Using the Laser Cutter - confluence.cad.rit.edu
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Using the Laser Cutter Laser Safety Material Safety NEVER OPERATE THE LASER SYSTEM WITHOUT CONSTANT SUPERVISION OF THE CUTTING AND ENGRAVING PROCESS. Exposure to the laser beam may cause ignition of combustible materials which can lead to a fire. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on hand at all times. CLASS 2 LASER. Do not stare directly into beam, or view directly with optical instruments. Serious and permanent damage may result to optic nerve, cornia or lense due to impropoer use. Immedietly stop use and seek medical attention if you begin seeing spots or experiencing blurred vision. NEVER LEAVE MATERIALS IN THE LASER SYSTEM AFTER LASER PROCESSING HAS FINISHED. Always remove all material including scrap material from the machine after use. Scrap material left in the laser system including materials that collect in the removable cutting table device can be a fire hazard. It is also recommended you allow scrap materials to cool prior to leaving the work area. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on hand at all times. SOME MATERIALS, WHEN ENGRAVED OR CUT WITH A LASER, CAN PRODUCE TOXIC AND CORROSIVE FUMES. Obtain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer of every material you intend to process in the laser system. The MSDS discloses all of the hazards when handling or processing a particular material. Discontinue processing any material that causes chemical deterioration of the laser system such as rust, metal etching or pitting, peeling paint, etc. Damage to the laser system from corrosive fumes is NOT covered under warranty. A PROPERLY CONFIGURED, INSTALLED, MAINTAINED AND OPERATIONAL PARTICULATE AND FUME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS MANDATORY WHEN OPERATING THE LASER SYSTEM. Fumes and smoke from the engraving process must be extracted from the laser system and filtered or exhausted outside. EXPOSURE TO THE LASER BEAM MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL BURNS AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE EYE DAMAGE. Proper use and care of this system is essential for safe operation. Use of controls, adjustments or performing procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. Use of the laser cutter is for AUTORIZED CIAS PERSONNEL ONLY. Annual laser safety training is required for all users. To reduce the risk of electric shock, disconnect the power and USB cable before preforming any service or maintenance.
Transcript of Using the Laser Cutter - confluence.cad.rit.edu
Using the Laser Cutter
Laser Safety
Material SafetyNEVER OPERATE THE LASER SYSTEM WITHOUT CONSTANT SUPERVISION OF THE CUTTING AND ENGRAVING PROCESS. Exposure to the laser beam may cause ignition of combustible materials which can lead to a fire. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on hand at all times.
CLASS 2 LASER. Do not stare directly into beam, or view directly with optical instruments. Serious and permanent damage may result to optic nerve, cornia or lense due to impropoer use. Immedietly stop use and seek medical attention if you begin seeing spots or experiencing blurred vision.
NEVER LEAVE MATERIALS IN THE LASER SYSTEM AFTER LASER PROCESSING HAS FINISHED. Always remove all material including scrap material from the machine after use. Scrap material left in the laser system including materials that collect in the removable cutting table device can be a fire hazard. It is also recommended you allow scrap materials to cool prior to leaving the work area. A properly maintained fire extinguisher should be kept on hand at all times.
SOME MATERIALS, WHEN ENGRAVED OR CUT WITH A LASER, CAN PRODUCE TOXIC AND CORROSIVE FUMES. Obtain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer of every material you intend to process in the laser system. The MSDS discloses all of the hazards when handling or processing a particular material. Discontinue processing any material that causes chemical deterioration of the laser system such as rust, metal etching or pitting, peeling paint, etc. Damage to the laser system from corrosive fumes is NOT covered under warranty.
A PROPERLY CONFIGURED, INSTALLED, MAINTAINED AND OPERATIONAL PARTICULATE AND FUME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS MANDATORY WHEN OPERATING THE LASER SYSTEM. Fumes and smoke from the engraving process must be extracted from the laser system and filtered or exhausted outside.
EXPOSURE TO THE LASER BEAM MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL BURNS AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE EYE DAMAGE. Proper use and care of this system is essential for safe operation. Use of controls, adjustments or performing procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
Use of the laser cutter is for AUTORIZED CIAS PERSONNEL ONLY. Annual laser safety training is required for all users. To reduce the risk of electric shock, disconnect the power and USB cable before preforming any service or maintenance.
Using the Laser CutterVector vs. Raster
Overlaping Raster Objects
Overlaping Vector Objects
Cut Patterns for Stroke Colors
Running a Job
Align Material with Table
A vector object is interpreted by the cutter as a ‘cutting’ job, while a raster file is interpreted as an ‘engraving’ job.
For cutting, outline the part in a vector file using a stroke of 0.001” (0.0254 mm) or less. Note the color of the stroke effects the cut pattern, see chart. When creating complex shapes, cut and remove extraneous strokes. Covered or masked strokes will not be removed from the job and therefore result in unintentional cut paths.
Overlaping raster objects will have their non-visable bodies automatically mapped so only the visable elements will be engraved.
Using the V4.60ID Illustrator Template file, outline your objects using vector strokes with the desired cut color(s), or insert your raster object(s)—the cutter will automatically know how to treat each element. Check that your vectors form a solid shape with no overhangs or masks, then save your file to a USB drive.
Log in to the laser cutter’s computer and open your Illustrator file. In Illustrator, go to File > Print, select VLS4.60 from the printers menu, click Print.
In the taskbar (bottom right of the display), click the red diamond and open the Universal Laser Systems Control Panel . Under the Viewer tab, click the Settings button. Select your material and its thickness, then click OK.
Load your material into the cutting chamber so it is aligned with your job file and the zero-point of the chamber table. If necessary, adjust the z-gap of the chamber table. Make sure the both the laser cutter and the exhaust fans are on and running before initiating a job.
Click the large green Start button on the computer to initiate the job. Constant supervision of a job is required in order to suppress errors or smoldering of material.
Cut, #FF0000
Burnish, #000000
Hash, #0000FF
Using the Laser Cutter
Safe Materials
Corrugated Cardboard Uncoated Paper Chipboard/
Matboard Acrylic
Plywood Balsawood/Basswood
Domestic Hardwoods MDF
Masonite Cork Vegetable Tanned Leather
Unmounted Linoleum
Glass (No Vector Cutting)
All the materials depicted below are safe to use for vector and raster engraving, as well as vector cutting (execpt for glass). Your stock should be no larger than 24” x 18” and 1/4” thick.
Materials such as PET, PS, ABS, Vinly, PVC, Nylon, Delrin and Foamcore are not permitted to be used with the laser due to toxic emissions; bending Plywood, Corian and casting wax due to mechanical hazards to the laser; as well as tropical hardwoods due to emmision of toxins and forign agents.
