Laser Cutter

Location: The Technology Room

Equipment:  EpiLog Helix 24 Laser, Neiko 01407A Electronic Digital Caliper

Manual:  Epilog Helix 24 Laser User Guide

Supplies: Material List for Engraving or Cutting 

Instructions: Tips and Tricks

​Image Gallery: Laser Videos

Resources

Epilog Laser Sample Club - Dowloadable Files

How to Create a Laser Cut File in Illustrator

Mini Helix Drivers

Laser Cutter Training

What is a laser cutter? What kind do we use?

A laser cutter is a tool that uses focused light to cut and etch materials. Foxcroft’s laser cutter is a 50 Watt Epilog Helix. It is a powerful tool that is very safe if used correctly.

What materials can you use with a laser cutter?

You can use acrylics, fabric, wood, leather, cardboard, and can even etch on certain types of metal and stone. A full list of materials with appropriate settings are posted next to the laser cutter. 

• SAFETY NOTE: There is one material that you must not use with a laser cutter - anything made with PVC. This will release toxic fumes that can hurt people and corrode the laser cutter. Also, the laser cutter will not work with the door open, so you cannot laser yourself, even if you wanted to!

What do you do if you want to use the laser cutter?

1. Complete this training with a certified adult and pass the quiz at the end. 

2. The door to the room with the laser cutter will be locked unless your Sign Up to use the Innovation Lab and confirm which adult will be present. 

3. Before you send anything to the laser cutter, you must have both the material you are using and the file you are sending to the laser cutter approved by Mr. Northrup or Ms. Fisher.  If they are unavailable, please see Dr. Anderson or Dr. Tuttle.

1. • SAFETY NOTE: Never bring food or drink in this room at all, and never anywhere near this machine. You should also make sure the before sending a job to the laser cutter.

How does the laser cutter work?

1. Open the top door, make sure the bed is clear of debri and place your material in the top left corner. The autofocus function automatically raises or lowers the bed the appropriate distance between the laser and the material, which works great for materials that are flat

1. • SAFETY NOTE: If you are using a material that is not flat, or has beveled edges, you need to use manual focus instead of auto-focus - ask for help from an adult.

2. Turn on the laser cutter using the on-off switch on the lower left side of the machine. Listen for the machine’s venting on the top turn on and make sure they are not covered.  Also turn on the external venting system. The on-off switch is located on the dial marked “external vent” right behind the machine. Once you hear the dial click, don’t turn the dial anymore - this is the maximum venting power. If you want additional venting, you can turn on the fan by raising the lever marked “auxiliary fan.”

   • SAFETY NOTE: Additionally, anytime you are cutting with the machine, we also need to turn on the “air assist” vent. This is located at the bottom right of the machine. 

3. When you send your job to the laser cutter, press the "Go" button when you are ready to laser cut.

   • SAFETY NOTE: You should never walk away from the machine until the job is finished. Always monitor your job to ensure that everything is going smoothly.If something ever goes wrong with the laser cutter, you should push the stop button and get an adult. In an absolute emergency, there is a CO2 fire extinguisher next to the laser cutter, and a regular fire extinguisher in the adjoining room. The CO2 fire extinguisher will put out a fire without damaging the electronics in the laser cutter.

How do we tell the laser cutter what to etch and cut?

• The computer next to the laser cutter is the only computer that can send files to the laser cutter. However, you can save your work on Google Drive and login to download or login using the Creative Cloud.  Epilog’s laser cutters work with most graphics software, and you use the same print function that would use to print a piece a paper, only you select the laser cutter instead of a printer. 

• The laser cutter will assume that everything you send should be etched unless you specifically tell it otherwise. When etching, the laser cutter will see darker tones as deeper etches, and lighter tones as shallower etches. You can even etch a photograph by converting it to grayscale, but be aware that your values are not blending into the background.  Remove if necessary.

• The way you tell the laser cutter to cut instead of etch is by specifying a line weight of “0.02” - once the laser cutter sees that number, it knows this is a cut instead of an etch.

• Now that the design is ready, examine the material you will be using in the laser cutter. What is it made of? How thick is it? You will need the answers to these questions to set the specific functions of the laser. Use the chart (on the bulletin board or next to the computer) to find the specifications for your material. First, find the listing for your material, and then find the appropriate settings in the column for our 50 Watt laser cutter. 

• Go to “File” and choose “Print”. Make sure “Epilog” is selected as the printer, and then click on “Printer Properties” just below. Adjust the settings of the laser to fit our material. First, check “Auto-Focus” if your material is uniformly flat. Second, choose “Raster,” “Vector,” or “Combined” - since we will be etching and cutting, choose “Combined,” or both raster and vector.  Use the distinct material settings for etching (raster in the settings window) and cutting (vector in the settings window). Once you have you have finished with the settings, have an adult confirm they are correct. Click “OK,” then “Print” to send your job to the laser cutter.

  • SAFETY NOTES: Don't forget to turn on the additional Air Assist for be cutting and hit "Go" when you're ready to lasercut.  Be sure to monitor your job the entire time and never walk away unless you press "Stop."  Do not stare at the laser as it works!  

  • Once the job is complete, you can open the door and remove your material. Be sure to clean up any debris from your materials, and make sure the bed is clean.

How do I complete my laser cutter certification?

Take a photo with your first laser cut item completed with a certified adult.  Then complete the quiz linked below. Once you pass the quiz, your photo will posted and you will be ready to use the laser cutter.