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.
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
New Member Orientation
Area Captain
- Lisa MacNicol (BOSSLASER)
- View all PPM Area Captains
Area Captain Duties
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)
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) | ||
| Monitor, 27" | Dell | SE2717H/HX | $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.
Donations Received
Wish List
Benefits and Policies
- 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.
Equipment Reservations
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 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 (multi-platform)
- Procreate (Tips, Training and Meetups)
Printing Software
- LightBurn (for BOSSLASER)
Member Showcase
Boss Laser Photo Gallery
Rubber stamp
and resin inlay
(by Brandon Hall)- Wall art Garden of the Gods.jpg
Garden of the Gods
48"x24"
(by Robbie Cochran) 
Station 11 Battalion 2
backlit district map
(by Joey Callahan)
Laser engraved panels
(by Mike Mike)- Wall art INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.jpg
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
minimalist wall art
(by Ben Severson) 
THE IRON GIANT
minimalist wall art
14"x24"
(by Ben Severson)
- For even more member projects, visit our #showcase channel on Slack, or follow our social media links.
See Also
Laser -- Epilog
Curated Links
- ImagR -- Prepare your image for laser engraving
Other Fun Stuff
Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.