Laser Cutting (self-serve)

The Laser Lab in the Architecture Building is a CAP STUDENTS only facility.
Individuals and groups outside the college must have permission to use the laser lab. Contact CAP Dean, David Ferguson for permission.

  • CAP students may only use the laser cutter after they have gone through the online training and certification process by either a makercorps student, your studio professor, or other faculty. Certification will be connected to your BSU ID. This training/certification process is required for use of AT 141 and BSU CAP Indy lasers too.
  • Certified students are required to schedule appointments to use the lab (see ‘Scheduling’ below).
  • Always sign in and out at the check‐in desk.
    Provide your: First Name, Last Name and Class (ex: ARCH 263, LA 211, etc) and Time of arrival.
  • Individuals are required to complete a CAP Laser Lab – Laser Lens Responsibility Form prior to laser cutting.
  • Never leave a project unattended while the laser is in operation. YOU MUST REMAIN IN THE ROOM, ensuring that your project cuts safely. If you leave your project, it will be shut down.
  • CAP 1st Year Students may not use the lasers.

 

Scheduling

To make reservations, please go to WebCheckOut – Patron Portal.
Also found on my.bsu, under “Additional Tools”. Individuals who have had training, will be granted access to reserve a machine.

SIGNING UP
Students are permitted to sign up for 1 hour per day, no less than 30 minutes in advance. If there is no one scheduled on the machine after you, you may stay beyond your scheduled 1 hour appointment.

REMEMBER: training is required prior to use.  Training is provided by either the makercorps, your studio professor, or other faculty.
Visit http://makercorps.org/laser-cutter/ for more information.

 

Available Machines

  • 4 machines are available for scheduling: 3 large 18 x 32, 1 medium, 18 x 24, 1 hour per day, per person.
  • Unreserved time slots will be used on a first‐come first‐served basis.
  • It is anticipated that if you schedule an appointment for one of these laser cutters that you will arrive on time for that appointment. If you are 4 minutes late for your appointment, it will be given to the next person in line.
  • Missed appointments will be noted by the FAB Lab Attendant on duty.
  • Individuals who fail to show up or cancel appointments will receive a non‐refundable $10 fine to their Bursar account for missing their appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment Visit My Account, on WebCheckOut – Patron Portal.

 

Laser Cutting Guides

The following guides detail the laser cutting setup process:

 

Materials

The laser lab is for model making. Material settings are provided for the following:

PERMITTED MATERIALS

Acrylic (from the CRC)
Mat Board
Illustration board
Balsa Wood
Bass Wood
Chip Board
Plywood
Masonite

MATERIALS NOT PERMITTED

Foam Core
PVC
Vinyl Steel or any other metal
Vinyl
Cement or Concrete
Other materials not listed require special permission from Judy Kreiger

 

MATERIAL RESTRICTIONS

  • Maximum material thickness to be cut in the laser is ¼ inch. Material thicknesses greater than ¼” should use a different cutting method.
  • NEVER leave a project unattended! While your file is cutting on the laser, YOU MUST REMAIN IN THE ROOM, ensuring that your project cuts safely. If you leave your project, the machine will be shut down.