Laser Cutter/Instructions: Difference between revisions

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The explode seems to be surprisingly important otherwise it will either give an error, or silently import nothing!
The explode seems to be surprisingly important otherwise it will either give an error, or silently import nothing!


==== Use the LaserCut v5.3 software ====
==== Use Lightburn software ====


* Start the 'LaserCut' application and load/import your design.
Video Tutorials
** Move the files by usb thumb drive (watch out for virus), by windows file share to 172.31.24.140 / laz0rs or post file publicly, e.g. google drive.
** If you have a "Seek failed on C:\...your file.dxf" error, try opening in LibreCAD and resaving as .dxf (2007)
* '''TODO''' Different file types pros/cons
** DXF is nice because it maintains absolute dimensions.
* Sometimes it's useful scale your design. The Laser cutter application allows for this but it's rather quirky:
** From the Laser software menu select 'Tools/Size'
** Calculate and enter your new widths/heights in Google/calc etc.
* Rotating
** Go to 'Draw/rotate'
** Enter the number of degrees to rotate
* Uniting lines (making the path finding suck a little less)use this if you've used lines rather than polylines in qcad etc.
** Go to 'Tools/Unite lines'
** Use the defaults
** You should see fewer direction lines, the laser cutter should use a less insane route now.
* The work-area in the LaserCut software is not an absolute representation of the laser cutter bed. The origin must be set relative to your design.
** From the LaserCut application menu select 'Laser/Set laser origin'


[[File:Laser-Cutter-Screen-Origin-1.png|center|'Laser/Set laser origin']]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nybhYtjElQU
 
** Move the 'target' cursor and click on the location on your design where you wish to position the origin (this is usually at the top right of the design)
** You may also manually enter the position - the top corner of bed is located at (299, 559)
 
[[File:Laser-Cutter-Screen-Origin-2.png|center|manually enter the position]]
 
* Layers can be used in your design to provide combinations of different cut types and engrave options on a single piece. For example you may wish to cut out a key-ring and then engrave a name on it.
** To assign a path / set of paths to a layer, select them, then assign them a colour.
** Each layer can be assigned different action, speed and power settings - consult the manual or the [[#Parameters_for_different_materials|wiki]] for appropriate settings.
** Finer control of layer power and speed settings is available by clicking on the layer.
 
[[File:Laser-Cutter-Screen-Cut-options.png|center|clicking on the layer]]


==Engraving==
==Engraving==
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