**This is an old revision of the document!**
Table of Contents
Laser Cutting
Cut and engrave wood, acrylic, foam, steel, aluminum, etc.
TheLab has a few different laser machines, each better suited for different tasks. See the list below.
- Area Coordinator: Jordan Olshevski (
@jordan)
Safety Considerations
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
There is a Glowforge proprietary cloud product that drives the Glowforge laser
??? is used to drive the Calcifer (XTool diode laser)
The machines
Trogdor
Discord channel: trogdor
A couple of How-To docs. One for those who are familiar and just want a quick refresh and another more wordy version for those newer folks or those looking for more info.
Sample material library, intended as a starting point for power/speed settings for various materials. Check the Lightburn section of the following page.
Trogdor is TheLab's 100w Co2 laser.
Omtech LYF-30 Galvo Fiber Laser
Discord channel: shockwave
Use of this machine requires a training session to be completed before use. Post a note to the TheLab.ms discord “Shockwave” channel if interested in a training session.
OmTech Galvo 30 Watt
Glowforge
Discord Channel: TBD
TheLab has recently acquired one of the Glowforge laser machines. This section will be filled out as time and experience permit.
Sample material library, intended as a starting point for power/speed settings for various materials. Check the Glowforge section of the following page.
The Glowforge 40 watt
Calcifer - Xtool D1 Pro Laser
Discord Channel: calcifer
Material to be added
A Word About Safety
Lasers can be dangerous
A general safety article from the good folks at Omtech and Video By Kerri Crafts It. There are many more available via the internet. Just be Safe.
Laser light can blind a person
Different types of laser can permanently damage your eyes and other parts of your body if you took a direct hit from the beam. Reflected beams from shiny objects, metal, screw heads, etc may also cause damage. — so always follow the laser safety rules.
NEVER look directly at a laser beam — it will cause permanent eye damage.
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.
Be sure the glasses are certified for the frequencies used by the laser you will be operating.
Lasers can start fires
Never leave your laser project running unattended. Fires can start quickly.
There is a fire extinguisher located next to the large red Trogdor machine.
Cutting/engraving certain materials can emit high toxic gases
A couple 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.