Inkscape tutorial for laser cutting how to#

Makerspaces – sometimes also called maker lab or hackerspace – are collaborative work spaces for making and learning. If you are interested in getting some hands-on experience with a laser cutter, I recommend looking for a local makerspace. There are a lot of other options to get access to a laser cutter: Makerspaces In many cases the answer will be no – you don’t need to buy a laser cutter. The edges of acrylic do not change color and have a nice glossy finish after laser cutting. For example, the edges of cut wood are typical of a darker brown than the original wood. The look of the cut edges depends on the material. A laser cut is generally very precise and clean. When the laser beam goes all the way through the material of the workpiece it creates a cut. In general, there are three tasks that a laser cutter can perform: Cutting, Engraving and Marking. When the laser hits the material, a very small area is heated in an extremely short period, causing the material to melt, burn or vaporize. The shape is defined by an input file which can be a vector or raster image. Electronically controlled motors move the laser head to cut or engrave the desired shape into the material of the workpiece. Next, with the help of mirrors and lenses, the laser beam is directed to the laser head and focused on the material surface. In a CO2 laser cutter machine, the laser beam is created in a tube filled with CO2 gas. For more materials and details look here.

Other types are for example fiber or crystal lasers which are mostly used for industrial applications.ĬO2 laser cutters are capable of cutting and engraving a wide range of non-metallic materials such as wood, paper, acrylic, textiles, and leather. This guide will focus on gas lasers and CO2 lasers in particular, as this type is most commonly used by hobbyists and small businesses. There are different types of laser cutters. Laser technology was developed in the 1960s. The term “ Laser” is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. The kind of material that a laser can cut depends on the type of laser and the specific machine’s power. The laser beam causes the material to locally burn, melt or vaporize. A laser is basically just highly focused, highly amplified light. What is a laser cutter?Ī laser cutter is a computer controlled machine that uses a laser beam to precisely cut or engrave material.

Inkscape tutorial for laser cutting how to#

You’ll also learn which material can be used and how to get access to a laser cutter. In this beginners guide, I will explain the basics of how a laser cutter works, show you some examples of things that can be made with a laser and how to create designs for laser cutting or engraving. From simple boxes to engraving detailed graphics into wood or building complex three-dimensional objects.

Laser Cutters are great tools offering the possibility to create many different things.