Laser cutting is used to create prototypes of parts and/or finished parts in a quick manner which efficiently uses materials and provides easy clean up. Typical materials that our system allows us to cut include paper, cardboard, wood and acrylic. Products that are produced from this machine are cut from flat panels and therefore will have to be assembled if order to create 3-D products.

Universal Laser Systems - PL6.75
We currently use our professional grade laser cutter for the majority of our classroom and robotics team applications. In addition to the laser cutter, there are more pieces of equipment needed to make this a functional system.

Purex HEPA vacuum filter
Laser cutting produces smoke that needs to be exhausted in a safe manner in order to keep all students in the Weinberg Technology Plaza safe. In order to accomplish this we have installed this HEPA filter in order to remove the smoke generated from the laser cutter, filter out all smoke particles, and then release the newly filtered air. This added measure of protection ensures that we capture all carcinogens rather than being released freely into our building.

Safety Signal Light
This light has been designed to signal people throughout the building that the laser cutter is in use. When the signal light is lighted GREEN, that informs people that the laser cutter is on, all cut jobs have been completed, and that the machine is ready for people to use. If the light signal is RED then that is informing all people that they should STOP and do not open the laser cutter because the machine is actively running. This signal light was created with custom laser cut parts and custom Arduino circuitry. It is just one more level of safety that we provide to our students.

PC Computer 
Our computer processes the drawings that are produced by our students. The typical format of the drawings to be laser cut are PDF.