You must have been trained and have a reservation to use the laser cutter. Reservations can be made at the Service Desk. Laser cutting is $5/hour.
Laser Cutter Training
How to Prepare Your File
How to Use the Laser Cutter
Settings/Materials
Laser Cutter Policies
General
- If
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- the laser cutter
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- computers aren't logged in, notify staff at the Technology Desk. Only the
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- Technology Desk staff are permitted to give you access to the system. Do not
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- log in
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- using your own EID credentials, as the software is only configured under our account.
- Infractions of these laser cutter or any other Technology Lab policies will result in
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- privileges being revoked
- Operating the laser cutter without (a) being trained AND (b) paying the subscription fee will result in privileges being revoked
- If you notice that the laser cutter requires cleaning or maintenance, please notify the
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- Technology Desk staff immediately in person or by calling 512-471-1189.
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Certification and Subscription
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- In order to use the laser cutters the student, faculty, or staff must
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- be
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- Same-day reservations do not count against your weekly limit and may be reserved without any limits.
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- a member of the School of Architecture community (students, faculty, or staff) AND
- purchase a subscription for the semester AND
- complete online laser cutter training AND
- be certified for laser cutter use by a member of the Technology Desk staff.
Health and Safety
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- Although this system uses a CO2 laser that could damage your eyes or skin with direct contact, it uses both a system of safety interlocks and an IR-absorbing window on the top door, making the laser cutter safe to use without goggles or other safety gear.
- Please note that the intense light that appears during the engraving or cutting process is the product of material combustion or vaporization. DO NOT STARE AT THE BRIGHT LIGHT or risk damage to your eyes.
- Certain materials require close supervision, but you should still avoid looking directly at the combustion/vaporization.
- Additionally, the Red Dot Pointer that appears on the material is just a positioning help, not the laser beam itself, however, DO NOT STARE at the Red Dot Pointer or risk damage to your eyes.
- Lastly, the machine doors are safety-interlocked and will disable the CO2 laser beam from firing when the doors are opened. The Red Dot Pointer is NOT safety interlocked and can be activated with the door(s) either open or closed.
- Please note that the intense light that appears during the engraving or cutting process is the product of material combustion or vaporization. DO NOT STARE AT THE BRIGHT LIGHT or risk damage to your eyes.
- Operating the laser cutter in any unsafe way can result in
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- damage caused to your health and/or the laser cutter.
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- Unsafe practices include
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- , but are not limited to
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- :
- Leaving the laser cutter unattended while it is running
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- Cutting materials that are
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- on the
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- Prohibited Materials list
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- Many of the Prohibited Materials emit toxic gas
Tampering with the laser cutter's safety mechanisms
Turning off the Air Assist feature
- 'Sandwiching' more flammable material between less-flammable materials. (i.e. a sheet of cardboard between two layers of chipboard, etc.) The result could easily be a FIRE!
- IN CASE OF FIRE, IMMEDIATELY PRESS THE EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON (located on top of the laser) AND USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER (located near the door).
Approved Materials
Prohibited Materials
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Materials
Use of prohibited materials could result in the material melting to the laser cutter bed and/or the release of toxic fumes. Due to the severity in risk, cutting prohibited materials will result in loss of lab privileges and possible fines for damages. Please note that the University Co-op sells material that looks like acrylic but is made of PVC and styrene, and is therefore prohibited.
For more information on materials that can possibly be cut (not all materials listed are approved by SOA IT), please see http://www.lasercuttingshapes.com/page/materials and contact the SOA IT office for approval for use on the laser cutters.
Prohibited Materials
- Lexan
- Polyurethan
- PVC
- Styrene
- Polycarbonate
- Vinyl
- Glass
- Foam Core
- Metal
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