Difference between revisions of "Workshop: Introduction to 2D laser cutting with the Universal PLS4.75 Laser Cutter"

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''(Generally, this workshop will be offered at least once a week on a rotating basis. Check the [http://designandbuildlab.com/?page_id=445/ Lab calendar] for up-to-date availability!)''
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''(Generally, this workshop is offered at least once every two weeks on a rotating basis. Check the [http://designandbuildlab.com/?page_id=445/ Lab calendar] for up-to-date availability!)''
  
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The PLS4.75 has finally arrived. However, we are still waiting for planning and project management to install the exhaust system. What this means is that we are unable to use the device until further notice.
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The Universal Laser Systems PLS4.75 Laser Cutter is a subtractive manufacturing machine which cuts many different organic materials. It's also dead simple to use once you know the procedure. Upon attending and successfully completing this Workshop, you will be approved to use the PLS4.75 Laser Cutter without supervision.
  
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Please check back for updates!
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== Safety ==
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Every good workshop starts with a safety briefing!
  
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All laser cutters are dangerous machines. There are a host of safety checks in place to make sure that the machine operates as safely as possible, but as the operator, you must also be mindful. There are three important precautions to take when using this machine:
  
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# '''Never run the laser cutter without the filtration/exhaust unit running.'''
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Start of Workshop (first draft) below:
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# '''Never stare into the laser.'''
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# '''NEVER cut anything that isn't on the [[ULS PLS4.75 Laser Cutter#Materials|list of approved materials]]'''.
  
 
==Typical Workflow==
 
==Typical Workflow==
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Typical workflow
 
  
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#Load the stock
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#'''Turn on the filtration/exhaust'''
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#Focus the laser
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#Turn on the laser cutter
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#Load the stock into the machine
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#Send your design to the CAM software
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#Set up the CAM software for cutting
 
#Cut!
 
#Cut!
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#Turn off the laser cutter and filtration/exhaust
  
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<br />
 
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==Loading Stock==
 
 
[[File:Stock alignment.png|thumb|How your stock should be aligned]]
 
[[File:Stock alignment.png|thumb|How your stock should be aligned]]
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Position the material snuggly against the rulers. Your stock should be aligned to the top left corner of the device.
 
  
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=== Turn on the filtration/exhaust ===
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You ''must'' run the filtration/exhaust system any time you are cutting anything on the laser cutter. Turn the system on before you sit down at the computer, before you open the top of the machine - before everything else! The control is located above the top left of the laser cutter; it is a black and silver box mounted to the wall. Turn the knob to "LOW". You will here the unit spin up; if you do not, find a [[Creative and Technical Specialist|CaTS]].
  
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=== Turn on the laser cutter ===
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The power switch for the laser cutter is on the righthand side of the machine, toward the back. Flip it to "1".
  
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=== Load the stock into the machine ===
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Open the top of the machine and place your material snugly against the top left corner rulers. Your stock should typically be aligned here; it doesn't have to be, but it removes any question of misalignment.
  
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==Focusing the Laser==
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=== Send your design to the CAM software ===
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[[File:Focus biutton.png|alt=focus button|thumb|The focus button]]
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You will have likely created your design in something like Inkscape, unfortunately, Inkscapes's printer drivers don't work correctly with the Laser cutter's CAM software. Corel Draw (another vector-drawing program) does work, so that's what we'll use.
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Once you have positioned the material, you will need to focus the laser system by adjusting the Z axis up or down until the top surface of the material is at the focal plane of the lens installed in the laser system. This can be done in a few different ways.
 
  
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The most straight forward approach is to auto focus. Holding the Focus button for one second or more will initiate the Auto Focus routine which will automatically lower the table and then raise the table until the auto-focus sensor in the machine has located the top surface of the material. Auto focusing is complete once the table stops moving.
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# Launch '''Corel Draw'''
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# Open your SVG file and make sure that all objects look correct, and that the size of the object is accurate. (You aren't going to want a keychain design cut the size of a laptop!)
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# Navigate to File --> Print
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# Make sure PLS4.75 is selected in the printer dropdown, and hit Print. This will send your design to the Universal Control Panel ('''UCP''').
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# Open up UCP. It may be hidden in the bottom right of the Windows Taskbar.
  
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Taping the focus button puts the device in manual focusing mode. The best practice is to measure the width of the stock with calipers. Then, manually change the Z axis up and down to match the thickness you just measured with the calipers.  
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=== Set up the CAM software for cutting ===
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<br />
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Now that you've got your design in UCP, double check again that your design looks accurate both structurally and in size. If you left the top of the machine open, you'll notice a red laser underneath the conical head of the cutter. Don't worry - that's just a standard laser pointer! It's there as a guide for you, which you'll now utilize.
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With any luck, your design is in UCP.
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# Switch to the Pointer Tool in the far right column of UCP. Now anywhere you click on the virtual bed will cause the machine to send the laser cutter head to ''exactly'' that spot.
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# Using the red laser pointer as a guide for placing your design:
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## Imagine the laser pointer is aligned with the top left corner of your design.
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## Find an area on your stock where you can fit your design.
 +
## Move the laser pointer to that location such that, assuming the laser pointer is the top left corner of your design, it will fit.
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# Now switch to the Move Tool in the far right column of UCP.
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# Click "To Pointer".
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# Rejoice!
  
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== Start the Cut ==
 
 
[[File:Start Button.png|thumb|The start button]]
 
[[File:Start Button.png|thumb|The start button]]
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Start the laser job by pressing the start button on the control panel or in the UCP. And... your off!
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=== Cut! ===
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Make sure to close the top of the machine. Start the laser job by pressing the start button on the control panel or in the UCP, and watch the magic happen!
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=== Turn off the laser cutter and filtration/exhaust ===
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In reverse order to how you started, first turn off the laser cutter, then the filtration/exhaust. Congratulations on your lasering!

Revision as of 22:50, 17 May 2019

(Generally, this workshop is offered at least once every two weeks on a rotating basis. Check the Lab calendar for up-to-date availability!)

The Universal Laser Systems PLS4.75 Laser Cutter is a subtractive manufacturing machine which cuts many different organic materials. It's also dead simple to use once you know the procedure. Upon attending and successfully completing this Workshop, you will be approved to use the PLS4.75 Laser Cutter without supervision.

Safety

Every good workshop starts with a safety briefing!

All laser cutters are dangerous machines. There are a host of safety checks in place to make sure that the machine operates as safely as possible, but as the operator, you must also be mindful. There are three important precautions to take when using this machine:

  1. Never run the laser cutter without the filtration/exhaust unit running.
  2. Never stare into the laser.
  3. NEVER cut anything that isn't on the list of approved materials.

Typical Workflow

  1. Turn on the filtration/exhaust
  2. Turn on the laser cutter
  3. Load the stock into the machine
  4. Send your design to the CAM software
  5. Set up the CAM software for cutting
  6. Cut!
  7. Turn off the laser cutter and filtration/exhaust
How your stock should be aligned

Turn on the filtration/exhaust

You must run the filtration/exhaust system any time you are cutting anything on the laser cutter. Turn the system on before you sit down at the computer, before you open the top of the machine - before everything else! The control is located above the top left of the laser cutter; it is a black and silver box mounted to the wall. Turn the knob to "LOW". You will here the unit spin up; if you do not, find a CaTS.

Turn on the laser cutter

The power switch for the laser cutter is on the righthand side of the machine, toward the back. Flip it to "1".

Load the stock into the machine

Open the top of the machine and place your material snugly against the top left corner rulers. Your stock should typically be aligned here; it doesn't have to be, but it removes any question of misalignment.

Send your design to the CAM software

You will have likely created your design in something like Inkscape, unfortunately, Inkscapes's printer drivers don't work correctly with the Laser cutter's CAM software. Corel Draw (another vector-drawing program) does work, so that's what we'll use.

  1. Launch Corel Draw
  2. Open your SVG file and make sure that all objects look correct, and that the size of the object is accurate. (You aren't going to want a keychain design cut the size of a laptop!)
  3. Navigate to File --> Print
  4. Make sure PLS4.75 is selected in the printer dropdown, and hit Print. This will send your design to the Universal Control Panel (UCP).
  5. Open up UCP. It may be hidden in the bottom right of the Windows Taskbar.

Set up the CAM software for cutting

Now that you've got your design in UCP, double check again that your design looks accurate both structurally and in size. If you left the top of the machine open, you'll notice a red laser underneath the conical head of the cutter. Don't worry - that's just a standard laser pointer! It's there as a guide for you, which you'll now utilize.

With any luck, your design is in UCP.

  1. Switch to the Pointer Tool in the far right column of UCP. Now anywhere you click on the virtual bed will cause the machine to send the laser cutter head to exactly that spot.
  2. Using the red laser pointer as a guide for placing your design:
    1. Imagine the laser pointer is aligned with the top left corner of your design.
    2. Find an area on your stock where you can fit your design.
    3. Move the laser pointer to that location such that, assuming the laser pointer is the top left corner of your design, it will fit.
  3. Now switch to the Move Tool in the far right column of UCP.
  4. Click "To Pointer".
  5. Rejoice!
The start button

Cut!

Make sure to close the top of the machine. Start the laser job by pressing the start button on the control panel or in the UCP, and watch the magic happen!

Turn off the laser cutter and filtration/exhaust

In reverse order to how you started, first turn off the laser cutter, then the filtration/exhaust. Congratulations on your lasering!

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