Innovation Workshop Wiki

Last Updated: 7/17/23 Rachel
This SOP is compiled from the following sources. For more information reference these sources.

• Trotec Speedy Manual
• Atmos Compact Operations Manual

• Safety Considerations: high fire hazard, prohibited materials
• Materials
  • Allowed Materials
  • Prohibited Materials
• Mounting Materials in the bed: honeycomb bed
• Cutting
• Troubleshooting
• General Material Recipes For Acrylic
  • Thickness, engraving settings, cutting settings
• Ask wizard for assistance creating new material recipes

The Trotec Laser printer is located upstairs in Elings 3430 next to the Haas CNC machine in the back of the room.

• This training provides an introduction to using and operating the laser cutters including:
  • File Types
    • DXF
    • PDF
  • Software
    • Job Control
    • Corel Draw
  • Safety
    • Fire hazard
    • Material composition
  • Laser Cutter Use

This laser engraving system contains a class 4 carbon dioxide (CO2) laser that emits intensive and invisible laser radiation. Without safety precautions the direct radiation or even diffuse reflected radiation is dangerous!

• Always wear safety glasses when using the machine.
• Always work with the machine cover closed.
• NEVER leave the laser machine alone when running a job. If you do need to leave,
• The machine door must be left open while you are away.
• Do not store any flammable materials in the inside of the device or in the immediate vicinity of the device.
• Remove leftovers of previously produced materials before running a job.
• A fire extinguisher/fire blanket must always be handy as the laser beam can ignite flammable materials.
• Metals, particularly un-coated aluminum, copper, silver and gold, cannot be processed with the laser and lead to high reflections of the laser beam. If needed, metals can be coated with a paint/tape which chemically bonds to the surface when engraved.
• Before processing materials the user must verify whether harmful materials can be generated and whether the filter equipment of the exhaust system is suitable for the harmful materials.
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) must under no circumstances be processed with the laser.
• Looking directly into the laser can cause retinal damage.
• Confirm that the fume collection system is running whenever the laser is cutting or engraving.

Always check materials list BEFORE attempting to cut/engrave a material. If unsure contact IW Staff.

Allowed Materials

Plastics:

• ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
• Acrylic (also known as Plexiglas, Lucite, PMMA)
• Delrin (POM, acetal) — Must use nitrogen assist when cutting delrin
• Kapton tape (Polyimide)
• Mylar (polyester)
• Nylon (melts badly)
• PDMS
• PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol)
• Polypropylene (PP) — melts somewhat
• Styrene
• Two-tone acrylic — top color different than core material

Foam:

• Depron foam (often used for RC planes)
• EPM
• Gator foam (foam core gets burned and eaten away compared to the top and bottom hard shell)

Other:

• Cloths (leather, suede, felt, hemp, cotton)
• Magnetic Sheets
• Papers
• Rubbers(neoprene, etc supplier try: â€
  laser_cutter_training_sop.txt · Last modified: 2024/09/30 20:03 by kho

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