Difference between revisions of "Big red laser cutter"

== General Info ==

=== Introduction ===

=== Maintenance ===

''To be performed '''monthly'''''

=== Dangers ===

''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.

'''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!

# 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 run the laser cutter while the lid is open.

== Known Issues ==

Firstly, this thing is '''''great''''' and we love it, flaws and all! Here are some quirks that should be solved or worked around.

=== Crooked Bed ===

The cut bed and guides are rotated slightly anti-clockwise, this means anything you align to the guide will be off a bit of what you may expect. For example, a straight horizontal line engraved on a piece aligned to the left edge guide will appear at a downward angle from left to right, on the piece. This also means if you start at (0, 0) and cut straight down ''you'll cut into the the guide'', oh no!

=== Non-Level Bed ===

== Operation Instructions ==

# First turn on the laser cutter control switch, located on the right side of the machine.

=== Preparing 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" '''(UPDATE: use 17mm block)''' above your material. You can use the "laser focus height" tool as reference.

=== 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.

# 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.

=== Preparing the file ===

The following steps should be done on the computer near the laser cutter, which has LightBurn installed on it.

# Import a vector file (svg, dxf, pdf, etc.), raster image, or create a design in LightBurn.

# 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.

# 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”

of the bounding rectangle around your artwork.

You may find that moving the "head" is much easier than moving the material placed on the bed!

== Other software ==

I ran the commands here: https://laserweb.yurl.ch/documentation/installation/36-install-raspberry-pi. But the server gave an error when started:

  <nowiki>

Server binding to all local IP addresses on port: 8000

   requireStack: [ '/home/laser/Programs/lw.comm-server/server.js' ]

}</nowiki>

== Stuff made on the big red laser cutter ==

== Ventilation ducting ==

=== History ===

A plastic adapter was 3D printed to connect the 6" outlet of the exhaust fan to the 8" flexible duct leading to the roof hole:

  <nowiki>

laserduct.scad

   }

}</nowiki>

Also the duct/roof interface was improved and a new stand was made for the extractor fan. Yay for milk crates!