1. Engraving and Assembly
Edge Lights Tutorial
Engraving and Assembly

2. Remove the paper or plastic from your Cast Acrylic sheets and position them in your laser. Cast acrylic creates a better final product than extruded acrylic but either type can be used.
TIPS:
Use caution when handling the acrylic. Any scratches or even fingerprints will be visible when illuminated by the lights.

3. Etch each panel one at a time until you become comfortable with the process. After that, you can setup and etch as many panels as your engraver table will hold. Laser settings vary. For example; with an Epilog 60 watt laser, the raster (engraving) settings are 30% power at 100% speed and the vector (cutting) settings are 100% power at 9% speed. Check with your laser vendor if you are unsure of your settings.
TIPS:
Working from back panel to front panel is a good approach. Make sure you flip each piece of acrylic over after engraving so they are no longer reversed.

4. After all three panels have been engraved, wipe off the dust and any smudges and then align them to be pinned together. The pins that hold the pieces together are precise so carefully align the panels to help them slide into place.
TIPS:
Use a micro-fiber towel to wipe the acrylic to avoid scratches. Never use glass cleaner on the acrylic. Use mild soap and water only if necessary.

5. If you are using a backer layer in your piece, place the cutline vector image on a blank layer and create using your laser. Using a .030 sheet of styrene will provide a thin backer piece that is also rigid enough to stand without falling over.
TIPS:
Backers help in settings where the lighting is bright but they do take away the transparency of the end product.

6. The pins insert with the angled cuts pointing down
The pins insert with the angled cuts pointing down. Push the pins in until they are flush with the thickness of the three panels and aren’t sticking out on the front or back.
TIPS:
The pins are very tight and might require you to shift the panels around until they align perfectly. If too tight to fit in the first panel, try rotating the pins 90 degrees.

7. Carefully take the fully assembled slide and place it in the base
Carefully take the fully assembled slide and place it in the base. Make sure the USB port is on the left side and the Power Jack is on the right – otherwise the colors will be reversed when the light show plays.
TIPS:
The notches in the bottom of the acrylic are cut out to fit around the power jack and USB port. The bottom of the acrylics should sit directly on the LED lights.
Power Jack
USB Port

8. Turn on the power and plug in the USB Flash Drive.
TIPS:
For displays with multiple light shows on the flash drive, press the button by the USB port to advance.