Changes

=== Pumping Station: One - Laser Cutter Workflow ===

=== Pumping Station: One - Laser Cutter Workflow ===

Introduction: Our laser cutter is an Epilog Mini 24 30-watt system with a bed 24” by 12” (610 x 305 mm) and which can cut through materials up to 0.25” (6.35 mm) thick (Thicker materials can be cut, but may require multiple passes). Material must lie flat on the bed, as warped or curved materials will cause the beam to be out of focus when it cuts or engraves. Important: only certain materials can be cut, but of special note is '''NO PVC OR VINYL''' as those materials will release toxic chlorine gas (think World War I) and damage the machine. If you have questions about the material use the “hot wire” test (see below). Also beware of fabrics, as certain dyes can also release toxic vapors.  

== Introduction ==

 

Our laser cutter is an Epilog Mini 24 30-watt system with a bed 24” by 12” (610 x 305 mm) and which can cut through materials up to 0.25” (6.35 mm) thick (Thicker materials can be cut, but may require multiple passes). Material must lie flat on the bed, as warped or curved materials will cause the beam to be out of focus when it cuts or engraves. Important: only certain materials can be cut, but of special note is '''NO PVC OR VINYL''' as those materials will release toxic chlorine gas (think World War I) and damage the machine. If you have questions about the material use the “hot wire” test (see below). Also beware of fabrics, as certain dyes can also release toxic vapors.  

The laser has two modes: raster and vector. Raster (aka: “multi-pass cut”) etches an image via multiple passes over an area, whereas vector (aka “single-pass cut”) makes a single pass over the material, cutting where the reference image has indicated. The host computer sees the laser cutter as just a regular printer and thus it can print from any program. We suggest you print from a vector-capable program such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Corel Draw, AutoCAD, etc.

The laser has two modes: raster and vector. Raster (aka: “multi-pass cut”) etches an image via multiple passes over an area, whereas vector (aka “single-pass cut”) makes a single pass over the material, cutting where the reference image has indicated. The host computer sees the laser cutter as just a regular printer and thus it can print from any program. We suggest you print from a vector-capable program such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Corel Draw, AutoCAD, etc.

c. If you are importing an image, make sure that any fonts that would not be normally found on a Windows machine (assuming you’re printing from the lab machine) have been rasterized.  

c. If you are importing an image, make sure that any fonts that would not be normally found on a Windows machine (assuming you’re printing from the lab machine) have been rasterized.  

 

== Configuring Laser Settings ==

'''2. Configuring Laser Settings'''

a. When you are satisfied with your image, print the image from the vector application.

a. When you are satisfied with your image, print the image from the vector application.

b. In the Windows “Print” dialog box

b. In the Windows “Print” dialog box

xv. Do not click “Print” until the laser is on.

xv. Do not click “Print” until the laser is on.

'''3. Cutting and Engraving with the Laser'''

== Cutting and Engraving with the Laser ==

a. Confirm the ventilation system is running (the orange fan in the garage on the wall). An easy way to check is just to touch the large exhaust tube, as it will be vibrating if the exhaust fan is on.  

a. Confirm the ventilation system is running (the orange fan in the garage on the wall). An easy way to check is just to touch the large exhaust tube, as it will be vibrating if the exhaust fan is on.  

b. Confirm that the second exhaust fan is on (this fan is in the ceiling in the garage. You may need a may need a pole to turn on the light switch on the ceiling.)

b. Confirm that the second exhaust fan is on (this fan is in the ceiling in the garage. You may need a may need a pole to turn on the light switch on the ceiling.)