Equipment/Laser Cutter/Training

2013-02-04T14:36:25Z

AndrewD:

[[Equipment|Equipment]] / [[Equipment/Laser_Cutter|Laser Cutter]] / Training

= Laser Cutter Training =

This page documents the process for being trained on the Laser Cutter, and the list of members who have completed that training.

== Summary ==

Training takes place in three main steps:
* Group Training of 1-4 members, going through the equipment and how to use it (~1hr)
* Individual Training Task, where an individual member is set a task to complete to prove and improve understanding (~30min each)
* Project Oversight, where more experienced users oversee the projects being undertaken when cutting (first 2-3 projects)

Training on the Laser Cutter is run by the Laser Cutter Owners. The Laser Cutter Owners are a group of people responsible for maintaining and training on the laser cutter, and hence have been trained to train, and trained to perform the weekly and monthly maintenance on the laser cutter.

== Booking ==

Please add your name to free slots in training sessions below.

For discussing and arranging slots, please use the mailing list thread: '''[https://groups.google.com/d/topic/cammakespace/vNrS07zVuY0/discussion Training : Laser Cutter]'''

Tuesday 5th @ 7pm, Trainer: Simon Ford
* 7pm Group, 8.00pm Individual: Brian Corteil
* 7pm Group, 8.30pm Individual: Wayne Keenan
* 7pm Group, 9.00pm Individual: Andrew Dunn
* 7pm Group, 9.30pm Individual: book now!

Notes:
* You can only be trained if you have your name allocated to a slot (groups will be restricted to four at a time, so please don't make up additional spaces)
* You must do the group and individual training on the same day

= Trained Users =

The following members of Makespace are trained and qualified to use the Laser Cutter (note, they are not qualified to train others however):

* Steve Upton (Simon Ford, 23/01/2013)
* Martin de Selincourt (Simon Ford, 23/01/2013)
* Oliver Jackson (Simon Ford, 23/01/2013)
* Simon Stirley (Simon Ford, 01/02/2013)
* Stephen Woolhead (Simon Ford, 01/02/2013)
* Martin Levine (Simon Ford, 01/02/2013)
* Uwe Borowski (Simon Ford, 01/02/2013)
* Peter Sewell (Simon Ford, 03/02/2013)
* Steve Loughran (Simon Ford, 03/02/2013)
* ST John (Simon Ford, 03/02/2013)
* Henry Gomersall (Simon Ford, 03/02/2013)

= Training Cheatsheet =

The training structure and prompt sheet. Please note, this is used by the Laser Cutter Owners as a prompt to ensure training is executed in a consistent and complete fashion is included on this page; this does not constitute and is not a substitue for the training itself.

== Group Training ==

The group training introduction structure, suitable for 1-4 members at a time in a 1 hr session.

Introduction of main components
* Laser
* Cutting Mechanics
* Water Cooler System
* Filter
* PC
* Materials (what it can cut, supply)

Checks for everyone to do
* Check in use, looks ok
* Check water bath, temperature

Powering Up
* Turning on filter (Tick = ok, Warning = tell the owners, Cross = don't use it and tell the owners)
* Turning on Laser and warmup, what to do if doesn't power up
* Turning on PC and starting software

LaserCut Project walkthrough (using M+S+text keyring example)
* Package function, drawing, import file types
* Bed dimensions
* Paths, yellow dots, 'united' shapes
* Blue dot, Immediate mode
* Layers and colours
* Through cut, surface cut and engraving, speeds and strengths
* Various steps to build keyring design (shapes, text, uniting, layers, alignment, scaling, layers)
* Job ordering
* Saving
* Download as immediate, delete, download current

Laser Operation
* Lid
* Control panel, escape
* Moving head XY, indicator laser, datum
* Moving Z
* Focus
* Start position and test
* Start, pause and emergency stop function
* Do job, pause/open lid, restart

Laser Hazards
* Process and progression for normal operation failure (fire) - pause, open, move, CO2
* Process for abnormal operation failure (mechanical/jam) - emergency stop, open, move, CO2
* Ensure confident of process

Power Down
* Switch off laser
* Switch off filtration
* Clean any residue from the bed or bottom tray
* Close lid

== Individual Training Task ==

The individual task to get familiar, prompt questions and check understanding:

Task
* Make a personalised focus tool
* Square acrylic of appropriate size
* Member's name, "Focus Tool", keychain hole
* Should use full cut, surface cut, engrave
* Should demonstrate all steps, size, appropriate ordering, positioning

Steps
* Set individual to work, don't prompt but do answer questions (or pose if needed)
* Talk through design once done, question/check things etc
* Proceed to lasering (watch carefully all steps)
* Ask to stop job/restart, question escalation process

Assuming all ok:
* Get them to read the health and safety notes about operation and materials
* Add to the trained member list!

== Project Oversight ==

For next 2-3 projects, ensure member will find another more experienced trained user to support them (second pair of eyes)

Talk:Kit wishlist

2012-11-02T15:48:12Z

AndrewD: /* Loading Trolleys */ new section

== PCB manufacturing tools ==

I disagree with the lack of need for chemical PCB etch/expose equipment. The milling technique is quite slow and expensive and not the a very cost effective use of milling equipment, except maybe for prototyping very small boards. Also the proposed mill will not be able to produce high quality PCB with fine traces and pads for SMT components. [[User:TH|TH]] 17:38, 15 March 2012 (UTC)

I second that. Milling is good for drilling holes, and has a niche for fast turnaround tiny boards (ie babysit the machine for 3 hours, not wait a week). The accuracy is pretty poor, so forget any kind of fine-pitch surface mount (even SOIC is pushing it on our machine). Milling tips are expensive and snap regularly. It's very easy to get the depth wrong, snap the tip or gouge great grooves out of your board. You'll always get far better definition from optical transfer and chemical etch, even basic methods eg laser-printed projector film and UV exposure. That level of basic chemical etch is worth having, as well as some recommended cheap low-volume board fabs (eg Olimex or pcb.laen.org - both non-UK ones I haven't tried; are there any cheap local ones?) [[User:TheoMarkettos|TheoMarkettos]] 23:56, 20 May 2012 (BST)

I'm not convinced either way, yet. If it's a one-off simple project then veroboard etc is probably just as good a way to go. If it's more adventurous, with SM, two or more sides, 0.25mm track and gap or less, etc, then getting PCB made by professionals is likely to work much better. And etch chemicals adds a whole layer of COSH and Health and Safety hassle. [[User:Kim SJ|Kim SJ]] 11:24, 17 October 2012 (BST)

== Loading Trolleys ==

Given the fact that we can expect members to be moving some moderately large projects and tools in an out of the space, it would probably be a good idea to have a couple of loading trolleys. In particular this would help with getting heavier items from a car paused in Mill Lane. -- [[User:AndrewD|AndrewD]] 15:48, 2 November 2012 (UTC)

Makespace - User contributions [en]

Equipment/Laser Cutter/Training

Talk:Kit wishlist