Silvertail A0 Laser Cutter: Difference between revisions

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|owner=LHS
|owner=LHS
|origin=Pledge
|origin=Pledge
|location=Ground Floor
|location=Ground Floor, Metal Workshop
|maintainers=Solexious, Yetifiasco, Russ
|maintainers=Padski, YetiFiasco, Russ
}}
}}
Is the laser-cutter working? Members can log in to the members area to find out:
Is the laser-cutter working? Members can log in to the members area to find out:
https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php
https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php


Our shiny new laser cutter, purchased in 2014 by [[Pledge:_New_Laser_Cutter|pledge]].
Our shiny <s>new</s> laser cutter, purchased in 2014 by [[Pledge:_New_Laser_Cutter|pledge]].


* 1200mm by 900mm cutting area (slightly larger than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_216 A0] sized)
* 1200mm by 900mm cutting area (slightly larger than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_216 A0] sized)
* 80W laser tube
* 130W laser tube


'''If you're using this laser cutter for the first time, and you've been trained on the previous machine, please read the [[Silvertail_A0_Laser_Cutter/Upgrade_Notes|Upgrade Notes]].
== Controller upgrade ==
 
Note that the lasercutter has had a controller board change to address issues with the previous controller exhibiting random behaviour "the vertical cut of doom". The controller is based on a smoothieboard, and accepts gcode instructions from the controlling PC. No longer uses the Lasercut53 software, but instead uses the LightBurn software instead. Further differences from previous procedures will be documented soon.
 
'''If you're using this laser cutter for the first time, and you've been trained on the Silvertail laser cutter with the previous (stock) controller, please read the [[Silvertail_A0_Laser_Cutter/Upgrade_Notes|Upgrade Notes]].
 
 
[[User:Simon Hewison|Simon Hewison]] ([[User talk:Simon Hewison|talk]]) 08:21, 24 February 2020 (UTC)


==Training==
==Training==
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==Costs==
==Costs==


* Training - £5 per person (payable to the trainer for that session)
* Training - £10 per person (payable to the trainer for that session)
* Usage - £6/hour
* Usage - £6/hour
* Consumables - Bring your own and/or use what is in the off cuts bin, but always ensure (rather than assume) it's [[Laser_Cutter/Instructions#Chlorine_Testing_and_Material_Safety|laser safe]].
* Consumables - Bring your own, but always ensure (rather than assume) it's [[Laser_Cutter/Instructions#Chlorine_Testing_and_Material_Safety|laser safe]].


== Laser Cutter instructions ==  
== Laser Cutter instructions ==  
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<u>'''All bans will be made public and be able to be appealed against.'''</u>
<u>'''All bans will be made public and be able to be appealed against.'''</u>
==Most Common Issues List and How to solve it==
Laser heat is locked up with a fault
Lightburn screen is discombobulated +
The laser cutting is going close to the bed. How do I prevent it to damage the lens ?
Press the estop or turn the key off
A small fire start.
You can blow strongly on it. Otherwise you have the fire extinguisher next to CNC.
A big fire start.
Use the fire extinguisher next to the CNC. Call 911 if that get out of control.


==Using ACnode==
==Using ACnode==
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Members can check the status of the tools at the space and their access to them here:
Members can check the status of the tools at the space and their access to them here:


https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php
[https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php]


====ACnode Colours====
====ACnode Colours====
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==Where to get supplies/consumables/materials==
==Where to get supplies/consumables/materials==
* [http://www.hamaracrylic.co.uk/hamar_acrylic_products.aspx Hamar] - 238-240 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 0AA. 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
* [http://www.hamaracrylic.com Hamar] - 16A Bidder Street London, E16 4ST. 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
* [https://hobarts.com/sheet-materials_124/ Hobarts] - mail order
* [https://hobarts.com/sheet-materials_124/ Hobarts] - mail order
* [http://kitronic.co.uk Kitronic] - mail order, good ply
* [http://kitronic.co.uk Kitronic] - mail order, good ply
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* [http://www.mdfcuttosize.com/ MDF Cut to Size] - 413 Wick Lane, Bow, London, E3 2JG - Pay for the size you want cut
* [http://www.mdfcuttosize.com/ MDF Cut to Size] - 413 Wick Lane, Bow, London, E3 2JG - Pay for the size you want cut
* [http://www.thenaturalworkshop.co.uk/ The Natural Workshop (Website)] - [http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thenaturalworkshop/ The Natural Workshop (eBay)]- mail order
* [http://www.thenaturalworkshop.co.uk/ The Natural Workshop (Website)] - [http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thenaturalworkshop/ The Natural Workshop (eBay)]- mail order
* [https://www.jennortimber.co.uk/products/plywood Jennor Timber], Lockfield Avenue, Enfield EN3 7QL, or 13 Braintree Rd, Ruislip HA4 0EJ. Laser grade birch ply. Not listed on their website, but they do it - it's in their catalogue, and they know their stuff. Give them a call.


==List of allowed and banned materials ==
==List of allowed and banned materials ==
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====Plastics====
====Plastics====
* Thin Polypropylene sheet (<1mm)
* Acrylic (max 10mm)
* Acrylic (max 10mm)
* Foamcore (non-PVC variety)
* Foamcore (non-PVC variety)
* Correx (Genuine non PVC)
* Correx (Genuine non PVC)
* Depron foam (Fire risk, must be closely monitored)
* Depron foam (Fire risk, must be closely monitored)
* EVA Foam (if real)
* Delrin (max 8mm)
====Textiles====
====Textiles====
* Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton (Not plastic-impregnated fabric)
* Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton (Not plastic-impregnated fabric)
* Polar Fleece
* Polar Fleece
* Leather (Only if known to be vegetable tanned)


====For engraving only====
====For engraving only====
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* Glass (Engrave only)
* Glass (Engrave only)
* Anodized Aluminium (Engrave only)
* Anodized Aluminium (Engrave only)


===Explicitly banned===
===Explicitly banned===
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If you want to cut a material which is not on this list, contact one of the maintainers and get them to OK it first.
If you want to cut a material which is not on this list, contact one of the maintainers and get them to OK it first.


* Cork (fire risk)
* Wood which isn't explicitly laser-grade (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Wood which isn't explicitly laser-grade (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Food (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Food (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Body parts
* Body parts
* Plastics containing PVC (laser contamination, emissions)
* Plastics containing PVC (laser contamination, emissions)
* Plastics containing ABS (laser contamination, fire risk)
* Plastics containing ABS (laser contamination, fire risk, cyanide emission)
* Fibreglass (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Fibreglass (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Circuit boards (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Circuit boards (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Polycarbonate (laser contamination, fire risk)
* Polycarbonate (laser contamination, fire risk)
* All metal (except engraving anodized aluminium)
* All metal (except engraving anodized aluminium)
* Polystyrene foam (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Polystyrene (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Polypropylene foam (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Polypropylene (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* HDPE (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* HDPE (high-density polyethylene or polyethylene) (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Carbon fibre (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Carbon fibre (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Shuttering ply (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Shuttering ply (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Latex (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Latex (laser contamination, fire risk, emissions)
* Leather chrome-tanned, or unknown tanning agent (Emissions)
* Leather, all. (laser contamination)
 
 
 
===Laser Fonts ===
 
* Allerta Stencil-Regular
* StardosStencil-Bold
* StardosStencil-Regular
 
https://github.com/deanforbes/LHS_LaserFonts
 
*** should be moved to LHS GIT Repo


== Cutting Parameters ==
== Cutting Parameters ==
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== Trainers and maintainers ==
== Trainers and maintainers ==
Training info can be found here: https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Lasercutter_Training


If you have questions or problems with the laser cutter, please speak to one of these people:
If you have questions or problems with the laser cutter, please speak to one of these people:


* [[User:Solexious|Solexious]] ([[User talk:Solexious|talk]])
* [[User:Arthur|Arthur]] - ask on ML
* [[User:Yetifiasco|Yetifiasco]] ([[User Yetifiasco|talk]])
* [[User:Padski|Paddy]] (maintenance only) - IRC:padski
* [[User:Russ|Russ]] ([[User Russ|talk]])


==Technical Specs==
==Technical Specs==
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* LaserCut 5.3 software.
* LaserCut 5.3 software.
* [http://www.teyuchiller.com/Products/ChillerCW52001400Wco.html S&A CW-5200] water chiller
* [http://www.teyuchiller.com/Products/ChillerCW52001400Wco.html S&A CW-5200] water chiller
{{:Risk Assessment/ Laser Cutting}}


[[Category:Tools for use on wood]]
[[Category:Tools for use on wood]]
[[Category:Tools for use on plastic]]
[[Category:Tools for use on plastic]]