Small Laser Cutter

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Revision as of 14:51, 25 October 2018 by Dvelzy (talk | contribs) (→‎Current Status - Partially working: Update to new FABLAB)
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Fab Lab
3D Printing 2D Cutting Misc



Hive13 Equipment
List of All Documented Equipment
Small laser cutter.jpg
Owner/Loaner: Hive13
Hive13 Asset Tag: None
Make/Model: Full Spectrum Engineering 60W CO2 Laser Cutter/Engraver (google)
Arrival Date: 06/2011
Does it work?: No
Certification Needed?: yes
Contact: Fab Lab area warden
Floorplan: 1A
Small_Laser_Cutter.png



WARNING: Do not look into laser with remaining eye. Pages to do with the Laser Cutter:

Current Status - Partially working

The Z-Datum is not working. You must manually set the Z height to 38 mm.

Certified with the laser? Want to get on the good side of the laser operators? See what you can possibly do to help document and maintain the Laser!

Users

The Laser is only available to Hive13 members who have been certified on its use & care. To become certified, you need to take the certification class. Contact us about scheduling one at other times.

Note: The list of certified people is currently up to date. Please notify a trainer (listed below) if you were accidentally left off the list

Only the following people are certified and permitted to fire the lazzzor:

Lorin Parker

Dave Velzy

Brett P.

Will B

Trainers

  • Lorin Parker
  • Dave Velzy

Specs

Materials

For details on the different settings required for different materials, see Laser Settings.

For sources of materials to cut and engrave, see Materials Resources.

General material limits:

  • Acrylic ¾” max
  • Wood ¾” max
  • Circuit Boards (theoretically, not tested yet)
    • Either - Apply coating, laser etch off coating, etch off exposed copper w/ acid.
  • Metal - Will not cut
    • Must apply chemical to "etch". Does not really etch, chemical only bonds to metal.
    • Can only do this to soft metal.
  • Paper / Cardboard
    • Yes

Operating the Laser Cutter

  1. == Start the Laser and Align the Work Grid ==
    1. Perform a system pre-check
      • Check that the general area around the laser is free and clear.
      • Open the laser lid and check that the work zone is free and clear and level.
      • - WHY? Because on power up the laser will auto home the head at the back right hand corner. Make sure it doesn't crash into anything
      • Check the water level in the chiller sight gauge under the big laser PC. If low, fill with Distilled Water only.
      • Check for a working fire extinguisher and fire blankets.
    2. Power up the Laser system
      • Plug in the Exhaust Fan - The Red & Black extension cord marked Exhaust Fan
      • Assure the exhaust duct fan starts and is running OK.
      • Turn on the Small Laser power key switch - Also turn on the Big Laser power switch (to power up the chiller).
      • - Make sure the Red STOP button is in the up position.
      • - See the splash screen appear and change to the laser menu screen.
      • - See the spotting laser (red dot) illuminate inside the work zone.
      • The Chiller is wired into the Big Laser and should come on with a double Beep Beep - The chiller cools both lasers
      • - Assure the chiller is running properly and the water level is in the green.
      • - You can see the chiller temperature display from the back of the laser. it should be in the low 20's C
      • The Small Laser air pump must be plugged in to the power strip.
      • - Assure the air pump is blowing air out the laser nozzle. Use your hand to check the air flow.
    3. If you are using the Honeycomb, assure that it is clear and will not get caught under the laser frame by the rising bed.
      • DO NOT CUT WOOD, PLYWOOD, BIRCHPLY, or MDF on the HONEYCOMB - They leave sooty marks on the surface.
      • Visually align the honeycomb to be clear at all four corners of the bed.
      • Manually raise the Z axis from the control panel until the honeycomb surface is 38 mm from the lens.

Do

  1. Check for water flow on startup
  2. Make sure exhaust fan is running
  3. Check for fires and put them out ;)

Don't

  1. Ever leave the laser unattended (see fires above)
  2. Turn off the “Air” button. That needs to be on to protect the lens
  3. Laser on Vinyl, PVC, Sintra (will produce corrosive and toxic gases)
  4. Cut metals (it won't work)
  5. Bump or touch the mirrors or lenses (will put the machine out of alignment or damage optics)

Software

LaserCut2017 (Windows only)

  • This software will import files in these formats:
    • *.PLT (HPGL)
    • *.AI (Adobe Illustrator)
    • *.DXF (AutoCAD)
    • *.DST (Tajima)
    • *.CDR (Corel Draw)
    • *.BMP (Plain old bitmap, monochrome only) - and other common raster formats like PNG and GIF that will do monochrome
  • http://www.leetro.com/english/sale/35.html
  • Manual (pdf)

For more design software, see Design Resources

Calibrating the Laser

  • TODO: Add info about aligning the laser and mirrors.
  • The small cylinder meant for focusing the laser on the workpiece is 25mm in height and 25mm in diameter. It is made out of aluminum. Store the cylinder on the back shelf inside the Laser.

Troubleshooting

Maintenance

Please see the Service Log for technicians responsible for service/maintenance of the laser cutter.

Cleaning

Optics Alignment

Safety

  • Refilling the CO2 canisters
    • People love to play with them, so they need to be refilled fairly often.
    • Ian (iwilson/uid0) got them refilled at land, air, and sea in northern kentucky several times at a cost of $5ish/bottle. Not the cheapest.

Gallery

<flickr>5791303574</flickr>

<flickr>5790759834</flickr>

Links

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