser beam into two beams for multiple run capabilities.
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| Bitmap | Patterns of dots blended together to form pictures. Monochrome bitmaps are used when scanning and engraving line art or camera ready black and white images. Grayscale bitmaps are used for scanning and engraving photographs. Color bitmaps are not recommended for laser engraving. |
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| CDRH | Center for Devices of Radiological Health - A division of the FDA concerned with the safe usage of lasers. |
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| Cermark | (LMM600) - A chemical comprised of a molybedenum trioxide and other additives manufactured by dmc2 (formerly Cerdec) The material is applied to bare metal surfaces through a brush or spray, prior to engraving. Once the material dries, it actually adheres itself to the metal. The surface can then be laser engraved with a C02 laser. Results will vary depending on the metal and the desired affect, but dark indelible marks are possible using this method. Once the part is laser engraved, the excess will wash off. |
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| Chiller | A separate unit that is required for 50 watt lasers or higher to keep the system running at an efficient temperature.
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| CO2 Laser | A Carbon Dioxide laser, commonly used for laser engraving. Named for the gases used to generate the laser beam of light, CO 2 lasers generally work well for the engraving and cutting of materials that are poor conductors of heat and electricity. This includes wood, glass, leather, ceramics, and acrylic.
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| Colorfilling | The application of paint to engraved areas of a piece. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
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| CorelDraw | A popular graphics software package widely used in the laser engraving industry.
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| Deep Engraving | Multiple passes over an area to achieve extra deep results. This is sometimes necessary due to the hardness of material and/or needing the depth to hold paint.
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| Depth of Field | Refers to the area that is between the focal point and the point where the laser meets the substrate on which it is engraving. This is the area that contains the densest laser energy and is most efficient for engraving. |
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| Double Pass | The process of running a job twice over the same area to achieve desired results.
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| Downside Exhaust Work Support Table | An option that will hold parts up off of the reflective aluminum table top, as well as hold parts flat. In addition, smoke, vaporized materials and fumes will be pulled down and away from the point of burn. Drivers - Computer disks that are provided with the machine that allows the computer to interface with the laser engraving system.
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| DPI | Dots per inch of engravable artwork. Most jobs are run at 300 -600 dpi's, but systems do allow for settings as high as 1200 dpi. The higher the dpi, the slower the machine will run.
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| EPS | (Encapsulated Postscript Images) - Popular vector file format. (The standard for the graphics industry)
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| Exhaust System | A separate unit needed to exhaust vaporized materials outside. The type of system needed depends on usage. Laser system manufacturers can help recommend what works best.
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| Focal Point | The spot where the laser beam is focused below the beam delivery lens. This spot is where the energy of the laser beam is the most condensed. By changing lenses, a focal point can be larger or smaller, depending on needs.
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| Focal Tool | A measuring tool commonly used to correctly focus the laser beam on the material to be engraved.
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| Focus | A certain distance from the focusing lens. An adjustable distance setting on a laser engraving system, dependent on the focal length of the lens used.
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| Halftones | A series of dots arranged in a specific pattern. Also known as a grayscale bitmap, halftones are popular for the laser engraving of photographs.
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| Jig | Special tooling that is sometimes used to hold parts in place.
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