Dorian
Members must complete the Big Lasers Class before using this tool
Dorian is a Laguna EX-C 150W CO2 laser cutter with a 36" × 51" bed. It uses Lightburn software with a Ruida controller — similar in operation to Tarkin. Dorian also has a rotary fixture for engraving round objects like glassware.
Specifications
| Laser Type | CO2 |
|---|---|
| Power | 150W |
| Bed Size | 36" × 51" |
| Controller | Ruida (similar to Tarkin) |
| Software | Lightburn |
| Rotary Fixture | Yes |
| Location | Laser room |
Safety
Universal Safety
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially when handling large materials.
- Do not approach anyone operating equipment. Stand patiently in their field of view.
- Safety glasses and closed-toed shoes are required in the shop.
Equipment-Specific Safety
Big Lasers Class is required to use this tool.
- Never leave the laser while it is running. Fires can start in seconds. You are responsible for the machine at all times during your job.
- Locate the HALOTRON fire extinguishers in the laser room before starting any work.
- The chiller must be on and running before any cutting. The laser will not fire without coolant flow.
- Keep the lid closed while the laser is running.
- Do not laser prohibited materials — some produce toxic or corrosive fumes and can permanently damage the machine.
Use Case
Dorian is used for laser cutting, engraving, and rastering. Its 150W power and large 36"×51" bed make it well-suited for production runs and larger material sheets. The rotary fixture enables engraving of cylindrical objects. It operates with Lightburn, similar to Tarkin, so users comfortable with Tarkin will find Dorian familiar.
Materials
Acceptable Materials
Before starting any job, verify your material is laser-safe on the Laser Cutter Materials page. Common safe materials include: acrylic, plywood, wood, MDF, cardboard, leather, paper, fabric.
Prohibited Materials
- PVC / Vinyl — releases corrosive chlorine gas. Do not attempt.
- Polycarbonate / Lexan — looks like acrylic but does not cut, damages the laser.
- PTFE / Teflon — produces toxic and corrosive gases.
- Epoxy — not laser-safe.
- Materials with sticky glue backing — glue residue requires lens replacement.
- Polystyrene and Polypropylene — catch fire and make a mess.
- Metal — contact workshop before attempting.
- Food — contamination risk.
When in doubt, use the copper wire flame test for chlorine (PVC) detection.
Consumables
Check the Laser Cutter Materials page for settings by material.
Setup
1. Locate Fire Extinguishers
Identify the HALOTRON extinguishers in the laser room before starting work.
2. Power On
Turn on the laser using the black knob on the right side of the machine. If the light doesn't come on, twist the red knob — if the E-stop was used to power down, the red knob will have popped up and must be reset.
3. Turn On Chiller
The machine will not cut without the chiller running. Turn it on and confirm it reaches operating temperature before starting your job.
4. Reboot the PC (Recommended)
Consider rebooting the laser room PC before starting your project. This clears any settings changed by previous users and returns Lightburn to a default state.
5. Verify Artwork Size
Open your file in Lightburn and verify the size of your artwork before doing anything else. Files can import at the wrong scale depending on file type and originating software.
6. Focus the Laser
Focus the laser every time you place a new sheet of material on the bed. Consult the Lightburn documentation or ask a steward if you are unsure of the focus procedure for Dorian.
7. Set Origin
Verify your desired origin settings in Lightburn before sending. If the laser moves somewhere unexpected when you frame your job, the origin settings are likely the cause. See Tarkin for an explanation of Absolute vs. User Origin modes — Dorian uses the same Ruida-based system.
8. Pre-Job Checklist
Before pressing Start, confirm:
- Inner cuts are on top layers (so they cut first, before outer cuts free the piece).
- Check job runtime in Lightburn Preview — ensure it fits within your reservation.
- Material is flat, secured to the bed, and parallel to the gantry.
- Laser head will not collide with material hold-downs or clamps.
- You have done a small test cut on a scrap of the same material.
- You have confirmed your origin and framed the artwork.
9. Enable Rotary Fixture (if applicable)
Enable the rotary fixture option in Lightburn settings if using the rotary attachment. Disable it for all flat-bed jobs.
10. Run Your Job
Press Start. Monitor the machine for the entire duration of the job. Use Pause to stop without losing your job if you need a brief moment, but do not leave the machine unattended.
Cleanup
Universal Cleaning Guide
- Return the equipment to neutral.
- Sweep up debris around the tool, your table, and the floor.
- Clear the floor of tripping hazards such as power cords.
- Empty trash cans and dust collectors that are halfway full or more into the Asmbly dumpster.
- Leave the shop 110% better than you found it.
Tool-Specific Cleaning Guide
- Clean debris from the bed — vacuum small pieces rather than letting them fall into the honeycomb.
- Wipe down the interior of the machine.
- Turn off the laser and chiller. Order does not matter.
- Return all accessories (rotary fixture, jigs, clamps) to their storage locations.
- Ensure the floor area around the machine is clean and dry.
Resources
Software
- Lightburn — installed on the laser room PC.
Manuals
- Laguna EX-C documentation available on request from workshop.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Laser won't fire | Chiller off; machine not fully powered on; red knob popped (E-stop was used) | Check chiller; twist red knob to reset; verify black knob is on |
| Blurry or low-power cuts | Forgot to focus; focus shifted between jobs | Re-focus for current material |
| Job cuts in wrong location | Origin settings incorrect | Verify origin in Lightburn; frame the job and confirm placement before running |
| Previous user's settings causing issues | Settings were changed deep in a menu | Reboot the PC before starting |
| Job runtime much longer than expected | Slow raster speed; excessive passes; wrong settings | Check Preview window; use material library settings as a baseline |
When in doubt, contact a steward or submit a problem report.
Maintenance
This tool is owned by Asmbly Makerspace for the use of its members. Please submit a problem report if maintenance is required.
