Laser Cutter

The Orange Laser Cutter is usable by members who have had an induction.

Top-level specifications:

A2-ish Bed size, 600mm x 400mm
60W Laser Tube (1250mm long / 55mm diameter)
Awesome Extraction
Air Assist
Red-dot laser for bounds checking
Smart cooling
Rise-and-fall bed, Super useful for engraving stuff on stuff

Preparing a file for laser cutting

Inkscape

For vector editing and manipulation, we suggest people use Inkscape. It is a free and powerful vector editing package, and integrates well with Visicut. It can be downloaded from the Inkscape release page.

Visicut

Visicut is the software that converts vector files into the code that drives the laser cutter. You can download Visicut from https://download.visicut.org/.

On first run, Visicut will ask if you want to download settings. You do, just select Manchester, UK: Hackspace from the list and Visicut will automatically install the latest settings for our laser cutter. You can use this same method to reset your settings back to the default, under the menu item Options > Settings > Download Recommended Settings. You may get an error message, error importing settings. If this occurs, just close and reopen Visicut for the settings to apply.

If you have Visicut and Inkscape installed, and have run Inkscape at least once (so it creates its folders in your home drive), You can install the Inkscape addon for Visicut by clicking Extras > Install Inkscape Extension in Visicut. Close and reopen Inkscape and you should have new options for sending vectors directly to Visicut. This isn't necessary to use the laser, but may be helpful.

Operating the laser cutter

Safety

The coolant pump must be running before cutting starts. This is a metal box near the laser cutter which has a two-digit temperature display when switched on.
Leave the coolant pump on for at least 5 minutes after cutting finishes.
Fume extraction must run while the laser is cutting. This starts automatically when the laser is working. If the extraction doesn't appear to be working, stop cutting.
Stay close to the laser cutter and watch it at all times when it's cutting. Fires can start very quickly.

In the event of fire / emergency

There is an emergency stop button on the top panel that is functional. Opening the lid will also stop the laser from firing.
If you can smother the fire in-place using a piece of stock, do so.
If you can't smother it in place, put it on the floor and try to stomp it out.
If the fire is in the laser and you can safely fight it use the CO2 extinghuser available next to the laser
If you can't do either of these, leave the space immediately, and call 999. The address is Wellington House, Pollard Street, Manchester, M40 7FS

Problems other than fires

If the laser cutter does anything out of the ordinary please make sure it's reported to a laser maintainer. This can be done through the visual arts telegram channel. If the response is "please put the out of order sign on the cutter" then do that. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CUTTER YOURSELF. If it is clearly not functioning, put the out of order sign on it and then report it. We will fix it as soon as possible.

Even if the cut didn't work, let the cutter cool down for 5 mins before turning off.

Control Panel

There is a small set of keyboard keys and small LCD screen which controls the laser. Menus can be selected by pressing left and right and pressing '*'.
The red button is a 'back' button in menus.

Positioning the part

With the laser the only thing to worry about is the Z axis. There is a switch on the right hand side of the machine that can be used to lower or raise the main bed of the machine. It's a bit slow, but make sure not to crash the bed into the laser head, since there isn't a limit switch installed.

There is a small plastic guide inside the machine that can be used to position / zero the height against the bed (the default position). This goes in between the bed and the left-hand part of the laser cutter, as in the following photo:

Image of bed height guide

For cutting materials up to 6mm it's best to have the z height set to bed level.
For cutting materials over 6mm, try to keep the z height 6mm into the material. Multiple passes may be needed.
For engraving set the focal point to the height of the material by placing the guide on top of it.
If you want crisp engraving on thick stock, you will need to do a 2-stage engrave / cut with the focal point initially set to the top of your material, and then re-set to the correct height for your cut.
If your material has a protective cover, try to leave the cover on both sides of the material, or if only one side the bottom (not the top)

Test the Laser positioning

Next we're going to do a boundary test to make sure the laser cutter is working on the area we think it's going to:

Click Execute in Visicut
Wait for the small LCD on the Cutter it to say the file name
Press the right arrow on the laser cutter to select "Boundary"
Press the centre '*' button, which will cause the red laser to trace the box outline of where the cut will be done on the material.
This can be done with the lid open to assist in placing your part, however please keep your hands/hair/ties out of the way of the moving parts.
Press the '*' button again to go back to the main menu.

Do the cut

At this stage you should now be ready to do the cut for real.

Make sure the lid is closed, The laser won't fire with it open.
Check the coolant pump is still working and the temperature is below 25.
The LCD should show Run on the screen.
Press '*' button to start the run job.
Start a timer on your phone or watch so you know how much your job costs.
Keep watching the laser while it cuts to check nothing goes wrong (e.g. fires)
Check the extraction fan is working (you can tell either by the noise it makes, or by vibration of the exhaust hose).

Logging and payment

There is a log book for keeping track of usage of the laser. Please write down your name and the length of time you've used the laser for in the front of the book.
The laser is currently billed by 10 minute or 1 hour increments, with the rate written on the laser cutter.
Laser fees can be paid in cash into a box near the laser, which should be clearly marked, or from your member balance at the members' system laser page.
If you owe the laser fund money or have some credit (e.g. have paid with a £10 note and only used £3) record your balance at the back of the log book.

Things to not worry about

The key does nothing
There is no need to turn the laser cutter off but there is a switch at the back if it is needed

Materials that can be used

Material Class	Material	Hazard Status	Potential Hazards	Special Notes	Suppliers
Wood	Laser-grade MDF	Potential Risks	Increased risk of fire on multiple passes	Makes the laser filthy which makes it harder to use and reduces the lifespan of parts - preference is for users to not use this material unless it's necessary	Fred Aldous Kitronic Hobarts
Wood	Standard MDF	Banned	Chemical off-gassing, laser damage	Glues use formaldehyde, which is both carcinogenic and damaging to the laser
Wood	Laser-Grade Plywood - Birch Ply	Low Risk			Fred Aldous Kitronic Hobarts
Wood	Laser-Grade Plywood - Poplar Ply	Low Risk			Fred Aldous Kitronic Hobarts
Wood	Laser-Grade Bamboo	Low Risk
Wood	Standard Plywood	Banned	Chemical off-gassing, laser damage	Glues use formaldehyde, which is both carcinogenic and damaging to the laser
Wood	Balsa wood	Potential Risks	Potential for combustion, smoldering	Pre-soaking with water may be safer - requires a high level of vigilance while cutting/engraving	Fred Aldous
Wood	Paper	Potential Risks	Potential for combustion, smoldering	Light paper can easily become tinder. While etching is 'kindof' possible, it more leaves a carbon dust behind rather than impacting the paper. Cutting is functional and works well.
Wood	Card/Cardboard	Potential Risks	Potential for combustion, smoldering	Channels in cardboard can allow for unseen combustion, please cut and engrave with caution
Wood	General Wood (unprocessed/treated)	Low Risk		Woods with lower resin content cut and engrave better.
Wood	cork	Potential Risks	Potential for combustion, smoldering	Channels and gaps in cork can allow for unseen combustion, please cut and engrave with caution, pre-soaking with water may be safer
Plastics	Thin Polypropylene sheet (<1mm)	Low Risk
Plastics	Acrylic AKA Perspex	Low Risk
Plastics	Foamcore (non-PVC variety)	Low Risk
Plastics	Correx (Genuine non PVC)	Low Risk
Plastics	Depron Foam	Potential Risks
Plastics	Plastics containing PVC (e.g. Sintra, Foamex)	Banned	laser contamination, emissions	Off-gasses chlorine gas when lased
Plastics	Plastics containing ABS (e.g. 'sheet styrene', Plasticard)	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk
Plastics	Polycarbonate	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk
Plastics	Polystyrene	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk
Plastics	Polypropylene	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Plastics	HDPE	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Foam	PlastaZote Foam	Low Risk		Thin material will need weighing/taping down, may cause bounce-back rarely. Engraves and cuts super-well
Textiles	Cotton	Low Risk			Abakhan Fabrics
Textiles	Hemp	Low Risk
Textiles	Unwashed/Greasy Wool	Banned	Fire risk	Lanolin in wool can cause fire and smolder
Textiles	Acrylic Felt	Low Risk		'Welds' the edges and can give a fray resistant edge, although this edge can be rough	Abakhan Fabrics
Textiles	Polar Fleece	Low Risk		'Welds' the edges and can give a fray resistant edge, although this edge can be rough	Abakhan Fabrics
Textiles	Stretch Cotton Jersey (t-shirt material)	Low Risk			Abakhan Fabrics
Textiles	Veg Tanned Leather	Potential Risks	Foul odour, emissions, risks with tanning method	Please check from the supplier that it is specifically vegetable tanned - other tanning processes and ingredients can be harmful. Cutting leather can also give off foul smells and be highly anti-social - please be aware of this when using the laser, and of your other hackspace members.
Textiles	Leather chrome-tanned, or unknown tanning agent	Banned	Emissions
Textiles	Fake Leather	Banned	laser contamination, emissions	Off-gasses chlorine gas when lased
Textiles	PVC	Banned	laser contamination, emissions	Off-gasses chlorine gas when lased
Ceramics	Stone	Low Risk		Engrave only.
Ceramics	Ceramic tile	Low Risk		Engrave only.
Ceramics	Glass	Low Risk		Engrave only.
Composites	Fibreglass	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Composites	Carbon fibre	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Metals		Banned	Can cause laser damage	She might ''seem'' really eager, but it's probably best not to listen to her...
Other	Food	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Other	Body Parts	Banned
Other	Lucy	Banned	laser contamination, safety hazard
Other	Fresh Flower Oasis	Banned	emissions	Contains formaldehyde
Other	Laser rubber	Potential Risks	laser contamination	Requires immediate cleaning of the laser after cutting - this takes significant time, and takes the laser out of service until its done. Please only do this after consulting with the laser team.
Other	Non-Laser Rubber	Banned	laser contamination, fire risk, emissions
Other	Flexible Magnetic Sheet	Banned	Emissions (HCl)	If you find a supposedly laser-safe version, please contact the laser maintainers for approval
Other	Asbestos (all types and products)	Banned	Laser Contamination, H&S	Someone asked, so we had to put this entry in

Status

Status can be seen on the members page at the members' system laser page. If there is a notice on the laser itself saying it is out of order, that takes priority.

Checklist for induction - Trainers Guide to Laser Cutting

Prerequisites

Make sure they read through this page and if possible have visicut setup on their machine with a design ready to cut

Steps

Introduce the laser cutter and point all the functions i.e. the bed size, where the cooler is, the extractor fan, menu selector
Always mention safety and safety features throughout, start with making sure the coolant pump is on (mention recommended temp)
Open the cover. Mention the different parts, laser head, mirrors, lid switch for laser cut off
Mention what the lid switch does and how it can be useful but make sure it is not tampered with
Also mention the pneumatic arm will just hold it open but won't soft close.
Move on to raising and lowering the bed and why it's needed
Talk about the menu but might be best to show it off when you start sending jobs to it
Mention the materials we supply and what materials are allowed. Also mention off cuts
Talk about the log book and money box. Mention the credit recording at the back of the book
Mention why it's worth recording the time even if you don't care about how much money you pay. Some people didn't get it until I had to spell out we want to know how long the laser has ran for, not what you paid for it
Talk about test cutting and why it's important. Also show the existing cut guides to help visualise cutting techniques.
Move to the computer. Prep a job (make it as small as possible) and send it to the laser cutter to show how visicut works
Mention the different profile options in visicut and how you can manually tweak the settings
On the laser cutter, after the job is sent, talk about the menu options like boundary
Talk about emergency stop especially short press vs. long press
Cut your piece
Show the interupt working by opening the cover, they can use this to quick stop the laser
Show the emergency stop button working
Get them to do the same. Keep it simple though, this is an induction
In between jobs I turn off the chiller so they make sure to remember to turn it on
You have some time while the laser cutter is running to talk about relevant scenarios: so mention if there is a fire what to do, how to emergency stop if the menu crashes, how to report issues with the laser and what issues to look out for.
Also remind them to time the cut

Things to mention but not important 1. The key does nothing 2. No need to turn the laser cutter off (but make sure the chiller is turned off) 3. Help them setup/use visicut on their own machine if willing

Risk Assessment

Laser Cutter Risk Assessment