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Laser cutting is a technology that uses light amplification by stimulation of emitted radiation or, a laser, to vector or raster stock material. The material removal required to obtain a cut or a raster is obtained by a process called thermal separation. In industry, and depending on the materials involved, the lasers used in the laser cutting process greatly range in power. At the uOttawa Makerspace, depending on the machine, the lasers may output either 50 or 60 watts of ultraviolet light, which can be used to cut through many woods, plastics, and other materials of lesser density. The principle is fairly simple: the laser generated by the machine is reflected to a focusing head, which in turn focuses the power contained in the ultraviolet beam to a small point on the stock, inducing the desired thermal separation. The power of the laser as well as the focusing head path is then adjusted by software to obtain one of two modes of cut: rastering and vectoring.

Laser cutting is a technology that uses light amplification by stimulation of emitted radiation or, a laser, to vector or raster stock material. The material removal required to obtain a cut or a raster is obtained by a process called thermal separation. In industry, and depending on the materials involved, the lasers used in the laser cutting process greatly range in power. At the uOttawa Makerspace, depending on the machine, the lasers may output either 50 or 60 watts of ultraviolet light, which can be used to cut through many woods, plastics, and other materials of lesser density. The principle is fairly simple: the laser generated by the machine is reflected to a focusing head, which in turn focuses the power contained in the ultraviolet beam to a small point on the stock, inducing the desired thermal separation. The power of the laser as well as the focusing head path is then adjusted by software to obtain one of two modes of cut: rastering and vectoring.

 

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/How does Laser Cutting Work?|How does Laser Cutting Work?]]==

==How does Laser Cutting Work?==

It is important to understand that the laser from a laser cutter does not directly cut material, and that it works by leveraging the concepts of optic bending and focusing to orient and focus the laser’s power to a single point in or on the stock material. The focal length of the lens in the machine’s focusing head assembly is therefore an important variable to take into consideration for lasering, and as an operator, the distance of the focusing lens to the stock material must be taken into account if you wish to obtain good results. Always remember to focus your laser. Thankfully, laser cutting machines usually come with a focusing tool of sorts to assist operators with the setup of a lasering job.

It is important to understand that the laser from a laser cutter does not directly cut material, and that it works by leveraging the concepts of optic bending and focusing to orient and focus the laser’s power to a single point in or on the stock material. The focal length of the lens in the machine’s focusing head assembly is therefore an important variable to take into consideration for lasering, and as an operator, the distance of the focusing lens to the stock material must be taken into account if you wish to obtain good results. Always remember to focus your laser. Thankfully, laser cutting machines usually come with a focusing tool of sorts to assist operators with the setup of a lasering job.

Vectoring consists of following vector lines specified in your program. Vectoring is most often used to cut through a material. However, at lower settings it can also be used to engrave. Instead of moving back and forth, the laser is following a “vector”. A vector is a line with a specified direction and magnitude. In other words, a line that connects two points. Our laser has a point of 0.001” (0.0254 mm) in diameter. For a line to be recognized as a vector, the line width has to be the size of the point. We will explain how to do this further in this document.

Vectoring consists of following vector lines specified in your program. Vectoring is most often used to cut through a material. However, at lower settings it can also be used to engrave. Instead of moving back and forth, the laser is following a “vector”. A vector is a line with a specified direction and magnitude. In other words, a line that connects two points. Our laser has a point of 0.001” (0.0254 mm) in diameter. For a line to be recognized as a vector, the line width has to be the size of the point. We will explain how to do this further in this document.

==Laser Safety==

== [[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/Laser Cutter Components|Laser Cutter Components]] ==

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*In operation there is a laser diode pointer (red dot pointer), this is similar to a laser pen but it should never be directed into anyone's eyes.  The actual laser beam that will be cutting is invisible so never modify the enclosure.

*Never disassemble the machine or remove protective covers. Never open the machines access panels while unit is plugged in. The AC input to the Epilog Laser is potentially lethal and fully contained in the cabinet.

 

 

== Laser Cutter Components ==

In order to use a laser cutter, there are 4 parts that need to be available:

In order to use a laser cutter, there are 4 parts that need to be available:

##'''Power:''' Determines the amount of laser energy that is delivered to the piece being cut/engraved and is adjustable in 1% increments.Each materials have their own specific value and can be in “Suggested Material settings” which is located next  to the laser cutters in Makerspace.

##'''Power:''' Determines the amount of laser energy that is delivered to the piece being cut/engraved and is adjustable in 1% increments.Each materials have their own specific value and can be in “Suggested Material settings” which is located next  to the laser cutters in Makerspace.

##'''Frequency:''' Determines the number of laser pulses per inch of cut.Lower the frequency,the less heat being applied to the material. The frequency can range between 1 to 5000..Each materials have their own specific value and can be in “Suggested Material settings” which is located next  to the laser cutters in Makerspace.

##'''Frequency:''' Determines the number of laser pulses per inch of cut.Lower the frequency,the less heat being applied to the material. The frequency can range between 1 to 5000..Each materials have their own specific value and can be in “Suggested Material settings” which is located next  to the laser cutters in Makerspace.

==Material Settings==

 

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/Which Laser Cutters do we have?|Which Laser Cutters do we have?]]==

 

 

 

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/Material Settings|Material Settings]]==

===Materials not allowed in the CO₂ laser===

===Materials not allowed in the CO₂ laser===

Some materials should never be used in the laser as they may cause the release of toxic fumes. Other factors, such as fire hazards and excessive melting, can also make a material undesirable for cutting. Please consult the list below to know if your materials are allowed on the machine. '''If a material is unlisted in the table below and in the allowed materials list, please consult a Makerspace employee''' '''for further guidance.'''

Some materials should never be used in the laser as they may cause the release of toxic fumes. Other factors, such as fire hazards and excessive melting, can also make a material undesirable for cutting. Please consult the list below to know if your materials are allowed on the machine. '''If a material is unlisted in the table below and in the allowed materials list, please consult a Makerspace employee''' '''for further guidance.'''

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==Which Laser Cutters do we have?==

== [[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/How to Laser Cut in the Makerspace|How to Laser Cut in the Makerspace]] ==

The pictures below shows the laser cutters available for use at the Makerspace. The biggest difference between the two laser is the build volume. The Epilog Helix can cut materials with a maximum size of 24 x 18 in while the Epilog mini can cut with a maximum size of 24 x 12.

 

|float=none|buildWidth=610|buildDepth=457|buildHeight=216|buildWidthIN=24|buildDepthIN=18|buildHeightIN=8.5}}

 

==How to Laser Cut in the Makerspace==

To be able to laser cut at the makerspace we require that you either:

To be able to laser cut at the makerspace we require that you either:

===Clean up===

===Clean up===

So that our laser remains operational, it is important that we clean up after each cut. Clean off any debris that can be found on the the laser cutter bed. Using the handles on the front of the laser cutter, open the front of the laser. Empty the debris tray and replace it.

So that our laser remains operational, it is important that we clean up after each cut. Clean off any debris that can be found on the the laser cutter bed. Using the handles on the front of the laser cutter, open the front of the laser. Empty the debris tray and replace it.

===Issues with the Laser Cutter and how to fix them===

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/Troubleshooting Laser Cutter Issues|Troubleshooting Laser Cutter Issues]]==

*File not sending to the Laser Cutter

*File not sending to the Laser Cutter

** Try unplugging the USB-B Cable from the laser and plugging it back, the files should now be available on the Laser Screen

** Try unplugging the USB-A Cable from the laser and plugging it back, the files should now be available on the Laser Screen

**Make sure to choose the Printer that has a "(USB)" at the end of the printer name in Adobe Acrobat Reader

**Make sure to choose the Printer that has a "(USB)" at the end of the printer name in Adobe Acrobat Reader

**Try turning Off and On the laser

**Try turning Off and On the laser

** Make sure that in the Epilog Driver, the "Piece size" is bigger than the size of your document

** Make sure that in the Epilog Driver, the "Piece size" is bigger than the size of your document

==Resources==

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Laser cutting- Beginner/Resources|Resources]]==

Some programs exist to simplify the laser cutting workflow. A few tools are listed below.

Some programs exist to simplify the laser cutting workflow. A few tools are listed below.

===[https://en.makercase.com/#/ Makerbox]===

===[https://en.makercase.com/#/ Makerbox]===

A simulator that shows all the steps to use the laser cutter in the Makerspace

A simulator that shows all the steps to use the laser cutter in the Makerspace

==Resources==

==References==

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