Laser cutter

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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

Read The Freaking Manual.svgDo Not Hack.svg

Media

Link to the manual location

QRCode

QR-83889fe4dcae0cf23e1049dce90faa57.png

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 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.

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
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
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
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

Maintenance Log

  • 11/16/2014 Laser Init.
  • 11/17/2014 Alignment and lens cleaning
  • 12/08/2014 Booster and external ventilation completed.

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