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→G Weike Laser Cutter - Standard Operating Procedure
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=G Weike Laser Cutter - Standard Operating Procedure=
Model number: LG900N
Model number: LG900N
Bed size: 2’ x 3’ (60cm x 90cm)
Bed size: 2’ x 3’ (60cm x 90cm)
==Laser Etiquette==
Use of the laser is first-come, first-serve. If you are going to be on the laser for a long time (2 hours or more), please notify other members via Slack in #tool-laser. Kwartzlab members have been great at being flexible with use of the laser, often letting others jump in between cuts/engraves if someone has a small job to perform.
Use of the laser is first-come, first-serve. If you are going to be on the laser for a long time (2 hours or more), please notify other members via Slack in #tool-laser. Kwartzlab members have been great at being flexible with use of the laser, often letting others jump in between cuts/engraves if someone has a small job to perform.
Let’s keep this going!
Let’s keep this going!
==Starting the Laser Cutter==
#Check the laser cutter inside and out. Look through the honeycomb grid to make sure that there isn’t excessive detritus. If there is significant build up, then this could be a fire hazard, so you may need to remove the honeycomb and use the vacuum to clean the bed. If you are not comfortable with this since the honeycomb grid is delicate, then find someone who is.
#Check the laser cutter inside and out. Look through the honeycomb grid to make sure that there isn’t excessive detritus. If there is significant build up, then this could be a fire hazard, so you may need to remove the honeycomb and use the vacuum to clean the bed. If you are not comfortable with this since the honeycomb grid is delicate, then find someone who is.
#Check the bed for magnets, material, tape, or other debris that might obstruct the nozzle. Every time the laser is turned on the nozzle automatically returns to the home position (“Datum”- top right of the bed).
#Check the bed for magnets, material, tape, or other debris that might obstruct the nozzle. Every time the laser is turned on the nozzle automatically returns to the home position (“Datum”- top right of the bed).
##Feel the air flow near the back of the enclosure to ensure that the air extraction is working properly. Also check for air assist flow at the nozzle (If the laser is on, there should be air coming out), it is to ensure the lens stays clean and doesn’t crack from getting.
##Feel the air flow near the back of the enclosure to ensure that the air extraction is working properly. Also check for air assist flow at the nozzle (If the laser is on, there should be air coming out), it is to ensure the lens stays clean and doesn’t crack from getting.
==Loading Your File==
#Open Laser Cut 5.3
#Open Laser Cut 5.3
##Laser Cut must be started after the laser has been powered on (green light). Otherwise you may receive an error.
##Laser Cut must be started after the laser has been powered on (green light). Otherwise you may receive an error.
#Set the origin relative to the material (preferably the top right corner). The blue dot indicates where the laser will start cutting. Make sure that the “immediate” button is checked.
#Set the origin relative to the material (preferably the top right corner). The blue dot indicates where the laser will start cutting. Make sure that the “immediate” button is checked.
==Starting the Laser Cutter==
#Place your material on the bed of the cutter
#Place your material on the bed of the cutter
#You may need to use magnets to keep your material flat. Please use caution when doing so as the nozzle of the laser can hit the magnets when cutting or engraving and cause damage. Consider using painters tape instead of magnets.
#You may need to use magnets to keep your material flat. Please use caution when doing so as the nozzle of the laser can hit the magnets when cutting or engraving and cause damage. Consider using painters tape instead of magnets.
#To turn off the laser cutter, exit the software and press the “stop” button to turn off the machine. A red button will flash while the bulb cools. Note: do not hold down the stop button when you turn off the machine.
#To turn off the laser cutter, exit the software and press the “stop” button to turn off the machine. A red button will flash while the bulb cools. Note: do not hold down the stop button when you turn off the machine.
===Notes relating to software use===
==LaserCut Software Usage==
'''Zoom in and out''': middle scroll button
'''Zoom in and out''': middle scroll button
::'''Clock''': Estimate the work time required for the laser cutter. Note that the time estimated is usually too conservative and off by 10-20%.
::'''Clock''': Estimate the work time required for the laser cutter. Note that the time estimated is usually too conservative and off by 10-20%.
====Notes relating to materials you can use to cut in the laser cutter:====
==Materials==
'''Flat materials''' are ideal and strongly recommended. Warped materials can be flattened with magnets, but use them with extreme caution. Magnets in the path of the laser can damage the nozzle. Material that is cut can warp up into the path of the laser nozzle also causing damage. Flat material is best!
'''Flat materials''' are ideal and strongly recommended. Warped materials can be flattened with magnets, but use them with extreme caution. Magnets in the path of the laser can damage the nozzle. Material that is cut can warp up into the path of the laser nozzle also causing damage. Flat material is best!
*Burn marks: Burns marks might appear behind the cut. To protect the surface of your material, you can tape (use painter’s tape) on the back of the material. If you are cutting a plastic board, then keep the film that it came in on the plastic board to protect the back from creating white floss.
*Burn marks: Burns marks might appear behind the cut. To protect the surface of your material, you can tape (use painter’s tape) on the back of the material. If you are cutting a plastic board, then keep the film that it came in on the plastic board to protect the back from creating white floss.
==Notes relating to the laser cutter hardware==
*Vent/filter/honeycomb bed: Do not expect that the vent/filter on the bed of the laser cutter is squared to anything. This vent/filter is moveable and requires regular cleaning. If there are lots of little bits in the vent/filter, then clean it up by using the brushes in the computer station. If necessary, use the assigned vacuum and lift the vent/filter to vacuum the dust.
*Vent/filter/honeycomb bed: Do not expect that the vent/filter on the bed of the laser cutter is squared to anything. This vent/filter is moveable and requires regular cleaning. If there are lots of little bits in the vent/filter, then clean it up by using the brushes in the computer station. If necessary, use the assigned vacuum and lift the vent/filter to vacuum the dust.
*The cutting bed is 60cm by 90cm
*The cutting bed is 60cm by 90cm
*The blower/fan above the ceiling has a mesh filter that becomes clogged over time. If you notice a smoke buildup in the laser during operation, it is likely due to this filter clogging. Please notify the laser team if this is occurring. If you feel comfortable, the process for cleaning the filter with a vacuum is posted on the wall next to the duct leading to the blower.
*The blower/fan above the ceiling has a mesh filter that becomes clogged over time. If you notice a smoke buildup in the laser during operation, it is likely due to this filter clogging. Please notify the laser team if this is occurring. If you feel comfortable, the process for cleaning the filter with a vacuum is posted on the wall next to the duct leading to the blower.
==Safety==
*Fire: Be sure to always be in clear view of the laser cutter as fire is a very real and dangerous reality. If there is a significant fire, press the small “STOP,” then “DATUM” button on the software and put out the fire with one of the 2 CO2 fire extinguishers available. Be sure to familiarize yourself with where the “STOP” button and the “DATUM” button is on the machine and software, respectively. For a small fire, you can try to blow out the flame.
*Fire: Be sure to always be in clear view of the laser cutter as fire is a very real and dangerous reality. If there is a significant fire, press the small “STOP,” then “DATUM” button on the software and put out the fire with one of the 2 CO2 fire extinguishers available. Be sure to familiarize yourself with where the “STOP” button and the “DATUM” button is on the machine and software, respectively. For a small fire, you can try to blow out the flame.
*Do not use any material that might have chlorine. You can check by heating a copper wire in a flame, touching the material, and then reheating the copper wire. If the flame emits a green colour then there is chlorine in the material. ([[https://vimeo.com/1615418|https://vimeo.com/1615418]])
*Do not use any material that might have chlorine. You can check by heating a copper wire in a flame, touching the material, and then reheating the copper wire. If the flame emits a green colour then there is chlorine in the material. ([[https://vimeo.com/1615418|https://vimeo.com/1615418]])