Laser Lab

In-person Laser Lab orientations have ended for Spring semester.

Due to low staffing, Laser Lab will be closing at 6pm on Sunday 4/20 and Monday 4/21.
Apologies for the inconvenience.

Welcome to the Laser Lab. If you need to book an orientation or set up a consultation please scroll down and locate the appropriate red button.

To use the lab:

1. Complete a Mandatory Orientation (Do this once, before you ever use the lab)
2. Book a Technician Consultation (Do this every time you need to use the lab)

NOTE: Epilog Fusion (Our 40″ x 28″ large laser cutter) requires advanced training and setup. It can get busy towards the end of semesters so you may not get immediate access after your consultation. Please email laserlab@newschool.edu if you have questions.

If you have questions about Laser Lab access email laserlab@newschool.edu 

Students and faculty are required to complete an orientation before using the lab.

Orientations are in two parts:

1. An online Canvas course and quiz which you MUST complete. If you have not taken the General Making Center Orientation, please do that first in order to gain access to the Laser Lab module.
   To find the Laser Lab Orientation on Canvas, sign into the “Making Center Trainings and Authorization” course in Canvas using your NetID/password, go to the Modules section, and complete the “Laser Lab (Digital Tools)” module. Upon the completion of online orientation, you will be able to schedule the in-person orientation at the end of Canvas training.
2. A 30-60 minute in-person orientation where you will set up a test file and do a test cut. There will also be a lab policies and safety review. You will find the link to book your test cut at the end of the Canvas module.

You must complete both the online and in-person orientation in order to gain access to Laser Lab. 

Note for faculty:

The lab no longer offers class orientations, however we do offer a limited amount of lab introductions, which take about 15 minutes. During the introduction we allow your class brief access to the lab to familiarize with the space and machines, this is not a training period. Due to the high demand of the Laser Lab, we cannot guarantee every class this accommodation. Faculty are expected to attend the introduction and take the orientation ahead of time. Please give us one to two weeks advance notice so we can accommodate you. To request a lab introduction email the lab at laserlab@newschool.edu.

Important: Please remember to cancel your consultation if no longer needed. This will allow your cohorts to access the lab. 

After completing an orientation, to use our Laser Cutters, you must make a consultation using the button below. A consultation is a 5-10 minute meeting where we will review your file and materials, before scheduling your time to use the machines:

• You cannot make a consultation without having taken an orientation first.
• You must have a finished file as well as all materials you plan to cut when attending a consultation.
• Consultations do not guarantee immediate use of the laser cutters. You will either have to wait until a machine is free or until your scheduled use time.  You must attend an in-person consultation in order book a scheduled use time in the future – with a limit of one scheduled use per consultation.  This applies to all laser cutters, including the Epilog Fusion.
• All consultations/cutting appointments are for one person only. If you are working on a group project, please co-ordinate before hand so that only one person is in the lab per consultation/cutting appointment
• If you are over 15 minutes late for your scheduled cutting time without notifying the lab, your appointment will automatically be cancelled.
• If you would like to transfer your consultation slot to another person, please email the lab and CC them on the email. Please ensure that they have also completed both the online and in-person orientations for the Laser Lab.

Always read the Laser Lab Approved & Banned Materials List before using the Laser Lab. If you intend to purchase material from us you can view the materials we offer at Material Store. Students may purchase a maximum of 2 pieces of each material type per consultation. All material purchases must be done at the lab.

The Laser Cutting Lab consists of multiple laser cutters that can be used to cut and engrave a variety of materials.

Always read the Laser Lab Approved & Banned Materials List before using the Laser Lab or laser cutters.

Note: We are no longer cutting through 1/4 plywood. Engraving is ok.