About the Laser Shop :
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials, and is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the laser beam generated. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish.
The Laser Shop is available all students and faculty in the Architecture program. Please use the Laser Shop monitors as a resource for shop use.
Laser Lab Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 9am - 10pm
Friday - Saturday: 9am - 8pm
The Laser Lab is by appointment only - Please sign up using the “Submit to the Laser!” button below.
LASER LAB PROTOCOLS FOR USE
GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is not a valid use of the laser cutter to make squares
Be sure to bring your files plot ready: flatten, purge, and overkill all beforehand
Priority Schedule is in place to allow everyone to cut during studio-specific time slots
Time slots cannot run over into the next groups time slot.
Cuts resulting in flare up will result in the student being ejected from the Laser Shop for the day
To expedite cutting download the driver for the plotter HERE.
NEVER leave the room while you are cutting
Students must sign up using the Digital Submission system in the Laser Shop.
Have a valid Pratt ID and be currently enrolled in an approved Pratt Architecture course
Use of laser cutters are limited to academic work only, commercial work is prohibited
Cutting time is limited to 60 minutes
SUBMISSIONS + QUEUE
You must submit to the Laser Lab before arriving to the shop! You will be prompted when it is your time for the Laser.
You will have 10 minutes to arrive to the Laser Lab after receiving the "Up-Next" email. After 10 minutes your appointment will be cancelled and you will need to complete this form again.
Laser Shop access is extended to students and faculty of the School of Architecture. Please be aware of high capacity during midterms and finals. Please arrive prepared and be respectful of the time limit of 60 minutes.
LASER PRIORITY SCHEDULE
The Laser Lab this semester will begin to re-utilize the Priority Schedule. The Laser Priority is a coordinated schedule for giving equal opportunity for time on machine. Each level has designated time slots where the submissions are reorganized to give preference to that year. Use the Filter View icon tool in Google Sheets to cycle the Laser Queue to the current Priority View. For now, the Filter View must be refreshed with each new submission. Download the Laser Priority Schedule below.
Laser lab Tutorials + Resource Files
Click the button above to download the file.
The Laser Lab has put together a variety of documents to aid you in preparing your files for Laser Cutting. Please be sure to follow the Laser Lab Guidelines listed above. Above are Cutting Guides for each of 3 laser cutter models available in the Laser Lab. Please review these before visiting the shop. We have also provided the .las files for each of the laser cutter models for your use. Lastly, we have put together a “plug and play” Grasshopper Nesting script that will automatically nest, overlap geometries were possible and reduce to a single line. We hope this will aid in increasing your efficiency in the Laser Lab! There is also a tutorial for the script, as well as the download for the Grasshopper plugin needed.
Machine Information
Universal VLS - 475
Machine Description Here:
The Universal VLS-475 is the smallest model of laser cutter in the Pratt Architecture Production Facilities Laser Shop. The VLS-660 has a cutting bed size of 18”x24” (stated again below). The VLS - 475 is a great companion to the new ILS 12.15OD with complementing small and large format laser cutting.
Print Bed Size:
18” (y) x 24” (x)
Please be sure to properly set the Z Height to your material.
Universal VLS - 660
Machine Description Here:
The Universal VLS-660 is one of the standard models of laser cutter in the Pratt Architecture Production Facilities Laser Shop. The VLS-660 has a cutting bed size of 18”x32” (stated again below)
Print Bed Size:
18” (y) x 32” (x)
Please be sure to properly set the Z Height to your material.
Universal X - 660
Machine Description Here:
The Universal X-660 is one of the standard models of laser cutter in the Pratt Architecture Production Facilities Laser Shop. The X-660 has a cutting bed size of 18”x32” (stated again below).
Print Bed Size:
18” (y) x 32” (x)
Please be sure to properly set the Z Height to your material
Universal ILS - 12.15OD
Machine Description Here:
The Universal ILS-12.15OD is the newest model of laser cutter in the Pratt Architecture Production Facilities Laser Shop. The ILS-12.15OD has a cutting bed size of 24”x 48” (stated again below). This laser cutter is perfect for large format model making, allowing for seamless cutting of larger materials.
Print Bed Size:
24” (y) x 48” (x)
Please be sure to properly set the Z Height to your material
