College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
CBE Digital Fabrication Resources
Laser Cutters
Overview, Training, and Usage – Laser Cutters
Laser cutters for College-wide use are in Gould Hall, and are accessed through the classroom adjacent to the workshops, Gould 137. Two additional machines in the 2nd Floor studios of Architecture Hall serve only students and faculty with studios in that building.
Use of laser cutters is for students and faculty who have received specialized training from Digital Fabrication faculty (Assoc. Prof. Kimo Griggs), our Digital Fabrication Assistant (Jeff Hudak), or teaching assistants. This training is available on a course-by-course basis where use of laser cutters is recommended, and also on an individual basis by request. Please send your request to: belaser@uw.edu. Individuals who have received training will be given NetID access to the laser cutters. Without valid permission you will not be able to log onto any of the laser cutter computers. If you have been trained and find that you are unable to log on with your NetID, please send an email from another computer to belaser@uw.edu.
Every attempt will be made to group individuals together for training (5 to 8 individuals can be trained in one session) to allow our staff to spend their time efficiently. Grouping individual requests may take time so please be patient, and ask for training well before you will need to use a laser cutter.
Staff in the Gould Hall shops may need to remain in the workshops, and may not be specifically trained in laser cutter usage or maintenance, so do not expect them to be able to assist you. Questions should be addressed to the aforementioned Digital Fabrication Assistant or Digital Fabrication faculty, both of whom can be reached by sending an email to belaser@uw.edu.
Use of laser cutters is scheduled using an on-line reservation system (information below), and time slots are limited in order to allow for fair and equal access. The laser cutter in Gould Hall is generally available only during open workshop hours. They are not to be used during class in the workshops or Gould 137 without prior permission. Check the door of the workshop, Gould 132, for current hours.
Safety
Laser cutters produce smoke and odors, and may be a source of flame which can be dangerous. In addition to ensuring that no prohibited materials are being cut, all users should make themselves aware of the location of the fire extinguisher in each room and should check before cutting to ensure that it is fully charged. If there is any sign of excessive smoke or fire the laser cutter must be turned off IMMEDIATELY!
Tutorials – Laser Cutters
A series of Tutorial PDF's have been produced to assist trained users in the correct operation of the laser cutters and in the preparation of their digital files for cutting. Printed copies should be located near the laser cutters and the digital versions of the tutorials can be downloaded below. These documents are intended to be refreshers and DO NOT take the place of in-person training.
Tutorial 2 – Laser Cutter – Print from AutoCAD
Tutorial 5 – Laser Cutter – Laser Cut Process
Reservations – Laser Cutters
Reservations are for 1-hour time slots, and individuals are allowed to sign up for a maximum of two 1-hour slots per each 24 hour period.
To reserve a time slot, go to the following Google Calendar:
The logon is account: archnet-lasercutter@u.washington.edu
Password: h0th0th33t (those are zeros and threes)
You will find four calendars to choose from along the left side –they are coded by color of the laser cutter associated with the calendar. Red and Cyan are located in Gould Shops –cyan is the older machine and it requires special training. Blue and Yellow are located in Arch Hall studios and are only available to students assigned to those studios each quarter.