Laser — BOSS

At Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM), our two laser engraver/cutters are the most popular tools in the front part of the building.

Our BOSS (LS-3655) laser requires a reservation to use.

Our Laser Engraver/Cutter Area at Pikes Peak Makerspace consists mostly of Level 3 equipment.

Additional PPM training and then PPM certification is required to use any of our Level 3 equipment.

Links to related PPM Wiki pages:

Laser — THUNDER

Laser — Epilog Zing

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any outdated information.

Safety First

Members must know the following information:

In case of emergency, call 911.

Our physical location is:

735 East Pikes Peak Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY
sign

PPM Fire Escape Plan

Fire Escape Plan maps are posted throughout the Makerspace.

There are 7 fire extinguishers on the fire escape plan map.

Review the PPM Fire Escape Plan for locations.

PPM Emergency
Evacuation Plan.pdf
PPM Fire
Prevention Plan.pdf
PPM Fire Escape
Plan

First Aid

There is a FIRST AID Supply Cabinet in our Kitchen Area.

FIRST AID Kits are available in four areas: the Kitchen, Metal Shop, Wood Shop and CNC Room.

FIRST AID
Supply Cabinet
FIRST AID
Kit

Eye Wash Stations

Emergency Eye & Face Wash Stations are mounted in four areas: the Kitchen, Wood Shop, CNC Room and Vented Room.

Emergency
Eye & Face Wash
Station

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear protective equipment in all Wood and Metal Shop Areas.

Wear gloves when using Isopropyl Alcohol and other cleaners.

Gloves should not be worn when using powered equipment (saws, jointers, drills, or other equipment). Leather gloves can be worn for handling materials, but not when operating machinery.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hazardous Chemicals

All hazardous chemicals must be stored in the yellow hazardous chemical storage cabinet located in the Vented Room.

Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information of unknown products before use.

SDS information is available via this spreadsheet.

Do not bring dangerous chemicals to the makerspace.

Spray paint, stains, and other approved items must be stored in the hazardous chemical storage cabinet in the Vented Room.

Please DO NOT paint indoors.

Flammables Cabinet
in the Vented Room

Other Hazards

Avoid placing uncovered (extension) cords, hoses, cables, or wires across the floors of our shops.

Impairment

The use of PPM equipment requires you to be alert, attentive, and focused.

Do not use any PPM work area, or any PPM tools, if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Classes

The Boss Laser Safety and Certification class is offered twice per month.

Browse and Pay for PPM Classes

PPM Training

Our BOSSLASER cannot be turned on without scanning the RFID card of a member certified in our T.E.S.L.A. Access system.

Tips

☐ "kerf" refers to the width of a cut (width of material that is removed).

☐ The term kerf is also used in woodworking and metalworking (and has the same meaning).

General Use

☐ Do not accidentally change the brass knobs on the top of the laser as they control the mirror alignment.

☐ Weights are no longer allowed to hold down material.

☐ Use pins to hold down your material.

☐ If not enough pins are available, use Slack to message the Area Contact, or discuss on the #laser-cutter channel.

Cleaning Policies

Clean up after use:

☐ Wipe down / dust the inside and outside of lid. Glass cleaner may be used if necessary.

☐ Clean out the debris in, on, and around the honeycomb. Vacuum if necessary.

☐ Dump out catch tray.

☐ Empty small blue trash can if full.

☐ Organize computer area.

☐ Sweep floor around the boss area.

Always leave the space better than when you found it.

Boss-specific Safety Information

DO NOT cut materials with PVC on any of our lasers, this will release chlorine gas which is toxic.

☐ NEVER cut PVC (When in doubt, error on the side of caution)

☐ Avoid reflective material (avoid cutting or engraving compact discs, for example)

☐ Use only approved materials

☐ NEVER leave the laser unattended while it is running (Stay in the building)

☐ Leave lid closed for a few moments after your job is completed to allow for proper ventilation

☐ Up to 80% power is allowed

☐ Ensure the work area interior and exterior is clean before and after your work

☐ Keep the exhaust fan and chiller running while the laser is in use

☐ Make sure Zing Laser isn’t running before turning off fan

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

☐ You should not start your job until you gain confidence about your settings by doing multiple tests.

☐ It is a good practice to leave the material and laser head in position for inspection. You can, at that point, attempt another pass through if nothing has been moved.

Auto-focus malfunction? (The bed is not moving during auto-focus, or the bed is moving down during auto focus)

☐ The laser head may be sticking. GENTLY press up and down with the palm of your hand until back in place.

☐ If that did not fix the problem, please post a message on the PPM Slack channel #laser-cutter.

The laser head is moving and blowing air but the laser is not firing?

☐ Make sure the boss chiller has been turned on.

Taking too long?

☐ Check settings for “flood fill” or “fill shapes individually”. Use the preview feature to know if that will help.

Equipment Lists

BOSSLASER

Picture	Item	Manufacturer / Model
	Boss 150 Watt CO₂ Laser Cutter/Engraver	BOSS / LS-3655
	Industrial Water Chiller	S&A / CW‑5000DG

	Compressor
	OUTFEED TABLE

Equipment Reservations

Reserve 24 Hours in Advance to Guarantee Equipment.
Reservations are given up after 15 minute no show.

If you don't have a reservation:

Be sure your job does not run longer than an upcoming reservation or you are expected to stop your job.

PPM Benefits

PPM members enjoy discounts at the following local merchants:

(bring proof of PPM membership)


Website	Benefit	Address
Woodcraft of Colorado Springs	10% discount	4438 Austin Bluffs Parkway
CO Lumber Specialties	10% discount	3636 Stone Avenue
GENERAL AIR	10% discount	3031 N Nevada Ave.
ACE Hardware Uintah Gardens	10% discount	1830 W Uintah Street

At home LightBurn subscriptions can be purchased at a discounted rate for being a PPM member.

The discount code is saved as a Pinned Message in our 'laser-cutter' channel in Slack.

PPM Policies

Materials

DO NOT cut materials with PVC on any of our lasers, this will release chlorine gas which is toxic.

Avoid reflective material. (Avoid cutting or engraving compact discs, for example.)

To donate for "Wood Sheet for Laser" use the Optix app.

Laser Cutting Material Table‏‎

Laser Cutting Acrylic‏‎

Red Tags

If equipment needs repairs, place a Red Tag on it and report it via the Pikes Peak Makerspace Slack channel #red-tags-issues

This advises others on the malfunctioning equipment and ensures that actions can be taken to service/repair the equipment.

LightBurn Subscriptions

At home LightBurn subscriptions can be purchased at a discounted rate for being a PPM member.

The discount code is saved as a Pinned Message in our 'laser-cutter' channel in Slack.

Please note:

Your at home subscription is unique to only you.

You will receive an email from LightBurn with your unique registration key.

Make note of that key because you will need it again if you renew your subscription.

PPM does not have access to your registration key.

Related Software

The dedicated computer in our BOSS cutter/engraver area has the following design and printing software installed, and more:

Design Software

LightBurn Tips

Adobe Illustrator Tips

Adobe Photoshop Tips

Printing Software

LightBurn Software — home page

Additional Help

Use the PPM Slack channel #laser-cutter

Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.

Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.