Laser cutting technology uses laser beams to cut through various materials, such as fabric, leather, acrylic, etc. The technology is incredible, considering it can help create precise patterns and designs on most materials. For that reason, laser cutting technology is ideal for various tasks with decorative purposes.
Laser cutting machines collaborate with design programs like Inkscape, AutoCAD, Coreldraw, or Adobe Illustrator. Here is a condensed guide on how to use Adobe Illustrator for laser cutting.
Laser Cutting Techniques
Vector Cutting
Laser machines are most frequently used for vector cutting. The laser’s computer will follow the vector line you have generated in the files as it completely cuts through the selected material.
Vector Engraving
A technique for sketching on a material’s surface is called vector engraving. The laser’s computer will follow the vector line you’ve generated in the files to etch only the material’s surface.
Raster Engraving
Raster engraving, commonly referred to as infill engraving, marks a surface’s material. The laser’s computer will fill in the formed vector line you have generated in the files to etch only the material’s surface.
Materials and Their Tolerances
While it may seem obvious, you want to be careful about your material choice for laser cutting.
Avoid using thin paper if it is a self-supporting structure model. Similarly, avoid using corrugated cardboard if the structure is to be detailed and only 0.5 mm thick. As in the example above, which is composed of a 2 mm corrugated card, it will not hold together.
Every material has its own strengths and tolerances. If there are supports at the top and bottom, the material will only be robust to its thickness before becoming weak.
Before selecting the material, remember that the minimum width for something self-supporting should be at least twice the thickness. However, this depends on the material.
Cutting numerous, thin portions of the material adjacent to one another will heat it and could cause it to catch fire. This is something to keep in mind: paper, cardboard, wood, and acrylic are all highly flammable materials. Please omit sections that are duplicated and insert appropriate spaces. Check for double lines because if there are any, the finished cuts will burn excessively and risk catching fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still, looking for more info? We have compiled a list of FAQs – Check them out.
1. How Does a Laser Cutter Work?
In order to cut material with a laser, a powerful laser beam is typically directed at the substance. The laser beam melts, vaporizes, or burns through the material, producing a smooth, exact cut.
2. How Can You Convert Text to Vector?
The text must be transformed into vector outlines because the computer can only see vectors. Select everything (Command-A) and choose Menu Type > Create Outlines to complete this rapidly (Command-Shift-O). If the laser machine still considers them infills rather than outlines, change them to the appropriate colored outlines, just like you did with the rest of the file.
