resources

instructions for using this laser

safety resources

it is VERY VERY IMPORTANT that you only watch the laser through OD rated viewing glass (okay, it’s plastic, but even so).

link to resource about OD

a list of legit companies, as in independently tested: laserglow, thorlabs, honeywell, glendale, sperian, newport/mks, edmund optics, laservision/uvex, noIR (lasershield). expect rating etched somewhere on glasses. yamamoto seems legit (CE certified) but wasn’t included in that set of tests.

where to purchase glasses etc in nz

makerspace doesn’t sell glasses suitable for this laser (455nm), but do go to them for the other kit

co2 extinguishers and blankets are everywhere

lastek doesn’t reply emails. instead order glasses from edmund optics. sources I didn’t try are bird control (apparently - they’re more expensive) and the cosmetic laser suppliers.

in the absolute worst case, if you can’t get the good glasses, you can run a test on the shitty glasses so you have a just-in-case backup backup plan if it turns out to be necessary. plan A should still be use the webcam and never look directly at the laser.

a method for safely testing laser “glasses”

1- adjust the power to something “safe” that does not burn a sheet of paper. the wavelength is the same regardless of power. 2- place the glasses between the laser and paper 3- looking at the paper: you should see that very little or none focused light gets to the paper. this way you know that the glasses absorbed the light. (or reflected it - so try varying the angle.)

general references

diode laser wiki, lightburn support, etc.

ask for the machinist discord and don’t be an ass in it.

DO NOT TRUST CHATGPT

design resources

list of online file libraries

other lists of online file libraries: https://www.xtool.com/blogs/buyer-guide/free-laser-cut-files https://twotrees3d.com/blogs/twotrees-blog/the-best-free-websites-for-laser-cut-files-svgs-dxfs https://www.reddit.com/r/lasercutting/comments/17lz36w/where_to_find_free_svg_images/ https://www.longer3d.com/blogs/academy/the-7-best-sites-for-free-laser-cut-files-svg-dxf-in-2025 https://www.crealityfalcon.com/blogs/laser-academy/laser-cut-ornaments-svg

Cross-library search: https://best-lasercutter.com/en/free-laser-templates

Seriously though. I googled “download svg for laser” and got a bunch of free files, some of which can be used commercially. Got to page 5 of google results before they started repeating.

A NOTE ABOUT COMMERCIAL LICENSING

creating and customising designs

Lightburn has a couple of simple things you can do.

For more complex editing, get Inkscape (free) if you don’t already have Illustrator or CorelDRAW (not free).

Alternatively: QCAD, LibreCAD, FreeCAD, Fusion360, AutoCAD.

A NOTE ABOUT COMMERCIAL LICENSING AND REMIXING

online tools

https://laserprofit.eu/en/ has a list of useful sites for design (like geargenerator, which is so cool) and a profit calculator

https://dupercut.com/pages/nametags this and the pet paw one are free, rest are premium. this site also comes with some free files.

hmmm living hinge generator where was that again

general checklist for design

vector (format pls) pathing nesting

living hinges

info goes here - I think cut full swatches, then do destructive testing or something. post photos with commentary on when to use what design and parameters.

rounded slot ends is good for hinges, see how we go