Laser Cutter

The ECEn Shop has an approximately 1'x2' laser cutter, but it can only be used by shop techs.

A much more powerful laser cutter available for student use is the Epilog laser cutter. It uses a powerful 120-watt CO2 laser and has a tray area of about 2'x3' and has a depth focusing range of about 1.5'.

The Mechanical Engineering Department's page on the laser cutter is here. Use this link to check booking availability.

A number of materials can be cut or engraven, except for specular surfaces (ie, the shiny side of mirrors and some metals), PVC, and Vinyl (those plastics emit corrosive, toxic gasses when cut). There's an Excel spreadsheet with a table of materials and engraving/cutting parameters on the desktop of the computer next to the laser cutter.

Training slides are available here (updated July 2017; hosted in the byuholography@gmail.com Google Drive).

To gain access, follow these steps:

• Complete training for the laser cutter at Y-Train.
  • do a search for “Laser Cutting Table Safety Training”
  • read/watch the presentation and answer the quiz questions
  • write down the laser cutter access code you get at the end.
• Go to the Mechanical Engineering's Secretary Office at CTB 435 and
  • show them proof of your laser cutter training (from Y-Train)
  • fill out the “Laser Cutter Swipe Card Permission & Approval” form (shown below).
• After the ME secretary signs off on the form, submit it to the College's Dean Office in CB 270.
• You'll get card access in a day or two.

You probably could just print this out instead: (the width is 8.5“)

The laser cutter is located in the ground floor of annex B-34; located here:

The small grey box to the right of the door is where you slide your Student ID card to unlock the door.

carefully…

You will have to enter the access code given you when you completed the training to enable all of the mechanical interlocks! There's a small program on the laser cutter's computer's desktop (with a laser icon) where you enter this in.

Do not leave the laser cutter while it is running. It's not uncommon for material to catch on fire (particularly cardboard and wood). The previous laser cutter caught on fire (in March 2016) because a student using it left the room while it was running. This destroyed the laser cutter and caused significant damage to the building it was in.