Laser Cutting
- jjinghui21
- Nov 5, 2022
- 3 min read
Hello! In this page, I will describe:
The 4 important hazards associated to the operation of laser cutting machine and their respective safety control measures (administrative/engineering control).
The materials that can be cut and can’t be cut using laser cutting machine.
The steps including pictures on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter, that consist of:
Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutter machine and fume extractor.
Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.
Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.
Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.
DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.
My Learning reflection on the laser cutter activities.
What is laser cutting?
laser cutting is a fabrication process that uses a thin, focused, laser beam to cut and etch materials into designs.
Laser actually means:
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
1. These are the 4 important hazards and the respective safety control measures on the operation of laser cutting machine:
Hazards | Safety Control Measures | Pictures to support explanation |
FIRE |
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Inhalation of toxic fumes produced |
|  |
Blindness from the laser light |
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Physical cuts on our arms |
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2. Below are the materials that can be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in FabLab.
Material | Photo of Material |
Cardboard |  |
Balsa wood |  |
Acrylic |  |
Plywood |  |
3. Below are the materials that can’t be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in Fablab.
Material | Photo of Material |
PVC |  |
Metal |  |
Foam |  |
Rubber |  |
4. Below are the steps on the operation of UNIVERSAL laser cutter machine in FabLab:
a. Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutting machine and fume extractor.
Steps and description | Photos to support the description |
Turn on the switch for the air compressor, exhaust and the laser cutting machine |  |
b. Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving.
Steps and description | Photos to support the description |
Import Fusion file to Corel Draw Select File > Import > Select your .DXF file and press import |  |
Double click the coloured box at the bottom to change the outline colour of the shape from black to either red or green depending on what you want to do according to the table below. 
|   |
c. Sending the coreldraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software.
Steps and description | Photos to support the description |
go to files and press print |  |
press settings |  |
Universal’s Material setting will appear. Click on LOAD for more material settings |  |
Put the material you wish to cut onto the far left corner |  |
Click on the thickness and material you are using (e.g. 2mm acrylic) if the material you are looking for is not on found, inform the staff-in-charge |  |
Before Printing ensure that the mode on the red and green colour are “Rast/West” and the rest are all “skip”. Press “apply'' and “ok” to change the mode |  |
d. Starting the job on the laser cutter machine.
Steps and description | Photos to support the description |
Click on "Print" |  |
Click on UCP (Universal Control Panel), and the panel will pop up |   |
Press the red button to turn on the machine (do not touch the machine after this) |  |
Place the laser where you want to start your cut (do not put (0,0) as material edge might not be straight) |  |
Select the white dot and click “to pointer” to align the white dot to the laser pointer |   |
Move the laser pointer to the corners of the design to ensure that there is material below it |  |
Close the machine and press the green button on the machine or the green button on the control panel to start the cut |  |
e. DOs and DONTs when there’s flame/fire on the material being cut.
DOs and DONTs | Photos to support the description |
Do
|  |
Don't ignore any flame |  |
5. Below is my Learning Reflection on the laser cutter activities.
We had to do a physical laser cutting test whereby we had to cut a design out with the 'Universal' brand laser cutter in correct steps. Prior to the test we had to create an SOP for ourselves to follow during the test.
I was unfortunately sick on the day where most of my classmates had the test so i took the test on another day at T1442 instead of makerspace.
I was actually afraid of failing the test as it seemed difficult but to my surprise it was relatively simple apart from the pressure of two adults staring at you.
The test was smooth sailing for me as we had a breifing prior to the test to recap. However towards the end I was not sure whether to turn of the laser cutter machine first or to open the lid to check that my piece has been fully cut through. I was hesitant to open the machine as I was scared I may burn myself touching the wood.
I learnt that we should check the material first so that we do not need to turn on the laser cutter again if the material was not cut through.
Also I learnt that we need to inform the staff-in-charge if the material is not cut through as the laser may be dirty, continue use of dirty lens will result in cracked lens.
In the end managed to cut out a circle that is engraved with "DCHE" on 3mm plywood and passed my laser cutting test.
After completing the test, I felt assured that it will be safe to open the lid after a few seconds. I would definitely be more confident in operating the laser cutter in the near future as I am competent to operate it properly.
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