Laser cutter/Inductions

Induction on the laser Cutter/Engraver

A small team of people will be conducting induction sessions on the new laser cutter/engraver at Nottingham Hackspace. The instructors will be undertaking these sessions in their own spare time, so it cannot be guaranteed that someone will always be available. Pledge drive people will be taking priority.

Laser inductions are one-on-one sessions. 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. Otherwise your instructor will talk you through a few techniques, to demonstrate the process whilst determining that you can safely operate the laser. Inductions cost £20.

Also see 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 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. For example, a spare laser tube can cost in the region of £400 and 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, instead add yourself to the wiki below and you will be contacted by Andrew Armstrong regarding a booking time. Pledge donators will take priority and have been sent the relevant information.

People who are authorised to give inductions:

• Dominic Morrow - Monday to Friday evening (6PM - 12 middnight), Thursday (10AM - 12AM)
• James Hayward - Evenings in advance (5:30PM onwards), Weekends (except Sunday lunchtime).
• Jake Howe - First Monday of the month (12AM-8PM), other Monday of the month , 12AM-4PM Wednesday
• Andrew Armstrong - Whatever I sort myself.
• Matt Little - Flexible (daytime and evening okay), no weekends
• Michelle Strickland - Thursday (7PM - 11PM)

To be trained for inductions:

• James Fowkes - First week except Tuesday (6PM - 11PM), else on later weeks, no Thursday (also no weekends)

Laser Induction Sign-Ups

This list has been cleared to allow for inductions (IND - when new to the laser) and Conversions (CON - when you've used the old red laser) to be arranged. Inductions on the original A4 (red) laser are NOT valid on the new laser cutter but experienced users can be converted (CON). Please indicate which session type you require.

Name	Pledger	Paid	Date of induction	CON/IND	Instructor	Complete
Ben Millen	No	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Iain Sharp	No	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Ben Crowe	Yes	No	27th May?	IND	TBA	No
Ric Briney	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Declan Merry	No	No	TBA	IND	TBA	No
Matt Spandex	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Chris Cain	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Steve Barnett	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Mouse	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Matt Pritchard	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Ed Raisin	Yes	Yes - recently had small laser induction	23-27th any time? - thanks	CON	TBA	No
Mark Cambridge	No	No	TBA	IND	TBA	No
Ian Dickinson	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Adam Cooper	No	Yes - recently had small laser induction	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Betty Ching	Yes	Yes	TBA	CON	TBA	No
John Crouchley	Yes	No	TBA	CON	TBA	No
Ian Evans	Yes	No	TBA	IND	TBA	No
Johnmichael Quinlan	No	No	TBA	IND	TBA	No
Andy Collins	Yes	No	TBA	IND	TBA	No