Revision as of 21:27, 23 August 2014

[Equipment|Back to list of Equipment]]

General

Do not use the laser without being trained. Ask questions. If you have any doubts, refrain from lasering.
If the laser is moved, it must be recalibrated. Laser calibration is a long and difficult process.
Install the laser tube with the water outlet facing up.
The laser is intentionally pulled a couple feet from the wall for access.
The laser control software will not work without the USB dongle installed. This dongle is a $250 device.
Do not set power higher than 85% or lower than 10%. Higher power simply saturates the power supply and results in no benefit. Lower power does not lase.
If a fire begins, open the laser lid immediately. This interrupts power to the laser.

Add a couple of tablespoons of roundup to the coolant, and it won't need changed as often.

Turn on the filter located to the left of the laser.
Turn on the laser.
Home the X and Y Axes by pressing the "X-Y 0" button. If the laser doesn't home, ensure that the machine is not in "Jog" mode. If any menu item is highlighted, the machine is not in "Jog" mode.
Jog the Z Axis until your material will fit under the laser head.
Jog the home switch of the laser head over your material. Ensure the laser is in "Jog" mode by pressing "Esc" under no menu items are selected.
Home the Z Axis by pressing the "Z 0" button. The Z axis will automatically back off to the correct focus point.
Open the "Laser Cut Table" software on the laser PC.
Import your project, or draw a test shape. (It is HIGHLY recommended that you test your cut settings on scrap material before attempting a real cut).
In the upper right-hand corner, set the laser power and speed settings. Use the settings in the manual as a guideline.
Click "Calculate" to generate G-Code.
Click "Download" to send G-Code to the laser.
On the "Download" menu, press, "Delete All," followed by "Download Current." This ensures that your project is the only one loaded on the laser.
Jog the laser head to the upper-right corner of your intended cut area.
Press the "Test" button to see the area that will be cut by the laser. Ensure that your material is lined up correctly.
Close the lid of the laser.
Press "Start" to begin cutting.

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 |where=Common Room
 }}
+= About =
+* 80 Watt Laser
+* 1200 mm x 900 mm cutting area (~4'x3')
 =Important Laser Guidelines=
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 * Add a couple of tablespoons of roundup to the coolant, and it won't need changed as often.
+= Maintenance Schedule =
+* Weekly
+** Clean the lens
+* Monthly
+** Clean the lens reflecting mirror
+* Every 2 months
+** Clean the X-axis mirror
+* Every 3 months
+** Clean the Y-axis mirror
+* Every 4 months
+** Clean the laser tube lens
+* As needed
+** Dump crumbs out of the vacuum table collector
 =Where to find information=