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Equipment

100 Watt MOPA Fiber Laser

  • 100 Watts

  • Galvo Laser

  • Engraving area depends on lens used:

    • 4.3" x 4.3" with 160mm lens

    • 8.27" x 8.27" with 290 mm lens

  • Passthrough has the same engraving dimensions but allows longer parts to be put into the machine.

  • Rotary and rotational attachments available


Class Slides

Intro Class- Version at 2024-09-17

Recommended Videos

Book your fiber laser timehttps://makersmiths.org/LaserReservations
Some fiber laser settingshttps://www.omglaser.com/laser-settings/
Metal blanks purchasing

https://www.jpplus.com/engraving/blanks/shapes/metal

https://swissbui.com/

Etsy

Amazon

LightBurn for Galvo Crash Course:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoBR3k35202Yjc1yMfPZsY8EDh_pmcaa2&si=ALTo-ycuzaUfLfva
Laser MOPA Color

Personalized Coins (with some good settings)


Default Settings

Illustrator Default Preferences - 2024-09-21.lbprefs

Inkscape Default Preferences - 2024-09-21.lbprefs


Laser Calendar

Book by logging into Makersmiths.org and selecting Members Only Content and then Laser Calendar Reservations.  If you have any issues just email us at [email protected]

NEVER CUT THESE MATERIALS

WARNING: Because many plastics are dangerous to cut, it is important to know what kind you are planning to use. Make has a How-To for identifying unknown plastics with a simple process.

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)/vinyl/pleather/artificial leatherEmits pure chlorine gas when cut!Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate/LexanCut very poorly, discolor, catch firePolycarbonate is often found as flat, sheet material. The window of the laser cutter is made of Polycarbonate because polycarbonate strongly absorbs infrared radiation! This is the frequency of light the laser cutter uses to cut materials, so it is very ineffective at cutting polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a poor choice for laser cutting.
ABSEmits cyanide gas and tends to meltABS does not cut well in a laser cutter. It tends to melt rather than vaporize and has a higher chance of catching on fire and leaving behind melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid. It also does not engrave well (again, tends to melt).
HDPE/milk bottle plasticCatches fire and meltsIt melts. It gets gooey. Don't use it.
PolyStyrene FoamCatches fireIt catches fire, it melts, and only thin pieces cut. This is the #1 material that causes laser fires!!!
Polypropylene FoamCatches fireLike PolyStyrene, it melts, catches fire, and the melted drops continue to burn and turn into rock-hard drips and pebbles.
FiberglassEmits fumesIt's a mix of two materials that cant' be cut. Glass (etch, no cut) and epoxy resin (fumes)
Coated Carbon FiberEmits noxious fumesA mix of two materials. Thin carbon fiber mat can be cut, with some fraying - but not when coated.


Frequently Asked Questions

QuestionResponse
What are the main differences between the fiber and CO2 lasers?

Technically, the main difference is the type of laser, the wavelength of the laser, and the power intensity of the laser. 

The practical differences are:

  • The engraving area of the fiber laser is considerably smaller than the CO2 lasers.
  • The fiber laser will mark and engrave on metal anytime, while the CO2 will only mark on metal with a special coating applied.
  • The fiber laser will not cut wood or other organic materials, save these for the CO2 lasers.
  • The fiber laser will engrave acrylics, but only opaque acrylics.
  • The fiber laser has fewer moving parts, but there are more variables to set on the fiber laser than the CO2 laser.
What safety equipment should I get to use the fiber laser?

You should purchase and wear a set of 1064nm, OD6+ glasses for your safety when using the fiber laser.  These are readily available on Amazon and from other online retail sources.  

Does getting certified on the CO2 mean I am certified on the fiber laser and vice versa?

NO.

Certification for the fiber laser is a separate class from the CO2 lasers.

Getting certified/red tool trained on the CO2 Thunder Laser in one location allows you to use the CO2 Thunder Laser in the other location, but not the fiber laser.


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