Laser cutter
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| Laser cutter | |
|---|---|
| |
| Information | |
| Owner | Midsouth Makers |
| Tool Category | Tool |
| Model | Redsail X700 |
| Purchased On | 10/2014 |
| Cost | 5000 |
| Status | Available |
| Availability | Training required to use |
| Labels | |
|
| |
| Media | |
|
| |
| QRCode | |
|
| |
 |
This tool is to be only used by authorized users. If you wish to learn how to use this tool please contact one of the authorized individuals. |
 |
Questions? Talk to A Board Member for help or more information. |
Location
The two big red things in the Nerdery.
Features
- Red Sail X700
- 60 watt
- Water cooled
- 700mm x 500mm cut area
Safety
- Never let the machine run unattended especially when its cutting!
- Always use approved materials. Some materials can release chlorine gas or catch fire.
- Remember to pull bed leveling knob before running a job.
- Run the machine with the interlock on. The interlock is a key switch that will override the option to turn the laser off when the door is opened.
If a fire Occurs
- Immediately stop the laser, this will more than likely extinguish the fire.
- If fire still exist, try to blow it out.
- If fire still exist, spritz it with the water bottle. Notify the board.
- All else fails, use the fire extinguisher. Notify board.
Testing Plastics for Chlorine
A blow torch and copper wire will be needed for the test.
- With a pair of pliers heat up the end of the copper wire and burn off any residue.
- While still hot, touch a sample piece of the plastic you would like to cut with the hot end of the copper wire.
- Place the wire back into the flame and burn the plastic. If the flame is blue/green the material is not safe and will emit chlorine gas when cut.
Approved Materials
Note: If the material you want to cut isn't listed on this page, email the mailing list.
| Material | Safe to use with a laser cutter? | Can you cut it? | Can you engrave it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Safe! | Yes | Yes | |
| Wood | Safe! | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper/Cardboard | Safe! | Yes | Difficult | |
| Foamcore Board | Safe! | Yes | Difficult | 1/4" maximum thickness! |
| Craft Foam/Foamies | Safe! | Yes | Difficult | use quick speeds, low power |
| Vegetable Tanned leather | Safe! | Yes | Yes | |
| Steel | Safe! | No | Yes (oxidize) | |
| Titanium | Safe! | No | Yields a rainbow of colors depending on power. | |
| Anodized aluminum | Safe! | No | Yes (removes anodization) | |
| All other metals | Safe! | No | Yes, if you use Cermark or other marking chemical. | |
| Glass | Mostly safe, don't breathe the glass dust. | No | Yes |
Disallowed Materials
Under NO circumstances should the following materials be cut on the laser cutter:
- Nylon
- ABS
- Polyethylene
- Lexan/Polycarbonate
- PVC
- Vinyl
- Teflon/PTFE
- CF/Carbon Fiber
- Foamcore Board >1/4" thick
Feeds and Speeds
Different materials and thicknesses will require different cut speed and power. Table below is a good starting point for some common materials.
Cutting
| Material | Power (%) | Speed (mm/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (1/8in) | |||
| Acrylic (1/4in) | 100% | 10 mm/s | |
| Acrylic (1/2in) | |||
| EVA Foam (~1/8in) | 40% | 75mm/s | |
| Foam Poster Board (3/16in) | 25% | 100mm/s | |
| MDF (1/4in) | 100% | 6 mm/s | |
| Poster Board | 45% | 150mm/s | |
| Vegetable-Tanned Leather (~1.5mm) | 40% | 50mm/s | |
| Wood (5mm) | 55% | 10mm/s | |
| Wood (1/4in) | 95% | 15mm/s | |
| Wood (1/2in) | 75% | 3mm/s |
Engraving
| Material | Power (%) | Speed (mm/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 23% | 300mm/s | 0.2mm Depth |
| Acrylic | 30% | 20mm/s | 3.5mm Depth |
| Acrylic | 30% | 50mm/s | 1.3mm Depth |
| Acrylic | 30% | 100mm/s | 0.5mm Depth |
| Acrylic | 30% | 150mm/s | 0.3mm Depth |
| Foam Poster Board | 15% | 250mm/s | Surface drawing |
| Foam Poster Board | 27% | 160mm/s | 3/32in Depth (half way on 3/16 foam board) |
| Glass | 20% | 20% | cut lines |
| Glass | 20% | 40% | cut lines |
| Vegetable-tanned Leather | 30% | 300mm/s |
Maintenance
- Every 8 hours of run time, lenses/mirrors need to be checked/cleaned.
- Lense/Mirror can easily be scratched and/or damaged. Cleaning should be done by qualified personnel.
- http://www.ophiropt.com/user_files/co2/co2_optics_cleaning_data_sheet.pdf
Maintenance Log
- 11/16/2014 Laser Init.
- 11/17/2014 Alignment and lens cleaning
- 12/08/2014 Booster and external ventilation completed.
- 05/01/2016 Cleaned Mirrors/lens
- 05/02/2016 Laser realigned
Consumables
- Mirrors/Lenses. They are replaced when worn/scratched/damaged $160
- Laser Tube. 3,000 HR runtime. $410
Authorized Users
See list located in space
Authorization Course
- We provide laser cutter usage lessons a couple of times a year.
- Those who take this class and successfully complete it become authorized users of the cutter
- Upcoming courses will be announced via our Meetup page
- Slide Deck for Authorization Course can be found here