Difference between revisions of "Laser cutter"

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== Safety ==
 
== Safety ==
−
'''Never let the machine run unattended especially when its cutting!'''
+
* '''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 Clorine ===
 +
 +
==Materials==
 +
'''Note: If the material you want to cut isn't listed on this page, email the mailing list.'''
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Material !! Safe to use with a laser cutter? !! Can you cut it? !! Can you engrave it?
 +
|-
 +
| Acrylic || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span> || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Wood || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span> || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Paper/Cardboard || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span> || Difficult
 +
|-
 +
| Steel || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || No || <span style="color:#009900">Yes (oxidize)</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Titanium || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || No || Yields a rainbow of colors depending on power.
 +
|-
 +
| All other metals || <span style="color:#009900">Safe!</span> || No || Yes, if you use Cermark or other marking chemical.
 +
|-
 +
| Glass || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Mostly safe, don't breathe the glass dust.</span> || No || <span style="color:#009900">Yes</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Nylon|| Not recommended. || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Discoloration, low cut quality.</span> || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Melts, doesn't engrave well.</span>
 +
|-
 +
| ABS || Not recommended. || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Discoloration, low cut quality.</span> || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Slight engraving marks.</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Polyethylene || Not recommended. || <span style="color:#AAAA00">No. Lots of melting.</span> || <span style="color:#AAAA00">Slight marks with melting.</span>
 +
|-
 +
| Lexan/polycarbonate || <span style="color:#FF0000">Black smoke and awful smell. DO NOT CUT.</span> || No || No
 +
|-
 +
| PVC || <span style="color:#FF0000">Creates Chlorine Gas. DO NOT CUT.</span> || No || No
 +
|-
 +
| Vinyl || <span style="color:#FF0000">Toxic fumes. DO NOT CUT.</span> || No || No
 +
|-
 +
| Teflon/PTFE || <span style="color:#FF0000">Toxic fumes. DO NOT CUT.</span> || No || No
 +
|-
 +
| CF/Carbon Fiber || <span style="color:#FF0000">DO NOT CUT.</span> || No || No
 +
|}
  
 
== Feeds and Speeds ==
 
== Feeds and Speeds ==

Revision as of 15:19, 10 December 2014


Location

The big red thing in the common area.

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 Clorine

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?
Acrylic Safe! Yes Yes
Wood Safe! Yes Yes
Paper/Cardboard Safe! Yes Difficult
Steel Safe! No Yes (oxidize)
Titanium Safe! No Yields a rainbow of colors depending on power.
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
Nylon Not recommended. Discoloration, low cut quality. Melts, doesn't engrave well.
ABS Not recommended. Discoloration, low cut quality. Slight engraving marks.
Polyethylene Not recommended. No. Lots of melting. Slight marks with melting.
Lexan/polycarbonate Black smoke and awful smell. DO NOT CUT. No No
PVC Creates Chlorine Gas. DO NOT CUT. No No
Vinyl Toxic fumes. DO NOT CUT. No No
Teflon/PTFE Toxic fumes. DO NOT CUT. No No
CF/Carbon Fiber DO NOT CUT. No No

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
5mm Wood
1/2in Wood
3/4in Wood
1/8in Acrylic
1/4in Acrylic
1/2in Acrylic

Engraving

Manuals

Consumables

  • Mirrors $$$
  • Laser Tube $$$$$

Authorized Users

  • Ben
  • Brett
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