Laser Cutting - Revision history

Tschule at 04:58, 28 June 2017

2017-06-28T04:58:13Z

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	*Each computer has Corel Draw, Inkscape, Acrobat, and the Epilog printer driver installed. The password for the computer is epilog		*Each computer has Corel Draw, Inkscape, Acrobat, and the Epilog printer driver installed. The password for the computer is epilog
	*A tutorial on the interaction between Inkscape, Acrobat, and the laser cutter is here ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/InkscapeTutorial.pdf .pdf])		*A tutorial on the interaction between Inkscape, Acrobat, and the laser cutter is here ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/InkscapeTutorial.pdf .pdf])

			==Tips and Tricks==
			*When cutting through wood, the laser will often leave a sticky residue on the material. It can often be wiped off with a damp rag, but ways to avoid this residue include (1) etching your image from the bottom up (the laser will clear previous residue as it etches), (2) either painting or coating the wood before it is cut/etched so that the residue simply wipes off of the finished wood, or (3) covering the wood with masking tape and then removing the tape after the cut has finished (don't overlap tape, the change in depth WILL affect the laser).

	==Maintenance==		==Maintenance==

Cschober at 14:43, 25 May 2017

2017-05-25T14:43:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 25 May 2017
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	*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]		*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]
	*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]		*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]


			[[Ninja Guide]]

Tschule at 21:19, 28 January 2017

2017-01-28T21:19:22Z

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	Different cut and etch settings can optimize the performance of the laser cutter depending on the material being used. A general table of [[Laser Cutter Settings\|speed and power recommendations]] serves as a useful starting point for these settings.		Different cut and etch settings can optimize the performance of the laser cutter depending on the material being used. A general table of [[Laser Cutter Settings\|speed and power recommendations]] serves as a useful starting point for these settings.

			==Laser Cutters==
			For information on safety and [[PPE]] requirements for each machine in the MakerSpace, see the [[Job Hazard Analysis]] forms.

	The Tulane MakerSpace uses an [https://www.epiloglaser.com/products/legend-laser-series.htm Epilog Helix 24], 50 watt CO<sub>2</sub> laser system. This system can cut through materials up to 3/8" thick, though some thicker materials require multiple passes.		The Tulane MakerSpace uses an [https://www.epiloglaser.com/products/legend-laser-series.htm Epilog Helix 24], 50 watt CO<sub>2</sub> laser system. This system can cut through materials up to 3/8" thick, though some thicker materials require multiple passes.

Tschule at 07:56, 20 December 2016

2016-12-20T07:56:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:56, 20 December 2016
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	*Speed and Power Recommendations ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/SpeedandPowerRecommendations.pdf .pdf])		*Speed and Power Recommendations ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/SpeedandPowerRecommendations.pdf .pdf])
	*Material Engraving Techniques ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/MaterialEngravingTechniques.pdf .pdf])		*Material Engraving Techniques ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/MaterialEngravingTechniques.pdf .pdf])
			*Using the Rotary Attachment to work with cylindrical objects ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/RotaryAttachment.pdf .pdf])
	*Basic Training Video 1 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXtWkFR1Oys])		*Basic Training Video 1 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXtWkFR1Oys])
	*Basic Training Video 2 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkCsCDTzn6I])		*Basic Training Video 2 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkCsCDTzn6I])

Tschule at 21:21, 12 March 2016

2016-03-12T21:21:10Z

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	Laser cutting is a technique that uses a focused laser beam to either etch patterns or cut through materials including wood, plastic, rubber, paper, or glass. Because of the small size of the focused laser beam and its CNC system, laser cutters can provide extremely accurate and precise cuts.		Laser cutting is a technique that uses a focused laser beam to either etch patterns or cut through materials including wood, plastic, rubber, paper, or glass. Because of the small size of the focused laser beam and its CNC system, laser cutters can provide extremely accurate and precise cuts.

			Images designed for the laser cutter can be created using any vector graphics software, such as [[Inkscape]], [[Adobe Illustrator]], [[CorelDraw]], and even Microsoft Powerpoint. The image interpretation is rather simple, designated lines or paths are cut while everything else is etched into the material. Designating cut paths can differ from software to software, but generally any line which has a "hairline" width is cut (in [[Inkscape]] this is a line-width of 0.001"). It is often simplest to save your design as a .pdf file in order to print to the laser cutter.

			Different cut and etch settings can optimize the performance of the laser cutter depending on the material being used. A general table of [[Laser Cutter Settings\|speed and power recommendations]] serves as a useful starting point for these settings.

	The Tulane MakerSpace uses an [https://www.epiloglaser.com/products/legend-laser-series.htm Epilog Helix 24], 50 watt CO<sub>2</sub> laser system. This system can cut through materials up to 3/8" thick, though some thicker materials require multiple passes.		The Tulane MakerSpace uses an [https://www.epiloglaser.com/products/legend-laser-series.htm Epilog Helix 24], 50 watt CO<sub>2</sub> laser system. This system can cut through materials up to 3/8" thick, though some thicker materials require multiple passes.

Tschule: /* Other Resources */

2016-02-14T21:16:39Z

Other Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:16, 14 February 2016
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	==Other Resources==		==Other Resources==
			*[[Making a Tabbed Box using the Laser Cutter]]
			*[[Creating Stacked 3d Models using the Laser Cutter]]
			*[http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/SolidWorks_to_Laser_Cutter.pdf Transferring SolidWorks Drawings to the Laser Cutter (.pdf)]
			*[[Welding Acrylic]]
	*[http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips Some tips and tutorials from the experts at Ponoko]		*[http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips Some tips and tutorials from the experts at Ponoko]
	*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]		*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]
	*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]		*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]

Tschule: /* Other Resources */

2016-02-12T07:10:49Z

Other Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:10, 12 February 2016
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	==Other Resources==		==Other Resources==
	*http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips		*[http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips Some tips and tutorials from the experts at Ponoko]
	*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]		*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]
	*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]		*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]

Tschule: /* Other Resources */

2016-02-12T07:09:33Z

Other Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:09, 12 February 2016
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	*http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips		*http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips
	*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]		*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]
			*[http://svgnest.com/ SVGnest is a simple program that arranges your objects to be cut into the most efficient use of space]

129.81.31.197 at 17:51, 25 September 2015

2015-09-25T17:51:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 25 September 2015
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	*Speed and Power Recommendations ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/SpeedandPowerRecommendations.pdf .pdf])		*Speed and Power Recommendations ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/SpeedandPowerRecommendations.pdf .pdf])
	*Material Engraving Techniques ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/MaterialEngravingTechniques.pdf .pdf])		*Material Engraving Techniques ([http://makerspace.tulane.edu/Uploads/MaterialEngravingTechniques.pdf .pdf])
			*Basic Training Video 1 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXtWkFR1Oys])
			*Basic Training Video 2 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkCsCDTzn6I])
			*Basic Training Video 3 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXYifGYI7XI])

	==Safety==		==Safety==

174.70.103.143: /* Other Resources */

2015-09-24T04:38:46Z

Other Resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:38, 24 September 2015
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	==Other Resources==		==Other Resources==
	*http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips		*http://support.ponoko.com/forums/345641-Laser-Cutting-Tutorials-Tips
			*[http://makezine.com/2012/04/13/cnc-panel-joinery-notebook/ A great article on Joinery using CNC/Laser cutting tools]