Architecture Computing: Laser Cutting

The Hardware:

The TBH 20 Print Center maintains two computer-driven Universal Laser Systems 60 watt laser cutters:

One Universal Laser Systems Laser Cutter V-460, 24x18 cutting area
One Universal Laser Systems Laser Cutter X-660, 32x18 cutting area

Use of School of Architecture laser cutters is restricted to graduate students and faculty of the Schools of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning students will be assessed a fee of $30 per hour in advance of use. Note that you must undergo a training session before using the cutters, please visit the TBH 20 Print Center to arrange for this in person. Use of the laser cutters is restricted to hours when the TBH 20 Print Center is staffed:

Hours: During normal semester class days and weekends, the Print Center is open 8am-10pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-8pm Friday, 1pm-5pm Saturday, and 12pm-10pm Sunday, excluding breaks and holidays.

Documentation:

An introductory AutoCAD Tutorial

An advanced AutoCAD Tutorial
Materials and Safety Guide
Material Suppliers Guide

Tips About Cutting:

Find out if your material is suitable for laser cutting before you buy!! We are not responsible if you cannot use a material you have already purchased. Please ask a lab tech if you are unsure about a particular material.

Have your material cut down to fit the size of the laser cutter you have signed up to use! For the X-660, this means 18"x32", for the V-460, this means 18"x24". Err on the side of smaller when you cut. If you don't have your material cut when you come down, you will waste everyone's time, yours included.

Bring some tape - it comes in handy for holding warped material to a backing sheet of flat material, masking to reduce smoke deposits on the surface of your material, taping the cut pieces together before removing them from the laser cutter, etc.

Bring a strategy to deal with cut pieces - be it tape, a plastic bag, or an extra sheet of material to lay the cuttings on.

If you leave your material here, it belongs to us! We will not take responsibility for storing your material - please be careful to take everything with you as you leave.