Trotec’s Vital Role in Digital Fabrication

Why Ruby® transforms laser education and digital fabrication spaces

As industries rapidly shift toward digital, remote, and automated operations, Ruby® brings these same modern practices into the classroom. Unlike traditional, single-user systems tied to specific workstations, Ruby® allows students and teachers to prepare, queue, and manage laser jobs from any device, anywhere. The platform is fully compatible with Windows, Mac, and Chromebook devices without the need for complex installations, making it easy for students to prepare jobs from classrooms, libraries, dorm rooms, or even their personal laptops.

The benefits for schools and shared fabrication spaces are significant. Ruby’s cloud-enabled workflow supports large class sizes by allowing multiple students to work simultaneously without delays, freeing educators from the bottlenecks of single-user systems. Ruby® offers a powerful group management tool offering teachers the opportunity to organize users into groups such as classes or teams. Moreover, teachers can maintain complete oversight thanks to role-based user permissions that limit access based on skill level, ensuring safety while gradually increasing responsibility as students’ progress. Every job is tracked for accountability, and teachers can digitally review and approve all student designs before they reach the laser, preventing mistakes, reducing material waste, and ensuring correct settings are applied. “Ruby® is more than just laser software – it’s a fully digital workflow designed for the way students and professionals work today,” says Harald Katzinger, Product Manager Ruby® Software and Innovation at Trotec Laser. “It gives schools the ability to scale their programs, reduce bottlenecks, and prepare students for real-world fabrication practices.”

Ruby® simplifies laser education for digital fabrication

Ruby’s intuitive browser-based interface also addresses long-standing misconceptions about laser technology in education. Many educators assume laser cutters are too complex for students, or that they require expensive, specialized computers. Ruby® eliminates these barriers with a simple, user-friendly design and complete teacher control over user access and job approvals. By removing unnecessary technical hurdles, the platform enables students to focus on creativity and skill-building rather than troubleshooting files or waiting for lab access.

This digital-first approach positions Ruby® at the forefront of emerging industry trends. Its BYOD (bring-your-own-device) compatibility, remote job preparation, and cloud queueing capabilities align perfectly with the increasing demand for flexible and automated workflows. Trotec continues to monitor technical innovations to ensure its solutions deliver real added value to educators, enabling them to equip students with the same workflows and skills used by leading industries. “Our mission is to provide practical tools that help educators prepare students for the future of digital fabrication,” added Harald Katzinger. “Ruby® brings professional-grade capabilities into the classroom, ensuring students graduate with relevant, in-demand skills.”

About Trotec

Trotec Laser, headquartered in Marchtrenk, Austria, is a global leader in laser technology. As part of the TroGroup, the European innovation leader develops, produces and markets high-end laser systems for precise marking, cutting and engraving of various materials, continuously setting new standards.

Based on more than 25 years of experience, Trotec stands for innovative complete laser solutions: Laser machines, exhaust systems, powerful software and high-quality materials. 14 subsidiaries and a total of around 600 employees look after the more than 40,000 systems installed to date in 90 countries. Exports account for 98 percent of sales, and current sales in 2024 are 129 million.

More information can be found here www.troteclaser.com.