Laser Cutter

Study Guide

Prepare to use the FabLab laser cutter safely and responsibly from material selection through cleanup.

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1. Laser safety mindset

Use the laser only after Engineering Safety and Laser Cutter certification requirements are complete.
Never operate the laser without teacher permission and supervision expectations being met.
Stay with the laser during the entire job; laser cutting requires active fire watch.
Stop and ask for help if there is heavy smoke, flame, unusual sound, incorrect motion, or unexpected material behavior.
Do not bypass covers, sensors, interlocks, ventilation, or emergency procedures.

2. Fire watch and emergency response

Small brief flare-ups can happen, but sustained flame is not acceptable.
Pause or stop the job if flame persists, the material shifts, or smoke becomes excessive.
Know where the emergency stop, fire extinguisher, exits, and teacher are located.
Never open the lid or reach into the machine until motion stops and it is safe to do so.
Report every unusual event, even if the job finishes.

3. Approved and prohibited materials

Only use teacher-approved materials with known composition.
Common approved materials may include plywood, basswood, cardboard, chipboard, paper, and approved acrylic.
Never cut unknown plastics, vinyl, PVC, chlorinated plastics, coated mystery materials, or anything not approved.
Do not assume a material is safe because it looks like wood or plastic.
If you cannot identify the material, do not laser it.

4. Ventilation and air assist

Ventilation must be operating before cutting or engraving.
Air assist helps reduce flare-ups and improves cutting quality when required.
Stop and ask for help if smoke is not clearing normally.
Keep the laser area clear so ventilation and airflow are not blocked.
Do not run jobs that produce strong unusual odors or excessive smoke.

5. File setup

Confirm the design is the correct size and units before sending it to the laser.
Use vector paths for cutting/scoring and raster/image data for engraving when appropriate.
Check line colors, stroke settings, and layer assignments according to the class workflow.
Remove duplicate lines to avoid cutting the same path more than once.
Preview the job before running it to confirm position, scale, and operation order.

6. Machine setup

Place material flat on the bed and make sure it will not shift during the job.
Set focus, origin, and job boundaries according to teacher instructions.
Run a frame/boundary check when required to ensure the job fits on the material.
Confirm the lid is closed and the machine area is clear before starting.
Do not leave loose scraps where they can catch fire or interfere with motion.

7. Running and monitoring the job

Watch the laser spot, material behavior, smoke level, and motion path.
Do not walk away, use headphones, or become distracted during a job.
Pause or stop immediately if the material moves, catches sustained flame, or the laser follows the wrong path.
Do not open the lid until the machine stops and fumes have had time to clear.
Keep hands away from the cutting area and moving parts.

8. Cleanup and documentation

Remove parts and scrap only when it is safe.
Check for hot edges, smoldering pieces, or small material fragments.
Clean the bed, remove scrap, and return tools/materials to the correct place.
Record material, thickness, settings, and results when required.
Report failed cuts, excessive charring, smoke issues, or machine problems.

Hands-on performance checklist

To earn the badge, students must demonstrate a safe supervised laser workflow from material approval and file setup through active fire watch and cleanup.

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