Why are the laser cartridges manufactured by ULS better suited for engraving and cutting applications?

Lasers are manufactured by ULS and tuned for engraving and cutting applications. The lasers are not general-purpose lasers adapted for laser engraving and cutting.

Why does ULS only have 16 mb printer memory standard for it's professional platform lasers?

While you can upgrade to 32 mb, this small amount of memory is only needed to store the engraving file, not the graphics file. Universal has the only driver with virtual memory -with  automatic file compression  making the files 4-48 times smaller and faster than uncompressed print files. Intelligent buffer with automatic data compression stores up to 99 files with all settings; files are addressable and repeatable in any order and may be deleted after completion; buffer can be switched to single file mode. I have personally engraved files up to 150 mb in size.

No. The laser is a printer driver and outputs the data from the software driver. Your software should be able to output what you require of the laser. For example, it you are using Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, or other paint programs, you cannot vector cut due to the lack of these features in the software. If you are only working with photos and bitmap images, Adobe Photoshop and other paint programs work fine. AutoCAD works extremely well on all of the ULS product lines.
The complete CorelDRAW X3 Graphics Suite package is the preferred program as it offers most of the software features needed for the laser user and offers a low price software solution. Features include easy text entry, vector objects and vector manipulation, bitmap editing, and raster-to-vector conversion. Also, there are many 3rd party supports options available for CorelDRAW and the laser operator.

Does ULS use a standard printer driver?

No. The ULS print driver is a custom driver written by the ULS’ in-house software engineering team. It is specifically for the needs of laser processing and for Universal Laser Systems. Enhanced vector cutting, 3-D engraving and rubber stamp mode are standard features. [more....]

Why kind of bearings and motion system does the ULS systems use?

Universal's motion system is renowned for its smoothness and accuracy. The system is manufactured with sealed inner bearings that are self-adjusting and pre-lubricated. There is minimal maintenance, with no messy oils required of the motion system. Bearings can be easily replaced by the ULS owner at a much lower cost than replacing an arm or bearings that some manufacturers claim to never wear out. Universal's durability testing has shown that this design provides excellent engraving quality and long service life at a very reasonable cost. [more......]

Some laser manufacturers are charging for support after the sale. What's the policy at ULS?

Lifetime non-fee support from both distributor and manufacturer via phone, fax and e-mail. The factory staffs seven full-time support technicians.

What is a hot laser?

While comparing lasers, a salesman told me that he had a hot 35 watt laser for the price of the a 30 watt. Does ULS sell hot lasers? The answer is no. All ULS laser cartridges are guaranteed to have 10% more power than the rating (i.e. a 50 watt laser is guaranteed to be 55 watts). And if that 'hot' laser ever has to be replaced, are you guaranteed another "hot" laser?

Is buying more power always the best solution when shopping for a laser?

Definitely not. While more power is desirable for faster production in wood, many products such as Flexi-brass and granite actually laser better with lower power. If you are lasering a variety of materials, make sure you don't [more......]

Which is better for laser engraving - servos vs. steppers?

Stepper motors provide consistent accuracy and repeatability of ULS systems. Steppers do not require an encoder (and the extra wiring and boards that go along with them- not to mention the added failures that go with more electronics), and they have a positive stop.  Steppers also have less complexity and very high resolution capability, as much as 8000 - 16000 steps per inch,  and steppers provide no more than 8 lbs. force for safety.  Servo technology is primarily used for moving heavy loads at a high rate of speed. The ULS is designed to carry a beam of light, not a large, heavy overweight arm. And physics allows us to go only so fast when laser engraving. Engraving and cutting speed is material and graphic dependent. Virtually all 30 watt lasers power setting manuals will recommend a power of 100, and only a speed of 30% or less for wood. And, you will find servo owners replacing their motors far more often than micro steppers due to the extreme starting and stopping of laser engraving.

What power of laser do I need?

Power requirements are relative to the material you are using and to the production times you want to meet. Can a 10 watt cut 1/8" wood and plastics? Yes, but it must be done in multiple paths or at a speed that is not suitable for production. The laser power you choose should meet the majority of you production requirements. [more.....

Can a CO2 laser cut through bare metal?

Technically, yes, but it takes at least 200 watts before the CO2 starts marking bare metal. The lasers manufactured by ULS are not for cutting metals. Marking bare metals such as stainless can be done with the ULS HPDFO optics.

Why does ULS enclose their optics?

ULS has shielded, interchangeable focusing optics on all models. Enclosing the optics provides protection and keeps the lens clean for a longer period of time.  Equipped with quick release covers that make them readily accessible for periodic inspection and cleaning. Out of Site & Out of Mind is a weak marketing tool used to disguise the fact that some lasers have open lenses susceptible to fumes and debris. Have you ever seen a laser cutting rubber? With an enclosed lens, you lens will remain cleaner, and last longer.

How thick of material will your laser cut?

Cutting depth is dependent on the laser power used, the material being cut and the speed at which the laser is traveling. If you had an infinite amount of time, then the laser could (theoretically) cut through an infinite thickness of material. If we get more specific, you will see that 50 watts, or any other power level, of CO2 laser is going to cut the same depth on any machine, as long as the material and speed are the same. Maximum cutting depth on systems like ours is not a good measure of a machines capability. It only measures the lowest speed the system can be set to - which on a ULS machine is 6 inches per minute. In order to achieve more depth of cut, either higher laser power is necessary (for one pass cutting) or multiple passes. With plastics, multiple passes generally is the best method - with wood, one pass is better since the wood may catch on fire when multiple passes are used.

Yes. All lasers require an exhaust to remove smoke and debris. Not only does it keep the laser cleaner, but it keeps much of the smell of the material out of the shop. Make sure the exhaust is vented to the outside. Unlike some systems, ULS systems are designed with internal cooling and do not require the exhaust to be constantly running, thus saving on utility costs. 

Some companies claim 20,000 hours life for their laser tubes. So, how long is 20,000 hours? It ends up being 2.28 years. ULS has a two year warranty on their laser cartridges. The average life of a most laser cartridges is 3-5 years.

The average cost of replacing a laser cartridge is $850-1200. However, Universal doesn't just recharge it's cartridges like many companies. It completely rebuilds them replacing the electronics and recharging the tube. Most other companies just fix what is broken, leaving you open for the possibility of other failures.

Yes. ULS offers a rotary attachment that will accommodate bats up to 32" for lasering the entire bat. Often bats don't require a rotary fixture if you are not lasering an area that is in the focus area.