Laser Cutting Guide - Revision history

Max at 15:13, 17 May 2013

2013-05-17T15:13:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 17 May 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
			==Using the Laser Cutter==
			[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts, microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]
	Many projects require intricately designed parts that would be impossible to make with normal lathing and machining techniques. Laser cutters can make very precise cuts without warping or destroying nearby material, allowing for very elaborate designs. A laser cutter is a device that uses a focused beam of light to melt or burn through a target material. Laser cutters are computer-controlled to maintain precision.		Many projects require intricately designed parts that would be impossible to make with normal lathing and machining techniques. Laser cutters can make very precise cuts without warping or destroying nearby material, allowing for very elaborate designs. A laser cutter is a device that uses a focused beam of light to melt or burn through a target material. Laser cutters are computer-controlled to maintain precision.

Line 5:		Line 7:
	Laser cutters generally have a margin of error of 0.0254 millimeters (.001 inches).		Laser cutters generally have a margin of error of 0.0254 millimeters (.001 inches).

	==Workflow==		===Workflow===
			[[File:schnitt I II gravur.jpg\|thumb\|Line colors for Illustrator template; Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]
			The first step is to download the Illustrator template (from the Files section below). Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.

	~~[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur~~.~~jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template;~~ Schnitt I, Schnitt II~~, Gravur]]~~		''Gravur'' (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. ''Schnitt I'' (navy blue) is the 1st cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the ''Schnitt I'' would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, ''Schnitt II'' would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.

	~~The first step~~ is to ~~download~~ the ~~[[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open~~ the ~~template~~ in ~~Adobe~~ Illustrator ~~and~~ you ~~will see your work area, which is~~ the ~~maximum size of material~~ you ~~can use with~~ the ~~Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness~~.		Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator – so you either need to draw the design in the order you want them cut or (a much simpler method) cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.

	~~"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can~~ be ~~used to add text, labels, patterns or~~ other ~~engravings~~. ~~"Schnitt I" (navy blue) is~~ the ~~1st cut~~ the ~~machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue)~~ is ~~the 2nd cut the machine will make~~. ~~Keep~~ this ~~order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by~~ the ~~first~~ cut~~. An example~~ of ~~what to cut with~~ the ~~"Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in~~ the ~~design, "Schnitt II" would then~~ cut ~~out the object that has the holes inside of it~~.		To be more efficient with your time and material you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for sections that are touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist once – so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of the connected line because it is following your lines exactly – the machine and software is not smart enough to create a single cut when lines overlay each other.

	Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in the order you want them cut or (a much simpler method) cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.		===Material===

	~~[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts, microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]~~

	Also, to be more efficient with your time and material you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for sections that are touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of the connected line because it is following your lines exactly - the machine and software is not smart enough to create a single cut when lines overlay each other.<br><br>

	==Material==
	The University laser cutter supports 2 types of material; balsa wood and plexiglass. The maximum thickness of balsa wood is 1.5mm and the maximum width of plexiglass is 2mm.		The University laser cutter supports 2 types of material; balsa wood and plexiglass. The maximum thickness of balsa wood is 1.5mm and the maximum width of plexiglass is 2mm.

	To get the maximum value from your session you should try to fill your entire working area with material and make the design with the least amounts of cuts necessary for a faster cut. The cost is based on time.		To get the maximum value from your session you should try to fill your entire working area with material and make the design with the least amounts of cuts necessary for a faster cut. The cost is based on time.

	==Files==		===Files===
	* [[Media:Anleitung Laserschnitt.pdf\|Printed instructions (german)]]		* [[Media:Anleitung Laserschnitt.pdf\|Printed instructions (german)]]
	* [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]		* [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]

	==Links==		==Links==
	* [http://blog.ponoko.com/category/making-help/laser-cutting-making-help/ Neat inspiration and tutorials] on the Ponoko blog		* [http://blog.ponoko.com/category/making-help/laser-cutting-making-help Neat inspiration and tutorials] on the Ponoko blog
	* Some in depth information on the [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/09/11/how-much-material-does-the-laser-burn-away/ kerf]		* Some in depth information on the [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/09/11/how-much-material-does-the-laser-burn-away kerf]
	* [http://www.ponoko.com/starter-kits/design-tips-2d General tips] on optimizing drawings for laser cutting		* [http://www.ponoko.com/starter-kits/design-tips-2d General tips] on optimizing drawings for laser cutting
	* [http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/06/17/how-to-make-snug-joints-in-acrylic/ Snug joints] in acrylic		* [http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/06/17/how-to-make-snug-joints-in-acrylic Snug joints] in acrylic
	* How to make [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/11/03/how-to-create-better-nodes/ snug fittings in plywood]		* How to make [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/11/03/how-to-create-better-nodes snug fittings in plywood]
	* Wired: From Food to Furniture [http://www.wired.com/design/2013/02/10-laser-cutter-projects/ 10 Dazzling Laser-Cutter Projects]		* Wired: From Food to Furniture [http://www.wired.com/design/2013/02/10-laser-cutter-projects 10 Dazzling Laser-Cutter Projects]

Bixby at 01:17, 12 April 2013

2013-04-12T01:17:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 12 April 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Many projects require intricately designed parts that would be impossible to make with normal lathing and machining techniques. Laser cutters can make very precise cuts without warping or destroying nearby material, allowing for very elaborate designs.		Many projects require intricately designed parts that would be impossible to make with normal lathing and machining techniques. Laser cutters can make very precise cuts without warping or destroying nearby material, allowing for very elaborate designs. A laser cutter is a device that uses a focused beam of light to melt or burn through a target material. Laser cutters are computer-controlled to maintain precision.

	~~A laser cutter is a device that uses a focused beam of light to melt or burn through a target material. Laser cutters are computer-controlled to maintain precision.~~ Some things to keep in mind if you are considering using the laser cutter; ~~non~~-melting materials such as balsa wood will have scorched edges that can be aesthetically undesirable. Laser cutters generally have a margin of error of .001 inches.		Some things to keep in mind if you are considering using the laser cutter;
			Non-melting materials such as balsa wood will have scorched edges that can be aesthetically undesirable.
			Laser cutters generally have a margin of error of 0.0254 millimeters (.001 inches).

	==Workflow==		==Workflow==

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T01:13:11Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:13, 12 April 2013
Line 9:		Line 9:
	The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.		The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.

	"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the ~~first~~ cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.		"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the 1st cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.

	Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in ~~that~~ order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.		Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in the order you want them cut or (a much simpler method) cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.

	[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts ~~for a Microscope~~ design by Amel Ali-Bey]]		[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts, microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]

	Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for ~~pieces~~ that are ~~the same size and~~ touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of ~~this~~ line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to ~~simply~~ create a single cut when lines overlay each other.<br><br>		Also, to be more efficient with your time and material you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for sections that are touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of the connected line because it is following your lines exactly - the machine and software is not smart enough to create a single cut when lines overlay each other.<br><br>

	==Material==		==Material==

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T01:07:18Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:07, 12 April 2013
Line 5:		Line 5:
	==Workflow==		==Workflow==

	[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]		[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template; Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]

	The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.		The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.

Bixby: /* Links */

2013-04-12T00:57:25Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:57, 12 April 2013
Line 31:		Line 31:
	* [http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/06/17/how-to-make-snug-joints-in-acrylic/ Snug joints] in acrylic		* [http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/06/17/how-to-make-snug-joints-in-acrylic/ Snug joints] in acrylic
	* How to make [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/11/03/how-to-create-better-nodes/ snug fittings in plywood]		* How to make [http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/11/03/how-to-create-better-nodes/ snug fittings in plywood]
			* Wired: From Food to Furniture [http://www.wired.com/design/2013/02/10-laser-cutter-projects/ 10 Dazzling Laser-Cutter Projects]

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T00:51:06Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 12 April 2013
Line 15:		Line 15:
	[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]		[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]

	Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.		Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.<br><br>

	==Material==		==Material==

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T00:50:11Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 12 April 2013
Line 11:		Line 11:
	"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the first cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.		"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the first cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.

	Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.		Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.


	[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]		[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T00:49:33Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 12 April 2013
Line 6:		Line 6:

	[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]		[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]


	The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.		The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.
Line 16:		Line 15:

	[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]		[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]


	Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.		Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T00:48:36Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:48, 12 April 2013
Line 4:		Line 4:

	==Workflow==		==Workflow==

	[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]		[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]

Line 12:		Line 13:

	Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.		Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.


	[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]		[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]

Bixby: /* Workflow */

2013-04-12T00:47:49Z

Workflow

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:47, 12 April 2013
Line 4:		Line 4:

	==Workflow==		==Workflow==
			[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]


	The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.		The first step is to download the [[Media:Vorlage Laserschnitt.ai.zip\|Illustrator template]]. Open the template in Adobe Illustrator and you will see your work area, which is the maximum size of material you can use with the Universities laser cutter. All of your designs need to be inside of this white rectangular box. Your lines should be set at 0.25pt thickness.

	~~[[File:schnitt_I_II_gravur.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Line colors for Illustrator template, Schnitt I, Schnitt II, Gravur]]~~

	"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the first cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.		"Gravur" (red) is the first stage - this will not create actual cuts but can be used to add text, labels, patterns or other engravings. "Schnitt I" (navy blue) is the first cut the machine will make. "Schnitt II" (baby blue) is the 2nd cut the machine will make. Keep this order in mind as your design your layout because you cannot make cuts on areas that have already been cut out by the first cut. An example of what to cut with the "Schnitt I" would be cutting out things like small holes or squares in the design, "Schnitt II" would then cut out the object that has the holes inside of it.

	Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.		Another thing to keep in mind as you layout your design in the template is that the machine will cut your lines (according to the color) in the order that you draw them in Illustrator - so you either need to draw the design in that order or cut and paste them in the correct order from another file.

			[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]


	Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.		Also, to be more efficient with your time you should place all of your pieces side by side and only include 1 line for pieces that are the same size and touching each other. For example; if you are cutting 2 squares, they should be placed side by side and the line that touches in the middle should only exist one time - so it is an open square with 3 sides and a complete square with 4 full sides. If you don't design like this the laser cutter will literally cut both instances of this line because it is following your lines exactly and it is not smart enough to simply create a single cut when lines overlay each other.

	~~[[File:FSH Components Amel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Balsa Wood with laser cuts for a Microscope design by Amel Ali-Bey]]~~

	==Material==		==Material==