Laser Cutter 101 Class

Regular classes are scheduled for training on the laser cutter, check ACE Calendar for the next one; if there appear to be none currently scheduled, please post a request on the discuss mailing list!

Here are the notes from the class. IMPORTANT: Just reading the notes is not a replacement for taking the class. The handout is meant to be a supplement to the class ONLY.

Safety information and training

We should have a bunch of helpful information here on the safe operation of the device and who to go to to be trained on its use here.

• Please speak to one of the people who is experienced with this laser cutter before using it so we can show you where everything is, how to set up the software, how to use it without breaking it, basic safety tips, etc. The tool steward maintains a list of approved laser trainers.
• Read the instructions first.
• Never operate the laser cutter unattended because sometimes things catch fire. A fire extinguisher is in the corner of the room for larger issues.
• If little flames shoot up off of your material, stop cutting. Little flames can start fires and will foul up the lens, which is difficult to clean.
• It is easy to make the laser head bang against the side or top of the unit. This causes an awful noise and must be very bad for the gears. If the laser cutter makes a banging noise, stop it immediately and reposition the laser head before the next cut, or resize the artwork.
• Do not cut plastics that create hazardous fumes when burned. Acrylic is ok. PVC and vinyl release the very toxic gas phosgene when heated. As a general rule, chemical-resistant plastics should not be put in the laser cutter.
• Be very careful with the honeycomb and clean up after yourself.
• Do not laser materials that make an excessive amount of smoke.
• When cutting paper, turn down the power as low as possible (5-10%, if the power is TOO low, it wont be strong enough to even fire the laser), and the speed as high as possible (400 when in Cut mode)