Universal Laser Cutter

Image Courtesy of Universal Laser Systems

General Information

Cutting Table Size: 18″ x 32″

Max Material Size: 17-7/8″ x 31-7/8″

Max Material Thickness: 1/4″

Please Note: The Digital Fabrication Lab has temporarily stopped cutting acrylic and MDF on the laser cutter until further notice.

Procedure

Laser cutting appointments are available and can be scheduled during regular hours. Appointments are reserved by a $5.00 deposit.  

Please Note: Appointments are NOT scheduled via email. 

Process:

Scheduling an Appointment:

  1. Visit ARC 168 during regular hours to schedule an appointment.
  2. A $5.00 deposit will be required to hold your appointment. Ensure there are sufficient funds on your RebelCard.
  3. The maximum appointment time is 1hr per individual student and 2.5hrs for student groups.

Prior to an Appointment:

  1. Ensure materials are 18” x 32”. We recommend cutting material to 17-7/8″ x 31-7/8″.
  2. Ensure materials are in conformance with the acceptable and prohibited materials list.
  3. Use the Rhino laser cut template to set up the file. This template is available online. 
  4. Have Rhino file(s) saved on a USB drive.

During the Appointment:

  1. Arrive 5 mins prior to your appointment.
  2. Bring material(s) and USB drive.
  3. Ensure there are sufficient funds on your RebelCard to cover the difference between the job cost and deposit. 
  4. Your RebelCard will be charged at the end of the appointment. 

Safety Guidelines for Laser Cutter

Safety Guidelines

Acceptable and Prohibited Materials

Laser Cutter Materials

File Setup

Fall-2020-Laser-Cutter-PDF-Guide

Rhino Template

Rhino Laser Cut TemplateDownload

Material Size

18″ x 32″ is the exact size of the cutting table. If material is larger than the table size, it will not lay flat on the cutting table resulting in possible gantry collision. It’s recommended to always cut material to 17 7/8″ x 31 7/8″ to ensure it fits on the cutting table. Paper materials can be cut down with a utility knife. Acrylic, MDF and Plywood can be cut down using the band saw or table saw in the wood shop.

Plastic Sheets:

Only acrylic can be cut on the laser cutter. Digital Fabrication Lab staff will always check to ensure plastic material is acrylic. Students are responsible for providing documentation showing that the material is acrylic. “Acrylic” must be printed on the label or plastic protective film.

PVC, CPVC, and vinyls look similar to acrylic but are prohibited because cutting can produce toxic fumes.

Protective Film on Acrylic Sheets:

Protective film should NOT be removed because it protects the face of the acrylic during the cutting process. It’s always recommended to purchase acrylic with plastic protective film, not paper protective film.

If only one side of an acrylic sheet has the protective film remaining, ensure that this side is facing the honeycomb laser bed.