College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
CBE Digital Fabrication Resources
Laser Cutters
Overview, Training, and Usage – Laser Cutters
Laser cutters for College-wide use are located primarily in Gould Shops, entrance through the shop classroom. Additional machines are located in the 2nd Floor Studios in Architecture Hall –these are for use of the students assigned to adjacent studio classrooms only.
Use of laser cutters is for students and faculty who have received specialized training from Digital Fabrication faculty and teaching assistants. This training is available on a course-by-course basis, for courses in which laser cutter use is recommended. Outside or personal projects are discouraged. Instructors who are interested in having training for their students should contact Rob Corser. (corser@uw.edu)
Staff in the Gould Hall shops are NOT specifically trained in laser cutter usage or maintenance, and questions should be addressed to the Digital Fabrication faculty and teaching assistants.
Use of laser cutters is scheduled using an on line reservation system (information below), and time slots are limited in order to allow for fair access. The laser cutters in Gould shops are currently available only during shop hours, but extended access is in the works and will be announced probably some time in Fall Quarter 2009.
Tutorials – Laser Cutters
A series of Tutorial PDF’s are currently being produced to assist trained users in the correct operation of the laser cutters and in the preparation of their digital files for cutting. Printed copies will be located near the laser cutters and the digital versions tutorials can be downloaded here. These documents are intended to be refreshers and not to take the place of in-person training. Address additional questions or concerns to the Digital Fabrication faculty and teaching assistants.
Tutorial 2 – Laser Cutter – Print from AutoCAD
Tutorial 5 – Laser Cutter – Laser Cut Process
Reservations – Laser Cutters
Reservations are for 1- hour time slots, and individuals are allowed to sing up for a maximum of two 1-hour slots per each 24 hour period.
To reserve a time slot, go to the following Google Calendar:
The logon is account: archnet-lasercutter@u.washington.edu
Password: h0th0th33t (those are zeros and threes)
You will find four calendars to choose from along the left side –they are coded by color of the laser cutter associated with the calendar. Red and Cyan are located in Gould Shops –cyan is the older machine and it requires special training. Blue and Yellow are located in Arch Hall studios and are only available to students assigned to those studios each quarter.