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Material Safety

ProtohavenApproved ApprovedMaterials for Rabbit Laser Material ListCutters

TheScroll current materials lists for the laser cutters can be found in the following Google Sheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RDp_Kf5wWVkaAUypppxwd_1NlgEtOxAvZAGb8n5b-Vc/edit?usp=sharing

The Google Sheet has several pages, including:

  • Approved materials for the Rabbits, including suggested speedup and power settings
  • Approved materials for the Trotec, including suggested speed, power, and resolution settings
  • Prohibited materials (applicable to all laser cutters)

Work is ongoing to better integrate these tables into the wiki.

Old stuff

Scan QRdown to see the currentlist; versionscroll ofright thisfor documentadditional orinformation.

Approved Materials for Trotec Laser Cutter

Scroll up and down to followsee links.the list; scroll right for additional information.

Prohibited Materials for All Laser Cutters

Unapproved material use is prohibited. Failure to comply will lead to revocation of privileges or membership.
Lasering unapproved material could lead to fire other equipment damage or hazardous fumes creating risk to human health.

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  • Approved
    • materialsforthe speedcutters)
    scroll right for additional information.

    Laser Material

    		 Danger
    Chlorinatedabove plasticstables (PVC,can vinyl,be artificialfound leather,in Moleskinethe notebooks,following polymerGoogle clay/Sculpey) Emits

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RDp_Kf5wWVkaAUypppxwd_1NlgEtOxAvZAGb8n5b-Vc/edit?usp=sharing

    chlorine

    The gas
    Polycarbonate/Lexan Cutspages, poorly,including:

    absorbs
      laser,
    • Notes discolors,on maythe catchspreadsheet
      • fire
    ABS Emits cyanide gas, melts, bursts into flame
    HDPE (milk bottle plastic)Catches fire & melts
    Polypropylene foam (foam core, Styrofoam)Catches fire
    FiberglassEmits dangerous fumes
    Coated carbon fiberEmits dangerous fumes
    Pressure treated woodEmits dangerous fumes
    Galvanized metalEmits dangerous fumes
    Mirrored surfaces,Rabbits, including uncoatedsuggested metal Willand notpower cut,settings reflects
  • Approved materials for the Trotec, including suggested speed, power, and resolution settings
  • Prohibited materials (applicable to all laser beam
    		•

    Permitted Materials

    MaterialsCutEtchMaterialsCutEtch
    Solid woodXXMylar sheetXX
    PlywoodXXOrganic FabricsXX
    MDF & LDF (fiberboard)XXLeather & suedeXX
    Paper, cardstock, cardboardXXNon-chlorinated rubberXX
    CorkXXGlass X
    AcrylicXXCeramic tile X
    Mirrored Acrylic \\(reflective side down)XXStone X
    Delrin sheetXXAnodized & surface-treated metals X

    Notes

    Details

    Know your Poly*

    There are many plastic polymers made of different materials. Some can be lasered, others can not. Make sure you think critically about the words that come after poly.

    • Polyacrylic, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polylactic are generally the good ones. See specifics Below
    • Polystyrene requires vigilant observation so you don't burn down the laser.
    • Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene are ones are the bad ones. See specifics Below

    ✅ Approved Materials

    The following materials are approved for use on the lasers at Protohaven. Some material may be at a higher risk of fire please be mindful of any notes provided.

    Cut & Etch

    Monitor Closely

    The following materials MUST BE monitored closely as they have an increased risk to cause damage to the equipment by causing fire or melting.

    Etched Only

    • Glass
    • Ceramic
    • Stone (marble, slate, quartz, etc.)
    • Plaster of Paris
    • Paints and thin spray coatings, thinner than powder coating (General blanket approval, but please use common sense and don't engrave your grandfather's old High Lead Special paint he has stockpiled.
    • Metal (painted/anodized)
    • The laser must not be used over 50% power in this scenario. Reflections can damage the optics.
    • Cermark metal marking compound
    • Plasti-dip

    🚫 Prohibited Materials

    The following materials must not be used under any circumstances

    • Chlorinated Plastics
    • PVC / Vinyl
    • Artificial Leather
    • Moleskine Notebooks
    • Polymer Clay / Sculpey
    • Pressure Treated Wood
    • PTFE / Teflon
    • Fiberglass
    • Polycarbonate / Lexan
    • AVS
    • HDPE
    • Dry Moly Lube
    • Galvanized Metal
    • Polypropylene / Foam Core, Styrofoam
    • Coated Carbon Fiber
    • Mirrored Surfaces
    • Any material containing a halogen (Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, etc…)
    • Oracal 651 (Contains PVC, Lead, Chromium)
    • Foamular Extruded Polystyrene Insulation
    • Polyurethane
    • Nylon
    • Silicone conformal coating spray from MG Chemicals (contains halogens)
    • Spandex & Stretch (contains polyurethane)
    • Neoprene
    • Uncured powder coating, including:
    • Powdura
    • Black Beauty
    • Speedball Art Speedy Cut, Speedy Cut Easy and Speedy Carve (PVC at minimum)
    • “Laser Rubber” products, such as No-Odor Laser Rubber (RPO 035) and Low Odor Laser Rubber (RUS 001) (Hydrogen Cyanide)
    • Siser P.S. Film (contains polyurethanes)
    • Easyweed Electric Heat Transfer Film (contains polyurethanes)
    • Siser StripFlock P.S. Film (contains PVC)
    • Butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (Also known as Nitrile rubber, Buna-N, Perbunan, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, and NBR)
    • Rock Salt/Table Salt (contains Chlorine)
    • Epoxy Resin (Formaldehyde, Hydrogen Cyanide)​​​​​​​

    Submission of Material For Consideration

    To submit a material for approval submit the request to the #lasers channel on Discord. Please provide the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

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