Due to fire hazard, you always have to stay near the laser cutting machine when it is working!
Because of the high smoke emission, be sure to activate the filtration system!
Even though the machine is equiped with a security system that shuts off the CO2 laser when the lid is open, be carefull with the laser. There is also a small red laser pointer : don't stare at it.
The red dot you see is not the CO2 laser, but a red laser pointer that helps you set the origin.
¶ Quick start on the machine
- Switch ON the filtration system : push the red button. Now place the air duct outside through the window, so the filtered air is evacuated outside of the room.
- Switch ON the machine : switch the top button on the right side of the machine. This starts the controller, the CO2 laser, the red laser pointer and the compressor.
- Wait for the machine to initialize.
- Move the head with the up/down/right/left arrows, with the help of the red laser pointer.
- Set the origin by pressing "origin" on the touch screen.
- Set the head to the correct focal distance, using the plastic part attached to the keys. Just loosen the screw, move the tube above the head, and tighten the screw.
¶ Quick start on the software
To control the laser cutter we use RDCam software.
- Import your file in RDCam. We usually use DXF format.
- Select the lines you want to cut, and select a color. In the parameters of this new layer, set the following paramters, according to the material you want to cut (the table below, or the table on the user guide near the laser cutter) :
- the speed;
- the maximum power;
- the minimum power.
- If you want to engrave some patterns, select the lines and apply a new color (different from the color selected for the lines to cut), and apply again the parameters according to your materials:
- the speed;
- the maximum power;
- the minimum power.
- Start the job, clicking on "Lancer".
¶ Compatible extension files for import
.ai, 
.dxf, .plt, .dst, .dsb, .eps, .dat, .nc, .bmp, .rdb, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .jfif, .png, .mng, .ico, .cur, .tif, .tiff, .tga, .pcx, .wbmp, .wmf, .emf, .jbg, .j2c, .jpc, .pgx, .ras, .pnm, .pgm, .ppm, .ska, .raw
¶ Parameters for cutting and engraving
¶ Maintenance
- XY calibration : https://wiki.centuri-engineering.univ-amu.fr/en/techlab/makerspace/laser-cutter/XY-calibration
¶ Others links:
- Make a box with laser cutting : https://wiki.centuri-engineering.univ-amu.fr/en/techlab/makerspace/laser-cutter/laser-cut-box
- Customizable Parts Box : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:327393
- Stackable box to test : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12123