Lazzzor Cutter Workshop/Checklist

This is the laser cutter workshop checklist. It's purpose is to assist people who want to do their own workshops.

Intro Slides

There is a set of PDF slides (Datei:Intro.pdf) I use for a short introduction to laser cutting. Topics you should mention while presenting the slides:

Dangerous and forbidden materials
Special materials (for example: special acrylic for glow effects and cooling for glas engraving)
What is the precision of the laser cutter (it's generally in the tenths of a millimeter but it highly depends on the material and the calibration of the laser cutter. for example: cutting acrylic is more precise than wood)
Explain that the laser cutter doesn't cut perfectly vertical and the cut is widening towards the bottom of the material
Explain that there are different conventions on how to prepare a laser cutter model for different laser cutters. So be careful when using models from Thingiverse.
Please emphasize that they should use the PDF file format for laser cutter models.
Advice them to read the user manual because it contains great information and will prepare them well.

Introducing people to the Laser Cutter

First show them where the fire extinguisher resides and how to use it. Also tell them to use this and no other fire extinguisher because it's a CO2 type.
Explain roughly how the laser cutter works
Show them how to clean the lens, mirrors and laser bed
Mention that there is also a lathe adapter, but also tell them if they want to use it they need to get further instructions
Explain that the laser cutter needs to be in focus, relative to the material. Explain auto focus and manual focus.
Show them the red laser pointer
Show them how to unlock the x and y axis (x/y off function), how to move it and how to home it.
Let them try moving the unlocked axis, so they get a feel for it.
Explain that the laser cut will be executed relative to the homing position.
Make sure they understand that the laser is capable of exceeding its own physical limits (aka. head crashing) and how to avoid it
Show them how to activate the compressor and ventilation. Also explain what they do and that they never ever should forget to activate them (fire hazard, smoke development)
Tell them it is possible to test with the open lid (and that they only need to pay for time the laser was activated)

Laser Cutter Software

Open the graphics program of your choice and prepare a test cut (for example: 5mm*5mm square)
Explain how the primary settings of the laser cutter work (for example: lowering the speed to gain even more power)
Show them the sheet with the reference settings
Show them how to assign objects to layers
Show them how to assign settings to layers
Show them how to align objects
Show them how to transfer a job to the laser

Hands on

Let them try to laser cut themselves (prepare a combined job for this task)
Carefully observe what they are doing and guide them

Profit!