Difference between revisions of "Laser"
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==Our Laser== | ==Our Laser== | ||
[[File:BossLS1630.png|thumb|right]] | [[File:BossLS1630.png|thumb|right]] | ||
TSAS has a 100w [https://www.bosslaser.com/boss-ls-1630.html Boss LS-1630 laser] with | TSAS has a 100w [https://www.bosslaser.com/boss-ls-1630.html Boss LS-1630 laser] with a cutting capacity of '''400 x 750mm or 15.75" x 29.50"''', with pass-through windows. This means that if your project is larger in one dimension (like a 25" wide surfboard), it will fit inside the machine—we'll just need to cut/engrave in multiple sections. | ||
==Materials== | ==Materials== | ||
In general, if your material is 1/4" (6.35mm) or thinner, the information below applies. The machine is capable of cutting up to 3/5", but see Stallings before planning a project with very thick material. | In general, if your material is 1/4" (6.35mm) or thinner, the information below applies. The machine is capable of cutting up to 3/5", but see Stallings before planning a project with very thick material. | ||
===Things it can cut=== | ===Things it can cut=== | ||
See [http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials ATX Hackerspace list] for a more complete list | See [http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials ATX Hackerspace list] for a more complete list | ||
* Wood: plywood, hardwood, MDF, cardboard, paper, cork | * Wood: plywood, hardwood, MDF, cardboard, paper, cork | ||
* (Some) plastics: acrylic, | * (Some) plastics: acrylic, delrin, mylar | ||
* Metal (engrave only) | * Metal (engrave only) | ||
* Leather | * Leather, cloth | ||
* Magnet sheet | * Magnet sheet | ||
| Line 32: | Line 30: | ||
* ABS (melts) | * ABS (melts) | ||
== | ===Material Resources=== | ||
* [https://www.tulsaplastics.com/ Tulsa Plastics] (local) | |||
* [http://www.regalplastic.com/ Regal Plastic] (local) | |||
* [https://www.jpplus.com/ Johnson Plastics Plus] (online) | |||
* [https://ocoochhardwoods.com/scroll-saw-lumber/ Ocooch Hardwoods] (online) | |||
* [https://www.engraving-supplies.com/ Trotec Engraving Supplies] (online) | |||
==Creating a Project== | |||
{{note|Your project must be in one of the following vector file formats if you wish to cut through the material: .ai, .pdf, .dxf, .hpgl, .plt, .rd, .svg, or .tga. Check the [[Vector or Raster?|vector page]] for more info if you aren't sure what that means. If you only wish to engrave, the machine will accept .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, or .tiff.|reminder}} | |||
If you are on a desktop computer, your best choices for creating a vector design are [https://inkscape.org/ Inkscape] (free, open source) or [https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview#banner Fusion 360] (free for our use). Stallings would love to walk you through either one. | |||
If you are on a Chromebook, [[SketchUp for the Laser|SketchUp]] has an excellent Chrome app, or [https://vectr.com Vectr], a free website that works well for tracing images. | |||
Once you have your image, see Stallings to begin the cutting/engraving process. | |||
==Project Ideas/Downloads== | |||
* [https://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Cutting-Projects/ Instructables] | |||
* [https://obrary.com/ Obrary] | |||
* [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lasercutting/ Instagram] | |||
* [https://www.thingiverse.com/tag:lasercut Thingiverse] | |||
* [https://www.youmagine.com/designs/tags/lasercut YouMagine] | |||
* {sigh} [https://www.etsy.com/market/laser_cut Etsy] | |||
[[Category:Maker Space]] | |||
[[Category:Laser]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:01, 14 October 2019
Our Laser
TSAS has a 100w Boss LS-1630 laser with a cutting capacity of 400 x 750mm or 15.75" x 29.50", with pass-through windows. This means that if your project is larger in one dimension (like a 25" wide surfboard), it will fit inside the machine—we'll just need to cut/engrave in multiple sections.
Materials
In general, if your material is 1/4" (6.35mm) or thinner, the information below applies. The machine is capable of cutting up to 3/5", but see Stallings before planning a project with very thick material.
Things it can cut
See ATX Hackerspace list for a more complete list
- Wood: plywood, hardwood, MDF, cardboard, paper, cork
- (Some) plastics: acrylic, delrin, mylar
- Metal (engrave only)
- Leather, cloth
- Magnet sheet
Things it can engrave
- All from the cut list—if it can be cut, it can be engraved.
- Metal
- Glass
- Rock
- Tile
- Anodized aluminum
Things it can NOT cut or engrave
See ATX Hackerspace list for a more complete list]
- Lexan (fire)
- PVC (puts off chlorine gas)
- Epoxy (fire)
- Polystyrene or polypropylene foam (fire)
- ABS (melts)
Material Resources
- Tulsa Plastics (local)
- Regal Plastic (local)
- Johnson Plastics Plus (online)
- Ocooch Hardwoods (online)
- Trotec Engraving Supplies (online)
Creating a Project
Your project must be in one of the following vector file formats if you wish to cut through the material: .ai, .pdf, .dxf, .hpgl, .plt, .rd, .svg, or .tga. Check the vector page for more info if you aren't sure what that means. If you only wish to engrave, the machine will accept .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, or .tiff.
If you are on a desktop computer, your best choices for creating a vector design are Inkscape (free, open source) or Fusion 360 (free for our use). Stallings would love to walk you through either one.
If you are on a Chromebook, SketchUp has an excellent Chrome app, or Vectr, a free website that works well for tracing images.
Once you have your image, see Stallings to begin the cutting/engraving process.