Rapid Prototyping Center

Laser Machining Center Overview

The laser cutter can cut various flat 2D materials. In addition to cutting it is also possible to etch and/or fill designs onto the material.

What kind of materials can currently be cut?

  • Paper; Cardboard, chip-board, illustration board
  • Wood; MDF, Plywood, Basswood, Balsa Wood, wood products
  • Plastics; Acrylic, PETG

What kind of materials cannot currently be cut?

  • Sheet Metal, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Polycarbonate
  • any material with vinyl as a component, including PVC
  • laminated or glued materials

Our list of usable materials is constantly evolving. The cutting quality and end result depends on the used material; some materials may have burned edges. If you have questions about materials or the cutting quality, please contact the RPC.

Maximum Cutting Area

47.75 x 47.75 inch / 1206.5 x 1206.5 mm

Maximum Material Dimensions

48 x 48 inch / 1219.2 x 1219.2 mm

Important issues to insure a successful result

  • submit one CAD file for each piece of material to be cut in the laser. (There are some exceptions to this rule, but only with special guidelines.)
  • Create continuous line work - for instance, a rectangle should not consist of 4 seperate lines, but should be joined so that the whole shape is selected with a single pick.
  • Do not have multiple identical entities stacked, so that it looks like a single thing - the laser will cut the geometry over and over again, ruining your material and damaging the bed of the laser (!)
  • Keep at least 1/8 inch space in between each shape. If the parts are closer, the laser beam can fuse the parts together (plastic) or create extra burning on the edges (wood products).
  • Create a layer for the line work that is to be cut; Label the layer CUT
  • If applicable, create a layer for geometry for etching; Label the layer SCORE
  • If applicable, create a layer for geometry to be filled (dense parallel lines); Label the layer FILL
  • If applicable, create a layer for etching the text; Label the layer TEXT
  • Create a layer for the outline of your material - this is mandatory - and make the dimensions accurate, please; Label the layer MATERIAL. Please tell us the dimensions in the "online submission form", also.
  • Place the origin of your coordinate system (X zero & Y zero) at the lower left-hand corner of YOUR MATERIAL OUTLINE. Make the longer dimension of your material align with the X-axis (horizontal). This helps the operator of the machine to see your laser operations as they occur.
  • Export your geometry (only the necessary geometry - no guides, construction geometry or duplicate entities) as a .dxf (version R12 or R 13).
  • Include the project title in the file name.

Which programs can export a usable file format

Export your geometry (vector geometry, only) as a .dxf file (version R12 or R13).