Using the Laser Cutter

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This page could use some screenshots.

Preparing the file for download to the machine

  1. Start RDWorksV8 on the laser PC.
  2. Import your file (.dxf or .ai usually).
  3. Verify the dimensions of your imported design in RDWorks.
  4. Select paths and assign them to layers by selecting different colors for them.
  5. For each layer (color) assign the cut/scan parameters.
    • Double-click on the layer to bring up the 'Layer Parameter' Window.
    1. Enter the parameters for your material
      • Processing Mode: Cut - Min Power/Max Power
      • Processing Mode: Scan - Min Power/Max Power, Scan Mode: X_swing, Interval, UNCHECK 'Independent Output'.
        or,
    2. Select 'Parameter library' and choose a material from the list to load the preset parameters.
      • If selecting Scan, check 'Scan Mode' and set it to X_swing to have the laser etch when moving in both directions.
      • Note that any time you select a material from 'Parameter library' you will want to reset 'Scan Mode' to X_swing
      • For Scan, UNCHECK the option 'Independent Output' so that text and objects will be engraved line-by-line instead of object-by-object.
  6. For each layer, check that 'Output' is set to 'Yes' and 'Hide' is set to 'No'.
  7. Be aware of the order of layers, typically you want to do the vector engrave and scanning before cuts, to ensure the material doesn't shift due to the cut.
    • Select 'Cut optimize' and check 'Order of layer', so that the machine will process the layers in the order set in RDWorks.
  8. Click the 'Preview' icon to get an estimate of job length and see result with scanned objects.
    • The time estimate should be taken with a grain of salt - in some cases, RDWorks grossly underestimates the actual time required.
    • The 'Preview' screen will show areas set for raster scanning as being shaded.
    • Click 'Simulation' to see the order of cuts on screen.
  9. Save your file in RDWorks - NOTE: Use 'Save As' to save your file, there is a bug in RDWorks with the 'Save' option.
    • Sometimes the 'Save' option in RDWorks will use the wrong filename and save over another file. Using 'Save As' works properly.
  10. Download the file to the machine.

Downloading the file to the machine

  1. In 'Laser work' at bottom right of the screen, click 'Download'.'
  2. Enter a (short) filename for the job to be stored on the laser cutter.
    • The filename should be 8 characters or less.
  3. If a file with the same name already exists on the machine, RDWorks will ask if you want to overwrite (cover) it.
  4. RDWorks will pop up a dialog box saying 'Download successful' when complete.
    • Your file is now saved on the laser cutter and can be accessed from the front control panel on the machine.

Running the machine

Starting the laser job from a file from the laser cutter

If you have downloaded your file to the laser cutter, you can start the laser job directly from the machine front control panel.

  1. Check that lens assembly is clear and will be able to home and move around the entire platform area.
  2. POWER ON the machine
    • Scan RFID keyfob for access to start the machine for authorized users. Contact the laser team for training and access to the laser cutter. *Not yet implemented*
    • Rotate Stop button clockwise ⟳ 1/4 turn so that it pops out (DO NOT PULL ON THE BUTTON)
    • Machine will automatically home the X and Y axis then return to its last origin point.
  3. Check that everything is powered on:
    • water chiller
    • exhaust fan
    • air assist pump (air coming out laser head nozzle)
  4. Lower the bed using the control pad on machine, so that there is plenty of space to put your material on the bed without hitting the laser head.
    • Press Z/U button. Press up/down ▲ ▼ buttons to highlight "Z move"
    • Press left/right ⬅ ➡ buttons to raise/lower the bed.
  5. Set the material to be cut on the bed.
    • Use thin magnets to hold material down if necessary. Be aware of whether the laser head could run into the magnets!
  6. Move laser head above your material (ensure the autofocus probe is above the material) and select 'Autofocus' from control pad menu.
    • Press Z/U button to enter main menu,
    • Press up/down ▲ ▼ buttons to highlight "Auto Focus"
    • Press Enter button
    • Be nervous as the machine looks like its going to crash your material into the laser head, but it should stop at the last moment.
    • Be prepared to hit emergency stop if something goes wrong and the material touches the lens assembly!
    • See Focusing the laser section below.
  7. Download your file to the machine using RDWorks on the laser PC. (see #Preparing_the_file_for_download_to_the_machine)
  8. Open your file.
    • Press File button
    • Press up/down ▲ ▼ buttons to highlight your named file, then press Enter button
  9. Set your origin (top-left corner of the area to be cut).
    • Move the laser head to where you want to set the origin using the up/down/left/right ⬅ ➡ ▲ ▼ buttons
    • Press the Origin button on the control panel.
  10. Press the Frame button on the control panel to have the laser head move around the perimeter of the area that will be cut.
    • Use the 'Frame' button to ensure your material is placed correctly and origin set.
  11. Turn on laser switch.
    • Rotate Laser switch clockwise ⟳ 1/4 turn
    • Press the Start-Pause button on the control panel.
  12. Watch the machine during the process - do not leave it for even a moment, it is a fire hazard!
  13. After it's done, switch off the laser.
    • Rotate Laser switch counter-clockwise ⟲ 1/4 turn
  14. Move the laser head out of the way of your material.
    • You may also want to lower the platform before removing your material, to keep from banging into the laser head.
  15. Let the fumes clear from inside the laser cutter for a moment before opening the lid.
  16. Remove your material from the machine
  17. POWER OFF machine
    • Press Stop button
  18. Write down your name and job info (parameters etc) on the log sheet.
    • Take a picture too!
  19. If there were any problems or hiccups, let the laser team know: laser@makerspacenanaimo.org
    • If there was a problem, also leave a note at the machine in case someone else uses it before the laser team responds

Starting the laser job from RDWorks on the PC

Instead of downloading the file to the laser cutter and operating it from the front panel, the laser job can be started directly from RDWorks on the PC.

  1. In "Laser work" at bottom right of the screen, select Position: = Current position to use the current location of the laser head as the top-left corner of the area to cut.
    • The green square in RDWorks displays the origin point for cutting, relative to your design.
  2. In "Laser work" at bottom right of the screen, click Go scale to have the laser head move around the perimeter of the area that will be cut.
  3. In "Laser work" at bottom right of the screen, click Start to run the laser cutter.
    • If there is a problem, press Stop.
    • You can also press Esc from the control panel on the laser cutter
    • Use the Stop button in case of a problem that you can't stop otherwise.
    • ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON THE MACHINE WHILE IT IS CUTTING - a fire can start at any time and it takes only seconds for the machine to be damaged, it is NOT PERMISSIBLE to leave the machine while the laser is operating.
      • Leaving the laser cutter running unattended will get you banned from using the laser cutter.
    • ALWAYS OPERATE THE LASER SAFELY - ensure the lid of the machine is closed, the chiller is operating, the exhaust fan is operating, and the air assist pump is operating. (they should all come on together when the machine is powered up)

Focusing the laser (notes)

  • NOTE - Any time the machine is started (or restarted), it will home on the X/Y axis (but will not adjust Z).
    • If there is anything touching or in the way of the lens assembly, it will crash when performing the automatic home sequence!
    • ALWAYS be aware of where the lens assembly is going to move, before turning on the machine
    • Turn on the machine before putting your material in - after homing sequence, the lens will move to its last set origin - you might not know where that is.

Autofocus

  • Be aware of where the autofocus probe is! if its off the edge of the material you can jam the lens assembly into your material!
    • If this happens, the front panel must be opened and the bed manually lowered.
    • Do NOT turn on the machine again while the laser head is touching the material.

Manual focus

  • There should be a 'focus block' that is exactly the distance the laser head needs to be from the work material.
    • NOTE - as of Feb 28 2019 there is not a focus block with the laser cutter.

Rotary axis for engraving round things

  • NOTE - the machine must be powered down for the rotary axis to be plugged into the system
  • The rotary axis replaces the 'Y' axis.
  • # of steps per rotation (this should be set already)
  • Focusing - autofocus should work? or maybe better to manual focus if its something fragile.

Important notes about using the laser

  • Do not change any machine parameters. Set your cut and scan power levels and speeds. Contact laser team for help with anything else.
  • Do not change any parameters in the 'User' tab of RDWorks - setting some of these parameters incorrectly can cause damage to the machine.
  • BE SURE TO ONLY USE LASER-SAFE MATERIALS - a lot of materials contain chemicals that are dangerous and can permanently damage the laser cutter (or you) if they are cut or engraved in the machine.

Tips for learning the system

Laser work flow

  • RDWorks is used to control the laser cutter - it must be able to import your design.
    • Import file formats: .ai or .dxf recommended
    • RDWorks has limited editing capabilities.
  • Other vector editing tools can be used:
    • Inkscape for svg/dxf edit and saving (free)
    • Other tools available - most of them aren't free
  • Online sources for patterns - a lot of patterns exist that can be downloaded then imported into RDWorks.
    • Some downloaded files may need to be converted or edited with another tool (ie: Inkscape) before RDWorks can import the data.

Inkscape basics

  • Object vs Path vs Stroke
    • Height/width and position in Inkscape are based on the stroke width. If you use them for measurements, then change objects to paths, the paths will have slightly different dimensions (due to being narrower by the stroke width).
  • Colors are how you set layers (RDWorks ignores layers, just uses colors).
    • Use the basic set of colors as used in RDWorks so you can select and assign vectors to the same layers.
    • You can use other colors if you want (and can create more than 20 - but why would you want to?)

Creating a file in Inkscape

  • Adding text
  • Drawing shapes (outline)
  • Adding an image (photo)
  • Outline to cut

Laser job log sheet

  • Date:
  • Name:
  • Material:
  • Thickness:
  • Cut
    • Speed
    • Power
  • Scan
    • Speed
    • Power
    • Interval setting for raster/scan
  • Vector engrave
    • Speed
    • Power
  • Filename:
  • Source of design:
  • Photos:
  • Notes:
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