Laser Cutter Policies

Please follow all instruction included in the training and the Standard Operating Procedure for this equipment, the following is an abbreviated set of information:

Room Rules & Tips

The lasers and supporting spaces are available 24 hours a day throughout the semester but do not count on a machine always being available. The laser cutters are maintained regularly, but with prodigious use problems are unavoidable.  

Limited TA support is available, consult the Calendar or contact them via [email protected] with any questions related to use or with problems encountered with the equipment.

If you have a deadline, plan ahead. Waiting until the last minute to cut should be avoided.

Students may sign up for a maximum of two hours per day via the FabJob App (additional limits may apply at the end of the semester). If you are more than 10 minutes late, your entire time is forfeited for that reservation.

Usage Policies

Because Laser Cutters are often in high demand, are limited in number, and have the potential to cause harm to users, rules must be observed to allow individuals to access the technology safely.

Please review the policies below related to the Laser Cutters. Failure to observe these policies may result in immediate loss of access to the laser cutters at the GSD or to the whole Fabrication Lab.

General Policies

• user must not cut under another user’s account
• user must not share their login credentials with others
• user must be present when operating the machine (if the user needs to be absent for a few minutes, press pause on the machine, and when is back, press pause again)
• users must not allow unauthorized individuals into the laser room
• user must operate/use only one machine at a time
• materials left in the room unattended will be transferred to the freecycle racks
• no model assembly is allowed in the room
• keep the shared space clean; users must clean-up after themselves
• failure to follow these policies may result in canceled prints and loss of access at the discretion of Lab Staff

End of the Semester Policies

In addition to the General Policies above, additional policies are in effect during the end of semesters (midterms and finals) to guarantee equitable opportunities for the usage of the equipment.

• maximum of 2 hours per user per day
• 6 machines will be available by reservation only
• one machine will be for walk-up use only
  • the walk-up machine will serve as a backup if a reserved machine is not operating
  • the walk-up machine will have a maximum of one hour per user per day
• if 10 or more minutes late to a reserved cutter, the entire reservation is forfeited
• failure to follow these policies may result in loss of access at the discretion of Lab Staff

Laser Cutter Hours

While the Laser Cutters are typically available whenever Gund Hall is open during the academic semesters, hours may be limited in the summer and between semesters.

Check the Calendar to determine when Technical Assistants are on duty or whether the space is closed.

Need Help?

Contact a Laser Cutter Technical Assistant by email at [email protected] or visit us in Gund L40 during the office hours listed on the Calendar.

Laser Room Cameras

View the Front Laser Room Camera, Gund L40

View the Rear Laser Room Camera, Gund L40E

(Must be connected to the Harvard network by being on-campus, or connected via VPN to view remotely.)

Reserve a Laser Cutter

Please use the FabJob App to reserve up to 2 hours of Laser Cutter time per day.