The School of Architecture and Design provides students with access to four 100-watt large-format CO2 laser engravers. These machines are capable of etching patterns and cutting complex 2D shapes in a variety of thin materials with a high level of precision.

support resources

  • troubleshooting Skedda - "no bookable spaces found"
    February 23, 2024
    This troubleshooting guide is aimed at students who are completing the School of Architecture and Design Labs (SoAD Labs) laser-cutting intro training sequence. If you're facing difficulties signing up for the in-lab laser equipment training session through the SoAD Labs equipment reservation system (Skedda) and encounter the error "No bookable spaces found," it's likely due…
    by Chris
  • laser cutting - step-by-step guide
    April 28, 2020
    setting up the machine turn equipment on turn on the laser cutter and fume-extractor load material align material at top-left corner of the cutting table. Use tape if material is slightly bowed. See the material guide for maximum material sizing and allowable materials. focus laser focus the laser by adjusting the height of the cutting table using…
    by Chris

lab and equipment use

reserving time

Laser cutting is available to current School of Architecture and Design students who have completed the Introduction to Laser Cutting Training Program. After completing this, you will be able to  reserve time on the laser-cutters on the equipment reservation page.

reservation quotas

  • undergraduate-students are allotted 60 minutes per week
  • graduate-students are allotted 120 minutes per week

template files

Please come prepared with your linework prepared in the following template file:

SoAD Rhino laser template

materials

Maximum material size is 23.75″x39.75″.

Maximum material thickness is 1/4″.

If there is a material not on this list that you would like to cut, please contact a lab staff-member.

allowable materials restricted materials
wood solid wood
plywood
MDF
tempered hardboard		 pressure-treated, stained, or painted wood
paper chipboard
museum board
mat board
butter board		 corrugated cardboard [fire hazard]
plastic Acrylic PVC [releases chlorine gas]
Vinyl [releases chlorine gas]
Polycarbonate
Styrene
Fiberglass
Carbon Fiber
Teflon
HDPE
foam EVA foam foam-core [fire hazard]
polystyrene foam
metal NONE
glass NONE

* These materials release toxic gasses and damage equipment when laser-cut. Cutting materials on this list WILL result in suspension of laser cutting privileges.