Laser engravers use a high-powered laser to cut or engrave a wide range of materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, and paper. What can you make with a laser engraver? All types of things! It’s a very versatile machine that’s deceptively easy to use. Checkout this article “From Food to Furniture: 10 Dazzling Laser-Cutter Projects” from Wired magazine for a few examples.

Equipment

Downtown Laser

Cut and engrave wood, plastic, paper, textiles in MH-Downtown

Glowforge

Glowforge Laser

Cut and engrave paper, cardboard, textiles in MH-Colonnades

Training

Both the Glowforge in Colonnades and Downtown Laser Engraver have separate training. Both trainings consist of two parts:

  1. Online content that you can complete at your own pace.
  2. A practice project that you need to complete in the Maker Hub.

Visit the Maker Hub’s Moodle page for information and to get started (click on the “Enroll me” button if you see it).  

Materials

We allow different materials on the Glowforge and the Downtown laser. Click on the buttons to learn more about the materials allowed in each laser. Attempting to engrave or cut other materials could seriously harm your health and/or the tool and is not allowed. 

Need to purchase your own material? Visit our Materials Policies page for a list of vendors.