General Use
Q: I can't log in at the lasercutter.
A: To use the lasercutter the requirement is to attend the laser cutting course.
Laser File
Q: How do I have to prepare my file to laser it?
A: Export a dxf(2007)-file from your CAD-Program and open it in Illustrator. Copy your drawing into the Laser Tamplet. Then stick to the following points:
- Use the preset colors, e.g. Section = Red (255-0-0), Engraving = Blue (0-0-255), all of these colors are RGB-Colors.
- Check the document color mode, it should be RGB (File> Document Color Mode> RGB Color).
- Pay attention to 0.01 pt line stroke and 100% opacity on all vectors.
Q: How big is the workspace for the laser?
A: Workspace blue laser cutters 810 mm x 450 mm, red laser cutter 1210 mm x 610 mm;
Q: I would like to laser a photo, what do I have to consider?
A: Change your photo in Photoshop to black and white and open it afterwards in Illustrator.
- Select your photo and click on "Image Trace" in the upper settings bar.
- Depending on how detailed you want to have your picture, select one of the available settings > Confirm it with "Convert".
- Now Illustrator should show your photo as vector graphics, which can be lasered.
Q: I would like to laser a stamp, what do I have to consider?
A: Have a look on the Script Stamps. There you will find many helpful tips. Also use the Tamplet Stamps.
Laser Software
Q: My laser job doesn't appear on the upper left corner.
A: Check the following points:
- Was the document placed on the zero point by sending the print job?
- Is the document size set corectly?
Q: The laser settings can't be opened?
A: The settings can only be opened if the PC is connected to the laser cuter.
- Is the laser on? If not you have to put a "Fräsmünze" in the coin slot first!
- Is the connection to the laser cutter interrupted? Check if the USB cable is connected correctly!
Q: My file is not displayed or wrong displayed in the laser program.
A: Check your settings of the file in Illustrator again!
- Color/Stroke/…
- Are there any groups, blocks or clipping masks? If yes, remove them.
- Are fill colors deactivated for geometries and lines?
Q: The clock of the coin slot flashes and the laser doesn't start.
A: For starting the laser cutter you need a "Fräsmünze"!
Q: What is Air Assist?!
A: In the case of the red laser you have to adjust the air assist for each color that the laser is working on. For engraving thick materials you can safely take 100%. For cutting thin cardboard or paper it makes sense to lower to flow to prevent flying parts. Then click on "Set". If the same error continues to appear you have another colors in your document (usually black). Check either your document in Illustrator, or select all other colors and choose "Skip" for"Modus".
Q: The laser cutter doesn't start.
A: Check the following points:
- Was a "Fräsmünze" thrown in the coin slot?
- A "Fräsmünze" has been thrown in the coin slot and the laser doesn't start, turn the red button and pull it up. Since the lasers are often used as a shelf, the emergency button can be pressed.
- The lasers without display unfortunately have the peculiarity that the green light is also lit when the laser is not running, as it gets power from the computer via the USB port. So make sure that it is on (after the counter runs, of course). You can also turn it on using the power button in the laser program.
- Check if the power cable is connected to the laser.
Q: The laser doesn't move to the right position.
A: Check the following points:
- Is the laser table exactly in the upper left corner of the laser?
- Was the document placed on the zero point by sending the print job?
- Is the document size set correctly?
- Move the laser back to the XY origin with the control key in the laser software.
Q: The laser stops.
A: Check the following points:
- Has the time on the clock run out?
- Was the file lasered from the USB stick? All files should be stored on the local hard disk of the computer and the USB stick should be removed immediately.
- Is the connection from the laser to the computer interrupted?
- Is the laser off? If the files are too large, with many lines or line segments, the laser can hang up. In this case, it only helps to reduce the file or send it to the laser in several steps.
Q: The laser drives the lines but does not cut them.
A: The flap of the laser is open. In the cover of the laser are contacts, which ensure that the laser is closed. Sometimes the flap doesn't close properly. In this case, the laser just drives the lines, but you can only see a red dot moving. You can see if the laser is closed if the red dots in the laser cuter goes out or the message "flap open" is no longer displayed in the laser software. A gentle blow to the flap will fix the problem in most cases.
Q: The laser behaves like a printer.
A: The file has probably raster graphics. Black, all non-255 color values and surfaces are lasered as raster graphics and it seems like plotting.
Q: Laser beam is too weak.
A: Check the following points:
- Is the nozzle free at the laser head? This can be checked with the finger on the nozzle.
- Is the laser point in the resting state a small, red dot with precise contours?
- The beam is weaker on the right side than on the left?
-> PLEASE INFORM THE DDL! The problem seems to be more serious!
-> NEVER "just adjust use more power"! You can destroy the very expensive lens!
Only students of the Technical University of Munich and staff at the Faculty of Architecture may use the laser cutters. The requirement for the use of the laser is the participation in the laser cutting course.
In the Digital Design Lab four "Universal Laser Systems" lasercutters are available to be used by students of the Technical University of Munich and the staff of the Faculty of Architecture.
3x PLS 6.60 - The machines are equipped with a 65 watt CO² laser tube.
- max. work space 810 mm x 450 mm
1x ILS 12.75 - The machine is equipped with a 65 watt CO² laser tube.
- max. work space 1210 mm x 610 mm
Due to health reasons and technical properties some materials are not permitted to be cut with the laser cutters. The following list gives you an overview of permitted/forbidden materials.
Permitted Materials:
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Veneer
- Plywood
- Vivak, acrylic glass GS/XT (without protective foil)
NOT Permitted Materials:
- Any PVC containing materials
- MDF
- Plastic (expect the above mentioned)
- Foils
- Rigid expanded plastcis (e.g. XPS,EPS,...)
- Metal
- Stone
- .ai-format
- Vectors (no groups or clipping masks)
- RGB Colours e.g. cut = red (255-0-0), engrave = blue(0-0-255)
- Document Colour Mode: RGB
- Stroke: 0,001pt
- 100% opacity