Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter: Difference between revisions

From Publication Station
← Older editNewer edit →
undoSD (talk | contribs)
48 edits
SD (talk | contribs)
48 edits
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:Quickstartguide}}
== General preparations ==


===Prepare file in Illustrator===
* In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.  
* Open your file in Illustrator. Make sure that your file is in RGB mode via File>Document>color mode>RGB.
** 'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'
<br>
[[File:Colour mode rgb.png|700px]]


* Make sure your work has outlines. If you have text, make sure you have made them into outlines. You can do it by selecting your text box and look for the option "Create Outlines" in quick actions or ---> (Type>Create Outlines/Shift+Ctrl+O)
* Use vectors for cutting and engraving.


[[File:Create outlines lasercutter.png|700px]]
* Work in RGB colorspace
** 'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'


== General Settings ==
'''WARNING'''
* The lasercutter can cause serious fire hazards. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
* Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.


Lines that you want to '''CUT''' should be '''less than 0,025 mm thick''' and <span style="color:red;">'''RED'''</span> (RGB 255, 0, 0).


Lines that you want to '''ENGRAVE''' should be '''less than 0,025 mm thick''' and <span style="color:blue;">'''BLUE'''</span> (RGB 0, 0, 255).
== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
* Turn on the machine with the key.
* Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
* Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
* Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
* The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.


Areas that you want to engrave should be in grayscale
=== On the computer ===
* Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
** For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (255, 255, 255) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
* Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
* Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
* If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
** Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
** Password: !4Students
* Drag and drop the file into the queue.
* Double-click your file.
* The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.


=== Examples ===
=== Back to the machine ===
 
Here are some examples on drawing paper:
 
[[File:Cut example.jpg|700px]]
<br>
Cut setting on drawing paper (160gr)
TIP: If you are cutting type, make sure to leave some gaps to not make the inside of hollow letters fall (as shown in the examples).
<br>
[[File:Engrave line example.jpg|700px]]
<br>
Engrave line setting on drawing paper (160gr)
<br>
[[File:Engrave example 1.jpg|700px]]
[[File:Engrave example 2.jpg|700px]]
<br>
The last two examples are engraved type (large black areas)where a grayscale 45° gradient was applied. The first shows a low contrast and the second a high contrast.
<br>
<br>
 
* Select the lines or areas you would like to cut/engrave (to select everything, click ctrl+A/cmnd+A)
<br>
<br>
 
* Print your file (CMD+P).
 
[[File:Print lines.png|700px]]
[[File:Print lines 2.png|700px]]
 
== VLS Software ==
 
Your file is now open in the VLS software (the red icon). Open the VLS software.
 
Are all the colors still OK? If you had <span style="color:blue;">BLUE</span> or <span style="color:red;">RED</span> in your illustrator and they aren’t here anymore, double-check the color mode and line thickness in Illustrator and print again.
 
=== Settings ===
* Click Settings
 
[[File:Settings button.png|700px]]
 
* In the materials database, choose what material you are using and enter the correct thickness.
 
[[File:Material choice.png|700px]]
 
* In the next window, specify which action you are going to do in the Manual control (cutting, engraving lines or full areas)
 
[[File:Cut setting red.png|700px]]
 
* Click Set, Apply and OK in order
 
[[File:Set apply ok.png|700px]]
 
 
== Start Cutting ==
 
* Before cutting anything, turn on the air vacuum next to the laser cutter. If you don't the program shows a warning window of low air pressure.
<br>
 
[[File:Lasercut vacuum.jpg|700px]]
 
=== Side Bar Settings  ===
 
* Now you can play with some more setting in the side bar menu to utilize the design and the material better.
<br>
 
[[File:Menu lasercutter.png|700px]]
 
1. ON/OFF Button: click it to turn on and off the laser cutter
 
2. START Button: Click when you want to start cutting your design
 
3. PAUSE Button: Use it to stop the cutting if anything goes wrong. If you want to resume the cutting or engraving, click the pause button again. This way the laser cutter will start from the same spot.
 
4. Zoom in/out: Use this setting to zoom in and out from your design. It can be done also by scrolling the mouse up and down
 
5. Focus View: Click anywhere in your design on the screen to see where the laser ends up in the machine. (Useful for positioning your material)
 
6. Move your design
 
7. Duplicate: Make copies of your design
 
8. Timer: Calculate how long the machine will take with the current settings
 
 
 
<br>
 
Now you can press the START button to cut or engrave. If anything goes wrong, press the PAUSE button.
 
=== Finish Cutting ===
 
* When you are done cutting or engraving, turn off the air vacuum and the laser cutter by pressing both power buttons.
 
Happy Printing!
 
 
== Extra: ==
If your are using non-standard materials, experiment with the Manual Control.
 
By changing the Speed, Power en PPI (Pulses Per Inch), you can get different results.
 
The z-axis stands for the material thickness. If you are ready, click ‘Set’, ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’.
 
=== Useful Links ===
 
* [http://templatemaker.nl/en templatemaker.nl] Create and download custom sized papercraft and packaging templates for free.
* [https://www.makercase.com/ MakerCase] is a web-based application for designing boxes or project cases for laser cutters and CNC routers.

Revision as of 11:51, 23 April 2026

General preparations

  • In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
    • 'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'
  • Use vectors for cutting and engraving.
  • Work in RGB colorspace
    • 'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

WARNING

  • The lasercutter can cause serious fire hazards. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
  • Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.


Basic operations (cutting and engraving)

On the machine

  • Turn on the machine with the key.
  • Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
  • Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
    • ATTENTION: Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
  • Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
  • The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

On the computer

  • Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
    • For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (255, 255, 255) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
  • Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
  • Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
  • If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
    • Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
    • Password: !4Students
  • Drag and drop the file into the queue.
  • Double-click your file.
  • The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.

Back to the machine

Retrieved from "https://ps.wdka.nl/wiki/index.php?title=Quickstartguide:Laser_Cutter&oldid=10429"