Difference between revisions of "Laser-cutting Inspiration"
From Bridge Rectifier Wiki
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==== Design for 3D ==== | ==== Design for 3D ==== | ||
== Laser System Software == | == Laser System Software == | ||
| + | * '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 == | == Laser-cutter Operation == | ||
Revision as of 09:30, 16 April 2017
Contents
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’.
Source Image
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.
Design for 3D
Laser System Software
- '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.
