Disclaimer

Read this disclaimer completely and carefully before proceeding with the rest of the manual content.

1. As-Is
This OMTech product is sold ‘as is’ and without any express or implied warranties, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

2. Product Modifications
Any modifications or alterations to OMTech products void any warranties and may result in damage or injury. OMTech shall not be liable for any damages resulting from such modifications or alterations.

3. Compliance with Laws
Customers shall be liable for ensuring that the use of OMTech products complies with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions. OMTech assumes no responsibility for any violations of laws or regulations resulting from the use of OMTech products.

4. Correct Use
Always use OMTech products only as directed in the accompanying manuals. Failure to follow instructions may result in injury or damage.

Always ensure the assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of OMTech products is carried out by a competent person.
Always make maintenance regularly throughout OMTech products’ lifecycles; you have the liability to keep the products operating as intended.
Always wear appropriate protective gear.

5. Third-Party Products
OMTech shall not be liable for any damages or losses resulting from the use of third-party products in conjunction with OMTech products. Customers shall refer to the third-party’s guidelines or/and warranties (if any) for any third-party products used.

6. Limitation of Liability
OMTech shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, or consequential damages to property or life, whatsoever arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of OMTech products. In no event shall OMTech’s liability exceed the value of the products sold.

This disclaimer states the entire obligation of OMTech with respect to OMTech products. If any part of this disclaimer is determined to be void, invalid, unenforceable, or illegal, including but not limited to the warranty disclaimers, liability disclaimers, and liability limitations set forth above, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid and enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

General Safety Instructions

• Your engraver should come with instruction labels in the following locations:

If any of these labels is missing, illegible, or damaged, it must be replaced.

• Use this laser engraving engraver only in accordance with all applicable local and national laws
  and regulations.
• Use this device only in accordance with this instruction manual and the manual for the engraving software included with it. Only allow this device to be installed, operated, maintained, repaired, etc. by others who have also read and understood both manuals. Ensure that this manual and the software manual are both included with this device if it is ever given or sold to a third party.
• DO NOT leave this device unattended during operation. Observe the device throughout operation and, if anything seems to be operating strangely, immediately cut off ALL power to the machine and contact either our customer service or your dedicated repair service. Similarly, ensure the device is FULLY turned off after each use.
• 
• DO NOT allow minors, untrained personnel, or personnel suffering from physical or mental impairment that would affect their ability to follow this manual and the software manual to install, operate, maintain, or repair this device.

• Any untrained personnel who might be near the device while it is in operation MUST be informed that it is dangerous and fully instructed on how to avoid injury during its use.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher, water hose, or other flame retardant system nearby in case of accidents. Ensure that the local fire department's phone number is clearly displayed nearby. In the case of a fire, cut electrical power before dousing the flame. Familiarize yourself with the correct range for your extinguisher before use. Take care not to use the extinguisher too close to the flame, as its high pressure can produce blowback.

Laser Safety Instructions

When used as instructed, the Polar 350 comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However the invisible engraving laser, the laser tube, and its electrical connections remain EXTREMELY dangerous. Used or modified without care, they can cause serious property damage and personal injury including but not limited to the following:

• The laser will easily burn nearby combustible materials.
• Some working materials may produce radiation or harmful gases during processing.
• Direct exposure to the laser will cause bodily harm including serious burns and irreparable eye damage.

As such,

• DO NOT modify or disable this device’s provided safety features. Do not modify or disassemble the laser and do not use the laser if it has been modified or disassembled by anyone except trained and skilled professionals. Do not activate the laser without its focus lens. Dangerous radiation exposure and other injury may result from the use of adjusted, modified, or otherwise incompatible equipment.
• NEVER leave any part of the Polar open during operation except (when needed) the pass-through doors. Never interfere with the laser beam, do not place any part of your body in any part of the laser path during operation, and never attempt to view the laser directly. When using the pass-through doors or otherwise risking exposure to the laser beam, take measures to protect yourself from potentially reflected laser beams including the use of personal protective equipment.
• DO NOT look or allow others to look directly at the active laser even when the cover is closed. The viewing window naturally absorbs most reflected beams from the high infrared laser but is NOT otherwise protected against it. EVERYONE nearby during use should wear eye protection specially designed to filter the specific wavelength of your engraver’s laser with an optical density (OD) of 6 or greater. Do not stare or allow others to stare continuously at the active laser even when using protective eyewear.

• ONLY use this engraver if its automatic shutoffs are working properly. Never disable any of these shutoffs except as specifically instructed elsewhere in this manual. When you first get this engraver and if you subsequently notice any problems, test them (see below) before undertaking any other work. Do not continue use if the shutoffs do not occur. Turn off the device and contact technical support or your repair service.
• ONLY use this engraver in a flat and stable location. Using it on an unstable surface or at a tilted position may cause the laser to deviate from its intended path or permanently damage internal components of the device.
• DO NOT ever under ANY circumstances use this laser engraver if the water cooling system is not working properly. Always visually confirm that water is flowing through the entire system before turning on the laser tube. Immediately stop use if the water cooling system malfunctions. If the system pauses operation because the coolant has reached its maximum temperature of 122°F (50°C), allow at least thirty minutes for the system to cool before resuming operation.
• DO NOT use generic coolant or antifreeze in your cooling water, as they may leave corrosive residues and solidify inside your hoses and piping, causing malfunctions and even explosions. Use custom laser-safe formulations or use and store your engraver in a climate-controlled area.
• DO NOT leave potentially combustible, flammable, explosive, or corrosive materials below the laser or nearby where they might be exposed to the direct or reflected laser beam.
• DO NOT use or leave sensitive EMI equipment nearby. Ensure the area around the laser is free of strong electromagnetic interference during any use.
• ONLY use this machine for working the materials described in the Material Safety section of this manual. The laser settings and engraving process must be properly adjusted for specific materials.
• Ensure the area is kept free of other airborne pollutants, as these might pose a similar risk of reflection, combustion, etc.

Electrical Safety Instructions

• ONLY use this device with a compatible, stable, and grounded power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage. Do not use with an ungrounded 3 to 2 prong adapter. The device’s grounding should be checked regularly for any damage to the line or loose connections.
• DO NOT connect other devices to the same circuit, as the laser system may require its full amperage. Do not use with standard extension cords or power strips. Use only surge protectors rated over 2000J.
• The work area around this laser engraving device should be kept dry, well ventilated, and environmentally controlled to keep the ambient temperature between 40–104°F (5–40°C). For best results, keep the temperature at 75°F (25°C) or below. The ambient humidity should be between 20–85%.

• Adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the electrical components of this device must be done ONLY by trained and skilled professionals to avoid fires and other malfunctions, including potential radiation exposure from damage to the laser components. Because specialized techniques are required for testing the electrical components of this marking system, it is recommended such testing only be done by the manufacturer, seller, or repair service.
• Unless otherwise specified, ONLY undertake adjustment, maintenance, and repair of this device when it is turned off, disconnected from its power supply, and fully cooled.

Material Safety Instructions

• Users of this laser engraving machine are responsible for confirming that materials to be processed can withstand the heat of the laser and will not produce any emissions or byproducts either harmful to people nearby or in violation of local or national laws or regulations. In particular, do not use this device to process polyvinyl chloride (PVC), teflon, or other halogen containing materials under any circumstances.
• Users of this laser engraver are responsible for ensuring that every person present during operation has sufficient PPE to avoid the injury from the emissions and byproducts of the materials being processed. In addition to the protective laser eyewear described above, this may require goggles, masks or respirators, gloves, and other protective outer clothing.
• DO NOT operate the laser without its air assist.
• Users of this laser engraver are responsible for ensuring that otherwise safe dust and debris created during use is fully cleaned afterwards. Dust allowed to build up on the surfaces of the main bay and the tray under it is a fire hazard that can easily be ignited by the heat of the laser.
• DO NOT ever under any circumstances use this laser engraver if the exhaust system is not working properly. Always ensure that the exhaust fan can remove the dust and gas produced by the engraving process in accordance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations. Immediately stop use if the exhaust fan or vent pipe malfunctions.
• Users must exercise special caution when working with conductive materials as buildup of their dust and ambient particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or produce other effects including reflected laser radiation.

This machine can be safely used with the following materials:

• Cardboard
• Ceramics, including Dishes, Tile, etc.
• Glass
• Leather
• Paper & Paperboard
• Some Plastics:
Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.)
Polyethylene (PE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.)
Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (Mylar, Polyester, etc.)
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG, PET-G, etc.)
Polyimide (PI, Kapton, etc.)
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, etc.)
Polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal, Delrin, etc.)
Polypropylene (PP, etc.)
Styrene and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Rubber
• Stone, including Marble, Granite, etc.
• Textiles, including Cotton, Suede, Felt, Hemp, etc.
• Wood, including Cork, MDF, Plywood, Balsa, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Poplar, etc.

See §4.4 for recommended parameters for the most commonly engraved materials.

This machine CANNOT be used with the following materials or with any materials which include them:

• Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI]), due to its toxic fumes
• Astatine, due to its toxic fumes
• Beryllium Oxide, due to its toxic fumes
• Bromine, due to its toxic fumes
• Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Cintra, etc.), due to its toxic fumes
• Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylenes (Teflon, PTFE, etc.), due to its toxic fumes
• Iodine, due to its toxic fumes
• Metals, due to their conductivity and reflectivity
• Phenolic Resins, including various forms of Epoxy, due to their toxic fumes
• Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan, etc.), due to its toxic fumes

For all other materials, if you are unsure about its safety or laserability with this device, seek out its material safety data sheet (MSDS). Pay especial attention to information about safety, toxicity, corrosiveness, reflectivity, and reaction(s) to high heat. Alternatively, contact our support department for further guidance.