LaserCutterPrincessFiona - DoESLiverpool/somebody-should GitHub Wiki

This page is for the large laser cutter which incurs a £2 surcharge. You should use it when your project needs the greater size and power and needs to work with thicker materials

Nickname Make Model Where Manual Issue Tracker Status
"Princess Fiona" FL-1290 Workshop Ruida Controller Manual Tool: Laser Cutter - Large (Princess Fiona) TBC

Class Red Equipment Do not leave unattended

See full safety information below

Bed Size

Approximately 1270mm x 900mm

Using the Laser Cutter

  • Turn on Power for Machine using the main switch on the wall. It only has 2 postions and is a little stiff to turn.

  • You will also need to switch on the extractor fan before starting any cutting. This is located under the whiteboard by the cupboard.

  • There are a few other switches to check if the laser doesn't turn on immediately. There are 3 red switches on the side of the machine, as in the photograph below. These should all be turned on.

If this doesn't work, check whether the emergency stop button (above the display) has been depressed, twist it to release it.

  • To focus laser, place your material onto the bed underneath laser. There is a focus stick spcifically for this laser cutter, this loosely hangs on a ridge of the laser cutter and should be flat on your material when the laser is in focus. Using the toggle switch on the side of the laser cutter (above the 3 red switches in the photograph above), move the bed up and down till the the focus stick is flat on your material. You should only need to re-focus the laser if the material thickness you are using changes.

  • The final things to check are that the chiller is switched on. This is located at the back rear corner of the laser cutter and should normally be left switched on all of the time (It is controlled by the main switch on the wall). We have noticed that some users have switched this off in the past, so it is something to be aware of. If the chiller is off, the laser won't fire. Finally, there is a key switch on the front of the machine, next the the emergency stop button, this is the laser power switch. It also needs to be turned on for the laser to fire (if the key won't come out, it is turned on).

Using the Lightburn Software

  • Turn on the laptop opposite the laser control panel. Password is bubblino (make sure this is in lowercase only). Open LIGHTBURN software.

  • Open your File

  • Select your design and drag onto bed. Scroll wheel zooms in and out and also pans. You can create multiples by simply using copy and paste. (You can select individual parts of design and change it's layer by selecting colour squares at bottom of page).

  • select CUT/LAYERS tab (above bed image).

  • Double click on layers C01, C02 etc, to bring up CUT SETTING EDITOR.

  • Set SPEED and POWER (e.g. for 3mm Ply 20-Speed and 60-Power works well).

  • Ensure Output and Air-assist are active (green).

  • To CUT select LINE Mode.

  • To ENGRAVE select FILL mode.

  • Select LASER tab.

  • Set START FROM to CURRENT POSITION. Set JOB ORIGIN to BOTTOM LEFT.

  • Clicking FRAME will trace the boundary of your design.

Safety precautions

The laser cutter, if not used and monitored properly, carries a continuous risk of igniting the work piece being cut.

Class Red Equipment

Hazard Who might be harmed an how? What is already being done?
Fire Laser cutter user, other people in the workshop Must be attended while in use. Users trained before use, or only under direct supervision of another trained user.
Burn, skin or eye damage Laser cutter user, other people in the workshop Only to be used after induction. Operated in a reflection enclosed box. Safety interlock on the main door (laser will not fire unless the door is closed).