Epilog Laser Cutter
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
- Photoshop
For vector images:
- DraftSight
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Illustrator
- Inkscape (free software)
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.
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.
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 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 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 material. Using PVC with the laser will let off chlorine gas which will kill you. It will also damage the laser and void the warranty.
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
(I'm still working on this page. If you must change anything please make edits with care. - Lloyd Black 06/29/2016)
