About Learning the Laser Cutters

If you want to learn to use the laser cutters, that's awesome! However, there are a few special things you need to know.

You can damage the equipment or yourself by using the laser incorrectly. Nobody wants that. So let us teach you how to use the tool. Check the class calendar for the Intro to the Laser Cutter class (usually on the second Thursday evening of the month.) Registration is required.
You can't just drop into the shop and expect someone to be available to help you. Check the staffing calendar for Laser Staffers and then message those volunteers (via their profile) to set up an appointment. Some days are really busy--an appointment insures that you are on our schedule.
The laser computers are locked down for the reasons stated above. We really want you to use the laser, but won't give you the passwords for those machines until you're trained.

Hopefully, all this makes sense. If you still have questions, drop the Laser Shop managers a note via the form at the bottom of this page. Also, we really encourage you to read this entire page. Thanks!

Getting Certified on the laser cutters

Getting certified is a two-step process: learn, then demonstrate. Attend a class or schedule a 1-on-1 session to learn the fundamentals of laser design, engraving, and cutting. Once you have the process down, come back and demonstrate to a laser staffer that you can run the machine solo by creating and completing a simple project that has both engraving and cutting. You have to be able to set up and run the project unassisted to get certified. We will also ask some safety questions. That way we know you are safe, and so are our tools.

New users are only trained and certified on Blue. After a month or two, you can request Monport certification. It's more complex to use so we make it two steps.

Donate to Our Laser Shop Fundraiser!

Click HERE for our donations page!

Thank you!

About the Xerocraft Laser Cutters/Engravers

Please be nice to the lasers

Xerocraft has two CO2 laser cutter/engravers. You can use these remarkable tools to create amazing projects! This tool can engrave or cut objects up to 36" x 24". The laser can cut most approved materials up to 1/4" thick.

The laser is a unique tool that allows for precision and repeatability. This allows you to create multiple copies of a piece, ensuring they are each virtually identical. Using the laser, you can experiment with materials and setting that give you exactly the results you want, or sometimes a unique result you hadn't anticipated!

Looking for ideas? You can find tons online.

Here is one place to start: https://obrary.com/collections/designs-for-the-laser

The Blue Laser

We have a Shenhui SH-G570 60-watt laser Co2 unit. The bed is 500x700mm (about 19.5 x 27.5).

This laser uses LightBurn software which is simple and easy to use, while still being powerful. LightBurn actually integrates vector drawing, so edits are super easy. There is a learning curve, though. Check out this LightBurn 101 Video to learn more. Or this demo video.

If you really want to rock and roll with Lightburn, subscribe to their YouTube Channel.

Make an appointment with one of the laser managers to learn more about using this unit.

"Monty" 80-watt Co2 Laser

Bigger, faster, stronger!

This is Monty, our Monport 80 watt Co2 Laser Cutter/Engraver. Like Blue, it uses Lightburn as the control software.

However, the Monport is a bigger bed (36x24), has autofocus, and has 80 watts of laser power.

This machine is a little different than Blue, so you'll need a quick orientation. Please contact a laser staffer for the latest procedures.

Laser Safety 101

Understand how to stop the laser in an emergency (just lift the lid or hit the red E-Stop button)
A small squirt of water takes care of most tiny fires
The available Co2fire extinguisher is a last resort and not necessary 99% of the time
Never leave a running laser unattended
Do NOT ever defeat or bypass safety interlocks
NEVER cut/engrave PVC or other vinyl and unknown materials*
Make sure laser is in focus to your material
Clean up the bed, power down, and log off the PC when finished
If you don't know, ASK!

*Special note about PVC: When PVC is cut or engraved, it emits deadly chlorine gas, which in addition to being extremely toxic in even small amounts will nearly instantly corrode the internals of the machine. PVC is also known under other trade names, so verify before you cut! If you think a material could be PVC based, do not even consider cutting or engraving it on any laser cutter/engraver. Putting ANY materials that you do not know the makeup of in the machine is strictly prohibited.

Note about laser radiation: This laser emits highly concentrated invisible light that can permanently damage vision and cause injury. While the lid and access panels are closed, the laser is safe to operate. Specialized laser radiation protective glasses are available if you want extra assurance. Defeating safety interlocks to run the laser with the lid open is strictly prohibited. Operating the laser with a pass-through panel open is permitted only with staff or mentor assistance. Operators must wear laser safety glasses if the pass-through is open.

Before using the laser:

Please Note: No member may use the laser solo until trained and approved to do so by the Shop Manager.

The lasers can engrave or cut a wide variety of materials, but there are limitations you need to learn about. Most beginners start out with thin plywood (1/8"-1/4"), or cardboard. Please be aware that materials in the shop are expensive and we need you to pay for the materials you use. (Small scraps in the bin against the wall are free.)

A Windows PC is always connected to the laser with the necessary LightBurn, and other design software available on it. Please use a flash drive for your files. It's best not to save files on the PC, they will likely be deleted.

Please be aware that this is an extraordinarily expensive piece of equipment, and repairs are costly. Please do not use the laser until you have been cleared to do so.

Designing for the laser

For some new users, learning 2D design software is the hard part. Most 2D vector art packages can export an SVG or PDF file that LightBurn can accept. Bitmap formats like .jpg, .bmp, or .png don't have vector lines that the laser can cut.

When cutting, always use the thinnest line width that your software supports. When designing, use different colors for cut lines vs engraving
Lightburn doesn't support line weights. A fat line is a thin rectangle.
Remember that the solid areas in your design will be engraved, large areas of black may take a long time to engrave.
When cutting, consider using more than one pass at a higher speed to minimize flare-up and charring your material.

Xerocraft recommends Inkscape for vector design work. It is free and open source. Intro to Inkscape video here. Illustrator users must be sure to use RGB colors as CMYK colors won't be recognized by the laser.

In some cases, bitmap/raster files can be engraved with the laser, but special considerations need to be made. Contact the shop manager for assistance.

More Information here on our Wiki.

Typical materials for the laser

Cutting:

Thin plywood or solid wood
Cardboard (virgin, NOT used )
Leather (Vegetable tanned or dyed, not chemical)
Cloth
Acrylic (cast works best)

Engraving:

Most plywood or solid wood
MDF
Leather (Vegetable tanned or dyed, not chemical)
Acrylic (cast works best)
Glass

Other Materials: (Use with caution and test carefully)

ABS (Tends to melt)
Delrin (POM, acetal)
High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Mylar (polyester)
Nylon – melts badly
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol)
Polyethylene (PE)

If you are uncertain about the composition of a material, do not put it in the laser.

Connect with other Laser Users

You can keep abreast of news and machine status by either joining our Discord or subscribing to our email list. We try to keep them both up to date with system status and important information.

Join our Email list by Selecting the Laser Cutter group on this page and following the instructions.

Join our Discord Server here (Select the Laser Cutting Channels under the #roles to join.

Laser Cutter/Engraver