Changes
Created page with "== Hardware == Search terms: Ebay 100w laser or Senhui laser (2800~3500 usd for laser cutter with shipping depending on source, ~350 usd for laser tube without shipping). RD-ACS..."
== Hardware ==
Search terms: Ebay 100w laser or Senhui laser (2800~3500 usd for laser cutter with shipping depending on source, ~350 usd for laser tube without shipping). RD-ACS [http://rdacs.en.alibaba.com/product/1560634708-220105172/laser_machine_control_card.html controller] (generic controller so used in lots of laser cutters).
[[File:Laser_front.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_top.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_control_panel.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_tube.jpg|500px]]
== Design software ==
=== Inkscape ===
# Make sure object is vector (if you import a svg or make your own drawing, it will be already a vector; however png's and jpg's aren't vectors)
## Select object, then open the Trace Bitmap menu (Path > Trace Bitmap)
## Play with the various single scan options, and click 'update' to see a preview
## Convert the object to a path (Path > Object to Path)
## Set stroke (Object > Fill and Stroke) of object to 0.25px and no fill
## For every different layer you want to cut/engrave on the laser (aka engraved with different power for gradients), you must create a new color of the stroke
# Save as as dxf (you need python-lxml for this part, apt-get install python-lxml or pip install lxml (doesn't work out of the box on mac))
=== Illustrator ===
# 0.25mm stroke, use a different color for each layer
# File > Export as dxf, use R13/LT95 for the dxf format
=== Rhino ===
Used by Swisskoo and marc
== Laser software ==
The laser cutter is controlled by [https://foo.fixme.ch/laser/RDCAMSetup5.0.27.exe RDCam] (version 5.2.06 installed on Atelier computer, other versions available on foo), it's manual is here [[File:Rdcam_manual.pdf]]. When installing, you have to install it in 'demo mode', otherwise Laserworks won't open without a cutter connected (also don't forget to select english ;).
[[File:Laserworks-setup.png|300px]]
RDCam would not install in crossover (gui for wine), but feel free to try. Please note that .rld files created in different versions of the software are not inter-compatible unfortunately.
== Materials ==
=== Wood ===
[[File:Laser_giant_qr_code.jpg|300px]]
[[File:Laser_flexible_living_corners.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_engraving_tests.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_donut.jpg|500px]]
=== Cardboard ===
[[File:Laser_cutting_rpi_case.jpg|500px]]
=== Paper ===
No testing done yet
=== Acrylic ===
[[File:Laser_acrylic_fixme_logo.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_fixme_logo_in_keychain.jpg|500px]]
Virtually no testing done yet
=== Others ===
There still needs to be extensive testing done to see which materials work and which don't, but basically the gist of it is: don't use anything that has PVC in it, and don't use metal (unless for engraving -> need to explore options). There have been some tests with rubber (for stamps) as well, this needs to be properly documented and more testing needs to be done.
Search terms: Ebay 100w laser or Senhui laser (2800~3500 usd for laser cutter with shipping depending on source, ~350 usd for laser tube without shipping). RD-ACS [http://rdacs.en.alibaba.com/product/1560634708-220105172/laser_machine_control_card.html controller] (generic controller so used in lots of laser cutters).
[[File:Laser_front.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_top.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_control_panel.jpg|500px]] [[File:Laser_cutter_tube.jpg|500px]]
== Design software ==
=== Inkscape ===
# Make sure object is vector (if you import a svg or make your own drawing, it will be already a vector; however png's and jpg's aren't vectors)
## Select object, then open the Trace Bitmap menu (Path > Trace Bitmap)
## Play with the various single scan options, and click 'update' to see a preview
## Convert the object to a path (Path > Object to Path)
## Set stroke (Object > Fill and Stroke) of object to 0.25px and no fill
## For every different layer you want to cut/engrave on the laser (aka engraved with different power for gradients), you must create a new color of the stroke
# Save as as dxf (you need python-lxml for this part, apt-get install python-lxml or pip install lxml (doesn't work out of the box on mac))
=== Illustrator ===
# 0.25mm stroke, use a different color for each layer
# File > Export as dxf, use R13/LT95 for the dxf format
=== Rhino ===
Used by Swisskoo and marc
== Laser software ==
The laser cutter is controlled by [https://foo.fixme.ch/laser/RDCAMSetup5.0.27.exe RDCam] (version 5.2.06 installed on Atelier computer, other versions available on foo), it's manual is here [[File:Rdcam_manual.pdf]]. When installing, you have to install it in 'demo mode', otherwise Laserworks won't open without a cutter connected (also don't forget to select english ;).
[[File:Laserworks-setup.png|300px]]
RDCam would not install in crossover (gui for wine), but feel free to try. Please note that .rld files created in different versions of the software are not inter-compatible unfortunately.
== Materials ==
=== Wood ===
[[File:Laser_giant_qr_code.jpg|300px]]
[[File:Laser_flexible_living_corners.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_engraving_tests.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_donut.jpg|500px]]
=== Cardboard ===
[[File:Laser_cutting_rpi_case.jpg|500px]]
=== Paper ===
No testing done yet
=== Acrylic ===
[[File:Laser_acrylic_fixme_logo.jpg|500px]]
[[File:Laser_fixme_logo_in_keychain.jpg|500px]]
Virtually no testing done yet
=== Others ===
There still needs to be extensive testing done to see which materials work and which don't, but basically the gist of it is: don't use anything that has PVC in it, and don't use metal (unless for engraving -> need to explore options). There have been some tests with rubber (for stamps) as well, this needs to be properly documented and more testing needs to be done.
