80 watt laser engraver

super rough notes, don't even look at me pls

gotchas

• ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT WATER PUMP IS RUNNING, it is turned on by plugging in extra cord that comes out of water cooler
• cutting order is often strange, don't freak out if it looks like it skipped a section, it will come back
• engraving and cutting can be put in same file, when you get them into lasercut select cuts and push them to a later layer (select line, select layer colour)
• think about cut order, if it matters push cuts to different layers, e.g. shark with eye cut out, cut out eye first then shark, otherwise shark could fall away or move before the eye has been cut
• put exhaust fan outside, plug it in and cover up the gap in the bay door

Process notes

• google sketchup -> dxf via http://www.guitar-list.com/files/skp_to_dxf.rbz
• take file to laser laptop
• open dxf in autocad save as 2004 dxf
• import in lasercut5.1
• download button
• download current
• do setup tests for function, focus,
• use test to setup test piece
• verify cut/engrave speed and power settings
• use test to setup work piece
• cut

cut guidelines

materialxthickness

acrylic

2mm speed 5-10 power 100

6mm speed ? power ?

Importance of focusing/lens choice http://www.thefabricator.com/article/lasercutting/the-importance-of-focal-positions-in-laser-cutting Focus on the surface, under the surface, or on the bottom surface.