[step-by-step] Universal laser cutter tutorial {faum}FABLab

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Sections_0.0 0.1 Overview 0.2 Software covered

File Setup_1.0 1.1 Colour standards 1.2 Line type 1.3 Document colour mode

Laser Alignment_2.0 2.1 Printing view 2.2 Aligning window

Laser Settings_3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3

Accessing the settings Universal print drive settings Adjusting the settings

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Overview_0.1 This document is a brief outline of how to adjust file settings for the Universal laser cutter and address issues which may arise while using the machine. The Universal laser cutters use a print driver to properly send information to the cutter. This is done through real time connection with the computer that the laser cutter is tethered to.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Software covered_0.2 Though the Universal laser cutter uses a print driver to read information (theoretically allowing individuals to cut from any program that has the ability to print) This document will only cover the following three programs, as they are the most widely used and house the most flexibility for the laser cutter.

Rhinoceros 3D

3D Modelling program

Adobe Illustrator 2D Graphic program

AutoCAD

3D drafting program

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File Setup_1.0 The ability to cut or etch any file with the universal print drive is based on the quality of information in your given software. We stage this information quality once a file is ready to be cut or etched. The print driver looks for two pieces of information in every file, the colour of a line and the ‘print width’ or stroke size of a line. This section will go through how to properly stage your drawing.

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Colour standards_1.1 BLACK RED GREEN BLUE

(RGB 0,0,0) = cut through material (RGB 0,0,255) = vector etch material (RGB 0,255,0) = raster etch material (RGB 0,0,255) = vector etch material

Line types_1.2

Set to Default

Set to Default

Set to 0.01 pt

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Document colour_1.3 Computers use RGB colours to output colour information to others computational devices. CAD software is usually based in RGB but such programs as Illustrator have the ability to produce both RGB and CMYK colour tones. (CMYK is for ink printing) Verify that your Illustrator document is set to RGB. Rhino and AutoCAD are always set to RGB.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Laser Alignment_2.0 The primary issues to address when setting up a file for cutting is, do the objects that are to be cut or etched fit within the laser cutters bed size? The Universal Laser cutter bed size is: 32” x 18” or (812mm x 457mm) This can be scaled in digital space or scaled in the print window.

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Printing view_2.0 The goal is to stage a drawing so all parts to cut or etch fit within the printable area.

Parts to cut Printable area 1/8” boarder around machine bed *(this is to prevent the machine from crashing)

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Aligning window_2.1 In the print screen the parts can be aligned to print or the print window may have to be moved relative to the program you are working in.

(1) Go to Print window

(2) Choose PLS6.150D as printer

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(3) Set window over printable area.

Once completed print setup window, should look like this. Note: If drawing needs to be scaled, this can be done in the print setup window, under scale

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(1) Go to plot window

(2) Choose PLS6.150D as printer

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(3) Choose User-Defined LANDSCAPE

*If this window appears

(4) Choose window, under what to plot

*draw a rectangle around the bounding box of the object

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(5) Be sure Landscape is set as the drawing

orientation and the scale is set to 1:1.

*Unless you are using the scale option to scale your drawing to a specific size.

(6) Preview the Drawing before printing

Once completed print setup window, should look like this.

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(1) Go to the Print window

(2) Select PLS6.150D as printer

Note: Drawing can be moved in the left had window by dragging objects around.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(3) Select PLS6.150D as printer

Once completed print setup window should appear as one of the two images above.

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Laser Settings_3.0 The last stage before cutting or etching a file is to match the laser settings to the material you are using via the colours we defined earlier. This section will take you through how to access and adjust the settings on the universal print driver. The settings found in the universal print driver screen apply to all programs.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Accessing the settings_3.1

(1) Go to the Print window

(2) Select ‘Properties’ to access the print driver

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(1) Go to Print window

(2) Select ‘Setup’

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(3) Select ‘Preferences’ to access the print driver.

Setup

Preferences

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(1) Go to the Plot window

(2)Select Properties/Custom Properties, to access the

print driver.

Properties

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

Custom Properties

Universal Print drive setup_3.2 Below is a breakdown of the universal print drive interface. It is critical that the settings here are set to match your digital drawing for proper file completion.

(1) Universal print drive settings

Color = Order of cutting operations and settings relative to color. Mode = The type of information that will be processed (Raster and/or Vector). Power = The percentage of energy at which the laser will output at. Speed = The speed at which the head will move around the bed. PPI = PointsPerInch, dictate how many pulses per inch the laser will output Z-Axis = This setting cannot be changed. Laser = This setting cannot be changed. Image Density = The distance between each step down with a raster. *The remaining settings are for specialty use, please see tech for assistance.

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(2) Select ‘load’ to load a pre-set material

In most situations the pre-set materials are saved under: C:\Users\Student\Documents\UNIVERSAL MATERIAL PRESETS These materials should meet most peoples needs. *For materials that are not in the library, please test new settings on a material before doing a full cut.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(3) Navigate to the material you are cutting or etching.

*Note: Black setting should cut through material, etching setting may need to be adjusted.

(4) Select ok, then press print from the software screen

you are printing from. The file will be sent to the laser cutting and be ready for cutting or etching.

*Note: BLACK is set to cut through materials, while RED is for vector etching and GREEN is for raster etching as a standard.

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Adjusting the settings_3.3

(1) Click on colour to adjust

(2) Adjust settings as needed

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab

(3) Click ‘Set’ to set the new values to that colour

*Number values for can also be adjusted directly on the laser cutter while cutting.

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This completes the setup and printing of information to the laser cutters. For more information on running the laser cutters or other specialty settings, please see a FABLab tech.

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Universal laser cutter step-by-step FABLab