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Beambox Laser Cutter

A guide for using the Beambox laser cutter in the MakerSpace

Getting Started With Beambox and Laser Cutting

This page details the basic process for using the laser cutter.

Beambox Studio

Beam Studio software is required to run the laser cutter.

You can access it via a web app, or download it. Please note that you can only connect to the laser cutter from one of the PCs (not Macs) in the MakerSpace. You can however use the software to design your items on any device.

  • Access web app: flux3dp.com/beam-studio/​
  • Create an account or login
  • Select Wired Network when asked how you wish to connect (or skip if you are only designing)
  • Go to the Beambox to retrieve IP
  • Enter machine IP 
  • Beam Studio will open (You will be asked to calibrate the camera. This is not necessary.)

Beam Studio utilises layers and you can assign a different power and speed setting to each layer. This is how you determine exactly what your cuts and engraves will look like. You should check out Flux's Beam Studio guide.

Also check out this youtube video for more information on how to use Beambox Studio. Be sure to use the Wired Connection rather than WiFi as is demonstrated in the below video:

Laser safety 

  • Don't look directly at the laser! The laser can cause damage to your eyes.
  • Don't open the Beambox while the laser is in use
  • Don't use carcinogenic materials for laser cutting
  • Know where the fire extinguisher is at all times 

Focus laser 

Before using the laser cutter, ensure correct distance between laser and materials.

  • Place your material on the cutting bed
  • Open the Beambox lid and manually move the laser head over the material
  • Flip the small clear plastic piece down
  • Adjust the focus knob until the piece is in light contact with the material
  • Flip the plastic piece back out of the way

 

Run a materials test 

If you are using a new material, you may want to create a test cut to determine the settings you need for each layer. 

To access and cut/engrave the testing design:

  1. Open Beam Studio. 
  2. Select File > Examples
  3. Ensure laser is focused over the material and click the go button in the top right of the app.