Differences

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--- laser [2025/07/09 18:55] – update safety info 8c244b37-0747-c193-0a4e-0967254778dd
+++ laser [2026/02/16 14:14] (current) – ef2d127d-e37b-942b-aad0-6145e54b0c61
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 TheLab has a few different laser machines which can cut and engrave wood, acrylic, foam, steel, aluminum, etc. Each machine is better suited for different tasks. See the machine list below.
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+**Discord Channels**:
-- **Area Coordinator**: Jordan Olshevski (`@jordan`)
-- **Discord Channels**:
  [[https://discord.com/channels/690314626289631294/1149799568532320426|All things lasers]]
@@ Line 20: / Line 16: @@
 ----
-## Safety Considerations
-The laser machines are a little different from most machines found in TheLab. There are no obvious sharp spinning blades that catch ones eye as being dangerous. The danger from the lasers is not so much the motors running as it is the silent high intensity, mostly invisible laser light. If it can cut/engrave solid material it will do major harm to human flesh.
-Be sure to read this safety discussion before burning your first project.
-* [[#A Word About Safety| A Bit About Safety First]]
+## Software
-----
+Lightburn is used to drive all lasers at TheLab, with the exception of the Glowforge which uses proprietary software.
-## The driving software
-The various laser machines may use different software to actually drive the machine mechanism. Some may use a locally installable 3rd party product, others a proprietary cloud driven product. To date we have:
-### Lightburn
-Lightburn is used to drive the Trogdor (CO2) and Shockwave (OmTech Galvo diode) lasers
 * **[[lightburn_basic_instructions|Lightburn Basics in TheLab, in progress]]**
+----
-There is a Glowforge proprietary cloud product that drives the Glowforge laser
+## The Machines
- ??? is used to drive the Calcifer (XTool diode laser)
+### Trogdor 100 Watt CO2
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-## The machines
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-### Trogdor 100 Watt CO2
 Discord channel: trogdor
@@ Line 62: / Line 47: @@
 {{:trog.jpg?400|}}
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+### Omtech LYF-30 Galvo Fiber
-### Omtech LYF-30 Galvo Fiber
 Discord channel: shockwave
@@ Line 74: / Line 58: @@
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+### Glowforge 40 Watt CO2
-### Glowforge 40 Watt CO2
 Discord Channel:   TBD
@@ Line 93: / Line 76: @@
 {{laser:glowforgelaser.png}}
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 ### Calcifer - Xtool D1 Pro Laser
 Discord Channel: calcifer
 Material to be added
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 ## A Word About Safety
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 * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX-EoUKqSFE| Laser Light is Dangerous]]
-#### Some local safety glasses information:
+#### Some local safety glasses information
 Be sure the glasses are certified for the frequencies used by the laser you will be operating.
@@ Line 138: / Line 121: @@
 OmTech (Shockwave) 1064 nm
 \\
 Xtool D1 Pro (Calcifer)  455 nm
 TheLab makerspace tries to keep a set of laser safe safety glasses available for use. If you cannot locate them please post a note to the “laser-general” discord channel or purchase a set for your personal use.
-**NOTE: The glasses currently available in TheLab are certified for the OmTech but NOT the Trogdor, Glowforge, or Xtool D1 machines.**
+**NOTE: There are glasses currently available in TheLab. A couple sets that are certified for the OmTech and other certain diode lasers. Another set that is certified for the CO2 Trogdor and Glowforge lasers. It's not clear at this time the Xtool D1 machine requirement.**
-The current lab glasses cover the following wavelengths thus should be adequate for the Omtech Galvo machine:
+#### Diode/Fiber laser safety glasses
+The following should be adequate for the Omtech Galvo and certain other diode machines whose laser wavelengths fall within the following ranges:
 \\
 -420 nm & 850-130 nm  OD6
 \\
 -450 nm / 800-2000 nm/1064 nm  OD6
+TheLab's Omtech/diode laser safety glasses cases and certification markings. Verify the proper type by checking the markings on the lens. These glasses have a tint to them, they are **NOT** clear.
+\\
+{{:laser:glasses_case.png?150|}}
+{{:laser:safteyglasses.png?200|}}
+\\
+\\
+#### CO2 laser safety glasses
 For the Trogdor, Glowforge and Xtool D1 machines, the laser light should be contained by their respective enclosures. The laser “should not” fire if the access doors are open. It is imperative that one does not defeat/bypass the door interlocks such that the laser will fire with the door open. This is dangerous for the operator as well as anyone else who may traverse the immediate area.
-Safety glasses may be purchase from Amazon or other sources.
+TheLab's CO2 laser safety glasses cases and certification markings. These glasses are clear, they do **NOT** have a tint. Verify the proper type by checking the markings on the lens they should be:
+\\
+\\
+- 11000 nm OD6
+\\
+{{:laser:co2_safety_glasses.png?400|}}
+\\
+\\
+Safety glasses may also be purchased from Amazon or other sources.
+\\
 \\
 **Be sure the safety glasses you choose are certified for the frequencies used by the laser you will be operating. Your vision may depend on it.**
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 There is a fire extinguisher located next to the large red Trogdor machine.
+* If a fire has started immediately turn off the laser main power switch. This should allow the fire to extinguish, if not you will need to resort to using the fire extinguisher. It’s a CO2 extinguisher so should not damage the machine.
+* Immediately notify TheLab discord channels and put a note on the machine to not use until it gets checked over for damage.
 #### Cutting/engraving certain materials can emit highly toxic gases
-A couple lists of materials and their response to being cut/engraved. Always investigate how your target material will react
+A few lists of materials and their response to being cut/engraved. Always investigate how your target material will react when exposed to a high powered laser.
-when exposed to a high powered laser.
+This link attempts to assign levels of danger to multiple categories of materials. For instance some common species of wood can be dangerous.
+* [[https://db.lasereverything.net/materials| Laser Everything Materials List]]
+Other sources of info:
+\\
  * [[https://lahobbyguy.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=16&sid=da989c8681ea6cad175f3bc06cd95ddf| One list of dangerous materials]]
  * [[https://cpl.org/wp-content/uploads/NEVER-CUT-THESE-MATERIALS.pdf| More Materials]]