Laser cutter

Two types of laser cutters are available in the CAMlab. Two small ones with a working area of 300x600 mm (12x24 in) and two large ones with a working area of 800x450 mm (32x18 in).

We assume the drawings handed in are made according to the requirements in Lasercutting. Drawings should be returned or rejected when requirements are not met.

Large laser cutter

Operating panel

1. Start button to start a loaded file
2. Display. Normally loaded files are displayed. It is possible to set the height of the cutting table and change factory settings of the machine in other operating modes.
3. Arrow buttons to change the height of the cutting table and to scroll through different factory settings.
4. Confirm button in settings mode. Fine-tune button when setting height of the cutting table.
5. Cancel button
6. Button to pause a laser cutting job
7. Button to resume a paused job
8. Arrows buttons to move the laser head above the cutting table
9. Z button to set the height
10. Indicator lights
11. Bottons to scroll through loaded files

Powering on

1. First check the lens for dirt and soot. Unscrew the screws and if needed clean the lens and mirror with a wooden cotton bud (Q-tip). Do one or two drops of optical cleaner on the tip. Don't soak it. Clean the lens from the middle with a rotating movement without making streaks.
   
2. Power the machine on. The power switch is reachable at the far right end of the machine.
3. Press on the left side of the switch to turn on the compressor. The compressor should make noise building up pressure and the switch lights up. Do not press on the right side of the switch. Nothings happens except the switch lights up also.
   
4. Finally power on the air filter. This one makes a noise of a plane taking off. The machine is now ready for use. Air should flow from the cone. If you think the air flow is low check for loose hoses and the inside of the cone for build up dirt and soot. The screw is on the left side of the laser head (see arrow). If cleaning does not help, report the problem to the collegues of the CAMlab.
   

Behind the machine on the left side -very easy- there is a pressure regulator

Placing the material

Make sure the cone does not collide with the material. In doubt press the Z-button [9] before placing your material, press the down arrow [3] and press the Z-button [9] again. The laser head should move back to its home position.

1. Place your material in the (lower-left) corner of the cutting table.
2. Press the Z-button [9]. The laser head moves somewhere to the middle of the cutting table.
   
3. Place the focus tool on the material with the flat side resting against the laser head.
4. Move the cutting table with the arrow buttons [3] and press the Select button [4] to fine-tune the movement. Move the cutting table upward until the focus tool just tilts or just starts to move. This will occur when the bottom edge of the laser head meets with the beveled edge of the focus tool.
5. Press the Z-button when finished. The laser head moves to its home position.

Laser cutting

First time steps

When you logon for the first time on the computer connected to the large laser cutters, your profile for AutoCAD is empty. You have to copy some files to different locations and change some settings.

These files can be found on \\bkstore\BT\toi\002.Projecten\Modellen_Onderzoek\000 Documentatie

1. In AutoCAD go to 'File > Plotter Manager...' and a explorer window will open. Copy all the files and folders from \\bkstore\BT\toi\002.Projecten\Modellen_Onderzoek\000 Documentatie\AutoCAD_pc3-files to this location.
2. Again in AutoCAD go to 'File > Plot Style Manager...' and a similar window will open. Now copy Laser Cutting-Engraving.ctb to this location from \\bkstore\BT\toi\002.Projecten\Modellen_Onderzoek\000 Documentatie\AutoCAD_ctb-file

Sending the file

1. Send the file to the lasercutter:
   • File > Plot... CRTL-P
   • 
   • PLOT
2. Use the same settings as in the dialog box below. Finally (step 6) select window to select the area to be laser cut.
   
3. Click OK to send the file to the laser cutter. The filename will appear in the display [2] of the laser cutter. Press Start [1] to start the lasercutting.

Do not stare too long into the laser beam and do not open the cover during laser cutting

You will hear two long beeps when the job is finished.