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spacedocumentation:lasercutterhowto [2015/05/03 12:23]
branth [Material Settings]
spacedocumentation:lasercutterhowto [2017/09/03 19:46]
branth [Plastic Film Sheets]
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 Some jobs take a long time to run. If you need to run to the bathroom or something, find someone to watch it for you. Some jobs take a long time to run. If you need to run to the bathroom or something, find someone to watch it for you.
  
-[ Note: You can download a PDF of the original manual here: http://www.engraversnetwork.com/support/pdf/ULS25%20Manual.pdf ] 
  
 ===== Starting up the Laser Cutter ===== ===== Starting up the Laser Cutter =====
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 NOTE: These aren't hard and fast rules - always check your job with a scrap of the material you want to use first! NOTE: These aren't hard and fast rules - always check your job with a scrap of the material you want to use first!
  
-  * Paper+[[spacedocumentation:lasercuttermateriallibrary|Laser Cutter Settings & Material Library]] 
 + 
 +==== Paper ====
     * Watch out!  Paper burns easily!  Don't go too slowly or you will light your material on fire.     * Watch out!  Paper burns easily!  Don't go too slowly or you will light your material on fire.
     * 100% power is fine as long as your speed is under N%.     * 100% power is fine as long as your speed is under N%.
     * Jason G had good luck with 80%-100% power and 30% speed.     * Jason G had good luck with 80%-100% power and 30% speed.
-  * Baltic Birch Plywood+==== Baltic Birch Plywood ====
     * 100% Power - 1-3% speed.  Experiment a bit with a small pattern because if you go too slowly, the material can flare up pretty quickly.     * 100% Power - 1-3% speed.  Experiment a bit with a small pattern because if you go too slowly, the material can flare up pretty quickly.
     * Will easily take 3 or more passes, depending on how clean the mirrors are.     * Will easily take 3 or more passes, depending on how clean the mirrors are.
     * See more notes on [[equipment:lasercutter2|the Laser Cutter page]].     * See more notes on [[equipment:lasercutter2|the Laser Cutter page]].
 +==== Cutting HDPE ====
 +  * Absorbs too much heat, not a clean cut
 +  * Hard to get through 1/8" material without reflow/melting
 +  * Better machined/CNC-milled than lasered
 +  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151801a.jpg?300|}}
 +  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151800.jpg?300|}}
  
-Rubber Stamp Cutting Notes+==== Direction of wood grain ====
  
-Rubber Stamp setting used on Print Settings in Corel Draw +  * When setting up a wood cut, it is best to orient shapes such that the long dimension is parallel to the grain.  
-  * Subsetting under the Rubber Stamp options were left as their defaults +  * This minimizes how much the piece will warp over time.  
-  * Pattern was build as a negative +  * Shape A will curl up more than Shape B. 
-  * Black color was used as what would be cut out +  * See image below:  
-  * Invert any text as stamp is negative+  * {{:spacedocumentation:woodgrain.png?300|}} 
 +==== Plastic Film Sheets ==== 
 +In September 2017 we received donation of several rolls of plastic film. We think they were dielectric materials used in the manufacture of capacitors. The film seems to hold cut edge well with little smoke or flame. The type of plastic is still under investigation.{{:spacedocumentation:0903171325.jpg?600|}}{{:spacedocumentation:capture_2017-09-03-14-44-20.png?600|}}{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340b.jpg?600|}} 
 +{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340.jpg?600|}} 
 +{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340a.jpg?600|}}
  
-Laser Power @ Speed Results+===== More Information ===== 
 +Universal Laser has a [[https://www.ulsinc.com/learn/laser-cutting|tutorial on laser cutting]] you may find useful.
  
-  * 100% @ 50 = Clean cut. High Flame. Shallow cut 
-  * 100% @ 25 = Clean cut. No Flame. Deep cut. Very Successful. 
-    * Note: May need one more pass at this setting 
-  * 100% @ >.5 = Scorching. Rubber started to melt and charred 
-    * Note: Tried to use to cut through the rubber. Not advised 
- 
-Cutting HDPE on our machines 
- 
-  * Absorbs too much heat, not a clean cut 
-  * Hard to get through 1/8" material without reflow/melting 
-  * Better machined/CNC-milled than lasered 
-  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151801a.jpg?100|}} 
-  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151800.jpg?100|}} 
spacedocumentation/lasercutterhowto.txt · Last modified: 2017/09/11 03:33 by branth