Laser-cutting Inspiration

Inkscape File Editing

Configuring Software

• File > Document Properties > Page - Width 600/ Height 400/ Units mm
• File > Document Properties > Snap - NOT 'Always Snap' (eg 20/10/20)
• Edit > Preferences > Tools > (tick) Geometric bounding box
• Edit > Preferences > Interface > Grids > eg x, y spacing 1, major grid every 10
• Edit > Preferences > Behaviour > Steps > 3.5433(07) px

Different Types of Cut

• Decide whether each part should be a drawn line (vector score), a filled area (raster engrave), or cut through - for overal outline or internal cut-outs.
• Set a stroke outline of a different colour for each, but no fill. The laser cutter software will be set later to apply a different treatment for each colour.

Text

• To allow lettering to be cut through material without parts falling out, download & install a stencil font, such as Awery.
• Text can be typed in, re-sized & moved.
• Once a piece of text is converted to a path (by Path > Object to Path), it’s no longer editable as text characters. Save file with different names before & after converting to path.
• Select a different stroke colour for a scored line vs filled ‘raster engrave’.

Converting File for Laser-cutting

Save file as DXF (Desktop Plotter Format) - no longer editable within Inkscape. Set options:-

• Base unit mm
• Uncheck LWPOLYLINE & ROBO-MASTER

Copy to USB stick for transfer to laser-cutter PC.

Laser System Software

• Laser System 5.3 is the software used to operate the laser-cutter. This is installed on a dedicated Windows 10 PC connected to the machine.
• A '.DXF' file needs to be created in Inkscape/ Adobe Illustrator/ other vector graphics software, and transferred to this PC on a USB stick.
• 'New' file (top left most icon)
• 'Import' file (3rd from left top icon), & select DXF file from USB stick. Doesn't always work - software seems erratic. Should display image properly. Otherwise, repeat or close & re-open software. Doesn't always show within frame of laser-cutter bed area - can zoom out to check.
• 'Centre to Table' icon (halfway down left column) displays image within 600 x 400 laser-cutter bed window.
• Select All, then Tools > Unite Lines (eg 0.1 threshold)
• Optional - right-click 'Set array output > check properties - check image size. Select all & click ‘Size’ icon halfway down left column. Click on X or Y dimension & enter a new size, if appropriate. To retain original image proportions, click series of dots to right of the other dimension - 2nd dimension is re-calculated.
• Set sequence of cuts - select each colour at top right of screen, & move ‘Up’ or ‘Down’ to amend the sequence. Complete all raster engraves & scored lines before any cut throughs. Do an internal cut-through before cutting through the outline shape - in case material moves.
• Set speed & power per cut type - dependent on material & thickness. A line may be drawn by moving the laser quickly and/ or setting the laser bulb to a low power. To cut through the material, move the laser more slowly and/ or set the laser to a higher power. See table [** to be created **] for recommended settings for different materials/ thicknesses. To amend settings, double click on speed/ power for a specific line colour at top right. Re-select cut type of 1 colour to pick up latest speed/ power settings created.
• Optional - timer icon at top checks cutting time - useful check of whether settings are correct. Sometimes it’s possible to use a faster cut speed, combined with a higher power. Avoid setting power above 90.
• When ready to cut, at lower right of screen, Download > Delete All (clears buffer) > Download Current. Wait until the file has completed downloading to laser-cutter before operating the machine.

Laser-cutter Operation

• The machine is a Laserscript LS6040, supplied by HPC Laser of Elland.
• To switch on, simply turn the key on top of the laser-cutter.
• The laser needs to be set to a specific height above the sheet material for its beam to focus correctly. Ensure material bed is sitting flat in frame – lift up & brush away any debris if necessary. Place the sheet material on the rail bed. Use small square acrylic gauge tool, placed on edge, to check the laser height. Place the gauge next to the laser head, and press green <Up> & <Down> buttons until gauge is a snug fit between the material and the thin rim ‘shoulder’ of the laser head. It’s better to have a little slack than for the gauge tool to be clamped hard between laser head and sheet material.
• Set start position for cutting: cutting starts at the top right corner of the overall cut shape. On laser-cutter, press <Esc> then use cursor arrows to navigate up/ down/ left/ right. Hold cursor arrow for 3 seconds to move quickly.
• Testing cut area: on laser-cutter, press <Esc> then <Test>. The laser head moves around the cutting area in a rectangular motion, pointing a red LED onto the sheet material to indicate the area to be cut. Re-position the cutting start point if cutting extends beyond the material boundaries, or if there's a whole in the material anywhere that's going to be cut, or if a ‘SOFT STOP’ message displays (if cutting goes outside material bed size). Also re-position the start point if cutting goes very close to the edge of flammable material like cardboard – as FRAYED EDGES MAY SET ALIGHT.
• Cutting: first ENSURE LID IS CLOSED. On laser-cutter, Press <Esc> then <Start>. NEVER LEAVE MACHINE UNATTENDED EVEN BRIEFLY – in case of fire. To take a break from cutting, press PAUSE, and again later to resume.