Protospace Wiki - User contributions [en]

Laser Standard Operating Procedure

2014-09-20T20:10:02Z

Dbynoe:

=get your material ready=
* We recommend acrylic or plywood
* Other materials are your responsibility to ensure that they are safe to cut on the laser see [[Chlorine Test]]
* The following materials are NOT SAFE TO CUT ON THE LASER.
** PVC
** Vinyl
** Lexan/Polycarbonate
** Foam - fire risk
** Any other material that contains chlorine

=Clear cutting bed=
* open the lid and clear the contents of the bed
* be advised that the laser will automatically home, and crashing it into things is bad
=Check water level in the chiller=
* Water level in the chiller should be about a quarter inch below the upper return.
* Only use distilled water in the chiller loop
=Turn on main power switch=
* Located on the wall beside the ventilation pipe
* This will turn on the ventilation and supply power to the machine
=Turn on Laser=
* Twist estop, and turn key
* Laser will now automatically home
=Start Software=
* Lasercut – on desktop
=Set up Job=
* Import your files, the software supports Autocad 2000, or Illustrator 9.0 files
* It helps to have your source files set up by layer, but you can manually change the layers in Lasercut
* Set up your speed and power for each layer, cut order is top to bottom, the layers change order when you aren’t looking
* Check the immediate box to make the laser cut where the head is now, unchecked the machine will cut using the top corner of the software as the top corner of the bed
=Set up Material=
* Ensure your material is laser safe and contains no chlorine.
* Place your workpiece on the bed
* Press the z axis button and adjust the height of the bed CAUTION do not run the head into the table, if this happens shut the machine down and make a post on the list.
* Use the focus gauge to set the height – DO NOT LEAVE THE FOCUS GAUGE IN PLACE AND MOVE THE MACHINE INTO IT, THIS WILL WRECK THE HEAD
* Press z to exit this menu, escape doesn’t work for this
=Download to Laser=
* Press the download button, bottom right of screen
* Click delete all
* Click download file
=Double check positioning =
* Ensure bed is clear of obstructions
* Press test button, machine will trace outline of job
=Run job=
* Press start button
* Keep an eye on job, burning down the laser is bad.
* Do not leave the area while your job is running
* You are responsible for your job
=Remove material=
* Please allow a few minutes for the fumes to dissipate before opening the laser
* Remove your workpiece and ALL YOUR SCRAPS
=Power down=
* Hit the estop on the laser and turn the key
* Shut off the wall switch
*

Laser Standard Operating Procedure

2014-09-20T20:09:46Z

Dbynoe:

=get your material ready
* We recommend acrylic or plywood
* Other materials are your responsibility to ensure that they are safe to cut on the laser see [[Chlorine Test]]
* The following materials are NOT SAFE TO CUT ON THE LASER.
** PVC
** Vinyl
** Lexan/Polycarbonate
** Foam - fire risk
** Any other material that contains chlorine

=Clear cutting bed=
* open the lid and clear the contents of the bed
* be advised that the laser will automatically home, and crashing it into things is bad
=Check water level in the chiller=
* Water level in the chiller should be about a quarter inch below the upper return.
* Only use distilled water in the chiller loop
=Turn on main power switch=
* Located on the wall beside the ventilation pipe
* This will turn on the ventilation and supply power to the machine
=Turn on Laser=
* Twist estop, and turn key
* Laser will now automatically home
=Start Software=
* Lasercut – on desktop
=Set up Job=
* Import your files, the software supports Autocad 2000, or Illustrator 9.0 files
* It helps to have your source files set up by layer, but you can manually change the layers in Lasercut
* Set up your speed and power for each layer, cut order is top to bottom, the layers change order when you aren’t looking
* Check the immediate box to make the laser cut where the head is now, unchecked the machine will cut using the top corner of the software as the top corner of the bed
=Set up Material=
* Ensure your material is laser safe and contains no chlorine.
* Place your workpiece on the bed
* Press the z axis button and adjust the height of the bed CAUTION do not run the head into the table, if this happens shut the machine down and make a post on the list.
* Use the focus gauge to set the height – DO NOT LEAVE THE FOCUS GAUGE IN PLACE AND MOVE THE MACHINE INTO IT, THIS WILL WRECK THE HEAD
* Press z to exit this menu, escape doesn’t work for this
=Download to Laser=
* Press the download button, bottom right of screen
* Click delete all
* Click download file
=Double check positioning =
* Ensure bed is clear of obstructions
* Press test button, machine will trace outline of job
=Run job=
* Press start button
* Keep an eye on job, burning down the laser is bad.
* Do not leave the area while your job is running
* You are responsible for your job
=Remove material=
* Please allow a few minutes for the fumes to dissipate before opening the laser
* Remove your workpiece and ALL YOUR SCRAPS
=Power down=
* Hit the estop on the laser and turn the key
* Shut off the wall switch
*

Laser Standard Operating Procedure

2014-09-20T20:00:46Z

Dbynoe: Created page with "Clear cutting bed - open the lid and clear the contents of the bed - be advised that the laser will automatically home, and crashing it into things is bad Check water level in..."

Clear cutting bed
- open the lid and clear the contents of the bed
- be advised that the laser will automatically home, and crashing it into things is bad
Check water level in the chiller
- Water level in the chiller should be about a quarter inch below the upper return.
- Only use distilled water in the chiller loop
Turn on main power switch
- Located on the wall beside the ventilation pipe
- This will turn on the ventilation and supply power to the machine
Turn on Laser
- Twist estop, and turn key
- Laser will now automatically home
Start Software
- Lasercut – on desktop
Set up Job
- Import your files, the software supports Autocad 2000, or Illustrator 9.0 files
- It helps to have your source files set up by layer, but you can manually change the layers in Lasercut
- Set up your speed and power for each layer, cut order is top to bottom, the layers change order when you aren’t looking
- Check the immediate box to make the laser cut where the head is now, unchecked the machine will cut using the top corner of the software as the top corner of the bed
- Ensure your job is starting at the correct corner WHAT IS THIS FUNCTION CALLED
Set up Material
- Ensure your material is laser safe and contains no chlorine.
- Place your workpiece on the bed
- Press the z axis button and adjust the height of the bed CAUTION do not run the head into the table, if this happens shut the machine down and make a post on the list.
- Use the focus gauge to set the height – DO NOT LEAVE THE FOCUS GAUGE IN PLACE AND MOVE THE MACHINE INTO IT, THIS WILL WRECK THE HEAD
- Press z to exit this menu, escape doesn’t work for this
Download to Laser
- Press the WHATEVER IS THAT BUTTON CALLED
- Click delete all
- Click download file
Doublecheck positioning
- Ensure bed is clear of obstructions
- Press test button, machine will trace outline of job
Run job
- Press start button
- Keep an eye on job, burning down the laser is bad.
- Do not leave the area while your job is running
- You are responsible for your job
Remove material
- Please allow a few minutes for the fumes to dissipate before opening the laser
- Remove your workpiece and ALL YOUR SCRAPS
Power down
- Hit the estop on the laser and turn the key
- Shut off the wall switch
-

Laser cutter, large (Rabbit Laser RL-80-1290) ID:6

2014-09-20T20:00:06Z

Dbynoe:

{{Template:EquipmentPage
|toolname=Laser Cutter
|model=[http://www.rabbitlaserusa.com/laser_RL1290.asp RL1290]
|serial=??
|owner=Brian Queen
|loanstatus=Semi-Permanent Loan
|arrived=Before 2013
|location=Main Bay
|status=Functional
|permission=Members & Friends Only
|certification=Must complete [[Laser Certification]]
|itemphoto=[[File:Laser_Cutter.jpg|350px|thumb|right|]]
}}

==Specs==

* 80 watt
* 4x3' CNC bed
* Front shield can be dropped to insert pieces longer than 3'
* Water cooled & Ducted
* Can cut or etch up to 1/2" thick light materials such as woods and some plastics
* Cannot cut any chlorinated synthetics (some types of plastics & rubbers)

==Usage Notes==
* Complete [[Laser Certification]] to learn how to use the laser. Training is offered about once a month.
* Perform a simple [[Chlorine Test]] on unapproved materials, as cutting or etching chlorinated materials damages the optics
* See [[Power Levels]] page for notes and details on cutting and etching various materials
* Power modulation only in restricted range in software (Aproximately 8%-30%)
* Controller occasionally locks up after large cut jobs. E-stop immediately if job timer does not increment in first 5 seconds of job. Post to list for recovery instructions
* Consult our [[Laser Standard Operating Procedure]]

==History==

* Originally on loan for 6 months (ending Aug 2012) in exchange for Protospace performing repairs.
** Loan has been extended.

==Repairs Needed==

*Upgrades discussed
**Adding air cooling to optics and laser head block
**Convincing power supply to modulate power levels properly
**Seal display on controller to prevent smoke from clouding over time.