How to Utilize Your Pass-through - Monport

If you have a CO2 laser engraving machine, a pass-through slot or port is a feature that allows you to work with materials that are larger than the bed size of your laser engraver.

There are many benefits of using your laser cutter with pass through, such as reducing time for creating projects as well as cutting down on costs. In addition, I'll walk you through how to use this feature and how to solve certain problems that may arise in the process so that way you can use it correctly and effectively.

 
What is the pass-through?

 
A laser cutter with pass through feature is useful because it allows you to work with materials that are larger than the bed size of your engraver. This means that you can work with a wider variety of materials and create larger designs that would not be possible with a smaller engraver bed.
 
For example, if you want to engrave a design on a long piece of wood, but your engraver bed is too small to fit the entire piece, you can use the pass-through feature to engrave the design in sections. By feeding the material through the pass-through slot, you can engrave one section at a time until the entire design is complete.
 
Similarly, if you want to engrave a design on a large acrylic sheet, you can use the pass-through feature to engrave the entire sheet without having to cut it down to fit within the bed size of the engraver.
 
Overall, the laser cutter with pass through feature is a convenient and efficient way to work with larger materials and create larger designs with your CO2 laser machine. However, it is important to ensure that you are following proper safety precautions and manufacturer guidelines when using this feature.

 
The benefits of the pass-through

 
The pass-through feature for a CO2 laser machine offers several benefits that can make your engraving projects more efficient and versatile:

• Ability to work with larger materials: With the pass-through feature, you can work with materials that are larger than the bed size of your engraver. This means you can work with a wider variety of materials and create larger designs without having to cut them down to size.
• Increased efficiency: When you're working with larger materials, the pass-through feature can save you time by allowing you to engrave the entire design in one continuous process. This eliminates the need to pause and reposition the material for multiple engraving passes.
• Versatility: With the pass-through feature, you can create designs that are larger than the bed size of your engraver, allowing you to take on a wider variety of projects. This feature can also be helpful for engraving curved or irregularly shaped materials.
• Improved precision: By using the pass-through feature to engrave larger designs, you can achieve more precise results with greater accuracy than you would with a smaller engraver bed.
• Cost savings: With the pass-through feature, you can work with larger materials and create larger designs without having to invest in a larger, more expensive engraver. This can save you money and make your business more cost-effective.

How to use you your pass-through?

 
Measure your material:
Measure the material you want to engrave and cut it down to the maximum size that will fit inside your laser engraver.
 
Create your design
Use a design software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW to create your design. Make sure that the design will fit within the dimensions of the material you're using.
 
Set up your laser engraver
Prepare your laser engraver by ensuring that it is clean and free from any debris. Install the material in the bed of the laser engraver, making sure that it is level and secure.
 
Align your design
Use the laser engraver's camera or other alignment tools to position your design on the material. Make sure that it is aligned correctly and that it fits within the maximum dimensions of the pass-through slot.
 
Begin engraving
Once your design is aligned, start the engraving process. As the material passes through the pass-through slot, the laser will engrave your design onto it. Continue to move the material through the pass-through slot until the entire design has been engraved.
 
Remove your material
Once the engraving is complete, remove the material from the laser engraver. Depending on the material, you may need to clean it or finish it before use.
 
By utilizing the pass-through feature of your CO2 laser machine, you can work with larger materials and create larger designs than would be possible with a smaller bed size. Just be sure to take proper safety precautions and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using your laser engraver.

 
Troubleshooting: Use your pass-through

 
While the pass-through feature on a CO2 laser machine is useful for engraving longer materials, there are some potential troubles to consider:
 
Safety concerns: When the pass-through is open, the laser beam is exposed and could pose a danger to anyone who accidentally looks at it. It's important to follow proper safety protocols and wear appropriate protective gear when using the pass-through feature.
 
Alignment issues: Because the material is moving through the pass-through, there is a risk that it may become misaligned during the engraving process. This could result in uneven or incomplete engraving.
 
Maintenance concerns: The pass-through feature may require additional maintenance compared to a standard engraving bed. For example, debris or dust may accumulate in the pass-through and need to be cleaned out regularly.
 
Size limitations: While the pass-through feature allows for longer materials to be engraved, there are still limitations to the size of the material that can be accommodated. The size and shape of the material may also need to be carefully considered to ensure it can be properly aligned and engraved.

Monport Pass-through dimension  

• Monport 60w (16’’x14’’) 730mm*40mm
• Monport 80w (24’’x36’’)  950mm*75mm
• Monport 100w (24’’x40’’) 1095mm*75mm
• Monport 130w (35’’x55’’) 1395mm*75mm
• Monport 150w( 40’’x64’’) 1695mm*75mm

Conclusion

Overall, the pass-through feature can greatly expand the capabilities of your CO2 laser machine and provide you with the ability to create more complex and diverse designs with greater precision and efficiency.