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lasercutter_tips_and_tricks [2019-11-03 18:11] – [Techniques] Added templatemaker.nl allasercutter_tips_and_tricks [2020-01-15 02:35] – [Design] MirZa
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   * The edges of the thin [[https://hobarts.com/1.5mm-black-on-white-laminate-610x305mm-ref-2901-|1.5mm laminate]] can get burnt when cutting is done in one pass   * The edges of the thin [[https://hobarts.com/1.5mm-black-on-white-laminate-610x305mm-ref-2901-|1.5mm laminate]] can get burnt when cutting is done in one pass
   * It might give a better result if cutting with multiple passes at lower power   * It might give a better result if cutting with multiple passes at lower power
 +
 +**Glass**
 +  *Glass can't be cut on the laser, but it can be "engraved", in that the surface of the glass chips when under the heat of the laser, leaving a frosted surface (careful, as tiny bits of glass can break loose).
 +  *Engraving: https://www.epiloglaser.com/how-it-works/applications/glass-etching.htm
 +  *Engraving lines can be used to score glass for cutting https://www.epiloglaser.com/customer-spotlights/laser-laceworks/
  
 **Food** **Food**
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   * Switch the 2 copies around   * Switch the 2 copies around
   * run the engrave again   * run the engrave again
 +
 +**Rotary Axis**
 +  *The Big laser has a rotary attachment for engraving and cutting cylindrical objects
 +  *To use it:
 +  *lower the bed of the laser down until you can see 2 switches and a socket on the right wall of the cutting area
 +  *bring the laser head to roughly the centre of the bed
 +  *plug in the rotary axis and flick both switches, this changes the laser from controlling the up/down motor to controlling the rotary axis motor
 +  *cutting and engraving is done exactly the same as before, you may need to adjust the vertical scaling to get a nice result
 +  *when you're done, don't forget to return the laser to the state you found it in
  
 **Making rigid material flexible with living hinges** **Making rigid material flexible with living hinges**
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   * TODO: insert image   * TODO: insert image
  
 +**Acrylic bending**
 +  * Can be done with hair straightener or hot air gun
 +  * Costa has made a nice jig for bending acrylic at precise angles, consisting of nichrome wire, 2 board boards and a hinge https://www.instructables.com/id/Acrylic-Bending-Tool/
 +  * This can also be done on the laser, using an out of focus beam or with the lens removed https://a-e-mag.com/features/try-bending-acrylic-laser
 ===== Design ===== ===== Design =====
 **Removing duplicate lines** **Removing duplicate lines**
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   * Good explanation: http://archive.fabacademy.org/2018/labs/fablabsiena/students/giuseppe-allocca/laser%20cutting.html   * Good explanation: http://archive.fabacademy.org/2018/labs/fablabsiena/students/giuseppe-allocca/laser%20cutting.html
   * The laser cutter has something called “kerf”, if you send a 1cm square to the laser, the part will come out slightly smaller (~9.8mm)   * The laser cutter has something called “kerf”, if you send a 1cm square to the laser, the part will come out slightly smaller (~9.8mm)
-  * This difference is about 0.1mm, so paths need to be offset by 0.1mm to compensate for this.+  * This difference is about 0.1mm, so paths need to be offset by 0.1mm to compensate for this using the offset tool in Lasercut 5.3
   * Fusion 360 has a plugin which does kerf correction automatically: [[https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=7634902334100976871&os=Win64&appLang=en|link]]   * Fusion 360 has a plugin which does kerf correction automatically: [[https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=7634902334100976871&os=Win64&appLang=en|link]]
   * This should also be possible with the “offset path” tool in any vector editing software like Inkscape or AI   * This should also be possible with the “offset path” tool in any vector editing software like Inkscape or AI
lasercutter_tips_and_tricks.txt · Last modified: 2023-12-20 23:47 by danshearer

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