Essential Checklist for Laser Cutter/Engraver Integration.

When buying complex machinery such as a laser cutter/engraver, several things need to be considered prior, during and after integration into your school or business. Below, we list an essential checklist to ensure smooth laser integration.

ITEMS USCRIBE/TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS SUPPLY
We will supply the following items when installing your machine.

• Laser Cutting/Engraving Machine including necessary accessories
• Water chiller (if glass tube Co2 laser)
• Air compressor
• Extractor (filtered) and associated fittings

ITEMS YOU SUPPLY
The following are the basics requirements needed for successful installation of laser equipment.

• Proximity of GPOs – standard 10amp, 240V.
• Windows PC situated beside the laser, with either Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw installed.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Who will be predominantly using the laser? Is there need for easy access for other subject areas – cross curriculum usage.
• Materials – buy full sheet and cut down or buy cut-to-size sheets? Where will these be stored in relation to the laser machine?
• Visibility of the showpiece. Often with such an investment, the schools wants the laser on display.
• Proximity of a table/bench is helpful for assembly of laser cut projects etc.

Workshop Environment

VISIBILITY?

• Locate for easy viewing from majority of workshop.
• Avoid small storage rooms etc. unless there are windows for easy viewing.

ACCESSIBILITY?

• Often has a roller door, which makes for easy access.
• Ensure you have considered the dimensions of the laser machine, where it will be unloaded and check it will fit through doorways.

VENTILATION?

• Most workshops have suitable overall ventilation and windows to the outside.

DUST?

• Workshops tend to be very dusty. This does not affect the operation of the machine, but can be a nuisance for the dedicated PC for the laser.
• If any issue, you could make dust cover for the laser machine and/or PC.

NOISE?

• Not an issue, as noise is commonplace in a workshop.

Design Classroom Environment

VISIBILITY

• Locate for easy viewing from majority of classroom.

ACCESSIBILITY?

• Ensure you have considered the dimensions of the laser machine, where it will be unloaded and check it will fit through doorways. If on a second level, there must be a lift or ramp large enough to fit the laser machine.

VENTILATION?

• Suggest a well ventilated room.

DUST?

• N/A

NOISE?

• The main noise is the extractor, which can be up to 70dBa. Need to consider whether students from other subject areas will be using the room in conjunction with your class.

Makerspace Environment

VISIBILITY?

• Locate for easy viewing from majority of the makerspace.
• Avoid small separate rooms, unless there are windows for easy viewing.

ACCESSIBILITY?

• Ensure you have considered the dimensions of the laser machine, where it will be unloaded and check it will fit through doorways. If on a second level, there must be a lift or ramp large enough to fit the laser machine.

VENTILATION?

• Suggest a well ventilated room.
  In the situation where the laser is in a separate room in a multi-use area (eg. library), we’d suggest negative air pressure to contain any stray smell of fumes.

DUST?

• N/A

NOISE?

• The main noise is the extractor, which can be up to 70dBa. Need to consider if part of a multi-use area. In some cases, sound reducing glass is used where the laser is in a separate room.

Fire risk

THE FACTS:

• A laser applies heat to a combustible material = fire hazard.
• Laser machines have burnt out before and in some cases damaged other plant and property.

STANDARD CONTROLS:

• Compressed air assist on the laser machine to help mitigate the flame.
• Supervision of the laser is imperative so the machine can be stopped should the flame escalate.
• Consider the material being cut – eg. remove topside paper on acrylic.

ADDITIONAL CONTROL:

Uscribe / Tools for Schools have developed a unique, integrated heat detection and fire suppression system, fitted to your laser machine as additional protection, assurance and peace of mind: ZeroFlame

Software

• Recommend Windows PC situated beside the laser and dedicated for this purpose.
• Laser machine has free printer driver to print directly from the following:

1. Connect PC to laser machine via USB cable or LAN network cable.
2. Open file in one of above programs and click ‘Print’, set cutting/engraving parameters in print driver and ‘Ok’ to send to laser machine.

Contact us to include a fire suppression system to your new machine or retrofit to your current machine.