Laser Operation Class

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.

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

• Laser Theory of Operation
• Laser_Hardware
  • The safety equipment
  • How to arm and fire
• Materials
  • Cover safe and approved materials
  • Cover some known materials that do not work
• Inkscape Plug-in
  • How to install
  • Relevant G-Code
  • How to set up cutting/engraving
  • Custom values tab
• Computer Control
  • User Account
  • Moving files
  • Where to keep G-Code Files
• LinuxCNC
  • Toggle Emergency Stop
  • 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.

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.