Laser Cut and Engrave on School of Computing: Creative Facilities

Designing for Laser Cutting/Engraving

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Designing for Laser Cutting/ Engraving #

About #

In order to cut/ engrave with our laser cutters we need to send the following information: the path/ shape we are cutting/ engraving, which material we are cutting/ engraving, and whether we are cutting/ engraving or both. We do this using vector graphics software to create a 2 dimensional path along which the laser cutter will cut.

There are many programmes you can use to design/ generate or download 2-dimensional vector graphics files (.dxf/ .svg/ .ai etc.). However you decide to design your files, we will always “print” the design from Adobe Illustrator (available on all computers in HatchLabs) to the Laser Dashboard where they will be sent to the laser cutter!

Fusion M2 Laser Cutter

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fusion M2: Laser Cutter & Engraver #

Specfications #

max cutting size: 1016 x 711 mm
max material thickness: 5 mm
integrated air assist: NO
preview camera system: NO
materials: acrylic, plywood, cardboard, paper, glass (engrave), cotton fabric, full material list (including permitted/prohibited materials)
offical technical specfications

Health & Safety #

Laser Cutters, when used incorrectly and without sufficient exhaust, can be a fire risk. You must understand and abide by all our health and safety rules and procedures in order to safely operate the machine. We have a NO MAINTENANCE POLICY so never attempt any maintenance operations by yourself. Ever. If you suspect there is something wrong with the laser cutter contact a technician.

Fusion Pro Laser Cutter

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fusion Pro: Laser Cutter & Engraver #

Specfications #

max cutting size: 1219 x 914 mm
max material thickness: 6 mm
integrated air assist: YES
preview camera system: YES
materials: acrylic, plywood, cardboard, paper, glass (engrave), cotton fabric, full material list (including permitted/prohibited materials)
offical technical specfications

Health & Safety #

Materials for Laser Cutting

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Materials #

You must check with a technician if you bring your own materials. Everything we supply is laser-grade and safe.
There are lots and lots of materials that cannot be used safely.

Allowed Materials #

cardboard - very fast and cheap, incredibly useful for prototyping, but may well work in final designs
paper
plywood - we only sell plywood in HatchLabs
acrylic
other less common materials can be cut/ engraved as detailed by Epilog: laserable/ processable materials

Banned Materials #

any material brought into the lab will require a Material Safety Data Sheet to ensure it is safe for Laser Cutting & Engraving as outlined by Epilog: material safety
The following list is composed using information from Illinois Tech’s Idea Shop. Please refer to their page for wonderful explanations on why these materials are banned:
- PVC - releases very toxic Chlorine gas when burnt. Highly poisonous to humans and very corroding to the metal parts of the machine!!
  - This includes vinyl, pleather, artificial leather
- HDPE/milk bottle plastic
- PolyStyrene Foam
- PolyPropylene Foam
- ABS
- Epoxy
- Fiberglass
- Food- because we use the laser cutter to cut many other materials such as acrylic

Material Settings in Detail #

The Material Settings allow us to correctly cut/ engrave the our materials when the material has bee focused correctly. These are set in the printing preferences in Illustrator.