Access & Certification

To use the laser cutters, you must:

• be a member of the School of Architecture community AND
• purchase a Digital Fabrication Subscription for the semester AND 
• be certified for laser cutter use*

*To become certified, you must:

1. Email the Tech Desk to request to be added to the Laser Cutter Certification course
2. Review all of the material in each module and complete the quizzes with 100%
   • You only have three attempts to receive a 100%
     • Email the Tech Desk to request an additional attempt if you require more than three
   • Take your time and read each question carefully
   • Incorrect answers will point you toward the page you still need to review
3. Score a 100% on the "Laser Cutter Certification Exam"
   • You only have three attempts to receive a 100%
     • Email the Tech Desk to request an additional attempt if you require more than three
   • Take your time and read each question carefully
4. Only after scoring a 100% on all Quizzes and the Exam, schedule a time for in-person training with a member of the Tech Desk staff through Bookings
   • Once certified, you will be added to the registry of certified users for the laser cutters

Approved Materials

Prohibited Materials

Health and Safety

• 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.
• Operating the laser cutter in any unsafe way can result in damage caused to your health and/or the laser cutter. 
  • Unsafe practices include, but are not limited to:
    • Leaving the laser cutter unattended while it is running
    • Cutting materials that are on the Prohibited Materials list
      • 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). 

General

• If the laser cutter computers aren't logged in, notify staff at the Technology Desk
  • Only the Technology Desk staff are permitted to give you access to the system
  • Do not log in using your own EID credentials, as the software is only configured under our account
• 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 Technology Desk staff immediately in person or by calling 512-471-1189

Policy Violations

If you damage a part of the laser cutter...

• You will be fined the cost of replacement
• You will be added to the Greylist*

If you cut plastic or wood on Laser Cutters 3, 4, or 5...

• You will be added to the Blacklist** for two weeks
• You will remain on the Greylist* after the two-week suspension for the current semester
• Your certification will be revoked, and you must go through the certification process again after your suspension

If you cut prohibited material...

• You will be added to the Blacklist** for the remainder of the semester
• You will remain on the Greylist* for the next semester
• Your certification will be revoked, and you must go through the certification process again the following semester