Laser Cutting

UT College of Architecture and Design has 6 laser cutting units available for current CoAD students & faculty. All systems are the same make, model and operate under the same procedures.
Within the A+A building, located in the Digital Print Center 4 machines are accesible, an additional 2 units are at the UT Fab Lab.

Scheduling

Laser cutters are available in 30-minute blocks, and reservations occur using the online system. If you need assistance with scheduling, please contact Craig Gillam.

Limits for use exist, so please follow the policy listed below and ensure use is within shop hours.  Failure to do so will result in lost time.

All appoitnments utilize office 365. Use the following link to reserve your appointment. 365 Bookings.

For assistance and training, please contact Craig Gillam, Jeff Wilkinson or Don Swanner.

Drop-in use:  Drop-in use is possible, but it is highly recoemended tha all access be booked.

All equipment is for use by current College of Architecture and Design Faculty or students.
Requests from other UT departments or external requested, please use- UTK DFS

 

Existing Laser cutting appointments

Interested in how busy the equipment is?
Need a reminder of when your appointment is?

Fab Lab Laser equipment
A+A laser equipment

Laser Cutter Hours

Hours are subject to change and without notice.  Please check regularly.

 

Fab Lab

During Semester

  • Please look at this calendar for latest hours and times where access may be limited
    • Fab Lab Access (Link)

During Breaks

  • Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

Digital Print Center

(Still non-operational)

During Semester

  • Please look at this calendar for latest hours and times where access may be limited
    • Yet to be established (link)

During Breaks

  • Yet to be established.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are scheduling use during operational hours.

 

Materials

Acceptable (no materials thicker than 0.25″)

  • Mat board, paper, cardboard, chipboard, basswood, balsa wood, mylar and acrylic (Plexiglas)

Not allowed

  • Any material thicker than 0.25″
  • PVC, vinyl, foam core, polycarbonate (lexan), glass and metals
  • For all other materials, check with staff before use.

 

Policy

Failure to follow this policy may result in loss of access. As equipment is self-serve, please be mindful of other users and assist when necessary. When booking the laser cutters, please ensure you follow the policy.

  • You have completed training and understand how to operate these machines (if not, contact Craig Gillam to request it)
  • Use appropriate power settings. DO NOT use power 100, speed 1.  This setting damages the machine
  • Time slots are for 30-minute periods
  • Only one machine can be booked at a time
  • Maximum of two hours total/day (total of all machines, not two hours/cutter)
  • Students must remain present and continuously watch the laser cutter during the cut process (computer and laser will shut off automatically if not monitored)
  • After five minutes, if you are not present, your time slot is lost and reassigned to drop-in use
  • Drop in/unscheduled use is permitted.  Time limitations do not apply to unscheduled use
  • Scheduled use takes priority to drop-in use
  • When your scheduled time is up, even if your cut is not complete, you are to remove materials and allow the next appointment to start
  • Hours for the Fab Lab and DPC vary due to staffing.  Equipment is available when appropriate staffing is available (these are subject to change)
  • All equipment is for use by current College of Architecture and Design Faculty or students
  • Equipment is for use for college-related projects.  All other use must be approved by the Fabrication Director, Craig Gillam.
  • Community designers seeking access to a laser cutter should visit our Digital Fabrication Services to learn more.

Operational Guides