Laser Cutting

In this page, I will describe:

1.     The 4 important hazards associated to the operation of laser cutting machine and their respective safety control measures (administrative/engineering control).

2.     The materials that can be cut and can’t be cut using laser cutting machine.

3.     The steps including pictures on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter, that consist of:

a.     Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutter machine and fume extractor.

b.     Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.

c.     Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.

d.     Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.

e.     DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.

4.     My Learning reflection on the laser cutter activities.

 

 

1.    These are the 4 important hazards and the respective safety control measures on the operation of laser cutting machine:

Hazards	Safety control measures	Pictures to support the explanation
1.  Material Catches Fire (Stays on fire)/ Fire Hazard	1) Any flame MUST DIE OUT within 1-2 seconds. If the flame persists, lift the lid of the laser cutter and stop the cutting operation.  2) If the fire is negligible, try putting it out by blowing it off  3) If the fire is unable to blow off, remove the material, place it on the floor and step on it 4) If the fire is uncontrollable, go to the closest fire extinguisher and put it out.	For T1442 closest fire extinguisher is at entrance of  T1442 For Makerspace -Emergency stop button in case of uncontrollable fire -Fire extinguisher located outside Laser cutting room
2.  Toxic Fumes and Gas may be emitted (Chemical hazard)	After laser cutting is finished, do not immediately open the lid, instead, Allow the extractor to remove the toxic smell and particle for preferably a minute.	Fume extractor beside laser cutting machine
3. Staring at the Laser will damage your eyes	When Monitoring the Laser cutting machine, Instead of staring at the laser, Glance	Image of Laser
4. Dust and soot will make focus lens dirty which will cracked when used	Air assist will help blow the dust away, decreasing the likelihood of it being dirty.

 

 

2.    Below are the materials that can be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in FabLab.

Material	Photo of material
1. Plywood (Laserply only)
2. Acrylic
3. Cardboard

 

Below are the materials that can’t be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in Fablab.

Material	Photo of material
1. Metal
2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
3. Rubber

 

3.    Below are the steps on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter machine in FabLab:

a.     Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutting machine and fume extractor.

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
1. Switch on the power for laser cutter, air assist and Extractor	For T1442 For Makerspace
2. Depending on which venue you use, follow accordingly: If you are in T1442, switch on light switch. If you are in Makerspace, switch on power for fume extractor	Makerspace

b.    Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Select File > Import > Select your .DXF file and press import
Once imported, choose between Vector Cut, Vector Engrave or Engrave

c.     Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
1) Click on File > Print
2) Click on the Cogwheel for Universal's material settings
3) Click on Load for more material setting
4) Select the presets that matches material type and thickness and select Open
5) Check the Power, PPI, Speed, and Z-axis. Once done, Click OK

d.    Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.    

                  Placing the Material

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
1) Check the Horizontal and Vertical side of the Built-in Ruler and and use the Move tool, in order to move the object to the empty space of the Spare Material. ( If using Fab-Lab Provided material)
2) With the Lid open, Click on Focus tool, and a crosshair will appear.
3) To Check if file is within the safe cutting area, Click on extreme bottom-right corner of the file, followed by clicking on the top-left corner of the file
4) Check for timing by clicking the Estimated time button and click Start (NOT PLAY)

e.                Ready to Cut

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
1) If all is good, Close the lid gently
2) Press either the Play button on Universal Control Panel, or the Physical button on the Laser Cutter	Play Button on UCP                    Physical Button
3) Monitor by Glancing ( DO NOT STARE at the beam)
4) Once done, Allow the extractor to remove the toxic smell and particle for preferably a minute.
5) Gently lift up the lid, but do not remove material
6) In order to test if the material was indeed cut, tap on the cut material to see if its free from the main material

             

           Housekeeping

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
1) Remove any unwanted material and dispose them
2) Deactivate the Laser Cutter
3) Switch off necessary switch
4) Need not shut down PC

      DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.

DOs and DONTs	Photos to support the description
DO ensure all flame die out in 1-2 second
DO alert others to exit when there is an uncontrollable fire
DONT approach uncontrollable fire

 

4.    Below is my Learning Reflection on the laser cutter activities.

So during the day of the competency test, while waiting we went through the steps over and over again, to which I was told by a friend that if it did not change from coral draw to UCP, manually change it. Another friend of my also told me to choose number 3 as she do not want her emoji that she made and wanted to trade with me. 

When I entered, I did everything accordingly, until I did not, I forgot to press print and see that it have not change from coral draw to the UCP, hence I followed my friend advice and change it manually. Hence, I print the previous person chosen design.. When I first take out the item, I was slightly confused but did not question it, because I did not remember my design being a dog but I thought I was just on copium as I did not remember what my design was in the first place. Next second, the invigilator told me I did not press print and that is not my design. Hence, I failed and have to redo the competency test, which I was actually glad as I can print the correct design this time round

So during the re-test, I completed the laser cutting in 3 minutes and went on with my life