Equipment/Laser Cutter/Training

Equipment / Laser Cutter / Training

Laser Cutter Training

Details TBC.

Trained Users

Users that are trained and qualified to use the equipment (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)

Training Cheatsheet

The training structure and prompt sheet to ensure trainers go through all important points.

1. Introductory Group Training

Intro for 1-4 people

Introduction the main component parts

• Laser
• Cutting Mechanics
• Materials
• Filter
• Water Cooler System
• PC

Checks

• Check in use, looks ok
• Check water bath, temperature

Turn filter on

• Tick = ok
• Warning = tell someone
• Cross = don't use it

Turn Laser on

• Turn key and light comes on
• Leave for 5 mins to warm up

PC on

• Software is Laser cut 5.3, what is for
• Bed dimensions
• Make M + S + cut keyring to talk through in MDF
• Import/file types
• Colours used to denote layers which are cut the same way
• Yellow dots are starting points for the laser
• Blue dot is the start point for the laser
• immediate mode
• Shapes can be 'united' to reduce movement of the laser head
• Cut and engrave strengths can be seen from the test pieces
• Go through commands to make the keyring
• Save the file with a meaningful name
• delete all jobs, Click 'Download' to send the job to the laser memory - ensure 'immediate' is ticked to ensure that you can adjust the positioning of the work on the bed.
• Ensure your item is selected and click Download Current

Laser Operation

• Intro control panel
• Ensure your job is selected, use left and right arrows to change selection
• Use the side of the bed tray most appropriate to support your work
• Align your work to avoid cut pieces rising up and colliding with the laser head - tombstoning
• Press Esc to enter laser operation mode
• Use arrow keys to position laser head over the workpiece
• Use up and down buttons to move bed so that the top surface of the work piece is 41mm from the white tab on the laser - ENSURE that the bed does not force the focus tool against the laser head
• Remove focus tool
• Align red laser dot with top right of workpiece
• Press test button and laser will draw bounding rectangle
• Reposition workpiece if required
• Press start to commence cutting

REWRITE In case of problem

• In the first instance press pause. This stops movement and the laser (no power going in).
• The lid can then be opened safely if needed.
• If the problem is cleared the lid can be closed and pressing pause again continues the job

- As a last resort hit the emergency stop but this should only

be used in case of a collision or issue where damage is being caused

• Make someone confident what steps they can take (e.g. opening lid)

END REWRITE

Switch Off

• Switch off laser
• Switch off filtration
• Clean any residue from the bed or bottom tray

2. Individual Training Task

individual taks (other 3 may/may not watch, personal)

make a focus tool

• square in acrylic (3/5/10mm)
• name's shallow cut
• "focus tool" in engrave
• keychain hole

Steps

• Let some build it answering questions with little prompting (minimal attention needed)
• Talk through it, question/check things etc
• Proceed to lasering (watch carefully)
• ask to stop job/restart, question escalation

Assuming all ok, added to trained list

3. Project Buddy

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