Big red laser cutter - Revision history

Indoorjetpacks: /* General Info */

2026-03-26T03:14:45Z

General Info

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 25 March 2026
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	# Never run the laser cutter while the lid is open.		# Never run the laser cutter while the lid is open.

	'''Help I tripped the breaker''		'''Help I tripped the breaker'''

	This is how to reset the [[breaker]] that the laser (and sewing/3dprinting/hardware corner) is on		This is how to reset the [[breaker]] that the laser (and sewing/3dprinting/hardware corner) is on

Indoorjetpacks: /* General Info */

2026-03-26T03:14:04Z

General Info

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 25 March 2026
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	# Never look directly at the laser beam. While wearing eye protection, you may look at the point that the laser is cutting your material. However, you should NEVER look directly into a laser beam, even if wearing safety goggles.		# Never look directly at the laser beam. While wearing eye protection, you may look at the point that the laser is cutting your material. However, you should NEVER look directly into a laser beam, even if wearing safety goggles.
	# Never run the laser cutter while the lid is open.		# Never run the laser cutter while the lid is open.

			'''Help I tripped the breaker''
			This is how to reset the [[breaker]] that the laser (and sewing/3dprinting/hardware corner) is on

	== Operation Instructions ==		== Operation Instructions ==

Isilva: added lens cleaning

2025-07-17T04:37:58Z

added lens cleaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:37, 16 July 2025
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	You may find that moving the "head" is much easier than moving the material placed on the bed!		You may find that moving the "head" is much easier than moving the material placed on the bed!

	== ~~other~~ software ==		== Other software ==

	As mentioned, RDWorks can also be used. We haven't tried it yet but it seems it's a free download [https://www.thunderlaser.com/laser-download from here].		As mentioned, RDWorks can also be used. We haven't tried it yet but it seems it's a free download [https://www.thunderlaser.com/laser-download from here].
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	== ventilation ducting ==		== ventilation ducting ==

	=== ~~cleaning~~ ===		=== Cleaning ===

			Clean the lens monthly

	If the exhaust fan is not working well, it might need to be cleaned.		If the exhaust fan is not working well, it might need to be cleaned.

Paigep at 04:24, 7 May 2024

2024-05-07T04:24:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 6 May 2024
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	The Melbourne Makerspace has the same laser and have a [https://wiki.melbournemakerspace.org/Laser%20Cutter nicely written wiki page on it].		The Melbourne Makerspace has the same laser and have a [https://wiki.melbournemakerspace.org/Laser%20Cutter nicely written wiki page on it].

	''Be aware:'' lasers are very dangerous~~, particularly to eyes.~~ Review these [https://ehs.mit.edu/workplace-safety-program/laser-cutter-safety/ safety guidelines]~~, use eye protection~~, and carry an appropriate level of fear of the laser at all times.

			[[File:Caution-danger-sign.jpg\|thumb]]
			''Be aware:'' lasers are very dangerous! Review these [https://ehs.mit.edu/workplace-safety-program/laser-cutter-safety/ safety guidelines], and carry an appropriate level of fear of the laser at all times. Hazards include:

			'''Fire hazard'''

			Lasers create high heat, and can cause materials to catch on fire. Certain materials and types of designs (i.e very dense/small objects) are more prone to fire.

			To minimize fire risk, remember to...
			# Never leave laser unattended. Be prepared to respond promptly in case of fire. Familiarize yourself with where the fire extinguisher and water spray bottle are before using. You should never see a prolonged flame while using the laser cutter.
			# If you see a candle sized flame for more than 3 seconds while cutting, stop the laser, check/adjust bed height, power/speed settings, or use a different material.

			'''Respiratory Hazard'''

			Laser cutters create fumes and small particulates.

			To minimize respiratory hazards, remember to...
			# Only cut and engrave [[LASER SAFE material]]. Some materials can emit toxic fumes when laser cut, and should never be used in the laser cutter!
			# Always have the ventilation fan on while using the laser cutter, and for a few minutes after you are done. Even laser safe materials aren't good to breathe in. There is also an air purifier next to the laser cutter that is nice to have on.
			# Check in with other people in the room before using the laser cutter to see if they are sensitive to fumes. Be accommodating!

			'''Laser Hazard'''

			To minimize laser exposure hazards, remember to..
			# Never look directly at the laser beam. While wearing eye protection, you may look at the point that the laser is cutting your material. However, you should NEVER look directly into a laser beam, even if wearing safety goggles.
			# Never run the laser cutter while the lid is open.

	== Operation Instructions ==		== Operation Instructions ==
			# First turn on the laser cutter control switch, located on the right side of the machine.
			[[File:Laser_control_switch.jpg\|showing laser control switch on\|thumb]]

	=== Preparing Material ===		=== Preparing Material ===
	# Put LASER SAFE ~~Material~~ on the bed		# Put [[LASER SAFE material]] on the bed
	# ~~Put~~ laser head above your material		# Use the control pad arrow keys to move the laser head above your material. We want it above the material to properly set the bed height
	# ~~Move~~ the bed up and down ~~until the laser at~~ correct ~~focus~~ height above your material		# Once laser head above material, use the knob inside the laser cutter to move the bed up and down. The correct height is about 3/4" above your material. You can use the "laser focus height" tool as reference.

	~~=== Turning on the laser ===~~		[[File:Laser_bed_z_adjust.jpg\|showing where Z adjust height is for laser\|frameless]]
	~~# Turn on the blower~~
	~~# Enable the laser~~
	~~# Power on the controller~~
	~~# Power on the~~ laser

	~~To begin using~~ the laser~~, turn~~ on the power strip ~~sitting~~ on ~~the left side~~ of the laser. You~~'ll~~ hear the ~~blower plugged into this strip begin running~~. ~~Next~~, ~~turn the key below~~ the ~~controller~~ on the ~~front right corner~~. ~~Then turn~~ on the ~~two switches~~ on the ~~right~~ side of the ~~cutter. Both will illuminate. The upper one will turn~~ on the ~~controller, and~~ the ~~display will illuminate~~. ~~The other one sends power to the~~ laser. ~~It won't light up if the~~ key ~~enabling the laser is off.~~		[[File:Laser_bed_correct_bed_height.jpg\|showing correct bed height for laser\|frameless]]

			[[File:Laser_bed_correct_bed_height_with_tool.jpg\|showing correct bed height for laser with tool\|frameless]]

			=== Turning on the laser and exhaust ===
			# Turn on the exhaust fan by switching on the power strip on top of the laser cutter. You should hear the exhaust fan turn on. Also, switch on the air purifier on the desk.
			[[File:Laser_exhaust_fan.jpg\|exhaust fan for laser cutter\|thumb]]

			[[File:Laser_air_purifier.jpg\|air purifier near the laser cutter\|thumb]]

			# Enable the laser by turning on the laser switch on the left side of the machine, and turning the key on the front of the machine.
			[[File:Laser_switch.jpg\|showing laser switch on\|thumb]]

			[[File:Laser_key_switch.jpg\|showing laser key switch on\|thumb]]

	=== Preparing the file ===		=== Preparing the file ===
	# Open ~~Lightburn~~		The following steps should be done on the computer near the laser cutter, which has LightBurn installed on it.
	# Import or ~~draw the~~ image
	# ~~Adjust settings~~. Use this chart [[Big red laser cutter settings]]		# Open LightBurn on computer next to the laser cutter
	~~# Send it~~ to ~~the laser~~		# Import a vector file (dxf, pdf, etc) or image (rastering), or use LightBurn to create a design.
	~~# Click “Send”~~		# Set the color of items to define how you want them cut or engraved, then double click the colors in the pane on the right to set the laser speed, power, and other features associated with that color. Black can be used to cut and red to etch, for instance. Use this chart to get a ballpark reference for speed and power settings: [[Big red laser cutter settings]]. It is recommended to do a "test cut" before cutting out a large file to be sure your speed and power settings are good.
	~~# Enter~~ a ~~name and press enter.~~
	~~# Wait for the~~ file to ~~send~~.

	~~Open a DXF, PDF or other vector file to create a path to cut along. You can compose projects in Lightburn or in other programs (see below) and then open them in~~ Lightburn, import them, or copy and paste contents over. Set the color of items to define how you want them cut or printed, then double click the colors in the pane on the right to set the laser speed, power, and other features associated with that color. Black can be used to cut and red to etch, for instance. Look up the recommended speed and power for a given material and thickness, then test as necessary to figure out a good balance. Select "absolute coordinates" to define the placement relative to the bed. Select "user origin" to set the placement on the bed manually. The device should be set to ttyUSB0, Ruida664GX.		[[File:Lightburn layer tips.png\|frameless\|LightBurn layer settings]]

	~~When you're read~~ to ~~cut~~, click ~~"Send" and a box will open asking for~~ a name. If the ~~name exists, it will ask for confirmation~~ to ~~overwrite~~.		# Select "absolute coordinates" to define the placement relative to the bed. Select "user origin" to set the placement on the bed manually. The device should be set to ttyUSB0, Ruida664GX.
			# Once happy with design, click “Send”
			# Enter a name (or just use default to override) and press enter.
			# Wait for the file to send.

	=== Running the laser ===		=== Running the laser ===
	# ~~Press~~ "File" to see available files.		The following steps should be done using the control panel on the laser cutter itself.

			# On the laser cutter control panel, press "File" to see available files.
	# Scroll and press “Enter” to select a file.		# Scroll and press “Enter” to select a file.
	# Set the origin if necessary.		# Set the origin if necessary.
	# Press ~~“Frame”~~ to confirm placement.		# Press “Frame" to confirm placement. When you press this, the laser cutter head will trace around the max coordinates, to show you where your design will be cut.
	# ~~Press~~ “Start”.		# If the frame is correct press “Start”, and the laser will run.

	=== Having Trouble Setting the Origin? ===		=== Having Trouble Setting the Origin? ===
	If you are using ~~Lightburn~~ to compose your project, be sure to use the setting "Current Position".<br>		If you are using LightBurn to compose your project, be sure to use the setting "Current Position".<br>
	Otherwise, ~~Lightburn~~ may override any origin you set at the laser cutter.		Otherwise, LightBurn may override any origin you set at the laser cutter.

	Setting the origin on the laser cutter is easy.<br>		Setting the origin on the laser cutter is easy.<br>

Paigep: /* cleaning */

2024-05-07T03:00:28Z

cleaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 6 May 2024
Line 106:		Line 106:

	To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access.		To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access.
	[[File:Laser_fan_detach.jpg\|showing where to detach laser exhaust fan]]
			[[File:Laser_fan_detach.jpg\|showing where to detach laser exhaust fan\|frameless]]

	This is what the fan looks like detached		This is what the fan looks like detached
	[[File:Laser_fan_detached.png\|detached laser exhaust fan]]
			[[File:Laser_fan_detached.png\|detached laser exhaust fan\|frameless]]

	This is dirty and needs to be cleaned		This is dirty and needs to be cleaned
	~~[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.jpg\|dirty laser exhaust fan]]~~

	Use a vacuum and toothbrush/wire brush to clean. A n95 is recommended too.		[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.jpg\|dirty laser exhaust fan\|frameless]]
	[[File:Laser_fan_clean.jpg\|clean laser exhaust fan]]
			Use a vacuum and toothbrush/wire brush to clean. A n95 mask is recommended too.

			[[File:Laser_fan_clean.jpg\|clean laser exhaust fan\|frameless]]

	=== history ===		=== history ===

Paigep: /* cleaning */

2024-05-07T02:57:19Z

cleaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 6 May 2024
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	This is what the fan looks like detached		This is what the fan looks like detached
	[[File:Laser_fan_detached.~~jpg~~\|detached laser exhaust fan]]		[[File:Laser_fan_detached.png\|detached laser exhaust fan]]

	This is dirty and needs to be cleaned		This is dirty and needs to be cleaned

Paigep: /* cleaning */

2024-05-07T02:56:00Z

cleaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 6 May 2024
Line 106:		Line 106:

	To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access.		To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access.
	[[File:Laser_fan_detach.~~png~~\|showing where to detach laser exhaust fan]]		[[File:Laser_fan_detach.jpg\|showing where to detach laser exhaust fan]]

	This is what the fan looks like detached		This is what the fan looks like detached
	[[File:Laser_fan_detached.~~png~~\|detached laser exhaust fan]]		[[File:Laser_fan_detached.jpg\|detached laser exhaust fan]]

	This is dirty and needs to be cleaned		This is dirty and needs to be cleaned
	[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.~~png~~\|dirty laser exhaust fan]]		[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.jpg\|dirty laser exhaust fan]]

	Use a vacuum and toothbrush/wire brush to clean. A n95 is recommended too.		Use a vacuum and toothbrush/wire brush to clean. A n95 is recommended too.
	[[File:Laser_fan_clean.~~png~~\|clean laser exhaust fan]]		[[File:Laser_fan_clean.jpg\|clean laser exhaust fan]]

	=== history ===		=== history ===

Paigep: /* ventilation ducting */

2024-05-07T02:53:54Z

ventilation ducting

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:53, 6 May 2024
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	=== cleaning ===		=== cleaning ===

	~~[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.png\|dirty laser~~ exhaust fan~~\|thumb]]~~		If the exhaust fan is not working well, it might need to be cleaned.

	=== history~~/building~~===		To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access.
			[[File:Laser_fan_detach.png\|showing where to detach laser exhaust fan]]

			This is what the fan looks like detached
			[[File:Laser_fan_detached.png\|detached laser exhaust fan]]

			This is dirty and needs to be cleaned
			[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.png\|dirty laser exhaust fan]]

			Use a vacuum and toothbrush/wire brush to clean. A n95 is recommended too.
			[[File:Laser_fan_clean.png\|clean laser exhaust fan]]

			=== history ===
	a plastic adaptor was 3D printed to connect the 6" outlet of the exhaust fan to the 8" flexible duct leading to the roof hole:		a plastic adaptor was 3D printed to connect the 6" outlet of the exhaust fan to the 8" flexible duct leading to the roof hole:
	<code>laserduct.scad		<code>laserduct.scad

Paigep: /* ventilation ducting */

2024-05-07T02:47:00Z

ventilation ducting

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:47, 6 May 2024
Line 100:		Line 100:

	== ventilation ducting ==		== ventilation ducting ==

			=== cleaning ===

			[[File:Laser_fan_dirty.png\|dirty laser exhaust fan\|thumb]]

			=== history/building===
	a plastic adaptor was 3D printed to connect the 6" outlet of the exhaust fan to the 8" flexible duct leading to the roof hole:		a plastic adaptor was 3D printed to connect the 6" outlet of the exhaust fan to the 8" flexible duct leading to the roof hole:
	<code>laserduct.scad		<code>laserduct.scad

Paigep: /* Operation Instructions */

2024-03-20T16:10:50Z

Operation Instructions

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:10, 20 March 2024
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	== Operation Instructions ==		== Operation Instructions ==

			=== Preparing Material ===
			# Put LASER SAFE Material on the bed
			# Put laser head above your material
			# Move the bed up and down until the laser at correct focus height above your material

	=== Turning on the laser ===		=== Turning on the laser ===