Laser cutting and etching
From Grand River Makerspace Wiki
Laser Cutting & Engraving Area
⚠️ LASER SAFETY GLASSES REQUIRED WHEN MACHINE IS OPERATING ⚠️
⚠️ NEVER LEAVE LASER UNATTENDED WHILE RUNNING ⚠️
Desired Tools
Laser Machines
- CO2 Laser Cutter - 40W-150W, for cutting and engraving non-metals
- Fiber Laser - For metal marking and engraving
- Diode Laser - Entry-level engraving, lower power
- Galvo Laser - High-speed marking applications
Essential Equipment
- Air Compressor - For air assist nozzle
- Exhaust/Ventilation System - Fume extraction is critical
- Inline Fan with Ducting
- Fume Filter - Activated carbon and HEPA
- Chiller or Water Cooling System - For CO2 tube cooling
- Air Assist Pump - Reduces charring and flare-ups
- Honeycomb Bed - For cut-through work
- Rotary Attachment - For cylindrical objects
- Autofocus Probe - For consistent focus height
Tools & Accessories
- Focus Gauge / Height Tool
- Lens Cleaning Kit - Lens cleaner, swabs, microfiber
- Spare Lenses and Mirrors
- Alignment Tools - For mirror calibration
- Masking Tape - Low-tack for surface protection
- Transfer Tape - For weeding small parts
- Tweezers and Picks - For removing small cutouts
- Digital Calipers - Material thickness measurement
- Scraper / Spatula - For removing stuck pieces
- Fire Extinguisher (Class ABC)
Safety Equipment
- Laser Safety Glasses - Wavelength-specific (10600nm for CO2)
- Fire Blanket
- Smoke/Fire Detector
- First Aid Kit - Including burn treatment
- Respirator - For material handling
- Gloves - For handling materials
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Software & Design
⭐ Recommended Laser Software
| 🏆 LightBurn — Preferred Laser Design Software | ||
|---|---|---|
|
LightBurn is the industry standard for laser cutting and engraving. It supports GCode, DSP (Ruida, Trocen), and EZCad2-based Galvo lasers (fiber, CO2, UV). Not ready to buy yet? Try LightBurn free for 30 days — and if you need more time, LightBurn is known to be generous about extending trials a couple of times while you're getting started.
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Vector Design Tools
| Software | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkscape | Free | Open-source vector design — great for laser prep work | inkscape.org |
| Affinity | Free | Professional-grade vector and raster design suite | affinity.studio |
| Adobe Illustrator | Paid (subscription) | Industry standard vector design | — |
| CorelDRAW | Paid (subscription) | Popular in sign/laser cutting industry | — |
Other Laser Control Software
| Software | Cost | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaserGRBL | Free | Diode lasers with GRBL controllers | lasergrbl.com |
| RDWorks | Free | Machines with Ruida controllers (older software) | — |
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Tools We Own
Laser Machines
| Item | Model | Specifications | Safety Training Required | Owner's Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 Laser (80W) | OMTech 80W | 80W, 28" x 20" (500mm x 700mm) bed, autofocus currently disabled (pending repair) | Yes - Mandatory | User Manual |
| CO2 Laser (130W) | 130W CO2 Laser | 130W, 4ft x 3ft (1219mm x 914mm) bed, autofocus status unknown; awaiting electrical hookup | Yes - Mandatory | Link |
| MOPA Fiber Laser | Noua 50W MOPA | 50W; bed size varies by lens: 254mm lens (160mm x 160mm / 6.3" x 6.3"), 420mm lens (400mm x 400mm / 15.7" x 15.7"); use portable fume extractor near machine | Yes - Mandatory | Generic User Manual Noua Website |
| UV Laser | ComMarker Omni X 5W | 5W UV (355nm); bed size varies by lens: 150mm lens (150mm x 150mm) — general engraving workhorse; 70mm lens (70mm x 70mm) — 3D internal glass/crystal engraving and high power density work | Yes - Mandatory | User Manual Omni X Website |
Support Equipment
| Item | Model | Specifications | Notes | Safety Training Required | Owner's Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fume Extractor | Generic portable fume extractor | HEPA filtration | ⚠️ Required when using the Fiber Laser or UV Laser until a permanent exhaust system is installed. Unit is located next to those machines. | Yes | — |
Accessories
| Item | Model | Specifications | Safety Training Required | Owner's Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: Rotary Attachment | Epilog Rotary | Compatible with Fusion Pro | Yes | Link |
Safety & Usage Information
General Safety Rules
- NEVER leave the laser unattended while operating
- Always wear appropriate laser safety glasses
- Ensure exhaust/ventilation is running before starting
- Keep fire extinguisher within reach
- Know the location of the emergency stop button
Material Safety - APPROVED Materials
| Material | Cut | Engrave | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood / Plywood | Yes | Yes | Use air assist, watch for resin flare-ups |
| MDF | Yes | Yes | Heavy smoke, ensure good ventilation |
| Acrylic (Cast) | Yes | Yes | Best results, clean cuts |
| Acrylic (Extruded) | Yes | Caution | Tends to melt, less crisp engraving |
| Paper / Cardboard | Yes | Yes | Low power, fire risk |
| Leather (Veg-tanned) | Yes | Yes | NOT chrome-tanned |
| Cotton / Natural Fabrics | Yes | Yes | Low power, watch for ignition |
| Cork | Yes | Yes | Low power |
| Rubber (Laser-safe) | Yes | Yes | Only use laser-rated rubber |
| Anodized Aluminum | No | Yes | Engraving only |
| Glass | No | Yes | Engrave only, with care |
| Slate / Stone | No | Yes | Engrave only |
Material Safety - PROHIBITED Materials
| Material | Reason |
|---|---|
| PVC / Vinyl | Releases chlorine gas - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS |
| ABS Plastic | Toxic fumes, melts poorly |
| Polycarbonate (Lexan) | Discolors, catches fire easily |
| HDPE / Polypropylene | Melts, doesn't cut cleanly |
| Polystyrene / Styrofoam | Catches fire, toxic fumes |
| Fiberglass | Toxic fumes |
| Carbon Fiber | Toxic fumes, fire risk |
| Chrome-tanned Leather | Contains chromium - toxic |
| Coated/Treated Wood | Unknown chemicals, toxic fumes |
| Anything with unknown composition | Always verify material first |
Fire Safety
- Keep a fire extinguisher (CO2 or ABC) within arm's reach
- Fire blanket should be available
- If fire occurs: STOP laser, keep lid closed if small, use extinguisher if needed
- Never use water on electrical fires
Operating Procedures
- Complete mandatory training before use
- Sign in on the log sheet
- Verify ventilation is running
- Check material against approved list
- Set appropriate power/speed settings
- Stay present during entire operation
- Allow material to cool before removing
- Clean bed and remove scraps
- Sign out on log sheet
Emergency Procedures
- Emergency stop button location: [TO BE FILLED IN]
- Fire extinguisher location: [TO BE FILLED IN]
- First aid kit location: [TO BE FILLED IN]
- Emergency contact: [TO BE FILLED IN]
- In case of fire that cannot be controlled, evacuate and call 911
