• Model: Rabbit QX1290
• Manufacturer: Rabbit Laser
• Manual: Download
• Clearance Required: Rabbit Laser Proficiency Based Clearance
• As of Dec 2024, Laser 1: 100W, laser 2: 80W

A laser cutter is used to mark, engrave, or cut a wide variety of materials. They work a lot like printers do, where you send a graphic to print. Instead of ink, the laser uses heat to transfer the image onto the material.

The Tool Safety, Tool Care, Laser Operation, section of this guide are what instructors use to ensure that you can use the equipment according to community expectations.

Large Format Laser clearance or class equivalent is required before use.

🚫 Do not use any of the prohibited materials
⚠️ Stay by the laser while it’s running

See the Safety Section for more information.

1. Lid - Absorbs the laser radiation and must be closed when running a job
2. Exhaust - Allows for the efficient removal of fumes and particulate
3. Maintenance Tag - Manually tracks the usability status with Green/Yellow/Red cards
4. Lens Carriage - Houses the mirror, lens, and air assist
5. Cutting Bed - 1200 x 900mm (~47” x 35”) Consists of a removable, magnetic honeycomb tray. Seated properly, it should feel stable & secure
6. Emergency Stop - Reserved for emergencies. To deactivate and reset, you must twist the spring-loaded knob.
7. Power Switch - Key switch turns the machine on and off
8. Control Panel - LCD interface with commands to operate the laser

1. Jog X-axis and Y-axis
2. Adjust Z-Axis
3. Exit Menu/Return to main screen
4. Select menu item
5. Set Job Origin
6. Trace the footprint of a job to check its size and placement
7. Reset machine, Abort Job
8. Pulse the laser to mark its precise location
9. Adjust speed (mm/sec)
10. Adjust power (0-100%) for the areas the laser approaches a node/edge
11. Adjust power (0-100%) for the areas where the laser is mid-cut/mid line
12. Retrieve file sent to the machine (job queue)
13. Start job, pause job, resume job

Always pause the laser if you need to step away from the machine!

Before you start using the tool you are expected to do an initial inspection and assess its readiness for use.

RASTER VS. VECTOR Rastered data is an image that is made of pixels. Much like an inkjet printer, the laser will scan the artwork on a scale from black to white. The laser will vary the number of dots it fires depending on the tone of each pixel.

Common file formats like .jpeg, .gif, and .png are all rastered data.

Vectored data is made of paths that form lines and shapes. They contain mathematical data that allows the laser to trace the path like following coordinates on a map. This allows the laser to cut or score a line as well as etch a filled shape.

Common file formats like .ai, .dxf, and .svg are all vectored data.

1. Power on the laser
2. Import your file into Lightburn
3. Set the job origin in Lightburn
4. Check the layer mode
5. Adjust the speed and power settings
6. Send your file to the Laser

Lightburn accepts a range of file formats.

Supported vector files: .ai .pdf .dxf .svg .lbrn

Supported image files: .jpg .jpeg .png .tif .tiff .bmp

1.  Import your file into Lightburn.
2. Set the job origin.
3. Check the layer mode:
   • fill—fills a vector shape to etch
   • line—traces along a vector line
   • images—will only etch and optimize for a rastered photo
4. Adjust the speed and power settings.
5. Send the file to the laser, keeping the filename “LIGHTBRN”. This saves over old job files and helps maintain a manageable memory in the machine’s job queue.

1. Listen for the exhaust to ensure that it is on
2. Check that your material is safe to cut
3. Load material
4. Focus the lens on your material
5. Set the origin on the laser
6. Check the footprint of your job
7. Start your file
8. Monitor the machine until the job is complete and cleanup

1. Select Z(Control Panel 2) to change to bed height control.
2. Use ↔ Control Panel 1 to align the lens carriage to the focus gauge (Right raises bed, left lowers)
3. Select Esc(Control Panel 3) to return to the main menu.

1. Use the directional arrows(Control Panel 2) to jog the lens carriage to the desired location.
2. Optional: Press Pulse(Control Panel 8)to verify the exact location.
3. Select Origin(Control Panel 5) to set the Origin
4. Select Frame(Control Panel 6) to check the footprint of job. (framing can also be managed from Lightburn control)

1. Power off the Laser
2. Reset any modified computer settings to default
3. Vacuum the interior so material does not build up beneath the honeycomb
4. Note any maintenance needs or concerns on the tag and at protohaven.org/maintenance
5. Recycle waste in the single-stream scrap bins
6. Empty the bin when full

There are two black scrap bins reserved for laser waste. Maintaining these is a shared, communal responsibility.

When you notice the scrap bins are full, it’s time to take it to the dumpster out back. Feel free to enlist a helping hand.

If you notice valuable material while emptying the bins, use your judgement to selectively save a few pieces or take it home for your personal use.

If you encounter any of the issues listed in the Inspection area or have any other issues with the tool not working properly:

• Update the physical Maintenance Tag at the machine
  • 🟢Green can be used without issue
  • 🟡Yellow can be used with caution
  • ⛔Red cannot be used without hazard to either the user or the equipment
• Record issues at the Tool Report. This notifies our staff and volunteer maintenance crew of any issues.

• Register your material on the cutting bed using magnets or tape when doing a production run.
• Use the front pass-through door for extra long pieces.
• Use surface treatments like Cermark or paint to etch designs onto metal surfaces.

Lightburn Basic Features Walk-through
Lightburn Cut Settings
Lightburn Support Forum

Inkscape: The Basics
Inkscape: Hand Trace Images
Inkscape: Auto-trace images into vectors

Corel Draw: Anatomy of Vectors
Corel Draw: Vector Tracing Tutorial
Corel Draw: Envelope & Perspective Tool

Adobe Illustrator in 5 minutes
Adobe Illustrator: Turn Images into Vectors
Adobe Illustrator Pen Tool Tips
Adobe Illustrator: Turn Type into Shapes

If you are part of the maintenance group please log on to the #maintenance channel of our Discord server to:

• Perform a Maintenance Action
• Request a Maintenance Purchase
• Review complete Maintenance Logs for each machine
• Generally chit-chat about maintenance

The following should be in a Maintenance tool kit for the….

• item1
• item2

See the Maintenance page for more information.