Laser Cutting

 Laser Cutting Documentation Blog Entry


In this page, I will describe:

  1. The 4 important hazards associated to the operation of laser cutting machine and their respective safety control measures (administrative/engineering control).

  2. The materials that can be cut and can’t be cut using laser cutting machine.

  3. The steps including pictures on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter, that consist of:

  1. Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutter machine and fume extractor.

  2. Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.

  3. Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.

  4. Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.

  5. DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.

  1. My Learning reflection on the laser cutter activities.



  1. These are the 4 important hazards and the respective safety control measures on the operation of laser cutting machine:

Hazards

Safety control measures

Pictures to support the explanation

1. Smokes and fumes are produced during the laser cutter operation.

A fume extractor is installed to remove the gas.

2. Dust and debris on the material can cause fire.

Air assist is installed to blow air to remove the smoke and debris and prevent flare ups.

3. Laser can cause injuries to the eye and skin.

Safety interlock that switches the laser off when the lid is opened.

4. A fire can occur while using the laser cutter.

Fire extinguisher available for users to put out fire.



  1. Below are the materials that can be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in FabLab.

Material

Photo of material

1.Paper/ White Card

2.Cardboard

3.Balsa Wood

4.Acrylic

5.Plywood


Below are the materials that can’t be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in Fablab.

Material

Photo of material

1.PVC

2.Metal

3.Foam

4.Rubber


  1. Below are the steps on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter machine in FabLab:

  1. Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutting machine and fume extractor.

Steps and description

Photos to support the description

Switch on the power for the laser cutter, Air assist and Extractor.

(T1442)

(Makerspace)


  1. Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.

Steps and description

Photos to support the description

Select File at the top right hand corner> Import > Select your .DXF file and press import

Select the shape and text and change the settings accordingly to cut or engrave.


To vector cut or vector engrave, use the outline pen.


To engrave, use the fill tool.





  1. Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.

Steps and description

Photos to support the description

Once the file is ready, sent to print.

Click on “File” 🡪 Select “Print”

Click on the cogwheel for settings

Click on “Load” after the Universal Material settings appear

Select the presets that matches your material type and thickness and select OPEN

Check the various details. Once done click “Ok”.

Click on Print.


  1. Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.

Steps and description

Photos to support the description

On the UCP, click on the power button to activate the laser cutter.

Use the move tool to move the object to an empty space.

Check if the file is within the safe cutting area. Use the focus tool and click as close as possible to the extreme bottom right corner of the file. Repeat for the top right corner.

Click on the Estimate time button and press the start button to check timing.

To start printing, shut the lid gently.


Press either the PLAY button on UCP or the Physical button on the Laser cutter

Monitor the cut by glancing at it. Don’t stare.


Once done, wait for around 1 minute before lifting the lid.


Gently lift up the lid after extraction is done.


Tap on the cut material to see if it is free from its main material


  1. DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.

DOs and DONTs

Photos to support the description

Do hit the emergency stop button

Do open up the lid of the laser cutter

Do try to blow off the flame


Do remove the material and step on it to put out the fire


Do use the fire extinguisher if its uncontrollable

Do notify the staff 


Don’t leave the laser cutter to continue operating



  1. Below is my Learning Reflection on the laser cutter activities.

Through the practical, I learnt to operate the laser cutter and the various things to take note of. Laser cutting seems intimidating to me at the start. When I was told that there was a competency test on this, I was shocked😱 as we had never operated the laser cutter before. The competency test will be the first time we operate the laser cutter. Luckily with the SOP I created and Dr Noel’s advice, I was able to passed the test in time🥳. His advice was to highlight everything and make it green and hairline. After that, change the outline to cut to red. This makes it simpler and less time consuming as I do not have to individually change the different lines and objects to engrave. I can use this tip in the future.

In ICPD, I encountered a problem when creating a slot and tab for the cardboard marble run machine. Some of the pieces could fit nicely while others were loose. Through trial and error, I learnt that I had to draw the slot to be smaller and not the exact length as the tabs so that it would not be loose. From the lesson, I also learnt that this problem is called Kerf and I will also encounter it when I’m using the laser cutter. This is something that I have to bear in mind when planning the dimensions📏 of the object for future projects.

The laser cutter was also much faster than using the 3D printer. It was able to cut out and engrave the key chain within one minute. If I were to use a 3D printer, it would have taken at least 10 minutes. Learning to use the laser cutter is a very useful skill that I acquired. It is able to cut out the shape neatly as compared to using a scroll saw machine that I learnt to use in secondary school. In order to make use of the laser cutter and the 3D print, I will still need the important skill of using Fusion360. Hence, I would need to brush up on my Fusion360 skills. Laser cutting is an essential skill to have in the future when I’m doing the CPDD project and in the capstone project. It takes a shorter time than using the 3D printer and time🕒 is very crucial as we may not have all the time in the world just to complete a certain task or create a certain part for the project.