Laser — BOSS

The Laser Engraver/Cutter Area at Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) consists mostly of Level 3 equipment.

Additional training is required to use our Level 3 equipment.

 Laser Area  hand tools should be marked with red tape or paint.

 BOSS LASER Area  (05/20/22) 

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 and Training

Area Captain

Lisa MacNicol (BOSSLASER)

View all PPM Area Captains

Classes

Pikes Peak Makerspace announces its Upcoming events, including classes, on Meetup

Training

Lisa MacNicol (BOSSLASER)

DO NOT cut materials with PVC on either laser, this will release chlorine gas which is toxic.

Boss Laser Safety

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

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

● Use only approved materials

● Leave lid closed for a few moments after your job is completed

● Avoid using 100% power

● Avoid reflective material

● Keep work area interior and exterior clean

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

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

ALWAYS ensure the work area interior and exterior is clean before and after your work.

Watch these videos on LightBurn BEFORE (BOSSLASER) CLASS!

Pikes Peak Makerspace Boss Laser Intro -- external link to PPM YouTube channel

• 
  Boss Laser Orientation class handout.pdf

Be sure to log your Boss Laser job using the new SIGN-IN SHEET

Common Issues (Boss Laser Orientation)

Didn’t cut through?

It is a good practice to leave the workpiece in position and inspect for through cut before moving it.

You can often close the lid, run an additional pass, and get all the way through.

You should not start your job until you are confident about your settings by doing multiple tests.

Taking too long?

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

Events

• TOSC tour 2021-11-24
  TOSC tour
  (2021-11-24)

Additional Help

Use the PPM Slack channel #laser-cutter

The following pages contain historical information. The pages are provided for reference only.

• Laser Cutting Material Table‏‎ (15:41, 21 May 2015)

• Laser Cutting Acrylic‏‎ (16:31, 24 November 2015)

Equipment Lists

BOSSLASER

Picture	Item	Manufacturer	Model Number	Estimated Value	Manual	Owner	Status	Problem Description
	Boss 150 Watt CO2 Laser	Boss	LS-3655	$20,000	Operators Manual	PPM	working (12/28/21)
	OUTFEED TABLE	Mike Mike				PPM	working (12/28/21)
	Industrial Chiller	S&A	CW‑5000DG		Maintenance Manual	PPM	working (12/28/21)
	Compressor					PPM
	Computer	HP	h8-1117c	$250		PPM	working (12/28/21)
	27" Monitor	Dell		$100		PPM	working (12/28/21)
	rotary attachment for Boss Laser					PPM	?
Picture	Item	Manufacturer	Model Number	Estimated Value	Manual	Owner	Status	Problem Description

Hand Tools

 Laser Area  hand tools should be marked with red tape or paint.

Return all tools to their proper location after use. This rule applies to all areas of our Makerspace.

Benefits and Policies

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

Materials

DO NOT cut materials with PVC on either laser, this will release chlorine gas which is toxic.

Avoid reflective material.

Donate for "Wood Sheet for Laser" via PayPal: bit.ly/ppmstuff

Or, leave donations in a black payment box, or use a QR code.

Red Tags

Scrap and Trash

Trash day is TUESDAY (Extra pickups can be called from Waste Connections for around $75)

Recycling day is MONDAY (96 gallon tote should be placed out back by the dumpster)

Single Stream Recycling provided by Waste Connections. Paper, cardboard, cans, glass, and one time use plastics.

Empty interior trash cans into our dumpster at the back (south side) of the building.

Always leave the space better than you found it.

Software

Design Software

Adobe Illustrator (Windows 10 and Macintosh)

Adobe Photoshop (Windows 10 and Macintosh)

Inkscape (multi-platform)

Procreate (Tips, Training and Meetups)

Printing Software

LightBurn (for BOSSLASER)

Member Showcase

Boss Laser Photo Gallery

• Garden of the Gods wall art
  Garden of the Gods
  48"x24"
  (by Robbie Cochran)
• Station 11 Battalion 2 sign
  Station 11 Battalion 2
  backlit district map
  (by Joey Callahan)
• Laser engraved panels
  Laser engraved panels
  (by Uncle Mike Mike)
• INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS wall art
  INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
  minimalist wall art
  (by Ben Severson)
• THE IRON GIANT 14"x24" minimalist wall art
  THE IRON GIANT
  minimalist wall art
  14"x24"
  (by Ben Severson)

Curated Links

ImagR -- Prepare your image for laser engraving

Other Fun Stuff

Cut boxes with a laser cutter: MakerCase or Boxes.py

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