Shibaura Institute of Technology.

This workshop is part of the “Open Tech Kids” program run by SIT, whose driving force has been Assistant Professor Keita Aoshima from the School of Architecture. The premise is using a leading laser cutter machine, teams comprised of individual children and foreign exchange students will fabricate their own “room,” with each individual creation then combined to build a large “home for everybody.” Through this workshop, a natural environment is created for the participating children to be able to learn more about various themes including communications skills, architectural flows and the architectural profession as a whole. Held for the fourth time this year, the workshop always proves to be a very popular event with applicant numbers running at two or three times the number of children who can be accommodated.

Standard graphic programs can be used

Trotec laser cutter machines are compatible with Adobe Illustrator. There are great advantages in the straightforward nature of the operational interface. Using the standardised configuration of the Trotec laser installed at the School of Architecture at SIT, students can directly generate designs that they have developed within the familiar Adobe Illustrator software.

Trotec laser machines offer high levels of safety

In looking to purchase a laser cutter, SIT felt that the Interlock-secured cover offered by Trotec was a necessity in that it was very important to be able to stop operation of the machinery if the cover happened to be open. Although some consideration was also given to certain cheaper options that are only equipped with open exhaust systems, an emphasis was instead placed on ensuring student safety. Moreover, in that such equipment was also to be used in workshops conducted with children, it was also important that any cutter was equipped with a cover that would allow them to safely see it operating.

Speed and toughness were also important selection criteria for SIT

As Professor Aoshima puts it, “I think of lasers as being a form of high-function pencil. By picking up a pen directly in the hand, what I think is ideal is the idea of being able to sketch a picture and then have the cutter reproduce it exactly. What is more, compared to 3D printers, the speed of laser cutters feels much faster. Additionally, I had heard that the machines of certain manufacturers were prone to frequent breakdowns. As such, in that our Rayjet Trotec laser unit hasn’t failed us yet, I get the impression that Trotec products can be used long-term.”

Laser Machines available at the Shibaura Institute of Technology

• CO₂ laser cutter with 30W and a Atmos Compact exhaust system (115V)
• CO₂ laser cutter with 80W and a Atmos Duo Plus exhaust system (230V)

The machines normally operate for 5 to 10 hours a week. However, from late December and into January, operation peaks to everyday usage as students work on their graduation portfolios. To ease waiting times during peak periods and double the volume of student usage, there are plans to install a second Speedy 400 laser engraving machine at SIT.

Materials mainly processed by the laser cutters at SIT

• Timber and wood (larch plywood, basswood)
• Cardboard (Kent paper, block copy paper, chipboard)
• Acrylic etc.