Laser

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.

Laser Area (03/13/22)

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

use this when ordering pizza or an ambulance

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.

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 the QR code on the hazardous chemical storage cabinet or 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

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 Captains

Robbie Cochran (Epilog Laser)

Lisa MacNicol (BOSSLASER)

Area Captain Duties

Classes

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

Training

Robbie Cochran (Epilog Laser)

Lisa MacNicol (BOSSLASER)

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!

Watch these videos on LightBurn BEFORE (BOSSLASER) CLASS!

Lesson 1 First Time User

Lesson 2 LightBurn UI Walkthrough

Lesson 3 Cut Settings

LightBurn Basics #1 Importing, Selection, Grouping, Movement

LightBurn Basics #2 Text and Offsetting

LightBurn Basics # 3 Trace Image and Weld

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

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

Boss Laser Orientation class handout
LIGHTBURN
HotKey List

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
Intro to Laser Cutting
Manitou Art Center
(January 15, 2015)

Tips

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

For Additional Help

Use the PPM Slack channel #laser-cutter

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

• Introduction to the Zing Laser‏‎ (15:26, 20 May 2015)

• 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	being repaired (01/22/22)
	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

Zing LASER

Picture	Item	Manufacturer	Model Number	Estimated Value	Manual	Owner	Status	Problem Description
	Zing 30 Watt Laser	Epilog Laser	10000 Laser System	$5,800	yes, and online	PPM	working
	Computer	HP	h8-1117c	$250		PPM	working
	20" Monitor	Dell		$100		PPM	working
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.

Donations Received

Wish List

Policies

Equipment Reservations

Materials

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

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

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

Help Us Keep Stocked Up!

PPM members enjoy discounts at the following local merchants:

(bring proof of membership)


Company	Website	Benefit	Directions to
	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

Map of stores that provide PPM member discounts

Map of helpful local resources curated by our makers

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.

Scrap and Trash

Trash day is MONDAY

Recycling day is MONDAY (96 gallon tote)

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

Empty recycling and trash 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

Procreate (Tips, Training and Meetups)

Printing Software

LightBurn 1.1.01 (for BOSSLASER)

Adobe Acrobat (for Epilog LASER)

Member Showcase

Boss Laser Photo Gallery

Station 11 Battalion 2
backlit district map
(by Joey Callahan)
4' x 1' Wall art
with inlays
(by Robbie Cochran)
Wall art with inlays.jpg

4' x 1' Wall art
with inlays
(by Robbie Cochran)
Laser engraved panels
(by Mike Mike)
Wall art princess bride.jpg

princess bride
minimalist wall art
(by Ben Severson)
Wall art INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.jpg

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
minimalist wall art
(by Ben Severson)
THE IRON GIANT
minimalist wall art
14"x24"
THE IRON GIANT
(by Ben Severson)
THE IRON GIANT
(by Ben Severson)