Laser Cutting: Difference between revisions
Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
== File Preparation == |
== File Preparation == |
||
=== Terminology === |
|||
* Bitmap - Representation of an image as bits of information (pixels); used to allow logos/stencils to be changed into colors. |
|||
* Vector - Representation of an image as shapes, rather than bits; used to allow logos/stencils to be modified as objects. |
|||
* Trace Bitmap - Can be used on a bitmap to to turn it into a vector. |
|||
Drawing files must be sized in mm's. |
Drawing files must be sized in mm's. |
Revision as of 22:54, 5 January 2022
The laser room is equiped with a Trotec Speedy 300, 80W, CO2 laser capable of cutting, engraving, and marking a variety of materials. Two desktop computers with Adobe Illustrator are available for preparing laser job files.
Certification
The Laser Basic Use & Safety class is a required certification to use this machine.
Trotec Speedy 300
Laser Type | CO2 |
---|---|
Work Area | 736.6 × 431.8 mm (19 × 17 in) |
Max. Workpiece Height | 149.9 mm (5.9 in) |
Laser Power | 80 W |
Note: Cutting operations have reduced maximum work area, i.e. cutting along work area perimeter is reduced from listed work area (~1 cm).
File Preparation
Terminology
- Bitmap - Representation of an image as bits of information (pixels); used to allow logos/stencils to be changed into colors.
- Vector - Representation of an image as shapes, rather than bits; used to allow logos/stencils to be modified as objects.
- Trace Bitmap - Can be used on a bitmap to to turn it into a vector.
Drawing files must be sized in mm's.
Software
Jobs are "printed" to Trotec JobControl.
Approved Materials
These listed materials are tested and approved by Fat Cat Fab Lab for lasering. Not every material on this list can be laser cut, some can only be engraved or marked--see "Considerations / Uses" for details.
Type | Material | Considerations / Uses |
---|---|---|
Paper | Cardboard | |
Cardstock | ||
Chipboard | ||
Foamcore | ||
Museum Board | ||
Paper | ||
Velum | ||
Plastic | Acrylic | Mirrored acrylic: Laser mirror side down, or cover top with tape if there is no dull side. |
Cellulose Acetate | ||
Delrin | Provisonal. Needs a test to be accepted. | |
Kapton | ||
Melamine | ||
Mylar | ||
PET | Not PETG! | |
Polypropylene | ||
Rubber | For stamps. Johnson Plastics Low Order Laser Rubber only! | |
Wood | Balsa | |
Birch | ||
Cedar | ||
Cork | ||
Maple | ||
Oak | ||
Plywood | ||
Tape | Kapton Tape | |
Masking Tape | ||
Painter's Tape | ||
Textile | Cotton | |
Leather | Vegetable tanned only! | |
Linen | ||
Polyester | Best with 5% cotton blend. 100% polyester may catch fire. | |
Wool | ||
Stone | Concrete | |
Granite | ||
Marble | ||
Glass (engrave) | All Glass | Engrave only. |
Engraving Laminate | ADA Applique | Rowmark brand. |
ADA Substrate | Rowmark brand. | |
FlexiBrass | Rowmark brand. | |
FlexiColor | Rowmark brand. | |
LaserLIGHTS | Rowmark brand. | |
LaserMag | Rowmark brand. | |
LaserMark | Rowmark brand. | |
LaserMark Reverse | Rowmark brand. | |
LaserMax | Rowmark brand. | |
Textures | Rowmark brand. | |
Metal (mark) | Anodized Aluminum | Mark only. |
Brass | Mark only. Must be treated first. | |
Ferrous metals | Mark only. Must be treated first. | |
Miscellaneous | Borax + Water Solution | Treatment to create dark black engravings on wood. |
Dry Moly Lube Spray | Treatment for steel to mark it. |
Prohibited Materials
Do NOT laser any of these materials. It can cause harm to the machine and any human being in the area
Material | Notes | Consequence |
---|---|---|
ABS | Possible death. Releases cyanide gas and will likely catch fire. | |
Coated Carbon Fiber | Noxious fumes. | |
Fiberglass | Noxious fumes and can't be cut. | |
HDPE | Catches fire. | |
Polycarbonate/Lexan | PC absorbs IR light. | Cuts poorly and can catch fire. |
Polypropylene Foam | Melts and catches fire. | |
Polystyrene Foam | Catches fire. | |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Includes vinyl, artifical leather, etc. | Possible death and destroys laser. Releases chlorine gas which quickly corrodes optics and metal machine components and also humans |
Operating the Laser
Troubleshooting
- Job Control error "No more room left for jobs"
- Make sure your job is smaller than 27" x 17"
- Make sure you're sending your job in the correct orientation.
- Laser decides not to cut all, or certain vectors:
- Make sure you don't have overlapping cut lines. This can be caused by using the "Paste in Place" function in Illustrator.
- In Illustrator:
- Check your Document Color Mode (duh).
- Check the dropdown menu in the color tool palette. Confirm that RGB is selected, and not Grayscale or other.
- Select your vectors and bring up the color dialog. Edit menu -> Edit Colors -> RGB
- Laser chamber fills with smoke.
- Check that the air filter is working, by manually toggling the air filter power button. On the airfilter console, this button's icon is a circle with a line through it. If it's not running, stop working and notify the #laser Slack channel or the Board.
Maintenance
Lens Cleaning
Air Filter Replacements
The air filter has 5 different layers and usually the top fiberglass one needs cleaning about every 2 weeks, depending on usage.
The 3 below that get replaced after 1000 hours.
From top down, they are:
- Screen
- Fiberglass
- Cartridge
- 70 lbs activated charcoal
- Fiberglass
Mirror Cleaning
Beam Alignment
Bed Leveling
Replace Honeycomb Bed
A replacement can be found on eBay for much less than it can be purchased from Trotec.
Search for: Aluminum Honeycomb Sheet / Honeycomb Grid Core - 1/2" cell, 24"x48", T=1.00"
Extricate the old honeycomb from the frame, keeping close track of the bolts. Count the cells in the X and Y. Cut the new honeycomb using the same number of cells. Re-assemble frame.