Laser cutter class - Revision history

Beka at 01:12, 17 December 2016

2016-12-17T01:12:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 16 December 2016
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	This page is the overview for the laser cutter class. The class is a project-based introduction to the software and hardware of the laser cutter, intended to teach participants in the class everything they need to know in order to use the laser cutter. We assume no prior knowledge of the software involved, only general knowledge of how to use a computer.		This page is the overview for the laser cutter class, a part of the [[Noiseschool]] project. The class is a project-based introduction to the software and hardware of the laser cutter, intended to teach participants in the class everything they need to know in order to use the laser cutter. We assume no prior knowledge of the software involved, only general knowledge of how to use a computer.

	This class is broken into three main parts: part 1 deals with the design of the laser cut object using Inkscape, part 2 deals with the use of the laser cutter software, and part 3 deals with the operation of the machine itself.		This class is broken into three main parts: part 1 deals with the design of the laser cut object using Inkscape, part 2 deals with the use of the laser cutter software, and part 3 deals with the operation of the machine itself.

Beka at 00:53, 17 December 2016

2016-12-17T00:53:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 16 December 2016
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	This class is broken into three main parts: part 1 deals with the design of the laser cut object using Inkscape, part 2 deals with the use of the laser cutter software, and part 3 deals with the operation of the machine itself.		This class is broken into three main parts: part 1 deals with the design of the laser cut object using Inkscape, part 2 deals with the use of the laser cutter software, and part 3 deals with the operation of the machine itself.

	'''This page is currently a work in progress, and should be used right now only for planning purposes, not as an actual resource for learning yet. When this message goes away, this page is considered usable as a learning resource.'''

	__TOC__		__TOC__

Beka: /* Focusing the Laser */

2016-12-17T00:36:44Z

Focusing the Laser

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	If the focus tube is extended too far, it can wobble and produce non-vertical cuts. To avoid this, raise the cut head, then raise the cut bed a little bit, making sure there's enough room for both material and focusing. This lets the focus tube get a better fit in the cut head, and avoid wobbling.		If the focus tube is extended too far, it can wobble and produce non-vertical cuts. To avoid this, raise the cut head, then raise the cut bed a little bit, making sure there's enough room for both material and focusing. This lets the focus tube get a better fit in the cut head, and avoid wobbling.

	The laser's focus tube has a lens in it, with a fixed focal length approximately 8mm below the end of the focus tube. If the aperture is dented, however, the tube is shorted, and the focal point is no longer 8mm below the end of the tube, which is why it's important to be careful when moving the cut head or the cut bed to avoid crashes.		The laser's focus tube has a lens in it, with a fixed focal length approximately 8mm below the end of the focus tube. If the aperture is dented, however, the tube is shorted, and the focal point is no longer 8mm below the end of the tube but rather further down inside the material, which is why it's important to be careful when moving the cut head or the cut bed to avoid crashes.

	[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_16.~~jpg~~\|~~200px~~]]		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_16.png\|300px]]

	Make sure to focus the laser every time you load material of a new thickness into the machine, as the focal point will need readjusting.		Make sure to focus the laser every time you load material of a new thickness into the machine, as the focal point will need readjusting.

Beka: /* Cutting the Black Piece */

2016-12-16T23:41:17Z

Cutting the Black Piece

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	We'll go through the same process for the black piece of the merit badge. After finishing both cuts, I found that the black piece was slightly too big to fit into the hole in the blue piece, so I recut it with a slightly smaller kerf, but your results may differ.		We'll go through the same process for the black piece of the merit badge. After finishing both cuts, I found that the black piece was slightly too big to fit into the hole in the blue piece, so I recut it with a slightly smaller kerf, but your results may differ.

	The pointy parts of the merit badge's inner logo also need to be sanded or filed down. This is because when a point is cut in negative space, it's not a sharp point, but a positive space point can be perfectly pointy, and they won't fit together. I used the files that are in the tool shelf next to the laser computer.		The pointy parts of the merit badge's inner logo also need to be sanded or filed down. This is because when a point is cut in negative space, it's not a sharp point, but a positive space point can be perfectly pointy, and they won't fit together.

			[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_34.png\|200px]]

			I used the files that are in the tool shelf next to the laser computer.

	[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_35.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_36.jpg\|200px]]		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_35.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_36.jpg\|200px]]

Beka: /* Cleaning the Catch Tray */

2016-12-16T23:40:10Z

Cleaning the Catch Tray

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	Now that you're done using the laser cutter, it's good practice to check the catch tray below the cut bed to see if any scraps have fallen into it. Open the door and pull the tray out.		Now that you're done using the laser cutter, it's good practice to check the catch tray below the cut bed to see if any scraps have fallen into it. Open the door and pull the tray out.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_39.jpg\|200px]]

	If there's scraps in the tray, please clean them out. Open the little quarter circle. This will open up a hole that you can sweep the scraps through, into a dustpan.		If there's scraps in the tray, please clean them out. Open the little quarter circle. This will open up a hole that you can sweep the scraps through, into a dustpan.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_40.jpg\|200px]]

	It's important to keep the catch tray free of scraps, because any burning material that falls into the catch tray might catch scraps on fire, especially paper and cardboard scraps, as well as charred wood scraps.		It's important to keep the catch tray free of scraps, because any burning material that falls into the catch tray might catch scraps on fire, especially paper and cardboard scraps, as well as charred wood scraps.

Beka: /* Assembly */

2016-12-16T23:39:54Z

Assembly

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	We can now press the black piece into the hold in the blue piece. It's a snug fit, but with a little effort, it now goes through.		We can now press the black piece into the hold in the blue piece. It's a snug fit, but with a little effort, it now goes through.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_37.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_38.jpg\|200px]]

	=== Cleaning the Catch Tray ===		=== Cleaning the Catch Tray ===

Beka: /* Cutting the Black Piece */

2016-12-16T23:39:35Z

Cutting the Black Piece

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 16 December 2016
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	We'll go through the same process for the black piece of the merit badge. After finishing both cuts, I found that the black piece was slightly too big to fit into the hole in the blue piece, so I recut it with a slightly smaller kerf, but your results may differ.		We'll go through the same process for the black piece of the merit badge. After finishing both cuts, I found that the black piece was slightly too big to fit into the hole in the blue piece, so I recut it with a slightly smaller kerf, but your results may differ.

	The pointy parts of the merit badge's inner logo also need to be sanded or filed down. This is because when a point is cut in negative space, it's not a sharp point, but a positive space point can be perfectly pointy, and they won't fit together.		The pointy parts of the merit badge's inner logo also need to be sanded or filed down. This is because when a point is cut in negative space, it's not a sharp point, but a positive space point can be perfectly pointy, and they won't fit together. I used the files that are in the tool shelf next to the laser computer.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_35.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_36.jpg\|200px]]

	~~I used the files that are in the tool shelf next to the laser computer~~.

	~~!!! images~~

	=== Assembly ===		=== Assembly ===

Beka: /* Performing a Powered Run (ie Actual Cutting) */

2016-12-16T23:38:36Z

Performing a Powered Run (ie Actual Cutting)

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	We're now ready to actually cut the merit badge. Turn the power to the laser on and press Start/Pause to begin cutting. Be sure to watch the spot where cutting is happening, to look for fire.		We're now ready to actually cut the merit badge. Turn the power to the laser on and press Start/Pause to begin cutting. Be sure to watch the spot where cutting is happening, to look for fire.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_28.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_29.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_30.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_31.jpg\|200px]]

	When the job is done, the cut head will return to the origin, and the machine will beep. The parts should separate cleanly, but tall thing parts might need some coercion just because they can get wedged by being at slight angles.		When the job is done, the cut head will return to the origin, and the machine will beep. The parts should separate cleanly, but tall thing parts might need some coercion just because they can get wedged by being at slight angles.

			[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_32.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_33.jpg\|200px]]

	If you need to pause or cancel the job, use the same method as mentioned in the previous section on dry runs.		If you need to pause or cancel the job, use the same method as mentioned in the previous section on dry runs.

Beka: /* Performing a Dry Run */

2016-12-16T23:37:19Z

Performing a Dry Run

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	Now that we have the origin set, and we know that the bounding box is adequate, we can optionally perform a dry run of the job. Make sure the laser power is off and press the Start/Pause key.		Now that we have the origin set, and we know that the bounding box is adequate, we can optionally perform a dry run of the job. Make sure the laser power is off and press the Start/Pause key.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_26.jpg\|200px]]

	If you need to pause the dry run (or a real run), hit Start/Pause again, and then restart with the same key.		If you need to pause the dry run (or a real run), hit Start/Pause again, and then restart with the same key.
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	If you need to cancel a try run, for instance if it's taking too long, or you've gotten as much information as you needed from it, pause the dry run, then hit the Esc key.		If you need to cancel a try run, for instance if it's taking too long, or you've gotten as much information as you needed from it, pause the dry run, then hit the Esc key.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_27.jpg\|200px]]

	=== Performing a Powered Run (ie Actual Cutting) ===		=== Performing a Powered Run (ie Actual Cutting) ===

Beka: /* Setting the Origin and Tracing a Bounding Box */

2016-12-16T23:36:47Z

Setting the Origin and Tracing a Bounding Box

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	With the file now loaded up, we can specify where on the material we want to cut. Move the cut head so that the guide laser is pointing to the position that you want to be the top right of the cut image. Press the Origin button on the control computer to store this location, and press Frame to trace a bounding box. Watch the cut head to make sure that the bounding box is where you want it to be.		With the file now loaded up, we can specify where on the material we want to cut. Move the cut head so that the guide laser is pointing to the position that you want to be the top right of the cut image. Press the Origin button on the control computer to store this location, and press Frame to trace a bounding box. Watch the cut head to make sure that the bounding box is where you want it to be.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_23.jpg\|200px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_24.jpg\|200px]]

	You can change the origin's relative position in the image, to set it to be the lower left, for instance, or the center, instead of the top right. You can also reset the origin to the top right if it's been left in a different position. To do this, we need to use RDWorks. Open the file parameters pane (Config > System Setting) and select the location you want to use for the origin. You can also use absolute coordinates, as well, in which case the position of the objects relative to the RDWorks work area matters.		You can change the origin's relative position in the image, to set it to be the lower left, for instance, or the center, instead of the top right. You can also reset the origin to the top right if it's been left in a different position. To do this, we need to use RDWorks. Open the file parameters pane (Config > System Setting) and select the location you want to use for the origin. You can also use absolute coordinates, as well, in which case the position of the objects relative to the RDWorks work area matters.

	~~!!! images~~		[[File:Laser_cutter_class_part_3_25.PNG\|200px]]

	=== Performing a Dry Run ===		=== Performing a Dry Run ===