Laser Cutting Labs
Laser cutters are used to cut a variety of flat sheet materials using the output of a high-power laser. The laser follows a designed path while heating a focused area and instantly vaporizing it. Laser cutters are used specifically for cutting and engraving.
CAAD students and faculty have access to two different laser cutting machines - the Universal Laser System machines and the KERN Laser cutter.
- SMALL LASER CUTTERS (AD1-014)
The Digital Fabrication Labs at CAAD feature three 50W machines with an enclosure. These Universal Laser System (ULS) PLS6.150D machines have a cutting area of 810 mm x 450 mm, and are capable of cutting through maximum 6mm thick material.
A list of approved materials is available in the manual provided during training sessions.
The following materials are NOT ALLOWED for laser cutting due to the harmful fumes they release and other safety hazards: PVC, Vinyl, Acetate, Rubber, Foam, Neoprene, and metals. Please consult our Digital Fabrication Labs Specialist if you have any doubt or inquiries regarding allowable materials.
Reservation
The Laser cutters are available for use on a weekly signup basis. Any CAAD student (2nd year VIS,DES ,MUM and above or 3rd ARC, IDE and above) may reserve up to 2 hours per week. To reserve a time slot or to access the current schedule, please sign in here.
Access
Card access is granted to all currently enrolled CAAD students once they’re successfully completed an orientation in the lab.
Please note because of varying departmental rules on laser cutter use, CAAD Labs trains VIS,DES, and MUM students when they rise totheur 2nd year, and trains ARC and IDE students when they rise to 3rd year at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Please contact our Digital Fabrication Labs Specialist to schedule training sessions and for additional information.
- LARGE LASER CUTTING MACHINE (AD1-011)
This large format 400W KERN Laser cutting machine can cut both metals, non-ferrous metals, as well as a number of other materials such as fabric, plastic, and thin sheets of wood.
The maximum cutting area is 128cm x 256 cm. It can cut 25.4mm acrylic, 5mm mild steel, 1–2mm stainless steel.
Procedure
- Once the digital file has been prepared send an email to [email protected] with details of the job (size of material, type of material, course name.) Indicate an open time slot from the reservation page in the email subject.
- Please drop your .3dm file in the CAAD Labs Students ‘classes’ folder. Emailed files won’t be accepted.
- CAAD Labs staff will check if everything is in order and confirm the milling date. On the day of your routing job, bring the stock material to the CNC Laser Cutter Lab 10 min before the starting time.
Access
Students do not have access to this lab. Files are run by CAAD Labs staff and trained lab assistants only. Please contact our Digital Fabrication Labs Specialist for additional information.
Lab Policies
Please refer to Appendix C of the CAAD Labs’ Policies and Procedures Manual for this lab’s policies, along with other general lab policies.
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