Laser cutter/Inductions: Difference between revisions

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== Induction on the laser Cutter/Engraver ==
== Induction on the laser Cutter/Engraver ==


I will be conducting Induction Sessions on the new Laser Cutter Engraver at the Nottingham Hackspace (starting in September 2011).  
The laser cutter is only available to Nottinghack members and an induction is required before it can be used. Previous experience of laser cutters is an advantage but not essential. Laser inductions are one-on-one sessions, cost £20 and last up to an hour. Your inductor will cover a few techniques, the care and maintenance of the machine, materials, software and safe usage, whilst determining that you can safely operate the laser. '''To book an induction please fill in [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11Cn8Y4vmnWjj7TVxJYkPtvR0fjt5seOK-RPwSN4DbQA this form]'''


These are likely to happen in the Blue Room and will be one-on-one sessions. You may bring a small laser project if you wish though you must [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_engraving#Materials_that_can_be_engraved check that your materials are suitable for a laser cutting or etching]. Otherwise we'll cut some paper/card/ply for you to show that you aren't going to destroy the laser or coat the mirrors in gunk.
A team of people will be conducting induction sessions in their own spare time, so it cannot be guaranteed that someone will always be available.


Initially the cost of using the laser will be a donation of £1 for 10 minutes (the rule of thumb here is time using the machine including the laptop NOT just cutting or etching time so ideally you'll prepare your files elsewhere).
You may bring a small laser project if you wish though you must [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_engraving#Materials_that_can_be_engraved check that your materials are suitable for a laser cutting or etching].  


{| class="wikitable"
If you get chance it would be worth installing and becoming familiar with the [[Laser cutter/LaserCut|LaserCut]] software; you can use the demo and [[Laser cutter/Inkscape|Inkscape]] to create projects before you do an induction.


I will also be arranging an access diary for the laser and some simple rules of thumb. Shortly I will post online tutorials too.
=== Induction Program ===


=== INDUCTION PROGRAM ===
If you have a small project in mind we can use it as part of the induction but please check that the materials you have in mind are suitable for use in the laser - the wrong materials can cause noxious fumes that can permanently damage the mirrors or extraction system (or you); running the tube too hot drastically shortens it's lifespan. The induction is primarily to make sure that the laser is operated safely, to keep costs low. A spare laser tube costs in the region of £400, a new set of mirrors £250 - the hackspace can't afford to be replacing these every month!
 
If you have a small project in mind we can use it as part of the induction but please check the matterials you would like to etch or cut are suitable for the laser. The induction is partly about keep you and the others around you safe... but mostly about NOT BREAKING THE LASER!  


The induction will include:
The induction will include:


* Setting up and Switching on safely (with out breaking it) so you
* Setting up and switching on safely  
don't die
* Testing alignment of the laser  
* Testing alignment of the laser  
* Introduction to NewlyDraw software (this is the software that the
* Introduction to the cutting software  
machine uses)
* Setting up your XY axis, placing your work piece and checking the draw frame
* Setting up your XY axis, placing your work piece and checking the  
* Engraving
draw frame  
* Cutting
* Etching
* Suitable file types and how to convert them
* Cutting  
* Shutting down
* How to convert an image file to dxf and import it into NewlyDraw
 
* Shutting down and tidying up
For inductors: [[{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Program|Induction Program]]


== Laser Instructors ==


{| class="wikitable sortable"
Please do not contact people on this list directly, '''please fill in [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11Cn8Y4vmnWjj7TVxJYkPtvR0fjt5seOK-RPwSN4DbQA this form]'''. One of the inductors will contact you to arrange a date and time, but it would help if you say when you are/are not available. Inductors do not have access to the hackspace database for sensible reasons - so if you don't email they won't be able to contact you.


== Laser Induction Sign-Ups ==
|-
! #
! Name
! Paid
! When
! Complete
|-
| 1 ||Spencer || YES || TBA || NO
|-
| 2 ||James H || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 3 ||David || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 4 ||Mouse || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 5 ||Suzanne || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 6 ||AJ || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 7 ||Ben || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 8 ||Tony || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 9 ||Jake || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 10 ||Joe || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 11 ||RepRap Matt || NO || N/A || YES
|-
| 12 ||Chunky || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 13 ||Michael E || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 14 ||Sharpie || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 15 ||James F || YES || TBA || NO
|-
| 16 ||Mark || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 17 ||Pip || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 18 ||John || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 19 ||Ross || NO || TBA || NO
|-
| 20 ||? || NO || TBA || NO


|}
[[Category:Tools and Equipment]]
[[Category:Inductions]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 19 February 2019

Induction on the laser Cutter/Engraver

The laser cutter is only available to Nottinghack members and an induction is required before it can be used. Previous experience of laser cutters is an advantage but not essential. Laser inductions are one-on-one sessions, cost £20 and last up to an hour. Your inductor will cover a few techniques, the care and maintenance of the machine, materials, software and safe usage, whilst determining that you can safely operate the laser. To book an induction please fill in this form

A team of people will be conducting induction sessions in their own spare time, so it cannot be guaranteed that someone will always be available.

You may bring a small laser project if you wish though you must check that your materials are suitable for a laser cutting or etching.

If you get chance it would be worth installing and becoming familiar with the LaserCut software; you can use the demo and Inkscape to create projects before you do an induction.

Induction Program

If you have a small project in mind we can use it as part of the induction but please check that the materials you have in mind are suitable for use in the laser - the wrong materials can cause noxious fumes that can permanently damage the mirrors or extraction system (or you); running the tube too hot drastically shortens it's lifespan. The induction is primarily to make sure that the laser is operated safely, to keep costs low. A spare laser tube costs in the region of £400, a new set of mirrors £250 - the hackspace can't afford to be replacing these every month!

The induction will include:

  • Setting up and switching on safely
  • Testing alignment of the laser
  • Introduction to the cutting software
  • Setting up your XY axis, placing your work piece and checking the draw frame
  • Engraving
  • Cutting
  • Suitable file types and how to convert them
  • Shutting down

For inductors: Induction Program

Laser Instructors

Please do not contact people on this list directly, please fill in this form. One of the inductors will contact you to arrange a date and time, but it would help if you say when you are/are not available. Inductors do not have access to the hackspace database for sensible reasons - so if you don't email they won't be able to contact you.