Laser Operation Class: Difference between revisions

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In order to be approved to use the laser cutter, you must first take the Laser Operation Class from one of the Knox Maker's members that has been designated as an instructor to teach the course.   The course takes an hour, and has a lab material fee.  Once you have taken the course, you can schedule time on and operate the laser cutter.
Only Knox Makers members are allowed to use the laser cutter, and only after taking the Laser Cutter Workshop.  You can look on our [https://knoxmakers.org/events/ events calendar] to see if any are scheduled, or talk to the [https://knoxmakers.org/member/jondale/ Laser Cutting Czar].  The cost of the class is $10 and lasts about 2 hours.  This class provides an overview of the machine itself, a short tutorial in Inkscape, what materials you can and can't use, and basics of operation.  It will also include a hands-on demo of how to power up and power down the machine.
 
There are no prerequisites for taking this class.
===Instructors===
The following people have been designated by our laser cutting [[SME]] as having appropriate knowledge about the safe operation of our laser cutter to provide training to others.
* Jondale Stratton
* Andy Lautner
* Brian Manifold
* Doug Laney
* Issac Merkle




===Class Outline===
===Class Outline===
*Laser Theory of Operation
*[[Laser_Cutter#Theory:_How_it_Works|Laser Theory of Operation]]
*[[Laser_Hardware]]
*[[Laser_Hardware|Laser Hardware]]
**The safety equipment
**The safety equipment
**How to arm and fire
**How to arm and fire
*Materials
*[[Using_Inkscape_with_the_Laser_Cutter|Inkscape Plug-in]]
**Cover safe and approved materials
**Cover some known materials that do not work
*Inkscape Plug-in
**How to install
**How to install
**Relevant G-Code
**Relevant G-Code
**How to set up cutting/engraving
**How to set up cutting/engraving
**Custom values tab
**Custom values tab
*Computer Control
*[[Laser Cutter Materials]]
**Safe and approved materials
**Some known materials that do not work
*[[LaserCNC_Computer|Computer Control]]
**User Account
**User Account
**Moving files
**Moving files
**Where to keep G-Code Files
**Where to keep G-Code Files
*LinuxCNC
*[[LinuxCNC_For_Laser|LinuxCNC]]
**Toggle Emergency Stop
**Procedure for powering on and powering down machine
**Home all
**Touch-off
**Clear previous
**Burninate!
**Shutdown
 
===Cost===
$10 per student.
 
===Duration===
One hour course
 
===Class Size===
Number of students depends on classroom space, possibly 10-20 students.
 
===Prerequisites===
Basic electronic theory will be helpful, but not required.


===Further Information===
See the [[Laser Cutter Materials]] page for general information.


The basic class provides an overview of the machine itself, what materials you can and can't use, and basics of operation.
===Checklist for machine usage===
Each of these steps will be covered in the Laser Cutter Workshop. 
Only members who have taken the class are authorized to use the laser cutter.
# Upload G-code to machine
# Power on laser cutter
# Power on filtration unit
# Start LinuxCNC
# Software E-Stop is off
# Software Machine Power on
# Machine Homed
# Load G-Code into LinuxCNC
# Align material
# Make sure Laser is in auto mode
# Make sure chiller is powered on
# Make sure lid closed
# Make sure E-stop is disengaged
# Arm switch
# Press play


You will be provided 3 12x12" (roughly) pieces of material: poster paper, plywood, and acrylic. The poster paper and acrylic are utilized in two exercises during class time, and the wood is left for you to experiment with on your own.
===Powering down machine===
# Disarm switch
# Close LinuxCNC
# Turn off filtration unit
# Turn off power to laser cutter
# Do not power down computer!

Latest revision as of 14:59, 18 April 2017

Only Knox Makers members are allowed to use the laser cutter, and only after taking the Laser Cutter Workshop. You can look on our events calendar to see if any are scheduled, or talk to the Laser Cutting Czar. The cost of the class is $10 and lasts about 2 hours. This class provides an overview of the machine itself, a short tutorial in Inkscape, what materials you can and can't use, and basics of operation. It will also include a hands-on demo of how to power up and power down the machine. There are no prerequisites for taking this class.


Class Outline


Checklist for machine usage

Each of these steps will be covered in the Laser Cutter Workshop. Only members who have taken the class are authorized to use the laser cutter.

  1. Upload G-code to machine
  2. Power on laser cutter
  3. Power on filtration unit
  4. Start LinuxCNC
  5. Software E-Stop is off
  6. Software Machine Power on
  7. Machine Homed
  8. Load G-Code into LinuxCNC
  9. Align material
  10. Make sure Laser is in auto mode
  11. Make sure chiller is powered on
  12. Make sure lid closed
  13. Make sure E-stop is disengaged
  14. Arm switch
  15. Press play

Powering down machine

  1. Disarm switch
  2. Close LinuxCNC
  3. Turn off filtration unit
  4. Turn off power to laser cutter
  5. Do not power down computer!
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