CP5070-2022-2B05-Group 3-Asraf-Blog 2 (Laser Cutting)

Welcome back guys, first of all I'm sure you have notice that the website I use is different as the one I use in previous semester as I'm trying out new blog page. 

This if my first ever blog to start off the blog entry. This is just me sharing my experience and knowledge about the laser cutter which I've already did during practical lesson at FabLab. 

1. There are 4 VERY important hazards and they have their own respective safety control measures on the operation of laser cutting machine

Hazards	Safety control measures	Pictures to support the explanation
Physical Hazards	Ensure the user don't stare at the beam, instead the user should take a glance to see the laser doing it works
Health Hazard	Don't life up the cover immediately, wait 1 minute or longer. Ensure the ventilation is working
Fire Hazard	Ensure the fire extinguisher is up to date
Safety Hazard	Ensure the working area that your working is clear of tripping hazard and etc.

2. Below are the materials that can be cut/engraved using the laser cutting machine in FabLab

Material	Photo of material
Wood (Up to 5mm) Plywood Balsa Wood Natural Wood (Contains Oils That Causes Small Fire MDF (Burnt Marks May Occur)
Acrylic (Up To 5mm)
Cardboard (Burnt Marks May Occur)
Paper (Burnt Marks May Occur)  Art Card Technical Board

Below are the material that can't be cut/engraved using laser cutting machine in FabLab

Material	Photo of material
PVC
Metal
Foam
Rubber

3. Below are the steps on the operation of UNIVERSAL Laser Cutter Machine in FabLab

A) Starting the compressor, turning on the laser cutting machine and fume extractor

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Switch On The Power For The Laser Cutter, Air Assist and Switch On The Fume Extractor

B) Importing a .DXF file to CorelDraw and modify the lines/fill for cutting and engraving 

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Select file a Import a Select the desire .DXF file and press import
Select the outer layer and Adjust the color to R: 255, G:0, B:0 and Adjust the line-width to hairline (Ensure that the fill color icon is cross)
Select the inner design that is meant to be engrave à Adjust the color to R: 0, G:255, B:0 à Adjust the line-width to hairline (Ensure that the fill color icon is cross)

C) Sending the CorelDraw drawing to laser cutter software and setting the laser cutter power, speed, PPI in the software

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Select File --> Print
Select the Cogwheel For Settings
Click On Load For More Material Settings
Select the pre-sets that matches your material type and thickness and select OPEN

D) Starting the job on the laser cutter machine 

Steps and description	Photos to support the description
Acrylic: Remove the top protective layer before cutting Plywood (Laserply ONLY): Structural plywood is hard to cut and toxic. Due to the glue Cardboard: High risk, may catch fire, must observe while cutting
Click on the UCP (Universal Control Panel) icon at the taskbar
Place the material at the top left corner of the machine
Click on the POWER BUTTON to activate the laser cutter on the top right of the control panel DO NOT ACTIVATE THE UCP UNTIL YOU VERIFY THAT THE PLAY BUTTON IS GREEN. DEACTIVATE IT, THEN REACTIVATE IT AGAIN.
Use the FOCUS tool to move the laser pointer to the desire location to cut on the material. Ensure that the cutting area is within the safe cutting area
Use the MOVE tool to re-locate the design to the laser pointer
Click the ESTIMATED TIME tool and click start to see how long it will take.
Lightly close the lid
Press the Physical Button on the laser cutter or the PLAY button on the UCP

E) DOs and DON'Ts when there's flame/fire on the material being cut

DOs	Photos to support the description
Immediately hit the EMERGENCY BUTTON/SWITCH OFF the power
Open up the cover to cut off the laser
Attempt to blow of the fire (If it is small like a candle fire)
Attempt to put out the fire by stepping on it like your bf/gf betray you (If the fire is not small)
If all else fail use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire
Notify staff on duty immediately

DONTs	Photos to support the description
Don't touch the fire with your bare hands
Don't throw water to the burning object or near the CNC machine as it may cause short circuit
Don't panic, always stay calm

4) My Learning Reflection On The Laser Cutter Activities 

I've never worked with a laser cutter machine before in my life, but I've always wanted to do so in secondary school. That dream finally came true. The news that we will be conducting laser cutting this semester made my inner child squeal with delight. I genuinely believed that laser cutting and CNC were identical, and it was only after reading the e-package that I realized they were not. I had no idea that laser cutting involved several safety considerations.

As soon as I got my hands on the equipment for the practical test, I was eager to use it but also apprehensive since I didn't want to mess up the test and Mr. Ting also frightened me from behind. Once all the essential tasks have been completed, it is time to cut the test image that I was provided with. I was amazed at how easily the laser sliced through the 3 mm plywood, completing the test cut in in 19 seconds. I plan to learn more about the laser cutter soon and apply the knowledge I have gained to my project. There is still a lot to learn about it.