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Laser Cutter

Learning Aims

How does a Laser cutter work?

A laser cutter uses a powerful beam of light that gets focused onto a tiny point. This point gets so hot that it melts or burns material. A computer guides the beam to create shapes or designs. It can cut materials like wood, acrylic, cardboard, and certain fabrics, and it can engrave things like glass or stone.

Help Videos

Watch the following videos to help you understand this topic in even greater detail.

How does a laser cutter work?

Why you need a laser cutter?

How do lasers work?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of laser cutters?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Laser cutters?

Advantages

Very Accurate – Can make tiny and perfect cuts that are hard to do by hand.
Creates Detailed Designs – Can cut or engrave very small patterns, shapes, or text.
Works on Many Materials – Such as wood, acrylic, cardboard, fabric, and leather.
Fast Cutting – Cuts shapes much quicker than scissors, saws, or hand tools.
No Touching Needed – The laser is light, so it doesn’t physically touch the material.
Smooth, Clean Edges – The laser melts the edges, making them neat without extra sanding.
Computer-Controlled – You can design something digitally, and the laser follows it exactly.
Great for Repeating Designs – Can make lots of identical pieces perfectly every time.

Disadvantages

Can Be Expensive – Laser cutters cost a lot of money to buy and maintain.
Some Materials Are Dangerous to Cut – Certain plastics (like PVC) release toxic gas when cut.
Can Start Fires – Because the laser is very hot, materials like wood can catch fire if not watched carefully.
Needs Good Ventilation – Smoke and fumes need to be removed safely with fans or filters.
Limited Cutting Thickness – Small or classroom laser cutters can’t cut very thick materials.
Requires Training – You need to learn how to use the machine safely and correctly.
Can Smell or Leave Burn Marks – Cutting wood or cardboard can leave brown edges or smoky smells.
Needs a Computer – You must design things digitally, which takes a bit of practice

What type of products could be made?

Clocks

Rulers

Picture Frames

Keyrings

What types of materials can be used?

Woods

Plastics

Card

Paper

Do Laser cutters have an environmental impact?

Laser cutters do have some disadvantages. They use a lot of electricity, which can increase carbon emissions if the energy comes from non‑renewable sources. This contributes to climate change. When cutting plastics, the heat can release toxic fumes that are harmful to breathe in and can pollute the air. This means laser cutters need good ventilation or special filters to keep the air safe. Finally, leftover pieces from cutting, especially plastic, can create waste if they are not reused or recycled properly, which can harm the environment.

To help protect the environment, people who use laser cutters should choose safer materials, recycle or reuse leftover pieces whenever possible, and make sure the machine has good air filters or ventilation. This helps reduce pollution and keeps the workspace clean and safe for everyone.

Literacy Activity

Success Criteria

To progress you MUST use the following:

Be prepared, listen carefully, watch the videos, read the resources, you could do independent research and ask questions.
Use the word bank provided.
Use technical vocabulary.
Use paragraphs.
Use correct punctuation.
Use correct grammar.
Use correct spelling.
Check your own work once you have finished
Check your own work once you have finished with AI feedback tools.
Don't forget to respond to the feedback to make further progress.

Your Progress

From the literacy challenges below select your differentiated activity.

Challenge 1

Challenge 2

Challenge 3

Word Banks

Below are useful key words / terminology for you to use to improve your work.

How do they work? Computer‑controlled , CAD ( Computer Aided Design ) programme, Laser beam , Focused light, Lens, Mirror, High temperature, Heat, Melting ,Burning, Cutting path, Engraving, , Precision, Accurate, Fast.

What materials can they cut or engrave? Wood, Plywood, MDF, Plastic, Acrylic,

Cardboard, Paper, Fabric, Leather, Glass (engrave), Slate / stone (engrave), Unsafe materials include PVC Polycarbonate. toxic fumes.

Advantages? Accurate, Fast, Detailed, Clean edges ,Smooth cuts, Reliable, Repeatable, No physical, contact, Easy to control with a computer, Works on many materials.

Disadvantages? Expensive, Fire risk, Fumes, Needs ventilation, Can burn edges, Limited thickness, Needs training, Not all materials safe, Unsafe materials include PVC Polycarbonate. toxic fumes.

Environment? Carbon emissions, Climate change, Global warming, Power consumption,

Toxic fumes, Harmful gases, Smoke. Air pollution. Ventilation. Offcuts. Scrap pieces. Landfill Non‑recyclable waste. Recycling. Reusing materials. Eco‑friendly materials

Sentence Starters

Below are useful sentence starters for you to use to improve your work.

How do they work? “A laser cutter works by…” “The laser beam is created when…” “The machine uses mirrors and lenses to…” “The computer controls the cutter so that…” “The laser cuts by heating the material until it…” “The beam follows the design because…”

What materials can they cut or engrave? “Laser cutters can cut materials such as…” “One common material used with laser cutters is…” “They are also able to engrave things like…” “Some materials are unsafe to cut because…”

Advantages? “One advantage of using a laser cutter is…” “Laser cutters are helpful because…” “A benefit of this machine is…” “Another good thing about laser cutters is…”

Disadvantages? “One disadvantage of laser cutters is…” “A problem that can happen when using them is…” “They can be difficult to use because…” “Another drawback is…”

Products? “Laser cutters can be used to make…” “One product created with a laser cutter is…” “They are often used for making items like…” “People use them to design and create…”

Environment? Laser cutters use a lot of electricity, which means… This high energy use can lead to… As electricity is used, it can contribute to…When cutting plastics, the laser can produce fumes that… These gases can be harmful because… Good ventilation is important to make sure… Laser cutting often leaves offcuts, which can become waste if… If these scraps go to landfill, it can cause… Plastic waste is a problem because it…One way to reduce environmental damage is to… Recycling leftover pieces helps because… Using eco‑friendly materials can make a difference by… Good air filters help protect the environment by…

Hall of Fame (WAGOLL)

Our School Technology Department

Pre-Use and Maintenance Checks

The department houses a single laser cutter / engraver in classroom 1G2.

This is only used by teachers, however mature, trained and competent students in Key Stage 4, year 11 may use the laser machine under supervision.

There is a dedicated full-specification LEV fume extractor connected via an extraction pipe and vented to atmosphere. This is to be switched on at all times during laser operation. The machine is fitted with laser safety interlocks which disengage the laser when the viewing window lid is lifted.

The machine is safety checked and maintained annually via an approved local laser company.

Risk Assessment

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