Bench and clearance
A level, rigid bench that takes the machine’s weight, with room for the work area and the exhaust hose. Keep flammable material away from the beam path.
Exhaust and eye safety
Vent fumes outside, not into the room. Use the glasses rated for your laser’s wavelength — diode, fiber and CO₂ need different ones.
Focus
Set the focus with the gauge the maker supplies, then run a test burn on scrap of the same material before you cut anything valuable.
Software
Install the software the listing names, connect, and confirm the machine moves only inside the work area before you send a job.