Page History
This page is under construction. The information below is to be the most materially up to date. However, for exactly details and conflicts, while this page is still undergoing review, please refer to the lower section of the rules for details. Any questions, please message cvrana on Talk. This information will be cleaned up in the near future.
- Do not operate the lasers without having received training, either in person or online at learn.dallasmakerspace.org
- You must watch your job and be within arm's reach for the entire duration of the process.
- Seriously, stay within arm's reach at all times and keep a constant eye on your job. Don't get back on the computer or sit down where you cannot see into the cutter.
- All lasers are $1 for 5 minutes of active run time, rounded up to the nearest five minutes.
- We do check. Please don't forget to pay.
- There is a queue. Follow it. (Check below for details, this one is long)
- Do not hog the computers. If you're not running or setting up to run, please do whatever you are doing elsewhere.
- Clean up after yourself. Both on the computer tables and in and around the laser.
- This includes taking your trash to the dumpster when it's finished.
- Do not attempt to repair the lasers without first having received training from an authorized DMS member.
- We have a list of laser maintainers. If you're not on it and you try and do maintenance, you will likely break it worse.
- One laser per person. Period.
- If there are two of you, each can man a laser. however, if it's during peak time we may request you finish your job and get off to allow others to use the laser as well.
- Do not ever remove or attempt to remove any panel from the machine, including the front panels or panels on the side.
- This falls under the scope of maintenance. Show up to a maintenance day if you'd like to learn.
- Never run a laser with any panels missing from the machine, for any reason.
- It's a serious safety hazard and is NOT SAFE.
- Seriously, watch your job. Keep an eye out for fires. I'm restating this one because of how incredibly important it is.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
The following information is to be considered accurate pending review by the committee. IN THE INSTANCE INFORMATION BELOW CONFLICTS WITH THE INFORMATION ABOVE, the information above takes priority.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Users Must have completed training and meet Age Restriction.
- Laser 101 Thunder Basics course to operate the Thunder Nova lasers.
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- Age Restriction: You must be at least 16 years of age to take the training.
Must monitor laser for the duration of your job. Stay within arms reach at all times.
If you use a proxy to watch the laser, they also must be trained for the particular laser, and be within arms reach.
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Why? Because Lasers cause fires. We have a 4-part fire suppression system: you, the CO2 line, the fire extinguisher, and the fire alarm. None of these work without you. A fire risks not only a $15,000 laser, but also the facility and everyone in it.
Pay for usage. (including cost and payment link)
All lasers including Epilog Fusion: $1 per 5 minutes of laser run-time, rounded up. Example: 4 min = $1, 6 min = $2.
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You can pay online at this link: https://dallasmakerspace.org/laser
Be excellent and clean up after yourself.
Tidy up tools and trash. Remove bits of material from laser beds. Do not leave scrap in Laser area. Be honest with yourself; is it really usable scrap? If yes, place on shelf in Workshop. No room on shelves? Take usable scrap home...or throw it away...or throw away existing scrap to make room. Otherwise, throw bad scrap in the trash can or dumpster. Empty the trash can in the dumpster. Join us on the monthly Maintenance Day for a deep cleaning.
All scrap must have a useable area greater than 8"x8" or fit inside the bin dedicated to test material. Please, please, please walk all questionable or unusable material to the dumpster. This is a recurring problem.
Obey the queue and session limit (3 hours total if someone else is waiting)
Definitions
- Workstation: area including laser and PC.
- Session: when member occupies a workstation, whether laser is operating or not and whether user is logged into computer or not.
- Run-time: laser operating time as measured by the counter in the laser’s control panel. A subset of session time.
- Work piece: single lasered item that can be lifted out of the laser without ruining it. Note: your job may consist of multiple work pieces.
- Off-peak hours: 10p-10a CST
- Peak hours: 10a-10p CST
Queue Procedure
1. Queue Sign-In: Write your name, phone number and arrival time on it. Indicate if you are waiting for any laser in particular. Write clearly or you may lose your turn.
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4. Erase your name and information from the queue sign-in board when your turn begins.
Session Procedure
1. Session Limit:
Operator vacates the workstation under these conditions:
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2. Get another turn: Go to the end of the queue.
Plan Your Work FAQs
- How do I estimate my run-time?
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No. That rule has been removed. You have use of the workstation until your session time is up. All members should plan for a wait. Using the lasers during off-peak hours is a way to avoid waits.
No designing. Tweaking OK.
Sessions are for importing your prints, not creating your designs. Tweaking a design is expected. Makespace has other computers available for designing.
In case of EMERGENCY, use the red E-STOP button.
Use the fire suppression equipment: the CO2 blue line or the fire extinguishers. There is a fire extinguisher on the floor next to each laser. Notify us of issues on Talk.
Attempting to perform your own maintenance may damage the lasers.
Unless you have been previously trained (i.e. on our maintenance team), please do not try to repair the lasers. The optics are extremely delicate and even small adjustments to the laser can take several hours to correct if done improperly.
Consequences
If you are observed violating committee rules, we may take the following actions:
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