You must have been trained, certified and paid the per-semester subscription to use the laser cutter. Reservations can be made at the Technology Desk.
Laser Cutter Training
How to Prepare Your File
How to Use the Laser Cutter
Settings/Materials
Laser Cutter Policies
General
- If you are having EID access problems with the laser cutter systems, contact Technology Desk at 512-471-1189. Only the Technology Desk staff are permitted to give you access to the system. Do not get another student to log in for you, as this can result revoking of privileges, as described below.
- Infractions of laser cutter or any other Technology Lab policies will result in a warning for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will have their access to all Technology Lab services (except printing and plotting) revoked for one semester. Privileges may be restored before the end of the semester based on a conversation with either Chelsea Cowley or Eric Hepburn.
- If you notice that the laser cutter requires cleaning or maintenance, please notify the Technology Desk staff immediately in person or by calling 512-471-1189.
Reservations
- In order to use the laser cutters the student, faculty, or staff must
- complete laser cutter training AND
- complete in-person certification with a member of the Technology Lab staff AND
- pay the per-semester subscription.
- The maximum cutting time is 2 hours per session. If there is no one waiting, you can continue cutting.
- In order to use the laser cutters the student, faculty, or staff must
Safety and Fines
- 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.
- 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.
- Operating the laser cutter in any unsafe way can result in a fine up to the amount of damage caused to the laser cutter. (For example, a replacement lens for the X-660 costs $230.)
- Unsafe practices include (but are not limited to):
- Leaving the laser cutter unattended while it is running.
- Cutting materials that are not on the acceptable materials list.
- Operating the laser cutter without a reservation will result in a warning for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will have their access to all Technology Lab services (except printing and plotting) revoked for one semester.
- Operating the laser cutter without the appropriate training will result in a warning for first-time offenders as well as for the person who allowed you access to the system. Repeat offenders will have their access to all Technology Lab services (except printing and plotting) revoked for one semester.
- 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.
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 Technology), please see http://www.lasercuttingshapes.com/page/materials and contact the SOA Technology office for approval for use on the laser cutters.
Prohibited Materials
- Lexan
- Polyurethan
- PVC
- Styrene
- Polycarbonate
- Vinyl
- Glass
- Foam Core
- Metal
