LASER CUTTING

Hello guys, welcome to my new blog! Well, this time, I am going to bring you guys through a more exciting journey as I have done more exhilerating things. Well, if you are wondering what it was, i will cut the suspense. I actually operating on a laser cutter, which is an extremely cool machine to use.                    

Well before bringing you guys through the operations , I will first bring you guys through the fundamentals of the laser cutter. 

Firstly, I will bring you guys through the 4 important hazards associated to the operation of the laser cutting machine and the respective safety control measures.

Fundamentals of laser cutting machine

4 important hazards

 

Hazards	Safety control measures	Pictures to support the explanation
Fire hazard: Accumulation of carbon dioxide gas in the laser cutter	Engineering controls: Fume extraction - Prevent accumulation of smoke and gases in the laser cutter Air compresser - Acts as air assist as it is used to blow air onto the path of the laser to remove smoke and debris	Fume extracter: Air compressor:
Fire hazard:Build up of cutting and engraving residue and debris	Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any small pieces that have gotten stuck into the wire mesh.  Fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire.	Vacuum cleaner:  Fire extinguisher:
Fire hazard: Fire may ignite on material	Open the lid of the laser cutter for 1 to 2 minutes	Laser cutter:
During cutting, the lot of heat is released, causing the material to be very hot	Leave the material in the laser cutter for 1 to 2 minutes	Laser cutter:

       

Materials suitable for cutting

Material	Photo of material
Paper/White card
Cardboard
Balsa Wood
Acrylic
Plywood

Materials not suitable for cutting

 

Material	Photo of material
PVC
Metal
Foam
Rubber

Steps on the operation of the universal laser cutter machine in FabLab

Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutting machine and the fume extractor  

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Switch on the power for the laser cutter, air assist, and the extractor.
Switch on the fume extractor

    

Importing a .DXF file to coreldraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving

Steps and description	Photo to support the description
Select file>Import>Select your DXF file and press import
Once imported, click on the arrow icon on the top left hand corner of the computer
Using that , drag the mouse while left clicking the mouse across the shape to either vector cut, vector engrave or engrave
Double click the bottom right hand tool
Change the colour model to RGB
Change the numbers according to the type of laser cutting chosen
Change the colour based on the type of laser cutting chosen Select Okay at the bottom right hand corner

Sending the coreldraw drawing for laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power,speed,PPI in the software

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Click on file>print
Click on the cogwheel for settings
Click on load after the universal’s material settings appear
Select the file that matches your material type and thickness and select open
Click on apply>ok>print

Starting the job on the laser cutter machine

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Click on the UCP (Universal Control Panel) icon at the bottom.
Click on the red icon on the top right corner.
Close the laser cutter.
Click on the green button.

DOs and DONTs when there's flame/fire on the material being cut  

DO’s	Photos to support the description
Immediately hit the emergency button/switch of the power
Open up the cover to cut off the laser
Attempt to blow off the flame, if it is small
Notify staff on duty immediately
If the fire is severe and uncontrollable, use a fire extinguisher

 

DONTs	Photos to support the description
Do not continue to carry out the laser cutting process

Learning Reflection on laser cutter activities

This was one of the scary yet fun experience I had in CP5070. As this was my first practical after the school holidays, I was afraid that I had lost the touch of my practical skills. Moreover, I had never used a laser cutting machine before. Looking at the universal guide made me tremble in fear as they were many steps, and failing to complete 1 step in the practical would result in me not doing well for the practical. Therefore, I had spent a lot of time to look through the video provided , as well as the universal guide. However, as I had a Standard Operating Procedure during the practical session, it was a bit better.

Even though I passed the test , I felt like I needed a lot of improvement . I had panicked a lot during the practical as I was being watched by the lecturer-in-charge. I felt pressurised and often carried out the practical without referring to the Standard Operating Procedure. Although I was able to carry out most of the experiment thoroughly, I had hesitated to carry out certain steps although I knew the steps. I was afraid that I would go wrong. For example, after finishing the cutting out, I knew that I had to remove the excess materials out of the laser cutter. However, I did not do it immediately as I was hesitant that I would go wrong. This meant that I lacked confidence. Therefore, I learnt that I needed to work on my emotional self and build up confidence in myself. Moreover, in my final year, I will have to do my final year project and there is no room for lack of confidence. I felt that this practical session was very useful as it taught me to use knowledge based on my learning packages and apply it in real life. In the future, I might experience situations like this when I have to carry out certain tasks in real life, based on my book knowledge and I have to be prepared for it.