Laser Cutting

Use this page for the basic file prep, upload, and submission flow before sending a laser job to the Makerspace team.

Laser Cutting is useful for flat sheet parts, face plates, mounting panels, spacers, templates, and other quick-cut components that do not need full 3D geometry.

Laser Cutting support runs through the same Makerspace workshop team.

Speak to a technician before uploading files or bringing material for cutting.

Step 1

Prepare a 2D Design

Keep the job as a clean flat layout with closed vector paths and clearly sized parts.

Step 2

Upload

Use the dedicated Laser Cutting Drive folder once it is shared and give the file a clear team name.

Step 3

Confirm in Person

Go to the Makerspace, tell a technician your student ID and material details, and wait for confirmation.

Laser Basics

Best For

Flat panels, brackets, spacers, templates, stencils, and other sheet-based parts.

Recommended Files

Use a clean vector file such as .svg or .dxf unless the upload folder says otherwise.

Material Check

Confirm the material and thickness with a technician before assuming it can be cut safely.

Design Guidance

• Use Laser Cutting when the part is mostly 2D. If the design needs depth, curved geometry, or a complex solid shape, 3D Printing is usually the better fit.
• Keep outlines clean. Remove duplicate lines, close open paths, and avoid sending screenshots or raster artwork as the final cut file.
• Be practical with small features. Tiny slots, fragile bridges, and dense engraving can slow jobs down or make the part unreliable.
• Leave time for approval. Material choice, thickness, and machine availability still need a technician check before work is accepted.

Technicians may refuse or defer jobs that use unapproved material, have unclear file prep, or are likely to take too long during event operation.

Uploading Your Files

Upload files to the public Google Drive folder in a cut-ready format: .svg or .dxf.

Use a clear filename such as:

studentid_groupname_cutnumber

Examples:

11374538_aicamera3_01.svg
11374477_rover5_02.dxf

This makes it easier for the Makerspace team to track multiple uploads across teams and time slots.

Open Upload Folder

Upload your .svg or .dxf file to the public Google Drive folder before speaking to a technician.

Submitting Your Cut In Person

1. Head to the Makerspace and tell a technician you want to submit a Laser Cutting job.
2. Give your student ID, explain the part briefly, and mention the material and thickness you plan to use.
3. Wait for confirmation before assuming the job has been accepted or queued.

Laser jobs may still need revision if the file is unclear, the material is not approved, or the queue is already full.

Getting Help

If you are unsure whether something should be laser cut, ask a technician or supervisor before uploading. Use Makerspace for the workshop overview and Floorplan for location guidance.