CNC Laser
Contents |
What is a laser and what is it good for?
A CNC laser is a computer controlled tool for engraving and cutting
Good for:
- Engraving
- Wood, Plastic, Rubber, Leather, Granite, Stone, Metal (with a coating)
- Cutting
- Up to 1/4" thick of Wood, Plastic, Rubber, Leather
Laser Capabilities
- 40 Watt CO2 Laser
- 12.75"x11" work area
- Can cut up to 1/4" thick materials
- Laser mechanical resolution is 0.001"
- Laser spot size is 0.005"
- Works with most Windows software, show up like a printer
- Best vector file formats are SVG, EPS but will read just about all file formats
- Best bitmap format is 1 bit BMP at 250, 500 or 1000 DPI
- Printer driver supports the following page sizes:
- Tabloid: 11"x17"
- A3: 11.69x16.535
- CSHEET: 17x22
- DSHEET: 22x34
- ESHEET: 34x44
Who can use the laser?
Dallas Makerspace members that have been through the training class
Laser Materials at Dallas Makerspace
The materials at the space belong to members, most of it brought in by Glenn Pipe. You can buy materials from Glenn Pipe at the space or bring in your own materials. Plastics can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, Regal Plastics and Johnson Plastics. Wood can be found at Lowes, Home Depot, Wood World, Rockler. If you have metal you want to engrave Glenn Pipe has some Cermark metal marking spray. Since the spray is $70 per 12 oz, there is a $5 charge to use the spray per item.
Laser Usage Fee
Since the laser tube has a limited life, there is a $1 per 10 minute (rounding up, 10:01 = 20 minutes) usage fee.
Training Materials
The laser training materials can be found here:
Laser Classes
Laser classes are held at the space on a as needed basis. Email Glenn Pipe (ggpipe at yahoo dot com) to sign up for the next class.
