Two laser cutters, three lasers—triple the beams for your greatest schemes!
HackPGH’s laser shop area is a dedicated, ventilated workspace equipped with two laser engraving machines: Trogdor, our custom 100 W CO₂ laser, and our new xTool F2 Ultra dual diode/fiber laser. Read more about both below.
Trogdor handles large-format CO₂ laser cutting and engraving. The xTool F2 Ultra adds a compact, enclosed workstation with separate diode and MOPA fiber lasers for fine detail, metal work, and repeatable batches.
Material compatibility depends on both the machine and the exact composition of the material. Choose the laser during job planning and confirm anything uncertain with a Laser Cutting Shop Lead.
Large-format CO₂ laser cutter & engraver
Trogdor is a heavily upgraded industrial laser that HackPGH has customized over many years. Its 100 W CO₂ tube and large work area make it the shop’s choice for signs, boxes, artwork, templates, and prototypes in approved non-metal materials.
It can also engrave granite with the correct setup. Larger workpieces can fit through the front and rear pass-throughs, though the laser cannot cut metal.
Read the Trogdor usage guide
Diode & MOPA fiber laser engraver
The xTool is an enclosed, high-precision workstation that combines two laser systems. Its diode laser handles approved non-metal cutting and engraving, while its MOPA fiber laser supports metal coloring, deep engraving, and other fine metal work.
Dual cameras provide a live workspace preview and automatic edge detection. For longer pieces and batch work, the conveyor expands the work area beyond the enclosed bed.
Training and clearance are required before members may operate the laser independently.
Plan your session
Book every session in Skedda. Laser reservations are limited to four hours per day unless a Shop Lead or the Board approves more time for a long or complex project.
Reserve equipmentMaterial safety depends on the exact composition, not just how a sheet or object looks. Use only known, approved materials and ask a Laser Cutting Shop Lead before trying anything uncertain.
Common uses
Never use
These materials are prohibited on both Trogdor and the xTool.
The material cabinet between Trogdor and the xTool station has three sections. Use the section that matches your material so personal stock, shared offcuts, and acrylic for sale stay easy to identify.
Left section
Members may store sheets of acrylic and thin plywood in this section.
Center section
Put excess material here when you want to donate it for other members to use. Keep only offcuts that are large or useful enough for another project.
Useful offcuts only. Discard actual scrap.
Right section
Purchase acrylic kept in this section by the full sheet or half sheet.
Follow your training, the posted instructions, and current direction from Shop Leads.
Laser cutting creates a real fire risk. Watch the entire job and be ready to stop it immediately. If cooling or ventilation fails, the toolhead crashes, or the machine behaves unexpectedly, use the E-stop and contact a Shop Lead.