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.