User Tools

Site Tools


full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_vector_cutting_with_solidworks_and_inkscape

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_vector_cutting_with_solidworks_and_inkscape [2017/05/29 15:41] santiagoricoyfull_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_vector_cutting_with_solidworks_and_inkscape [2017/05/30 13:35] (current) – Added section titles for clarity: Solidworks and InkScape santiagoricoy
Line 91: Line 91:
  
 **IMPORTANT NOTE**: The laser doesn't cut ideally, so there is an amount of kerf depending on the material being cut. Kerf is the width of material burned away by the laser, which can make a cut either a bit too large, or a bit too small. This can be avoided by researching the material and thickness being used, and adjusting the design accordingly. For example, suppose we need a 50mmx30mm rectangle that must be cut from 5mm acrylic. A quick Google search for our expected kerf gives us a range, but it hovers around 0.2mm. We will be cutting around the outer edge of our rectangle so we would cut half of the kerf into the part. To counteract that, we move each line cut away by half the width of the expected kerf (0.1mm). Doing this on each side of our design will leave us with a 50.2mmx30.2mm rectangle, that when cut will yield a 50mmx30mm part. **IMPORTANT NOTE**: The laser doesn't cut ideally, so there is an amount of kerf depending on the material being cut. Kerf is the width of material burned away by the laser, which can make a cut either a bit too large, or a bit too small. This can be avoided by researching the material and thickness being used, and adjusting the design accordingly. For example, suppose we need a 50mmx30mm rectangle that must be cut from 5mm acrylic. A quick Google search for our expected kerf gives us a range, but it hovers around 0.2mm. We will be cutting around the outer edge of our rectangle so we would cut half of the kerf into the part. To counteract that, we move each line cut away by half the width of the expected kerf (0.1mm). Doing this on each side of our design will leave us with a 50.2mmx30.2mm rectangle, that when cut will yield a 50mmx30mm part.
 +
 +<fs large>**Creating in SOLIDWORKS:**</fs>
 +
  
 {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:sketchwally.png?500|}} {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:sketchwally.png?500|}}
Line 109: Line 112:
  
 Drag the appropriate profile onto the sheet, and check the scale is set as 1:1. Once satisfied with the placement of the view on the sheet, save your drawing (save as .slddrw), and then save as a .dxf file. Drag the appropriate profile onto the sheet, and check the scale is set as 1:1. Once satisfied with the placement of the view on the sheet, save your drawing (save as .slddrw), and then save as a .dxf file.
 +
 +<fs large>**Working in Inkscape:**</fs>
  
 {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:inkscapescaling.png?400|}} {{:sricoy:laser_cutter:inkscapescaling.png?400|}}
full_spectrum_laser_pro_36x24_vector_cutting_with_solidworks_and_inkscape.txt · Last modified: 2017/05/30 13:35 by santiagoricoy