WARNING

Do not leave the laser unattended when on. Do not leave material on the laser bed

Please check with a competent member of staff before using. This guide is for reference only. Please do not cut above 50% power as this will accelerate the deterioration of the tube.

Laser Cutting Settings

Please check the Sticky Notes on the PC next to the laser cutter for the latest settings.

Raster Engrave Settings

Here are some examples of raster settings on 3mm ply

Left: 20% at 100mm/s

Middle: 20% at 80mm/s

Right: 30% at 80mm/s

About

This laser cutter has a bed size of: 600mm x 430mm

Laser cutters can do 3 types of cut: Cut, Raster and Engrave.

Cut: Cuts through the image

Engrave: Engraves the outline of an image/logo

Raster: Engraves (and fills) an image/logo

Approved Materials

Cutting

• Laser rated Ply (not any old ply)
• Laser rated MDF
• Acrylic
• Paper
• Card/Cardboard
• Laser safe rubber (stinks!)
• Leather (stinks so do it during low useage times, think burning flesh...)
• Felt

Engraving

• Laser safe Ply (not any old ply)
• Laser safe MDF
• Acrylic
• Paper
• Card/Cardboard
• Laser safe rubber (stinks!)
• Leather (stinks so do it during low useage times, think burning flesh...)
• Some light coloured stone
• Stainless Steel. Note, requires Dry Moly spray
• Aluminimum. Note, requires Dry Moly spray
• Ceramic. Note, requires Dry Moly spray

Rules for use

Rule 0. Do not be on fire.

• If you're not sure, don't do it (even switch it on)
• Do not leave the laser cutter running unattended for any reason. See Hackspace Rule 0
• Donations accepted - £5 per hour of cutting appreciated for replacement tube. There's a lasercut ply honesty box on the shelf near the cutter.
• Log job settings/length of print in log book (please time it) as this helps understand how much life we're getting out of the tube (book to be made)

Laser Alignment

Use the switch inside the laser cutter on the right to move the bed up and down. Be careful as this switch stays on until it's in the center position (small movements are key).

Once the bed has moved, check the alignment of the bed with material and your aliment marker (see photo).

Procedure for use

Note: This laser cutter used in the wrong way can cause fires. Please don't use this unless you've had a brief from a maintainer.

Power on cycle

• Check water bucket is clean.
• Turn on white plug gang (contains laser cutter and water pump)
• Turn on extraction fan switch (by the first door when you enter downstairs)
• Turn on PC next to laser cutter
• Press the on-switch on the laser cutter itself

Connect Laser Cutter

• Open K40 Whisperer with desktop shortcut
• Open Design file (.svg, RED lines == Cut, Blue == Vector Engrave, Shades of Grey == Raster)
• Click 'Initialize Laser Cutter' *Place in material and make sure it is aligned

Performing A Cut

• Position Laser with jog-step so red dot on material is where it should cut based on grey circle in software
• Set laser power percent on Laser Cutter Machine (please do not exceed 85%)
• Put emergency stop in 'up' position
• Set movement speed on K40 Whisperer in the appropriate section (RasterEngrave/VectorEngrave/VectorCut)
• Click either RasterEngrave/VectorEngrave/VectorCut

DO NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED

To finish

• Turn off K40 Whisperer
• Put emergency stop in 'down' position
• Turn off Power Switch On Laser Cutter
• Pull out gang way switch for pump/laser cutter
• Turn off extraction fan in not in use by other members

Cleaning

Every once in a while, the bottom of the laser cutter will fill up with little bits of burnt material. Check this before you use, and please vacuum this up to keep it tidy if you see any debris.

Improvements

• To add 2 fans for front air input to the laser cutter
• Close loop water cooling