Laser Cutting Guide
The Fab Lab is home to 3x Epilog Laser Fusion M2 40 and 1x Epilog Laser Fusion Pro laser cutters.
Laser cutting can be used in the fabrication of architectural models, site models, 1:1 prototypes, decorative objects and more. The precision and speed of laser cutting enables clean outcomes and the production of shapes which can be assembled into presentation quality models.
Laser cutting is a process where a high-powered laser is directed by computer software to cut, etch or raster various types of materials. The Fab Lab laser cutters process flat sheet materials of varying thickness, and are able to achieve three types of outcomes:
Operation | Result |
Cut | Vector lines burned through the material with a laser to create 'cuts'. Often results in a scorched edge finish to be eliminated during post processing. |
Etch | Vector lines/patterns scored in varying depths onto the material surface. |
Raster | Filled areas scored to create patterns on the material surface. Slower process involving the laser moving side-to-side to create solid scored patterns on the surface |
CUT, ETCH and RASTER examples
Our laser cutters are some of the most highly utilised equipment in the Fab Lab, processing over a thousand jobs each semester. Demand increases around key submission deadlines throughout semester and during these peak periods, jobs can take several days to process. Please submit jobs well in advance during these times.
For an up-to-date materials list please see here:
The Fab Lab houses 3 x Epilog Laser Fusion M2 40.
- Materials: Timber, Acrylic, Card, Polypropylene. For more materials consult Fab Lab Staff.
- Cutting Area: 900L x 600W x 8H
Epilog Laser Fusion Pro 48
The Fab Lab houses 1 x Epilog Laser Fusion Pro 48
- Materials: Timber, Acrylic, Card, Polypropylene. For more materials consult Fab Lab Staff.
- Cutting Area: 1219L x 914W
Last modified 2yr ago