The sixth grade shop (industrial arts/technology), computer and art classes will be working together to start a business using the school’s newly-purchased laser engraver from york laser, middle school officials say.

Alicia Gradisar, a shop teacher at the middle school for 19 years, said she has been talking to Windsor Middle School Principal Doug Englert about the idea for a money making/learning experience for students a couple years.
“This year, it finally all worked out,” Gradisar said.
Gradisar purchased the engraver this summer with a loan from the school which will be paid back in monthly payments with proceeds from the engraving projects. She also took all the necessary training to use the engraver.
“I am excited about this new opportunity for the kids,” Gradisar said. “I have always done this kind of learning project but the laser engraver adds the professional quality to the look of the products we will produce and sell.”
She said WMS students have been enthusiastic about sample items that have been engraved, such as flashlights and iPods. She thinks this will be a very productive project and great experience for the students.
Sixth graders Colton Vickers, Max McClelland and Dylan Sparks said they enjoy using the engraver.
“It’s a really fun activity and it’s a good way to help raise money for our school,” Sparks said.
Gradisar said everyone is just getting started with the new equipment, but that the students are really enjoying doing something new and different.
“I believe the skills learned on this project such as collaboration, problem solving, team work and communication will fit very well into the districts 21st Century Skills Curriculum,” Gradisar said.
“And, I think it will give students invaluable hands on training and experience in running a business, from planning to production that will help them in anything they choose to do in their lives.”
Lisa Leuthauser’s art class will be working on the design and marketing of the products. Lela Winfrey’s computer class will be using spreadsheets to do the bookkeeping. Gradisar’s industrial arts class will be doing the actual production of the products.

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“All the classes will be involved in most of the process and will have the chance to pitch design ideas for products they think might sell to fellow students and parents and other Windsor residents,” Gradisar said.
To get the program kicked off, Bank of Colorado President Tom Prenger spoke to the sixth graders on Wednesday about all the components that go into planning and starting a new business, including information about paying back debt and making a profit.
“I hope to impart to the students the many important aspects to be considered before starting any new business,” Prenger said. “It is good for them to have something like the engraver to help them understand the concepts of assets and debts.”
Englert prepared students to listen carefully to Prenger by telling them they might some day need Prenger’s help with a loan.
“If you go in to Mr. Prenger’s bank and sit down in front of him to ask him for a loan, he will give you his full attention, and hopefully the money you need,” Englert said. “So you might want to give him your full attention today.”
Students were attentive and involved as Prenger talked to them about their financial undertaking. He prompted them to discuss issues most of them have never dealt with, such as, making monthly payments, business plans, net worth and income interest on loans.
“I tell folks I am a money renter,” Prenger said to the students. “I take a person’s money and keep it safe in my bank, and then loan it out to other people that might need money.”
He explained that is the reason the bank charges interest, so they can pay people for using their money.
“That is what Mr. Englert is going to expect you to do,” Prenger said. “He is letting you use his money for your business because he believes in you, and believes you have a quality product to sell.”
Englert said the items the students are making are already becoming very popular with the rest of the school population and staff.
“I’m sure the students and staff will be very busy and learn a lot from the project,” Englert said.

“All the classes will be involved in most of the process and will have the chance to pitch design ideas for products they think might sell to fellow students and parents and other Windsor residents,” Gradisar said.
To get the program kicked off, Bank of Colorado President Tom Prenger spoke to the sixth graders on Wednesday about all the components that go into planning and starting a new business, including information about paying back debt and making a profit.
“I hope to impart to the students the many important aspects to be considered before starting any new business,” Prenger said. “It is good for them to have something like the engraver to help them understand the concepts of assets and debts.”
Englert prepared students to listen carefully to Prenger by telling them they might some day need Prenger’s help with a loan.
“If you go in to Mr. Prenger’s bank and sit down in front of him to ask him for a loan, he will give you his full attention, and hopefully the money you need,” Englert said. “So you might want to give him your full attention today.”
Students were attentive and involved as Prenger talked to them about their financial undertaking. He prompted them to discuss issues most of them have never dealt with, such as, making monthly payments, business plans, net worth and income interest on loans.
“I tell folks I am a money renter,” Prenger said to the students. “I take a person’s money and keep it safe in my bank, and then loan it out to other people that might need money.”
He explained that is the reason the bank charges interest, so they can pay people for using their money.
“That is what Mr. Englert is going to expect you to do,” Prenger said. “He is letting you use his money for your business because he believes in you, and believes you have a quality product to sell.”
Englert said the items the students are making are already becoming very popular with the rest of the school population and staff.

The gases that are used to create the original light source have a lot to do with the how a laser performs and by the way CO2 gas is used in laser engravers. So how is light created from a gas? It’s quite simple. They are created by agitating the molecules in the gas in an enclosed container, just the same way that light is generated from a neon light bulb.

A Far Cleaner and Safer Engraving Process

Laser engraving is often referred to a laser etching and unlike most all conventional methods of engraving or etching, no mask is required. Thats because unlike other methods of etching, no harsh chemicals or high temperatures are used in the laser engraving process.

The Capacity For Delicate Precision Work

Laser engraving also has many other inherent benefits when compared to standard engraving techniques. For instance, the actaul beam lends itself to far more precision work. Thus even very small and delicate items can be etched on with a laser engraver.

Other Benefits Of the Laser Engraving Process

Unlike other standard methods of engraving or etching, a laser engraver generates no dust or leaves no chemical residue. Also engraving on uneven surfaces is far more easily done by laser engraving. Thats because a light beam is far more easy to manipulate around and across these types of surfaces.

Transferring Images With a Laser Engraver

Amazingly, new technologies have been developed that allow people to automatically transfer images to surfaces with a laser engraver. The image is simply loaded into the engravers memory and with simply touch of a button the image is automatically engraved as it is on the surface of an object.

There is often a lot of confusion regarding the various styles of custom made silicone rubber bracelets. Heck, even silicone wrist band vendors mix-up debossed with embossed bracelets & many consumers aren’t really sure about screen printed wristbands. Fling in the option of lazer-engraved bracelets and people throw up their arms in frustration.

Embossed Bracelets

Although not quite as popular as debossed or printed, embossed wristbands are definitely worth considering for those whom place higher value upon uniqueness and style. just like a debossed bracelet, an Embossed Silicone Rubber Wristband also incorporates any personalized design and requires a mold to be manufactured. However, with embossed bracelets, the fully customized design is raised up off the wristbandas opposed to recessed down into it. Pricing and turnaround times for debossed and embossed bands are nearly identical.

Laser-Engraved Wrist Bands

Laser-Engraved wristbands are becoming more and more popular. Strangely, the majority of wristband suppliers charge outrageous prices, even though they are less expensive to manufacture. Laser-engraved bands are nearly identical to debossed bands in look and feel. If you do prefer the ubiquitous LIVESTRONG debossed style, you might wish to consider laser-engraved bracelets for smaller quantity orders. Similar to printed bands, custom laser-engraved silicone bracelets begin with a blank bracelet. An easy setup program allows a laser-engraving machine to engrave the custom silicone bracelets to the exact specs of whatever fully customized message that is wanted. Laser-engraved bands do not require a mold to be produced; therefore, they are cheaper and enjoy speedier turnaround times than debossed and embossed bracelets.

Debossed Bracelets

Debossed wristbands are the most common and are the same style as Lance Armstrong’s trendsetting LIVESTRONG wrist bands. Debossed refers to the fact that the design is actually recessed down into the Debossed Silicone Rubber Wristband itself. A customized mould is expertly created with the provided personalized message to achieve this. Not long ago, because they need a mold to be manufactured, custom debossed wrist bands were more costly and took longer to manufacture than printed or laser-engraved bracelets; however, today, that gap has lessened considerably.

Printed Bracelets

Printed wristbands are by far the cheapest choice. Printed bands start with a blank wristband and are then silk-screen printed. The industry has seen a vast improvement when it comes to screen printing silicone wristbands. The dyes used today actually penetrate the silicone rubber of the screen printed wrist bands. There are some who believe that the print which is used on printed wristbands is cheaply painted on and will crack or flake off. This is not true if you are dealing with a good bracelet vendor. You can expect the printing to last the lifetime of the silicone bracelet itself. A template is used to produce the custom message rather than a mold. Because a template is used rather than a mold, printed bracelets are less expensive with speedier turnaround times than debossed and embossed wristbands.

Creating Light From a Gas

The gases that are used to create the original light source have a lot to do with the how a laser performs and by the way CO2 gas is used in laser engravers. So how is light created from a gas? It’s quite simple. They are created by agitating the molecules in the gas in an enclosed container, just the same way that light is generated from a neon light bulb.

A Far Cleaner and Safer Engraving Process

Laser engraving is often referred to a laser etching and unlike most all conventional methods of engraving or etching, no mask is required. That’s because unlike other methods of etching, no harsh chemicals or high temperatures are used in the laser engraving process.

The Capacity For Delicate Precision Work

Laser engraving also has many other inherent benefits when compared to standard engraving techniques. For instance, the actaul beam lends itself to far more precision work. Thus even very small and delicate items can be etched on with a laser engraver.

Other Benefits Of the Laser Engraving Process

Unlike other standard methods of engraving or etching, a laser engraver generates no dust or leaves no chemical residue. Also engraving on uneven surfaces is far more easily done by laser engraving. Thats because a light beam is far more easy to manipulate around and across these types of surfaces.

Transferring Images With a Laser Engraver

Amazingly, new technologies have been developed that allow people to automatically transfer images to surfaces with a laser engraver. The image is simply loaded into the engravers memory and with simply touch of a button the image is automatically engraved as it is on the surface of an object.

people often think they need to be a laser expert to run a laser engraving system, but a laser engraver works very much like a printer. thus, it is more important to be computer literate than a laser authority. the best laser engravers we know are also the best graphic artists. if you are competent in a graphic arts program, you will learn how to laser engrave very quickly.

if you do not yet know how to run one, it is recommended that you learn one. most users do like coreldraw products, but there are a variety of others as well. use manuals and help menus provided with the program to assist you in your learning curve. also, take advantage of classes offered by local community programs, colleges, computer and software stores, industry trade shows and seminars. additionally, you can find help online at various websites. once you are comfortable with the software, your learning curve for laser engraving will be very short. basically, a laser engraving system works much like a big laser jet printer recreating the information that is sent to it. that is why artwork generation is the key to successful laser engraving. taking the time to learn to use your graphics program and using it properly will pay big dividends in your overall engraving results.

the choices
once you decide that laser technology is right for you, you will need to make some choices. machine differences include the manufacturer, wattage of the laser, table size, options and price.

the manufacturer
there are an increasing number of companies currently manufacturing laser engraving equipment. you can find them in industry directories, trade journals, trade shows, and online searches. each of these companies manufacture equipment using the same laser technology but with some variations. typically, we recommend that purchasers stick with companies that have been in business for some time and that have a good reputation. over the years, we have seen a variety of laser engraving manufacturers come in to the marketplace and go just as quickly. it is also important to have a sense of what you will be using your system for and what kind of machine you really need. narrowing it down to the type of laser system you need will limit the number of manufacturers you want to consider. once you have identified these manufacturers, you can contact them about your needs, request product literature, and ask to see a demonstration. trade shows can also be a viable option for viewing several machines in the same place for quick and easy comparisons. whenever possible, have them demonstrate the system on your parts or what you anticipate will be your most common job(s). ask questions and make sure you understand what you are getting for your money. whenever possible, talk to current owners and operators of similar equipment. find out how they feel about, not only the equipment, but about the company they bought it from. some engravers also start out by using a job shop initially to give them a sense of the process and the market.

the wattage
like light bulbs, lasers for engraving are described by their wattage. simply put, higher wattage means more power, and more power means faster run times and greater capabilities. unfortunately, it also means a higher price tag. one of the biggest decisions you will make when choosing a laser engraving system is deciding how much power you need. todays equipment comes in a variety of power choices, typically from 10 watts to 120 watts and more. when determining power needs, keep in mind there might be a difference between being able to process a certain material, and being able to do it at speeds that are profitable. make sure you have enough power to do the jobs you want to do now (and consider future growth potential) and invest in the highest wattage machine you can afford. also, because lasers do periodically need to be recharged, it is best to know upfront the projected life expectancy of the laser, how the manufacturer handles the recharge, and the projected cost.

the options
options for the machine are equally important. much of what you will need depends on what you will be using your machine for. making sure the table size is adequate for your needs is important to consider as well. again, remember to consider future needs. additionally, there are several options available that you can purchase with your system and some may possibly be added at a later date. a popular option is air assist. this is an optional attachment, on some 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. auto focus is another popular feature and now comes standard on many models. this allows for the automatic focus of the lens on the area to be engraved. another current option is the red dot pointer, which will give you a visual of where the laser beam is focused. you can laser process without one but many users appreciate having them.

for the engraving on curved or rounded surfaces, consider a rotary attachment. this is a device that is used to rotate curved surfaces so that the laser beam still acts like it is engraving on a flat surface. this is used widely for engraving on glasses, vases, bats, and other curved surfaces.

vector cutting tables are also popular add-ons. these are tables that allow for the material to be cut through without the laser beam reflecting directly off of the tabletop of the machine into the underside of the material. if you are going to be using your machine to do a lot of vector cutting, you definitely want to consider one of these. you will also want to keep in mind that because of laser engravings increasing popularity, it has become a competitive marketplace and new options and designs are continuously being developed that allow for greater speed, versatility, and user friendliness.

warranties, training, support, and more
equally important, you will also want to know how service, warranty, training, and support issues are handled. there is nothing more frustrating than having orders in-house and a machine that is down, and little or not support to assist you. make sure that you know up-front whom to contact with questions or problems; how to contact them, and how effectively such situations are typically handled.

conclusion
it wont be long and you will soon have a sense of the equipment, the options, the company, and the person who is selling the equipment. as with any purchase, feeling good about what you are getting for your money will be the key factor in determining what you buy.

b) engraving craftwork
most laser engravers can engrave craftwork and purchase is based on application.
engraving bamboo, wood, and notion: small machine, like size of 300*400mm, with low price and high precision. engraving wooden box and wine box: size of 500*70mm and 600*900mm, with up and down working table for long box to be put in.
engraving bamboo: size of 500×700mm and 600×900mm, with up and down working table and rotating unit.
engraving large format wood: size of 600*900mm, with up and down working table, and open through front and back door for putting large wooden board.
engraving new year card: size of 500*700mm and 600*900mm, with working table for cutting, and fast speed for paper not be burnt during working process.

c) cutting acrylic
most laser engravers can cut acrylic, but it s better for you to use special laser cutting machine, of which the optimized design is specialized in cutting and cutting effect is very good. if you insist on buying common laser engraving machine, it s very necessary to buy the machine with knife shape working table.
note: don t believe 60w or 80w laser power can cut 20mm acrylic, it is impossible. even the acrylic is cut through, the edge is extremely awful.
normal value is: 60w laser power can cut 8-10mm acrylic, 80w laser power can cut 8-15mm acrylic.

d) engraving and cutting costume and leather
purchase laser engraving machine with fast speed and honeycomb working table.

1. no earth connection permitted during machine working. the earth wire of laser power should be connected to the earth, doors windows or water tube facilities are not allowed to be connected. the earth wire should be connected to the outside ground.

2. please check if the water pump run water or not and if the laser tube is full of water. water run out from the water pump or not enough water in the laser tube is not allowed when machine is working.

3. the water container should be larger to promise the circulating water is around 20kg. the water temperature should be below 25 degree centigrade, the circulating water should be replaced when the water temperature is very high. it is better to use purified water as circulating water, which should be promised clean and replaced every four days.

4. the reflector and focus lamp should be wiped by special camera lens paper or medical cotton buds dipped alcohol and anther. (mixing ratio is 1:1), please keep clean once a week.

5. the blower should be opened when engraving, in case pollute the lens and focus lamp.

6. the laser water tube should be running out in winter, in case the laser tube frost crack.

7. this laser light is invisible light, flammable materials and explosive goods are prohibited to be put nearby the machine, in case the laser deviation result in fire breaking out.

8. the operator leaving is not allowed during machine working, in case unnecessary losses happen.

9. open the machine by laypeople is prohibited, because there are laser and high pressure inside the machine.

10. any irrelevant total reflection or diffuse reflection goods put in the machine are not allowed, in case the laser light is reflected to people or flammable materials.

11. opening machine is prohibited under unstable pressure, or else, voltage regulator should be used.

12. operator not be trained is prohibited to operating the machine.

daily maintenance
the horizontal type machine light path is complicated, in order to make sure the light can pass through each lens and keep the max laser light power, light adjusting can improve the engraving efficiency. there are following methods to adjust the light path.

1. wipe the lens
the reflector and the focus lamp are consumables. if the maintenance is not in time, the dust from engraving will erosion the coating of lens, if the coating of lens broke, the lens cannot reflect the light fully and will be absorbed the heat by engraving, which will impact the engraving effect and lens, broke. the following is the lens maintenance.

a) please look into the reflector surface golden film, which should be average color, if have any spots, please wipe softly by the absolute ethyl alcohol cotton buds to clean, if any broke in the golden film, please replace it.

b) screwing out the focus lens cap and take out the lens, if any spot on it, please wipe it by absolute ethyl alcohol cotton buds.

2.adjust the light path

(1) put the focus lamp on the top left corner, make the forth reflector aperture face to the third reflector, as follows figture1.
(2) look into the forth reflector incidence point, the deviation of the incidence point is adjusted through up and down ,left and right screws on the back of the first reflector.
(3) put the focus lamp to the top right corner and bottom left corner like figure 2 and 3, the second reflector deviation is adjusted through its own screws on the back of the reflector, the third reflector deviation is adjusted through the screws on the back of the reflector.
(4) put the lens to the position 4, bottom right corner, after checking no deviation, the adjustment is done, or else, adjust again by 1,2,3 positions.