4kW Laser Certification Double Header
4 kW CO₂ Laser Certification
From Vector Prep to Real-World Cutting
(Mitsubishi ML2512HV-40CFX, max 4 students)
What can a 4 kW CO₂ laser do?
If you can sketch it, odds are this machine can cut it; cleanly, quickly.
Material |
Examples of projects you can tackle after class |
Mild steel |
Custom brackets and gussets, signage, outdoor artwork, custom grills and bumpers |
Aluminum |
Lightweight drone frames, electronics enclosures, race-car dash panels, outdoor signs |
Stainless |
House numbers that survive Colorado winters, food-grade cutting boards/inserts, brewery tap handles |
Acrylic / wood |
Edge-lit LED signs, cosplay armor, architectural models, jigs & templates, one-off game tokens |
Mixed-media |
Metal inlays for charcuterie boards, layered wall art, kinetic sculptures with wood gears & metal linkages |
You’ll leave with the parts you cut and the confidence (and safety sign-off) to start turning your own ideas into real-world parts.
Class roadmap
Time |
Where |
What you’ll learn |
12 pm – 2 pm |
Conference Room |
Vector-file best practices → SheetCAM import → Post-processing → NC code basics |
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm |
Snack break – BYO or grab something nearby |
|
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
Laser in W |
Shop policies & PPE → Loading NC files → Hands-on cuts in steel and aluminum. |
(We keep working until everyone has safely completed several cuts—even if that runs a few minutes past the clock.)
How certification works
1️⃣ Laser Trainee (what you earn today)
- Grant laser access with an approved mentor present.
- The $400 fee includes your first two mentor hours during that maiden run.
- You’ll get the machine class manual at registration and, after today, the full Mitsubishi manual docs & parameter sheets.
2️⃣ Advancing to Laser Tech (cutting solo)
Your mentor signs you off when you consistently:
- Plan jobs safely – choose the right assist gas, focus height, and material handling.
- Set up the machine – zeroing, head checks, scrap test, nozzle swaps, without reminders.
- Respond to hiccups – pausing for a tip-up, tweaking feed or gas on the fly, and asking questions before you’re in a pickle.
- Show shop stewardship – clean machine, neat and tidy space, logbook filled out.
Most folks hit Laser Tech in a project or two; others like extra mentor shadowing. We care more about safe habits than memorizing every menu. Additional mentor time is $25/hr.
Gear & policies
- No prior experience needed.
- A laptop is advisable that has the following installed;
- a program that can edit and save .svg or .dxf file formats. Examples include Inkscape, Illustrator, Corel, Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Design, Fusion 360, Solidworks, and most CAD programs.
- SheetCAM TNG demo found here. Note: This is a Windows-only program.
- Closed-toe shoes required.
- 18+ unless a guardian registers and attends the same class.
- Members get 25 % off the Non-Member class fee.
- Laser time after certification is billed at $1.33/min beam-on (rate may adjust with usage data).
- Want to bring your own material? Email Erik first so we can OK thickness/kind.
PLEASE NOTE TINKERMILL’S CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Cancellation 7+ days out from class date: Full Refund or Class Transfer
- Cancellation 3-6 days out from class date: 50% Refund
- Cancellation 1-2 days out from class date: No Refunds
Questions about files, materials, or certification steps? Email Erik Akia, erik.akia@tinkermill.org or members can use Slack.
Location
TinkerMill W Bay, 80501