Academy / Sources & further study
Public technical references and official documentation for wood science, shop safety, CNC, and laser work. Use them to deepen your understanding and find the instructions for your actual equipment.
LightBurn Software
Manufacturer documentation on laser-use warnings, supervision, and following device-specific instructions.
LightBurn Software. Official User Guide. Accessed September 10, 2026.
Best for: Laser setup and safe learning boundaries
Open source document (new tab) →LightBurn Software
Official reference for test parameters, units, labels, positioning, and saved material-test configurations.
LightBurn Software. Official User Guide. Accessed September 10, 2026.
Best for: Controlled material tests and reproducible records
Open source document (new tab) →LightBurn Software
Official explanation of layer, group, and priority ordering and checking the resulting path in Preview.
LightBurn Software. Official User Guide. Accessed September 10, 2026.
Best for: Laser operation order and preview review
Open source document (new tab) →ShopBot Tools
Manufacturer's documentation directory for model-specific CNC setup, software, and accessories. Use the manual for your own machine; ShopBot procedures are not universal.
ShopBot Tools. Support Resources. Accessed September 10, 2026.
Best for: Finding the correct machine and controller instructions
Open source document (new tab) →USDA Forest Products Laboratory
Public technical reference for wood structure, moisture relationships, properties, and dimensional behavior.
Forest Products Laboratory. 2021. General Technical Report FPL-GTR-282.
Best for: Materials, grain direction, moisture, and wood movement
Open source document (new tab) →Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Public overview of common woodworking-machine hazards and controls.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Woodworking eTool. Accessed September 2026.
Best for: Machine setup, guarding, safe workflow, and shop habits
Open source document (new tab) →Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Public guidance on wood-dust hazards and control approaches in woodworking environments.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Wood Dust. Accessed September 2026.
Best for: Dust collection, cleanup, and safer work areas
Open source document (new tab) →National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Public occupational-health reference for wood dust and exposure considerations.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH Pocket Guide: Wood Dust. Last reviewed October 30, 2019.
Best for: Health-aware shop planning and material handling
Open source document (new tab) →Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
Public overview of competency-based woodworking skill standards and progressive learning.
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America. Skill Standards Overview. Accessed September 2026.
Best for: Building capabilities from foundational to advanced practice
Open source document (new tab) →