Changes

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 Safety|Laser Safety]]==

<youtube>rjiHHtYY53M</youtube>

<youtube>rjiHHtYY53M</youtube>

*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.

*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.

'''Tips: There are a few important safety features incorporated into the laser cutter. Placed on the glass lid is a magnetic switch. If the lid is opened while the laser is running, the lense mechanism will keep moving, but the laser will stop firing. This means that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to burn yourself with the laser. A similar mechanism is incorporated into the front door.'''

'''Tips: There are a few important safety features incorporated into the laser cutter. Placed on the glass lid is a magnetic switch. If the lid is opened while the laser is running, the lense mechanism will keep moving, but the laser will stop firing. This means that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to burn yourself with the laser. A similar mechanism is incorporated into the front door.'''

== Laser Cutter Components ==

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

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.

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}}

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

==How to Laser Cut in the Makerspace==

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

** 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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