Difference between revisions of "Epilog Laser Cutter"
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At the end of the class each person will be certified to use the laser cutter provided they're a FamiLAB member. Additionally, each person will be able to keep a small cut and engraved item which they made. | At the end of the class each person will be certified to use the laser cutter provided they're a FamiLAB member. Additionally, each person will be able to keep a small cut and engraved item which they made. | ||
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== Material Compatibility for the Laser Cutter/Engraver == | == Material Compatibility for the Laser Cutter/Engraver == | ||
Revision as of 15:14, 13 July 2016
Contents
The Basics
The laser cutter is a 60 watt CO2 laser which can cut and engrave.
Basic Information and specs:
- 32″ x 20″ (812 x 508 mm) Engraving Area
- Engrave items up to 14.25″ (361 mm) in material height
- High-speed Brushless DC Servo Motors
- It can be used with raster and vector type images (Raster for engraving and Vector for cuts)
- Weighs about 500 lbs
- Red Dot Pointer for visual reference for locating where the laser will fire
- Power: 110 to 240 volts auto switching, 50 or 60 Hz, single phase, 15 amp AC
Software
There's a range of software that can be used with the laser cutter.
Here's a short list example of software that can be used.
For raster images:
- Gimp (free software) Gimp review on Snapfiles.com with Download link
- Photoshop
For vector images:
- DraftSight
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Illustrator
- Inkscape (free software) Download Options for Inkscape
The laser is used with different software as if it's a printer. Different results can be accomplished by adjusting the speed and power of the laser.
Accessories
We have a "Rim-Drive Rotary Attachment" that is for use with our laser cutter.
The rotary tool is used for engraving round materials like bottles, glasses, or any other cylindrical item up to 11.25″ (286 mm) in diameter.
When plugging in the "Rim-Drive Rotary Attachment" for use, make sure the laser cutter is OFF first. Failure to do this will damage the electronics and void the warranty.
Using the Laser Cutter
In order to use the laser cutter, you must be a member of FamiLAB. You must also be certified to use the laser cutter. Becoming certified involves taking a Beginner Laser Class.
Using the laser cutter is fairly simple and safe if proper usage precautions are taken. These precautions include some basic steps that are important for using the laser cutter.
Four of the first steps are the following:
- Make sure the AC is on and around 74ºF (23ºC) as the laser cutter needs to be kept cool. The laser cutter should never be used when the temperature is near, at or above 90ºF (32ºC).
- Make sure the exhaust fan is on which pulls the air from the laser cutter. The breakers for this are marked in the breaker panel in the Machine Shop.
- Make sure the Air Assist is on next to the laser cutter.
- Make sure the laser cutter is on.
In the event that the laser doesn't work properly or is making odd sounds, contact someone on the Point of Contact (POC) list on the wall next to the laser cutter. Also, make it known on Slack using the Laser channel. It needs to be reported so it can be fixed.
Beginner Laser Class
For those interested in using the laser cutter there's a beginner laser class.
The Beginner Laser Class is held every other Saturday. Check the FamiLAB Calendar for when it's scheduled.
The class normally includes two parts.
- Presentation focused on safety and precautions using the laser cutter.
- Hands on example of how to use the laser cutter. Each person will be able to use the laser cutter using Adobe Illustrator.
At the end of the class each person will be certified to use the laser cutter provided they're a FamiLAB member. Additionally, each person will be able to keep a small cut and engraved item which they made.
Material Compatibility for the Laser Cutter/Engraver
The alphabetical list below are materials that are safe or not safe to use on the laser cutter/engraver.
If the material isn't listed here contact someone on the "Point of Contact" list and ask.
| Material | Engrave | Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Yes | Yes |
| Anodized Aluminum | Yes | No |
| Bare Metals (See note #1 below) | Note #1 | No |
| Brass (See note #1 below) | Note #1 | No |
| Carbon Fiber | -->No!<-- | -->No!<-- |
| Ceramic | Yes | No |
| Cloth | Yes | Yes |
| Coated Metals | Yes | No |
| Corian | Yes | Yes |
| Cork | Yes | Yes |
| Delrin | Yes | Yes |
| Fabric | Yes | Yes |
| Fiberglass | -->No!<-- | -->No!<-- |
| Foam (Most formulations) | Yes | Yes |
| Glass | Yes | No |
| Leather | Yes | Yes |
| Marble | Yes | No |
| Matte Board | Yes | Yes |
| MDF Board (Read Note #2 Below) | -->No!<-- | -->No!<-- |
| Melamine | Yes | Yes |
| Mylar | Yes | Yes |
| Painted Metals | Yes | No |
| Paper | Yes | Yes |
| Plastic | Yes | Yes |
| Pressboard | Yes | Yes |
| Printed Circuit Boards | -->No!<-- | -->No!<-- |
| PVC (Read Note #3 Below!) | -->No!<-- | -->No!<-- |
| Rubber (Most formulations) | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel (See note #1 below) | Note #1 | No |
| Tile | Yes | No |
| Titanium (See note #1 below) | Note #1 | No |
| Wood | Yes | Yes |
| Wood Veneer | Yes | Yes |
Special Notes:
- Bare metals, Brass, Stainless Steel, Titanium: CO2 lasers will mark bare metals when coated with a metal marking solution.
- MDF Warning: MDF is typically made up of 82% wood fibre, 9% urea-formaldehyde resin glue, 8% water and 1% paraffin wax. It's the formaldehyde resin glue that's dangerous when heated and poses a considerable health risk.
- PVC Warning: Under NO condition should the laser be used with PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) material. Using PVC with the laser will give off hydrogen chloride gas which can kill you. It will also damage the laser and void the warranty.
Important Note About Heating PVC: PVC produces HCl (hydrogen chloride) upon combustion or in use with the laser cutter. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric humidity. Hydrogen chloride forms corrosive hydrochloric acid on contact with water found in body tissue. Inhalation of the fumes can cause coughing, choking, inflammation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, circulatory system failure, and death. Skin contact can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns. Hydrogen chloride may cause severe burns to the eye and permanent eye damage.
Information Sources
Most of the information for the material compatibility list was obtained from Epilog Laser's website:
https://www.epiloglaser.com/how-it-works/laser-material-compatibility.htm
Much of the general information was from different sources including the Beginner Class, Epilog Laser website and Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard#Safety_concerns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_chloride#Safety
(I'm still working on this page. If you must change anything please make edits with care. - Lloyd Black - Last edit: 07/13/2016)
