Material for Laser Cutting

Photo of room L40D, showing 3 of the laser cutters at the GSD.

Announcements

  • Winter Hours
    The Fabrication Lab will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 20th and will reopen on Monday, January 6th at 10 a.m.
  • Required Training
    Students are encouraged to complete training as early as possible. All returning students, faculty and staff must complete the Fabrication Lab Refresher.
  • Reserving Machine Time
    Reserve Machine Time using the FabJob App. Use a TMP folder for short-term file storage for walk-up use and consultations.

Many materials are not safe to cut with laser cutters. Ask a Laser TA about any material that is not listed below as “approved”.

Materials larger than 18” x 32” must be cut down to fit into the laser cutter.

A small selection of materials for laser cutting are available in the Lab Store. Users are encouraged to acquire materials from other sources but should observe the limitations below when making that purchase.

Image of sign mounted to laser cutters, describing materials that are not allowed to be cut, are allowed to be cut, or not recommended for cutting.

Approved Materials

  • Chipboard, Museum Board, Bristol Board, Mat Board, Paper
  • Natural Wood and Wood Veneer (less than 1/8″)
  • Plywood (less than 1/8″)
  • Natural Fibers: Woven Cotton, Leather, Wool Felt, Cork
  • Acrylic (less than 1/4″)
  • PETG (Mylar)

Do Not Cut Materials

  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Foam Core (Polystyrene Foam)
  • PVC (Polyvinychloride)
  • HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) [i.e. Milk Bottle Plastic]
  • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
  • Vinyl
  • Reflective Materials
  • MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
  • Masonite (Hardboard)
  • Plywood (greater than 1/8″)

Talk to Lab Staff before cutting

  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Anything not listed above

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.

The Fabrication Lab is intended for the use of the faculty, staff, and students enrolled in courses at the Graduate School of Design pursuing academic work. Please see our Policies page for more information.