Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter - Revision history

SD at 11:23, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T11:23:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:23, 24 April 2026
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	== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==		== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
	=== On the machine ===		=== On the machine ===
	*Turn on the machine with the key.
	*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
	*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.		*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
	** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.		** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.

SD at 07:20, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T07:20:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:20, 24 April 2026
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	#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.		#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
	#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.		#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

	~~'''I sent~~

Wilco: /* On the computer */

2026-04-24T06:37:53Z

On the computer

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:37, 24 April 2026
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	*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.		*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
	**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl		**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
	**Password:		**Password: ask a staff member to fill this in
	*Drag and drop the file into the queue.		*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
	[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png\|The queue]]		[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png\|The queue]]

Wilco: /* On the computer */

2026-04-24T06:35:58Z

On the computer

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:35, 24 April 2026
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	*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.		*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
	**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl		**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
	**Password: ~~!4Students~~		**Password:
	*Drag and drop the file into the queue.		*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
	[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png\|The queue]]		[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png\|The queue]]

SD: /* Warning and material limitations */

2026-04-23T19:48:22Z

Warning and material limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:48, 23 April 2026
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	**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'		**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

	==='''~~Warning~~''' ~~and material limitations~~===		==='''Read before use'''===
	*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.		*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
	*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.		*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.

SD: /* General basics */

2026-04-23T19:40:32Z

General basics

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 23 April 2026
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	**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'		**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

	==='''~~General warning~~ and material limitations~~'''~~===		==='''Warning''' and material limitations===
	*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.		*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
	*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.		*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.

SD at 19:38, 23 April 2026

2026-04-23T19:38:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 23 April 2026
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	*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.		*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
	*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.		*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
			*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
	*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.		*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
	*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.		*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.

SD: /* General preparations */

2026-04-23T19:36:48Z

General preparations

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 23 April 2026
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	== General ~~preparations~~ ==		== General basics ==

			To make your life easier:
	*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.		*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
	**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'		**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'
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	**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'		**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

	==='''~~WARNING~~'''===		==='''General warning and material limitations'''===
	*~~Using a~~ laser is ~~potentially~~ a serious ~~'''fire hazard'''~~. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.		*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
	*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.		*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
	*~~Although~~ nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.		*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
	*Because we don't want to sit around with ~~gasmasks~~ on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.		*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
	*No MDF.		*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
			*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

	== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==		== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==

SD: /* Advanced operations */

2026-04-23T19:28:13Z

Advanced operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 23 April 2026
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	===Print & Cut===		===Print & Cut===
	This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:		This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
	*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.		*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
	*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).		*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
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	*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.		*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
	*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.		*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.


	==Basic troubleshooting==		==Basic troubleshooting==

SD at 19:27, 23 April 2026

2026-04-23T19:27:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 23 April 2026
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	**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.		**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
	**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''		**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
	*Click on ''''SAVE'''' if you're set.		*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
	*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).		*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

	=== Back to the machine ===		=== Back to the machine ===
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	===Print & Cut===		===Print & Cut===
	This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:		This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
	*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.		*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
	*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).		*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
	*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.		*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
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	*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.		*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
	*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).		*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
	*Before clicking '''~~'Push to laser'~~''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.		*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
	*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.		*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
	*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.		*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.