[Noisebridge-discuss] Laser Cutter Here - Pics and info

[Alan Rockefeller]

I spent the last several hours working with the laser cutter.

It has some quirks but in general it works very well.

Here are some pictures of the device:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0189.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0193.jpg

One quirk is that if you are doing a raster engrave, you can not set 
the speed too high.

On the manufacturers website they say this is due to EMI, but I don't 
think that is the case.

Here is some artwork on paper, raster engrave, 85% speed:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0190.jpg

Here is the same image at 71% speed:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0192.jpg

Here is a 4 inch plastic disc:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0185.jpg

8 inch particle board:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/alanrockefeller/IMG_0195.jpg



Todo:  

Improve seal around exhaust vent
Install vent fan for DJ booth
Install a door on the DJ booth
Cover most of the window of the dj booth with plexiglass

These things will help keep the space from smelling like something is 
burning.


Wiki page:  https://www.noisebridge.net/Lasercutter


Safety:

Read the instructions first.  
http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/files/FSL_40w_Hobby_Laser_Manual.pdf

Never turn the current up above 15 milliamps, that will fry the laser 
tube quickly.  It is better to use significantly less power to extend 
the tube life.  All of the things I did today used between 1 and 8 
milliamps and there was plenty of power.  Using too much power on wood 
or paper will start a fire.  Instead of turning up the power, turn down 
the speed or use multiple passes.

Never leave the laser cutter unattended because sometimes things catch 
fire.  A squirt bottle with water is next to the laser to 
put out small fires.  A fire extinguisher is in the corner of the room 
for larger issues.

It is possible to make the laser head bang against the side or top of 
the unit.  This causes an awful noise and must be awful for the gears.  
If the laser cutter makes a banging noise, stop it immediately and 
reposition the laser head before the next cut, or resize the artwork.

Any program can print to the laser cutter, I had success using Inkscape 
and Gimp.  As far as I know Gimp can not do vector cuts.

Do not cut plastics which create hazardous fumes when burned.  Acrylic 
is ok.  PVC releases the very toxic gas phosgene when heated.  ABS is 
bad.  In general, chemical resistant plastics should not be put in the 
laser cutter.  


-Alan Rockefeller