View source for AB's Laser Cutter

[[Category:Departed Equipment]]
{{Equipment
|Name=THE BIG RED LASER CUTTER
|Zone=Fab Lab
|Owner=AB Garcia
|MakeModel=Jinan XYZ Machinery LLC, model XJ1280
|PartNumber=NEEDS UPDATING
|Authorization Required=No
|Status=Departed
|OtherReferences=[[ Sketchup_to_LaserCut ]] - How to import a Google Sketchup design into the LaserCut software.
|Rules=* Operation of the laser must be done under the supervision of one of the trained operators.

* Do not cut or etch any of the banned materials listed below.
|Instructions=#Design your parts.&nbsp; You will need access to vector graphics software to do this. 
#Find an operator.&nbsp; To lower the risk of damaging the laser, you must work with an operator to cut your parts.&nbsp; You can get in touch with the operators by sending an email to the laser operator mailing list (i3detroit-laser@googlegroups.com). 
#Schedule a time to meet at i3 with your operator. 
#Cut your parts. 
#Pay for your time on the cutter ($10 / hour of active cutting time). Can use estimate-time function in LaserCut if you forget to jot down the time on the LCD when the cut was finished.

Time-of-cut checklist:
# Place material (square to edge of honeycomb).
# Cover inactive honeycomb area except an "intake" in front of the material. This directs smoke away from the gantry.
# Turn on main switch. This should bring up the chiller and air-assist pump.
# Push gently on rubber hose to trigger chiller alarm, verifying that it's awake.
# Turn keyswitch to on, and wait for boot and home to complete.
# Jog head over to start of cut.
# Grab a focus-chip and keep one hand over emergency-stop while setting Z.
# Wave hand under head and verify that air-assist is blowing.
# Download design from LaserCut software.
# Keep one hand over emergency-stop while using Test to check boundaries.
# Turn on the exhaust fan.
# Lift the fire extinguisher and set it back down. This verifies that your muscle-memory knows where it is.
# Press Start.
# DO NOT WALK AWAY. See http://www.thinkhaus.org/2011/04/03/lazzoring-is-serious-business/ for why.
|FAQs='''How much does it cost to use the laser?'''

$10 per hour of laser cutting time.&nbsp; This does not mean $10 per hour of standing near the machine; rather, $10 per hour of time displayed on the laser's digital read-out.&nbsp; This timer is only active while the laser is cutting and its motors are moving.&nbsp; For many cuts, the laser is only active for a few minutes, meaning to laser-cut a project part you will often pay less than a dollar. 

'''Why do I have to pay to use the laser?''' 

The laser's consumable parts are generally not expensive, such as the lens and distilled water.&nbsp; The CO2 laser tubes, however, are $900 to $1,000 each.&nbsp; The laser has a built-in timer to track how long the cutter has been in operation.&nbsp; This makes it simple for us to collect a fair amount of money - you pay for what you use - to eventually replace these expensive consumables.&nbsp; In other shops, laser usage time could be five or ten times more expensive. 

'''Why do I have to work with an operator to cut parts?''' 

The operator has received training with using the chiller, the exhaust system, and what to do in case of an emergency.&nbsp; The purpose of the laser operator is to prevent damage to the machine and to prevent '''you '''from being liable in case anything happens.&nbsp; If you use the laser without an operator, you lose all protection from liability and could be on the hook for thousands of dollars to replace what you break.
|Equipment User=
|Equipment Trainer=
|Documents=Inside the cutter, a [http://www.leetro.com/english/sale/20.html Leetro MPC6515 control board] coordinates the motors and laser firing. Its [http://www.leetro.com/english/down/MPC6515%20%20Manual.pdf documentation] is freely downloadable.

The software is [http://www.leetro.com/english/sale/35.html LaserCut 5.3] (though Help/About says 5.1), whose [http://www.leetro.com/english/down/LaserCut5.3%20Manual%20V1.6.pdf engrish manual]] is awful.

So much grief has arisen from the awful state of the documentation and software, that an entire [http://www.chineselasersupportforum.com/phpBB3/index.php Chinese laser support forum] has arisen for the hapless owners of these machines help each other.
|Category=Departed_Equipment
}}
== Operators ==
{| width="50%" border="2" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
|-
! scope="col" | Operator Name
! scope="col" | Trained By
|-
| AB Garcia
| Owns the laser
|-
| Nate Bezanson
| AB
|-
| Dustin White
| AB
|-
| Brian Wennberg
| AB
|-
| Matt Arnold
| NateB and Dustin
|-
| Dave Worsey (pending)
| NateB and ???
|-
| Rocco ?
| Fill me in!
|-
|Brad Dahlhofer
|Dustin W/Nate B
|}

== Materials ==
The laser can cut or etch a wide variety of materials.&nbsp; However some are not possible to cut with our current set-up, and other materials are dangerous - they release fumes that damage humans or the laser itself. 

The laser can only etch some materials; it will not be able to cut through them.&nbsp; See the materials list for more. 

The key thing is not to try to cut: 

#Any metals 
#Any materials that contain glue (such as plywood) 
#Any plastics or other materials that contain chlorine or vinyl


Seriously, do not cut any of the banned materials. 

*[http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2010/07/laser-cut-vinyl-record-bad-idea/ Cutting vinyl:&nbsp;bad idea!] 
*[http://www.cnczone.com/forums/laser_engraving_cutting_machines/56833-co2_laser_pvc_cutting.html Cutting PVC, Lexan, polycarbonates:&nbsp;bad idea!]

'''You are responsible for knowing exactly what your material is before you try to cut it.''' 

'''Do not cut any materials marked as BANNED in the list below.&nbsp; You would be liable for expensive damage to the machine or worse - you may release toxic fumes that could easily harm or kill!&nbsp; '''<br> 

===Materials List===

{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="center" width="770" style=""
|-
! scope="col" | Material 
! scope="col" | Cut? 
! scope="col" | Etch? 
! scope="col" | Power 
! scope="col" | Speed
|-
| Acrylic 
| Yes 
| Yes 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Glass 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Coated Metals 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Ceramic 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Cloth<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Delrin 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Leather 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| BANNED - Lexan 
| No 
| No 
| 
| 
|-
| BANNED - Human flesh (yes, this has come up) 
| No 
| No 
| 
| 
|-
| Marble 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Matte Board 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Melamine 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Model Foam<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Paper<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Plexiglass 
| Yes 
| Yes 
| 
| 
|-
| Mylar<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Painted Metals<br> 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| BANNED - Particle board<br> 
| No<br> 
| No<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| BANNED - Plywood<br> 
| No<br> 
| No<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| BANNED&nbsp;- Polycarbonate plastics of any kind<br> 
| No<br> 
| No<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| BANNED&nbsp;- PVC of any kind<br> 
| No<br> 
| No<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Rubber<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Tile<br> 
| No<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Wood, veneer<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| Wood, natural<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| Yes<br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|}

===Cutting Parts on the Laser Cutter===

When cutting parts on the laser, you will use the software to set the cutting speed and power.&nbsp; If we have cut the material you are using before, you can refer to the power and speed recommendations in the table above.&nbsp; Otherwise - experiment!&nbsp; Bring some scrap material to do test cuts on until you find a cut you are satisfied with.&nbsp; After that, record your power and speed settings in the table above.<br> 

In general: 

*Lower speeds allow for lower cutting power, which saves life on the laser tube. 
*Lower speeds cut a wider "kerf" (thickness of cut)&nbsp;through the material. 
*At higher speeds the cut is faster but requires higher power, which uses up the laser tube faster. 
*High power on wood and paper may cause some discoloration near the cuts (browning color from burned material).