Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines

This is a very short guide that explains how to use of laser cutting machines.

Laser cutting machines allow users to instruct through software the designs that it will follows to cut a material, these includes size, height, shapes, etc.

Introduction

The process start creating a vector graphic, that is a scalable image that follow a defined function, this able the user and system to resize the image holding the form or function if desired. Once the graphic is created it can be opened with the software that controls the laser cutter.

Time: Many works last seconds to be completed, others with more instructions or different settings can last from minutes to hours.

Tools and equipment required

Laser cutting machine

It consist in a bed or grill where the material is placed and a shield to protect users, also a cover. (Max size of material 12x24 inches). It also can include an air filter, this allow to extract any toxic material generated during the cutting process.

The laser cutting machine that we will working with are made by 2 manufacturers: Glowforge and Universal Laser Systems. Any of then or both can be used as learning platform.

Universal Laser Systems

Universal Laser Systems is a developer of laser cutting machines, the model that we will use is VLS 3.5

Software used to control the laser cutting machine: UCP (Universal Laser System Control Panel) V 5.38.58

Material maximum thickness for cutting: 1/4 inches (0.25 inches).

Glowforge

Glowforge is a developer of laser cutting machines, the models that we will use are Glowforge plus and Glowforge pro.

Important: Both systems do not operate in the same way:

knowing how to use a glowforge machine does not prepare to use a uLS machine, since the way to operate them is different. Knowing how to use a ULS machine does not prepare to use a Glowforge machine. since the way to operate them is different.

Other tools

Computer connected to the laser cutting machine with a version of its control software installed.

Level peg: Its allow to level the position of the bed in the machine, this allows precise cutting when using the machine.

Other used tools include:

Calipers: Tool used to measure the thickness of the material.

A material to cut: Some laser cutting machines have a limit in the thickness of the material or in the types of materials that can cut. In some cases 1/4 0.125 or less

Auxiliary software

Auxiliary software for vector drawing: Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape and others.

A vector graphics editor software such as Illustrator or Inkscape, they are used to generate scalable image files.

Time

The time required to complete the cutting can range from seconds to hours, depending on the complexity of the project.

Observations:

• Sometimes the used software can operates only with inches measure and not centimeters, mm, etc.
• Sometimes the used software can operates only with RGB color model (Red, green and blue) and not with CMYK color mode (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key).
• Unfinished wood could be preferred, since it is not coated with flammable or odor materials.

Laser machines use guide

Use of Universal Laser Systems cutting machines

In this guide you will learn the steps to use ULC cutting machines, the guide is accessible in the following page:

Use of Universal Laser Systems cutting machines

Use of Universal GlowForge cutting machines

In this guide you will learn the steps to use GlowForge cutting machines, the guide is accessible in the following page:

Use of Glowforge cutting machines

Safety measures

• Never stare at the laser light directly nor with binoculars, microscopes, etc. The intense light during laser engraving or cutting can permanently the eye sight, it can cause cataracts and burns (retinal burn). To monitor the engraving can be used cellphones camera along there is not direct eye seeing of the laser beam.

Some other safety measures can be implemented such as the follow:

• An air filter will be used (BOFA AD-500 iQ Laser Fume & Dust extraction system): It will be turned on before start the cutting. It will extract all the gas and particles produced during the cutting process.

• Illumination and emergency illumination controls to properly see the environment.

• Motion detection to detect movement in the laser cutting room.

• Supervision of the cutting during the cutting process.

• Installation of alarm buttons to use in case of accidents, that can be connected with emergency response services.

• Instructions about what to do in case if an accident occurs, such as contact personal.

• Some installations include a kill switch that turn off all the equipment, including the laser cutting machine, the computers and monitors connected to the laser cutting machine, this avoid to turn off each component, but should be used just in emergencies.

Use of Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting and Inkscape for Laser Cutting

Many applications can be use to "print" vectorial files in laser cutters, among them are the following:

Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Use of Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting

Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Use of Inkscape for Laser Cutting

Laboratory

Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Laboratory

See also

Short introduction to the use of cutting plotter machines

Short guide to printing objects using 3D printers

Short introduction to the use of sewing machines