Polystyrene sheets near the laser cutter

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1

Hi all,

I’ve just accidentally cut some polystyrene in the laser cutter. I
picked up a clear sheet of plastic from beside the laser cutter which
looked like acrylic and cut like it on the bandsaw. Once I noticed it
was giving off more smoke than usual and not cutting well, I stopped
and investigated and found some more sheets with the cover still on,
and it turns out it’s polystyrene.

I’ve moved everything I can identify as polystyrene to the other end
of the metalwork bench, but there might be more hidden in the acrylic
bin. I hope the laser cutter’s OK (it seems to be fine) - but I’m
happy to chip in for some new optics if it’s been damaged.

Jim

2

Hi Jim,

Thanks for informing the list and moving it.

Dont worry about the optics, I have new lenses here and mirrors on the way,
as the ones in there are getting pretty old.

Ta,
BobOn 23 February 2014 17:20, Jim MacArthur jim@mode7.co.uk wrote:

Hi all,

I’ve just accidentally cut some polystyrene in the laser cutter. I
picked up a clear sheet of plastic from beside the laser cutter which
looked like acrylic and cut like it on the bandsaw. Once I noticed it
was giving off more smoke than usual and not cutting well, I stopped
and investigated and found some more sheets with the cover still on,
and it turns out it’s polystyrene.

I’ve moved everything I can identify as polystyrene to the other end
of the metalwork bench, but there might be more hidden in the acrylic
bin. I hope the laser cutter’s OK (it seems to be fine) - but I’m
happy to chip in for some new optics if it’s been damaged.

Jim

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3

I’ve cleaned the optics in the cutter this evening. the lens in there is
pretty fucked, it was entirely black from accumulated soot!

I’ll be doing a proper tuneup in the next couple of weeks, until then it
should be cutting correctly. For reference I was getting through 3mm
acrylic at power 100, speed 8.

Ta,
BobOn 23 February 2014 17:41, Bob Clough parag0n@ivixor.net wrote:

Hi Jim,

Thanks for informing the list and moving it.

Dont worry about the optics, I have new lenses here and mirrors on the
way, as the ones in there are getting pretty old.

Ta,
Bob

On 23 February 2014 17:20, Jim MacArthur jim@mode7.co.uk wrote:

Hi all,

I’ve just accidentally cut some polystyrene in the laser cutter. I
picked up a clear sheet of plastic from beside the laser cutter which
looked like acrylic and cut like it on the bandsaw. Once I noticed it
was giving off more smoke than usual and not cutting well, I stopped
and investigated and found some more sheets with the cover still on,
and it turns out it’s polystyrene.

I’ve moved everything I can identify as polystyrene to the other end
of the metalwork bench, but there might be more hidden in the acrylic
bin. I hope the laser cutter’s OK (it seems to be fine) - but I’m
happy to chip in for some new optics if it’s been damaged.

Jim

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"Hackspace Manchester" group.
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4

Youch, no wonder it wasn’t cutting very well on cutting things!