Laser Cutter - Certification Pathway Guide
This guide covers the certification pathway for you to gain access to the laser cutters at the makerspace, as well as the safety guidelines which you must adhere to. Currently we have two laser cutters, the XTool P3, an 80W CO₂ laser cutter. The P3 is a significantly more powerful and more complex machine than the xTool P2S (which is our other laser cutter), it cuts thicker material and moves faster.
Read this whole guide and complete the tutorial with a member of staff watching over you to acquire your first-tier beginner certification
Use the link here to join the course on canvas and use the following join code: MBHH39
Room Access
While Mr. AlJeshi is around, the laser room is open, BUT every student still has to check in with him before using a laser cutter, so he can confirm you're certified at the right level. When he isn't around, the room is locked; another member of the IT office staff can let you in, and will check your certification.
Certification Tiers
Everyone using a laser cutter falls into one of three tiers:
| Beginner | Staff member actively present with you |
| Intermediate | Staff member actively present OR another intermediate certified user or higher |
| Advanced | No supervision needed |
How to Move Up a Tier
Unrated → Beginner: Pass the Beginner safety quiz on Canvas, then complete the Beginner certification cut alongside Mr. AlJeshi. He may help and guide you along the way, this is your first time, so you're not expected to know it all yet.
Beginner → Intermediate: Pass the Intermediate quiz, then complete the Intermediate certification cut following all safety protocols. Mr. AlJeshi will watch the entire time but won't help.
Intermediate → Independent: Complete a timed certification cut where you work out the settings yourself, observed but not assisted by staff, followed by a short verbal safety check.
PPE
Safety goggles are recommended, but not required. Closed-toe shoes, hair tied back, and no loose or dangling clothing, drawstrings, or jewelry that could catch on the machine are still expected any time you're working at a laser cutter.
The one rule that matters most: never stare directly at the laser while it's cutting or engraving. Even a brief, direct look at the beam can cause permanent eye damage. If you need to check on a cut, glance at the material or the toolpath, not the point where the beam is actually firing.
Approved Materials
These are the materials generally available and commonly used in the Makerspace for laser cutting:
- Basswood plywood
- MDF (Medium-density Fiberboard)
- Plywood (birch or similar)
- Acrylic Cast acrylic highly recommended over extruded
- Cardboard
- Paper Yes you can laser cut paper but you have to be veeeery careful with the settings
This isn't an exhaustive list of everything a laser cutter can technically process, it's what is usually used and we stock some of this. If you want to use something not listed here and it's not on the prohibited list below either, ask staff first.
Prohibited Materials
| Material | Why |
|---|---|
| Polycarbonate | Releases hazardous fumes |
| PVC / vinyl | Releases chlorine gas |
| ABS | Releases hazardous fumes |
| Coated carbon fiber | Coating releases toxic fumes |
| Polystyrene foam | Melts and readily ignites and releases fumes |
| HDPE | Melts and drips rather than cutting, drips can ignite |
| Fiberglass | Releases glass particulate and resin fumes |
| Anything reflective | Can reflect the beam back into the machine or out toward a person |
| PTFE (Teflon) | Releases hydrofluoric acid gas |
This is in addition to the standing rule: never cut or engrave any material you can't positively identify. If it's not on the approved list and isn't clearly one of the items above, ask staff first, don't assume it's probably fine.
General Safety Rules
- Know where the fire extinguisher is before operating any laser cutter.
- Never leave a laser cutter unattended while it's running.
- Turn on ventilation/exhaust before cutting, every SINGLE time.
- Only cut materials from the approved list above. Never cut or engrave anything you can't identify.
- Keep the lid closed at all times except while loading/unloading.
- Follow the PPE guidelines above and never stare directly at the beam.
- Vector cutting is fast; raster engraving can take a while. Plan your session accordingly and be considerate if others are waiting or the space is closing.
- Design and prototype in cardboard or scrap first, then move to your final material once your file and settings are dialed in.
- Clean up thoroughly any debris in the machine, on the bed, and in the surrounding lab area, before, during, and after cutting. Keep the scrap pile organized, not dumped in a heap.
- After a cut finishes, give the fumes/smoke a moment to clear before opening the lid.
- If you ever see an open flame, hit the emergency-stop button immediately, then notify a staff member.
- Never open an access panel or attempt a repair, only staff members are allowed to do that.
Material Usage: Scraps First
Always use materials from the scrap pile first.
If nothing in the scrap bins works, you can ask the Makerspace Manager for a new sheet.
When you're done cutting, look at what's left of your material. If the leftover piece is big enough that someone else could reasonably use it, put it back in the scrap bin. If it's down to slivers or odd shapes too small to be useful, toss it, the goal is bins that stay usable, not bins that hold onto everything.
