Dpl laser induction booklet 2017

laser cutting induction dpl.aaschool.ac.uk

Digital Prototyping Lab - location The Digital Prototyping Lab is located on the lower ground oor of 36 Bedford Square, but can also be accessed from Morwell Street.

The DPL CNC room is along the corridor, opposite the AA canteen and the DPL Robot room can be found in the lower ground oor of 37 Bedford Square.

DPL ROBOT

Digital Prototyping Lab - staff The DPL is operated by three full-time staff: Angel: Head of DPL Henry: DPL Technician Alvaro: Robotics Technician The lab is also supported by a team of student assistants on shifts during term time.

Alvaro

Angel

Henry

DPL Opening Times: Monday - Friday Saturday

9am - 9pm 10am - 5pm

During the summer months the DPL operates on a reduced opening schedule: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

DPL Services: - 3D Printing - 3D Scanning - CNC Milling - Laser Cutting - Robotics - Workshops For more info visit: http://dpl.aaschool.ac.uk

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Laser-cutting is a fast, easy and precise way of cutting and engraving detailed artwork. It does this by continually firing a powerful laser beam, via a series of mirrors and lens that move laterally, and onto a flatbed where sheet material such as card, MDF and acrylic is placed.

The DPL currently has four laser cutting machines and they are free to use for AA students. To book a machine students can log in to the DPL Online Booking System and reserve a time slot.

The lasers are capable of cutting many different materials; like plastics, wood, card, paper, fabrics etc, but for safety reasons we do ask that students check with staff before cutting anything they’ve brought into the lab themselves.

laser cutting

How does a laser cutter work?

Hidden in the back of the machine, the laser tube, or cartridge, ďŹ res out the powerful laser beam. A series of mirrors direct the beam to the laser carriage, which can move in both the X and Y axis. It is then directed vertically down and focused through a lens onto the surface of the material. The carriage will move across the material, following a predeďŹ ned path, with the laser cutting or engraving as it goes.

top view

side view

How are the DPL laser cutters operated?

All the machines must be switched on before using the laser cutter

The laser cutter must be connected to several other pieces of equipment to operate safely. A computer is needed to set the correct cutting information. A smoke extraction unit is required to remove fumes and small particles produced by the vaporisation of material and a compressed air supply is needed to add air into the laser cutter to keep the air ow balanced. It is very important everything is switched on and working before using the laser cutter.

Health & Safety The DPL takes Health & Safety very seriously. It is important that all students read and understand the following guidelines and the warnings displayed on page 21.

- Only students who have attended the DPL laser induction and have signed the Induction form may use the laser cutters. If in doubt, students must speak to DPL staff.

- When using the laser cutters, students are responsible for their safety and of those around them. Improper use can cause serious health risks and damage to the machine. See pages .... for details.

- If students are in any doubt then they MUST ask for assistance before operating the machine. Failure to operate the laser cutters in a safe and responsible way might result in serious consequences, e.g. being banned from the lab or being liable for damages.

- Students can only use the laser cutters when under supervision from DPL staff or DPL assistants.

- When using the laser cutter, students must keep a close watch on their machine at all times to ensure it is working correctly and is not hazardous in any way.

- Only approved materials may be used in the laser cutters. Students must check with DPL staff if unsure.

Laser cutting modes The DPL laser cutters have two different printing, or output, modes. They deďŹ ne how the digital information from the source drawing is used to tell the laser what to do. When creating artwork to laser cut, it is important to understand which mode will need to be set. The two different modes are:

Vector Mode Vector mode is most commonly used. The laser will follow along every drawn vector in the artwork so long as it is zero, or hairline, in thickness.

Raster Mode In raster mode the laser treats everything as an image. It is usually used to engrave solid areas, such as text, or to create images. To achieve this the laser will act like a print cartridge in a printer, incrementally ‘printing’ the desired artwork.

File preparation The DPL laser cutters are set up to print from Rhino. Students should create or import their 2D artwork into this software at the correct size in millimetres.

- Laser Cutting Area: 812mm x 457mm - Artwork in Rhino should be at 1:1 scale - Material size should be larger than the artwork but smaller than the cutting area

File preparation Once the artwork is arranged correctly: >File >Print Output Color: >Display - Place the window in the desired position

Scale: 1:1 in mm View Window: >Set - Try not to change the scale when doing this

File preparation - Remember, what shows in the print preview is what the laser will cut/engrave. The DPL doesn’t give refunds for mistaken scale/settings input!

>Properties This is where the parameters for the laser are set.

Choosing the right settings Adjusting the following parameters will determine the depth the laser will cut to: Power: The percentage of power used from the laser Speed: The speed the laser carriage moves across your work PPI:

The rate the laser ďŹ res as it moves (pulses per inch)

Select the desired colour and use the three sliders to adjust the parameters.

Choose the correct Pen Mode - either: Raster, Vector or Skip (which ignores the colour). It is worth bearing in mind that the order of colours cannot be changed.

When ready >Set After all colours are set >OK

Laser settings guide The following settings can be used for each material. However, these are just guidelines and aren’t guaranteed to work. It is highly recommended that a small test be carried out ďŹ rst.

How to focus the laser The material must be set at the correct height for the laser lens to be in focus. This is because the lens always focuses the laser bean to a set distance that cannot be changed. Therefore the cutting bed holding the material must be moved up or down so that the laser focuses on the top surface of the material.

How to focus the laser - machines 2 & 3 The correct height is set manually using the laser focusing tool. > - place tool underneath the laser carriage

How to focus the laser - machines 2 & 3 - Lower the cutting bed by pressing > and keep pressing until the focus tool slowly starts to move away from the laser carriage. Be careful not to go too far. > again and close the lid.

Correct Height

Too Low

Too High

Laser Carriage

Focus Measuring Tool

Focus Measuring Tool

Material

Material

Material

Side View

Focus Measuring Tool

Side View

Side View

How to focus the laser - machines 1 & 4 >Properties. Select colour, adjust parameters >Z Axis On. Enter material thickness in Z Axis >Set. When all colours ready >OK

Click on the red box in the taskbar.

This will open the laser control panel with a preview of what the laser will cut.

Warning!

- Have you checked that the smoke extraction is switched on?

- Have you checked that the compressed air supply is switched on?

- Have you correctly focused the laser?

It is the responsibility of all students to follow these guidelines and to work in a safe manner at all times.

Students must ask DPL staff if in any doubt about correct operating procedure or if in need of assistance.

CAUTION! LASER RADIATION & FIRE RISK - Do not stare continuously at the laser beam or view with optical instruments - Do not cut more than one sheet of material at a time - Only pre-approved material is allowed - Never operate the laser without constant supervision. If you are using the machine, you must remain in the lab at all times.

- If you discover a ďŹ re: pause the laser and tell DPL staff. DO NOT tackle the ďŹ re yourself

Running the laser Laser’s 1 & 4 >

to start the laser job

>

to pause or resume

Laser’s 2 & 3 > >

to start the laser job to pause and >

to resume

Laser cut results - For this example the following laser modes were applied: red = raster, green and blue = vector - Different power/speed settings were applied to achieve deeper engravings/cut - If the vector cutting does not go through the material then increase power or decrease the speed

Laser booking system & induction form The laser cutters can be booked through the DPL online laser booking system, found at: www.aaschool.ac.uk/aaschool/bedfordsquare/dpl Please note the following booking rules apply: - 6 hrs/week, 4 hrs/day max per student - Lasers 1, 2 & 3 available one day in advance - Laser 4 is available 3 days in advance - Booking slots refresh at 9pm every night - If you are more than 10mins late you will lose your booking!

Students must attend a DPL laser induction to gain access to the lasers and booking system Once inducted students must ďŹ ll in this form and give it to DPL staff. It’s the DPL record of attendance of the induction.

IMPORTANT: Students must log in to the booking system.

AA Digital Prototyping Lab

Laser Cutting Induction Record Date: Induction Given by:

(To be filled in by DPL staff)

Please write in CAPITAL letters below:

An error message will appear, but this will let the system know a new student is seeking access. DPL staff will then correlate with the form and activate permission to book the laser cutters.

Name: AA Network Log-In: Student No: Year/Unit/Program: I have been given complete training in the safe and proper operation and use of the laser cutting machines at the AA's Digital Prototyping Lab and I fully understand the health and safety issues involved.

I understand that improper use of the laser cutting machines can cause serious health risks and risk of damage to the machines, and that while I am using a laser cutting machine, I will be held responsible for the safety of all people and equipment affected by using that machine.

I will ask for assistance if I am in doubt about the safe and proper operation of the laser cutting machine.

I will not let other people operate a machine on my behalf and will not book slots for students who have not had the Laser Training Induction.

I understand that if I do not show up for any three of my booked slots per term, my account may be suspended until further notice.

I will not use any other materials than those that have been designated as safe to use, as posted in the AA Digital Prototyping Lab. I understand that failure to operate the laser cutting machines in a safe and responsible way might result in serious consequences such as being held liable for damages and being banned from using any facilities within the AA Digital Prototyping Lab.

Printed Name Digital Prototyping Lab AA School of Architecture 36 Bedford Square London WC1B 3ES Tel: +44(0)20 7887 4116 Email: dpl@aaschool.ac.uk www.aaschool.ac.uk/digitalprototyping

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