The laser is operated by trained student operators on limited hours. Jobs will only be run at the set shift times and only by the staff operators. For safety reasons only certain materials are allowed to be cut and anything not listed on this site must be submitted for approval well in advance of cutting, see the bottom of this page for materials list. Students who want work run, must submit their files through this site, using our Adobe Illustrator template.

Any files submitted not using the template will not be accepted. Cutting and engraving is on a first come first serve basis and there is no guarantee on turn around time.

Please keep in mind that the student operators are here as a service to the community as a whole, treat them accordingly.

Our laser has a 42" x 27" bed and can cut a maximum of 39" x 23.5". The materials can be up to 42" x 27" but we recommend material not exceed 39"x24".

The laser can cut as thin as tissue paper, and the maximum thickness varies from material to material.

Like every laser, there are restrictions for safety based on the chemical makeup of the materials. Some materials, like Lexan, can exhaust chlorine gas when they are cut and this could harm both the operator, others in the shop as well as destroy the machines optics and must be avoided at all cost. When there is a doubt we will always opt not to cut your materials. Your best bet, especially with plastics, is to bring in a plastic that has a brand name on the outer paper so we can perform proper research.

Students are responsible for supplying more material than the exact amount needed, so tests can be run on material that is not the finished product. Every material is different and the operators need excess material to be able to test settings and find the ideal setup for your material.

Only files submitted and created using this Adobe Illustrator* template will be processed and cut.

If you do not know Illustrator but would like to, please take a class like digital fabrication or talk to your mentor and see if a seminar can be taught to your group (plus google can show the way: google "ai for laser cutting")

The template has instructions listed on it, and must be followed. If any discrepancies with line color or stroke width are found your work cannot be cut until it is fixed. Though the operator can advise on the issues that are found, they will not fix them for you.

Common issues include:

• Double lines

• Wrong stroke width ( .001 mm)

• CMYK color and not the required RGB palette

• Compound Paths / mixed objects that have not been released

• Clipping Masks not released

• Grouped objects that have not been ungrouped

• Text that has not been turned into an outline.

*Adobe Illustrator is available on all computers in the library and F109A.

To have your files cut or engraved, use this form to submit files. Remember that only files submitted using the above template will be accepted.

Once your files are submitted, bring your material to the Scene Shop (E306) during staff hours .