Laser cutter

Middla is home to a VLS4.0 laser cutter from Universal Laser Systems. Since this is an expensive piece of machinery that is both easily damaged and can easily damage you or the lab, you are required to pass the Laser Quiz and have your first cuts supervised by a tutor or lab manager. From HT 2023 this includes if you previously have used the laser independently.

What can I cut?

The laser cutter can cut through paper, cardboard, natural fabrics, acrylic (Lucite™, Plexiglas™),  and many woods, up to around 3mm thick. The available work area is 600x457mm. It can also engrave/mark on these materials as well as some stone, ceramic and glass. Check in with your studio manager if you have any questions about materials and check the suggested stores in the links.

Things to remember when it comes to wood. 

• Resinous and exotic hardwoods are usually too difficult for our laser to cut and also produce sticky smoke which damages the lens.
• Plywood has glue between the layers. It is available in interior and exterior variants (exterior is also known as WBP plywood). Only interior is suitable for the laser. Exterior/WBP plywood is identified by visible darker lines between the layers. It is more easily available and cheaper, but cuts very badly and damages the laser. 
• MDF is a good alternative in the cutter but please confirm that you are buying formaldahyde-free MDF, 

What can I NOT cut?

You cannot cut metal in the laser. It is not powerful enough as the metal conducts away the heat. The reflective nature of metal also risks damaging the lens. You cannot cut thick hardwoods It is absolutely forbidden to put unknown materials in the laser. Many plastics looks similar to acrylic, but ABS releases cynaide gas, PVC and vinyl emit pure chlorine gas, which apart from being poisonous, ruins the lens and  corrodes the metal of the machine. Other plastics including polyeurethene, polystyrene and polypropylene foams, polycarbonate/Lexan™, fiberglas and more melt, emit fumes and catch fire.

How do I use the laser cutter/engraver?

1. Create your design as a vector graphic using, for example Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape or Affinity Designer.
2. Log into the computer beside the laser using your university credentials and start Affinity Designer and UPC.
3. Prepare your design in Affinity by changing setting the colour of the lines and fills to a the required format.
4. Turn on the power to the machines, enable ventilation and air filter.
5. Place your work piece in the laser, manually adjust your focal length by raising or lifting the bed in Z axis.
6. Use UPC to configure the settings based on your material choice and send your design to the laser.
7. Mark on the sheet on the laser door that you have used the laser on this day (for maintenance tracking, super-important!).

Detailed tutorials are in video format below (10-15 minutes each).

File preparation tutorial

Video coming soon, meantime please request introduction from studio manager.

Laser cutter/engraver tutorial

This tutorial shows usage of the materials database to make your cuts, we use MANUAL SETTINGS. This will be covered on your intro.