Laser Cutter

The laser cutter is an exciting tool that can be used to transform digital designs into many functional and artistic objects across a variety of materials. Sign up for an upcoming laser cutter certification or design class here!

In the certification, we will discuss how the machine and software work, what materials can be cut and engraved, and how our service works here at the library.

If you would like to create your own projects Fab Lab staff will help you prepare your design during our Fab Lab Workshop. Afterwards, staff will help you submit the file to be fabricated by our Fab Lab Team.

Submissions will be processed in the order they are received. Fabrication may take up to 3 weeks. You will receive an email confirmation when your project is ready for pick up. EPL’s service is designed for introductory learning and hobbyist applications.

What is Laser Cutting?
Service Overview
Getting Started
Accepted Materials / Materials for Purchase
Equipment and Materials
Laser Cutter Classes
FAQs
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What is Laser Cutting?

Laser is an acronym which stands for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a concentrated beam of light that vaporizes material! You can engrave or cut a design onto a material’s surface.

Laser cutting and engraving is good for achieving highly accurate cuts and detailed designs.

Service Overview

Laser cutter certification training is required to use this service.
Customers must be 12 years or older to participate.
Customers under 12 are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult who has completed the required training and will be present at all times to facilitate the child’s safe use of the equipment.
Workshop bookings are 2 hours.
Customers can have 2 bookings per month.
Project files have a maximum of 20 minutes of cut time – project files must be reviewed and approved by staff prior to project submission.
Please review the Laser Cutting Terms of Service for full service guidelines and details.

Getting Started

To access laser cutting services at EPL:

Have an EPL Library card. Other card options are accepted.
Register for a Laser Workshop class at the Stanley A. Milner Library Makerspace.
Complete the Makerspace waiver.
Ready to Make Acknowledgement
Attend the in-person laser cutter Workshop and in person attendance to submit a file for production.

Materials for Purchase

Customers must purchase materials from EPL. EPL works with local suppliers, setting prices to recover the cost of materials. EPL has 1/8” plywood and 1/8” clear acrylic for sale to be processed with our laser cutter. Additionally, we have 1/8” Cardboard that can be used for free. Access to other laserable materials and products may vary.

Equipment and Material Details

Which materials can I cut or engrave?

What is the difference between cutting and engraving?

Cutting is an operation where the laser beam burns through the structural layers of a material separating it from the original substrate.

Engraving is an operation where the laser beam burns away surface layers of material to create a pattern or image on the material. There are two types of engraving when using the laser cutter.

Vector engraving uses lines and coordinates to create precise paths that the laser can follow. Typical vector engraving files are .svg or .AI files.

Raster engraving similarly burns away surface layers of a material. But instead of following a precise path, the laser instead engraves back and forth in a sweeping motion to engrave raster images, generated from pixels in greyscale. This is how photographic images can be reproduced in the laser engraving process. Typical file types for raster engraving are .jpg and .png.

Which software does the laser cutter use?

The laser cutter uses Trotec JobControl to process image files into instructions for the laser cutter, such as when to cut, or engrave, and how much power and speed is applied.

Customers will create their designs in vector graphics software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape for most cutting and engraving operations. When working with a photograph, a greyscale raster file will be used instead. Inkscape can be downloaded for free at home, and Adobe Illustrator can be accessed for free on the Creative iMacs in the Makerspace – staff are happy to help as you are getting started with your design.

Digital file formats supported by EPL are:

.ai
.svg
.pdf

Please note EPL does not have software that can open .dwg,. dwx, and .cdr files at this time – your designs must be converted from those formats before submission.

What are the specifications for the laser cutter at EPL?

EPL provides a Trotec Speedy 300 laser cutter.

Type: CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Power: 80 watt
Bed size : 28.5” x 17” (723.9mm x 431.8mm)
Max. height of the material is 7.3” (187mm) with the 2.5” lens
Max cut depth: ¼” or 6.35mm
Max load: 44 lbs / 20kg across whole worktable
Accuracy = +/- 0.015 mm (0.0006 inch) over the whole working area
Max. processing speed = 3.55 m/s (140 ips)
Acceleration = 50 m/s² (1968 ips²)
For more specs, click here

EPL offers a 2.5” lens. The laser cutter includes a vacuum table to hold material securely while cutting– EPL staff may assist you in taping off unused sections of the worktable for your project to ensure optimal cutting conditions.

What equipment is available?

Trotec Speedy 300 – Staff use only

The machine has a cutting plate material fits flat on the 28.5” x 17” cutting table?

Coming Soon - ___________ - Customer use

Maximum material width: 20” x 12”

Material for purchase for laser cutting

1/8” Baltic Birch 24” x 12” $12
1/8” Baltic Birch 12” x 12” $6
1/8” Acrylic 24” x 12” $24
1/8” Acrylic 12” x 12” $12
https://www.trotec-materials.com

EPL provides a Trotec Speedy 300 laser cutter.

Type: CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Power: 80 watt
Bed size : 28.5” x 17” (723.9mm x 431.8mm)
Max. height of material is 7.3” (187mm) with the 2.5” lens
Max cut depth: ¼” or 6.35mm
Max load: 44 lbs / 20kg across whole worktable
Accuracy = +/- 0.015 mm (0.0006 inch) over the whole working area
Max. processing speed = 3.55 m/s (140 ips)
Acceleration = 50 m/s² (1968 ips²)
For more specs, click here

Are there any rules for which materials or projects can be cut or engraved?

What is the cost to use the laser cutter?

Using the laser cutter at EPL is free. Materials can be purchased from EPL for the fees below: (exact prices to be determined).

1/8” Baltic Birch
- Full Sheet - $12
- Half Sheet - $6
1/8” Clear Acrylic
- Full Sheet - $24
- Half Sheet - $12
Other materials may be available seasonally.

Cutting and engraving time is limited to 20 minutes per project submission. EPL’s laser cutter is quick and powerful, so many designs will take 5-10 minutes of actual cut or engraving time.

Laser Cutter Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

We are currently not accepting file submissions outside of participants attending the class scheduled times.
Any picture file will work. This includes JPEGs, PNGs as well as SVGs. What is most important is having a good quality image that meets the design requirements for a laser engraving or a cleaned up vector file that meets the criteria to be recognized by the laser cutter for cutting out a shape.
We are currently not accepting file submissions outside of participants attending the class scheduled times.
We are currently not accepting non-EPL provided materials.
Yes, this process is called raster engraving. Photographs will require processing and alteration in software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to transform into an image that will engrave well.

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Laser Cutter

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