ASKING FOR HELP
Mon - Fri 12:00 - 13:00*
If you have read the guide below and you need help please join us in the Open forum to answer any questions you may have about preparing your files. Feel free to listen in so you can pick up some tips from us helping others. Usual rules apply: microphones off unless you are speaking; raise your 'hand' if you want to say something. See you there!
*We are closed from the 11th December to 4th January
1. Complete Laser Essentials
01
Complete your Laser Essentials. Without this you cannot move farward and use the machines.
2. Create your geometry to Cut.
02
Download the template file and draw what you want to cut.
3. Program
03
Set up the Digital Machines Template file for the machine you want to use. Place each process onto the correct layer of the Template file
4. Book
04
Book the machine you want to use. Remeber they are not all the same size and they cut different materials.
5. Come in for your booked slot
05
Arrive 5 minutes early, wait outside the Laser Lab. Cut you parts and take them home for assembly.
LASER CUTTING ESSENTIALS
HERE'S THE THEORY
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
READ AND WATCH
It will only take about 20 min to read through the theory and 10 min to watch the videos.
DRAW
Depending on you CAD skills this could take between 30 min and a few hours. But remember you are learning to use CAD. This is foundation you will build on throughout your education and career.
PRACTICAL
This part is very quick. It shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes to come in and cut your 7's Challenge.
WHAT IS A LASER CUTTER?
Laser cutters use an extremely fine beam of light at a very high temperature to burn through material. This fine beam allows you to cut at a very high level of precision and detail. Laser cutters follow the lines of your CAD drawing, cutting as they go. However, laser cutters do not only cut through material, they can also engrave text, patterns, or even Jpegs; think of it as a monochrome printer.
With the ability to use the laser cutter you will quickly be able to incorporate a level of precision and detail into your work that you would not be able to achieve by hand alone.
WHAT LASER CUTTERS DO WE HAVE?
We have five Trotec laser cutters, they are named Mies, Jorn, Alvar, Zaha and Liz. They have important differences:
Mies, Jorn and Alvar are all 60W and can cut everything we stock within a bed size of 720mm x 430mm
Zaha and Liz are 100w and they are also bigger than the other three, their bed size is 1000mm x 610mm. Their only limitation is that they do not cut MDF.
It is important that you remember the differences between each machine.
WHAT MATERIALS CAN YOU USE?
Due to the risks involved in laser cutting, with the potential for fire or for toxic fumes to be created you can only use the materials that we stock and provide. However this is an extensive selection. From paper and card to acrylic and wood. There is a wide price range so that all your model making needs are supported. From quick sketch models made in card to more polished final models made from finer materials.
Inside the template file there is a list (in the layers) of all the materials each machine can cut.
WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS?
The hazards involved with laser cutting can be great if proper safety measures are not followed, as you can see in the below image. The rules that we have set out for you to use the laser cutters have been put in place to minimise these hazards. For these hazards not to occur you must all take responsibility for following them at all times.
LASER CUTTERS START FIRES
- FIRE - As the laser cutters use heat to cut the material, the possibility of fire is always present. This hazard is minimised by constant vigilance of the laser when cutting. At no point should you be unable to observe the machine.
- INHILATION OF TOXIC FUMES - A by-product of laser cutting is the fumes from the burning material. We have extraction systems fitted that insure all the fumes are extracted and filtered safely. However, if you lift the lid too quickly you may be exposed to a small level. To avoid this after the laser has finished always count to 10 then lift the lid.
WHAT ARE THE CONTROLS
There are 3 simple rules that must be followed at all times.
1. NEVER LEAVE A MACHINE UNATTENDED
You must always keep a line of sight with the machine as it cuts. This means no phones. no laptops. No books. You must simply observe the machine as it cuts.
2. ONLY USE MATERIAL PURCHASED WITHIN THE LASER LAB.
Due to the risk of toxic fumes you can only use our material, NOT your own.
3. NEVER ASSUME. ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP
When Laser cutting there is always a Lab Assistant on hand to help, always ask if you need it. When preparing your file if you need help there is help available on team between 12-1 Mon-Fri click on the button below.
THE 7'S CHALLENGE
For your Essentials you will need to draw a plaque to a very specific criteria. The outer perimeter need to be 77mm square. Inset within the perimeter are four internal squares measuring 7mm square, they are to be set in 7mm from the perimeter. You must have your name, group and date within the plaque. It must consist of separate parts, that when cut, create an architectural element.
SKETCH OUT YOUR IDEA
Below is a photograph of past examples. This should give you an idea of what is expected. The laser cutter is a machine that cuts. Use it to its best advantage. You must have parts that are cut out and assembled. Not just a picture engraved.
Sketch out your idea on paper, work out how it fits together then separate it out into its individual parts. this sketch will help you draw it in Rhino.
USING RHINO
The software - Rhino3D
All our digital fabrication machines are controlled by a CAD program called Rhino, if you are new to CAD we recommend doing a few tutorials first. University of Westminster give you free access to linkedin leraning which has some great resources:
linkedin learning - Rhino to become familiar with the layout and how to use the layers. (login via Westminter https://www.linkedin.com/checkpoint/enterprise/login/42314660?application=learning
THE DIGITAL MACHINE TEMPLATE
Our Laser Cutters have been setup to run directly from Rhino. This makes them easy to use and more likely to produce good, predictable results. You must however use the Rhino Digital Machines Template for any use of the machines. They won't work with any other file type.
The Template file is extremely rich and includes a host of information in the 'USER GUIDE' layers. It also represents the beds' sizes of our different machines and the materials' sizes that we supply. We recommend that you:
- Always work from the latest Template file, which you can download below
- Do not change the file, apart from adding your own drawing into the appropriate layers
- Do your drafting in a separate Rhino file or whatever other software you like, and then copy/import what you want to cut into the Rhino Digital Machines Template
- If at any time your Rhino file becomes corrupted or confused, just download a fresh, up-to-date copy and start again.
- If you have any questions or want your file checking before using up your booked time, come in advance and ask a Lab Staff for help.
1. Open the Digital Machines Template file
You can either delete the text that appears or hide the layer quick start guide (it is a prompt to remind you every time what you need to do).
2. Choose a machine
Expand the layer '1. CHOOSE A MACHINE'. Switch on the light bulb of the machine you want to use. Remember Liz and Zaha do not cut the same materials as Mies, Jorn and Alvar. You can change machines later if you change you mind. but familirise yourself with what machines can cut.
3. Choose your Stock
What material do you want to cut your parts from. Expand the layer '3. CHOOSE YOUR STOCK', expand the sublayer 'Essentials', these are the materials you can use for the essentials. In future projects be awear that all the material vary in size. You need to know the size of the material so you can make sure your parts fit. For the essentials they are all uniform.
4. Use the guide for help
The template file comes with help embedded into the file. Use it for understanding the different operations such as score, cut and etch, and to see examples.
5. Draw your plaque
You might need to do some basic Rhino tutorials online to get started. The 7's Challenge plaque is a 'Rectangle' that is 77mm x 77mm with 4 'Rectangles that are 7mm square set 7mm from the edge.
Double click on the Layer 'Cut Second' to draw the 77mm rectangle, then double click on the Cut First' layer to draw the inner rectangles. Make sure you have your snapping point swtched on.
The commands you might use are: 'Rectangle', 'Move', 'Mirror'
6. Your Name, Studio/Course, and the Date
'Text'
'Text' is an editable text. You can only etch text as it is made up of pixels not curves.
'TextObject'
'TextObject' is gemoetry made from Curves, Surface or Solid polysurface. Make sure you choose Curves. This can be then Scored or cut. We recommend against cutting as you will loose the centre of you O's, P's and B's etc.
The difference between etching and scoring
Etching uses pixels in much the same way as a printer. Scoring users curves that the laser follows, partially cutting through the material.
7. Nesting
When you arrange your drawing in the template ready to cut, this is called nesting. You want to arrange the drawing in such a way that it wastes as little material as possible and cuts in the fastest time. As a general rule you space your parts as the thickness of the material. Your drawing should be up against the dashed line.
8. Check
HAVING ERRORS IN YOUR FILE CAN START A FIRE IN THE LASER CUTTER.
What you should have is
A file that has curves that join up to create 'Closed Curves' (select a curve and look in the properties panel)
No duplicates or overlapping lines.
HAZARDS AND MISTAKES TO LOOK OUT FOR.
DUPLICATES.
Problem
One of the greatest risks to the laser cutter is duplicate or overlapping lines. This is often done by copying and pasting too many times. The laser cutter will cut what is there not what is seen. If you have 10 curves the machine will cut 10 times and potentially set on fire.
Solution
To find duplicates type SelDup into the command line of Rhino. This will highlight all duplicates so you can delete them. This will only find identical geometry and not lines that overlap. For overlapping lines the only way to make sure you have none is to make sure your lines join up.
CURVES THAT DON'T JOIN UP.
Problem
A rectangle, for example, can be made up of four separate curves or one continuous curve. The advantage for joining the four separate curves into one continuous curve is time. It takes longer for the laser cutter to jump from one curve to the other than it does to cut a single continuous curves.
Solution
Select the curves you want to join and type Join into the command line of Rhino. Be careful not to join curves on a separate layers as it will transfer the geometry onto that layer. A good practice is to select everything on your score layer and join that, then move onto the other layers and do the same.
9. Complete Design
Your 7's Challenge should be made up of indervidual peices that when assembled create a 3 dimensional architectural object. You can use up to 2 different materials. It must be more than just your name and a 2D pattern.
10. Sperate template files
When it comes to laser cutting it is easier to have one file per material. That way you can simply open the file, check it, and send it to the machine. Cut and paste from one template file into a fresh file. So that you have all the components to be cut paper, for example, in one file and all the parts cut from acrylic in another.
11. SaveAs
Save each file onto a USB stick with a specific file name convention. DSxx__w1234567_JoeBloggs_LE1
-DSxx = your studio or course. For example DS23 or DS3.5 or BAIA_Y1 or AT_Y3
w1234567 = your student number
JoeBloggs = Your name
LE1 = Laser Essentials file 1, Your could have LE1 and LE2 if you have two materials to cut.
Once you have completed drawing and preparing your 7's Challenge you are ready to test your knowledge, have you files checked and book into the practical. Go to Step 4
Once you are happy with your 7's challenge, it is all on the correct layers and you have checked for any errors (Duplicates, non-joined up curves). Complete the quiz below. Once complete you will be given a link to send your file for checking. Once checked you will be sent a link to book into the practical.
If you want to progress further please register or login first!
What you need to know to book a slot once you have completed your Essentials.
All laser slots are booked via our website.
There are rules to booking:
- You can only book for your self and not your friends
- You can book 9am, 4 days in advance
- If you want to cancel you must cancel 12 hours before your slot begins. If you do not you will be charged the £5 for the slot.
- If you do not want your booked slot you can not give it away to a friend
- For every hour there are 4 slots, each one is for a different machine. Book the machine you want to use, you will not be able to switch.
- Your slot is 50 minutes cutting time with 10 minutes cleaning down time.
Book your Essentials Laser Cutting Practical
For your Essentials practical, once you have had your 7's Chellenge checked you will be notified that you can proceed. You will be able to book using the button below.
There are rules to booking:
- You can only book for your self and not your friends
- You can book 4 days in advance
- If you want to cancel you must cancel 12 hours before your slot begins. If you do not you will be charged the £5 for the slot.
- If you do not want your booked slot you can not give it away to a friend
- For every hour there is 4 slots, each one is for a different machine. Book the machine you want to use, you will not be able to switch.
- Your slot is 50 minutes cutting time with 10 minutes cleaning down time.
If this button is greyed out then your 7's challenge has not yet been approved. We aim to contact you with 24 hours of submitting your 7's challenge. Please be patient.
There are 6 videos to watch.
When you come in for your practical exercise you will be expected to be able to use the machine unassisted.
If you cannot complete this unassisted you will not be able to progress. Watch this videos as many times as you need to. Feel free to take notes and take them along to your practical slot.
Remember
LASER CUTTERS START FIRES
...so you must watch these videos carefully
1. Arriving safely
2. Sending your Rhino file to Job Control.
3. Prepare the machine
4. Job Control
5. Using the machine safely
6. Sign Off
Book a Slot
If you are not able to book a slot (greyed out button) and you have completed your Laser Essentials last term or earlier, please contact us at Lasers@fabricationlab.london
Materials Purchase
Materials are purchased directly in the Laser Lab when you come to cut, to check the stock please refer to the Laser Lab materials list.
MIES, JORN & ALVAR
60w
Bed size of 720mm x 430mm. Can cut everything we stock.
ADVANTAGES
Can cut almost all the material we stock except 4mm plywood.
DISADVANTAGES
A smaller bed size than Zaha and Liz.
£5/h
ZAHA & LIZ
100w
Bed size of 1000mm x 610mm. Do not cut MDF.
ADVANTAGES
The largest laser cutter we have and the most powerful.
DISADVANTAGES
Does not cut MDF. Takes longer to extract so the time between jobs is longer.
£5/h
FABRICATION LAB
University of Westminster
College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries
35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS
