Laser Cutter

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The Fusion Pro is currently out of service until further notice.

The Hive makerspace offers two laser cutting machines for use by any patron with a valid, full privilege Lewisville library card in good standing. Patrons must also complete the required safety training. Be sure to review The Hive User Guidelines for full details on using the laser cutter.

The laser cutters are free to use. Patrons must supply their own materials in accordance with the material guidelines listed below. Some blank merchandise, provided by the Friends of the Library, is available for purchase from The Hive such as key tags, wooden bookmarks, metal tumblers, and bamboo cutting boards. Visit The Hive to view a display of available merchandise.

What is a Laser Cutter?

Getting Started

All patrons requesting to use the laser cutter must have a valid full privilege Lewisville library card in good standing, and complete a training course on proper machinery usage prior to checking out the machine materials.
Files for use on the laser cutter can be created using one of several different graphic software including CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and AutoCAD. CorelDraw and the Adobe Creative Suite will be available for use at the Library.
Makers are limited to one reservation per week per machine type. After a reservation has been used, if available, Makers can use a machine on a first come, first serve basis. The laser cutters may be used for one, two-hour period per day. The laser must be checked out at The Hive service desk.
For safety purposes, all patrons must stay with their laser projects as they are running. Abandoned projects will be canceled.

Laser Training

Prior to using the laser machines, Makers must complete a mandatory training.

NOTE: Because of the advanced features of the FusionPro, users are required to take the Helix laser training before the FusionPro training. It is highly recommended that users also run at least one simple project on the Helix before using the FusionPro in order to gain experience before jumping to the more advanced machine.

Online Training

Online training is available for The Hive equipment. Patrons new to The Hive must complete the online training before making a reservation. Patrons new to The Hive must sign the user agreement when they arrive for their first reservation.

There are no in-person training sessions available at this time.

Technical Stuff - Helix (Basic)

Brand/Model: Epilog Helix - 50 watt [Epilog Helix User Manual]

Bed Size: 24" x 18"
Rotary tool available for engraving on cylindrical objects like vases and cups.

Max Material Thickness: 11"

Max Diameter for Rotary Tool: 8"

Design Software:

CorelDraw
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
AutoCAD
CorelDraw and the Adobe Creative Suite are available for use at the Library.

Material Type: wood, leather, glass, cloth, cork, some plastics and acrylics (no vinyl). All plastics and acrylics must have an SDS (Safety Data Sheet). See list of Materials Appropriate for the Laser in the section below.

Additional Information: Metals can be marked if powder-coated or anodized. The Hive recommends using CerMark to coat bare metals. CerMark can be purchased online from JohnsonPlastics or CermarkUSA.

Training Required: The Helix laser machine requires the completion of a mandatory safety training prior to use. Training for The Hive machines is available online.

Need to learn how to use the design software listed above? Take a free online video course from LinkedIn Learning. Access LinkedIn Learning from the Library's Learning Tools webpage with your valid Lewisville library card and PIN.

Technical Stuff - Fusion Pro (Advanced)

fusion pro laser Brand/Model: Epilog FusionPro - 80 watt [Epilog FusionPro User Manual]

Bed Size: 32" x 20"
Rotary tool available for engraving on cylindrical objects like vases and cups.

Max Material Thickness: 12.25"

Max Cutting Thickness: 1/4"

Design Software:

CorelDraw
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Inkscape (free)
CorelDraw and the Adobe Creative Suite are available for use at the Library.

Additional Information: Metals can be marked if powder-coated or anodized. The Hive recommends using CerMark to coat bare metals. CerMark can be purchased online from JohnsonPlastics or CermarkUSA.

Training Required: The FusionPro laser machine requires the completion of mandatory safety training prior to use. Training for The Hive machines is available online.

Because of the advanced features of the FusionPro, users are required to take the Helix laser training before the FusionPro training. It's highly recommended that users also run at least one simple project on the Helix before using the FusionPro in order to gain experience before jumping to the more advanced machine.

Materials Appropriate for the Laser

Approved Materials for CUTTING:

Many woods - up to 1/4" thick
Plywood/composite woods
MDF/engineered woods
Rubber (non-chlorinated)
Mylar
Magnetic sheets
Acrylic - up to 1/4" thick
Paper or cardstock
Cardboard
Cork
Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton
Leather/suede (non-vinyl)
Depron foam
Some plastics (must have label)

Approved Materials for ENGRAVING:

Many woods
Plywood/composite woods
MDF/engineered woods
Rubber (non-chlorinated)
Mylar
Acrylic
Anodized aluminum
Depron foam
Paper or cardstock
Cardboard
Cork - 1/8"
Stone, marble, soapstone
Ceramic tile, granite, onyx
Glass
Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton
Leather/suede (non-vinyl)
Magnetic sheets
Some plastics (must have label)

Materials NOT Approved for Use on the Laser
For the safety of all Makers and protection of the equipment, the following materials are NOT permitted for use in The Hive lasers:

Vinyl/PVC
Full bottles of liquid
Polypropylene foam
Epoxy/resin
Foam core board (Elmer's, etc)
HDPE/milk bottle plastic
Fiberglass
Polycarbonate/Lexan
Unknown plastics
Coated carbon fiber
ABS plastic
Weapons, knives, etc.
Any foodstuff (meat, pies, eggs, etc)
Polystyrene foam

The original packaging or sticker label for the material may be requested prior to using the machine in order to determine the composition of the material. Library staff reserve the right to deny access to the laser for any reason, including cases in which material is deemed inappropriate for use. If you have questions about material you wish to use on the laser, contact The Hive at 972.219.3690 or thehive@cityoflewisville.com.

Blank merchandise, provided by the Friends of the Library, is available for purchase from The Hive such as key tags, wooden bookmarks, metal tumblers, and bamboo cutting boards. All merchandise is blank and approved for use on the laser cutters. Visit The Hive to view a display of available merchandise.