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The laser can cut: Wood, plastic, acrylic, delrin, cloth, leather, matte board, melamine, paper, mylar, pressboard, rubber, wood veneer, fiberglass, cork, corian.
The laser can etch: Glass, coated metals, ceramic, marble, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, painted metals, tiles, wood, plastic, acrylic, delrin, cloth, leather, matte board, melamine, paper, mylar, pressboard, rubber, wood veneer, fiberglass, cork, corian.
These lasers cannot be used to cut or etch PVC or vinyl because chemicals are released that will destroy the optics and void the warranty. Some metals can be etched directly, but harder metals such as steel can only be marked using a spray called Cermark and available from LaserBits.
- Overview of the Laser Cutting Process (A MUST!)
This tutorial is from another high school, but is great... until I get one made.
- Downloadable Predesigned Project Files
- Ten laser cutting tips
Students MUST be accompanied by the teacher when using the laser cutter.
FREE VECTOR GRAPHICS SOFTWARE:
There is an Open Source - (free distribution) - program I highly recommend to create vector images for engraving and cutting using the laser cutter. The program is called Inkscape. Please watch the tutorial below for a very good overview.
Inkscape can be downloaded here. Please consult the resource page (#2 below) for help with Inkscape.
- Inkscape Tutorials (Main)
- Basic tutorial
- Shapes tutorial
- Advanced tutorial
- Bitmap Tracing tutorial <-- needed to create vector cutout of image
- Pixelart Tracing tutorial
- Calligraphy tutorial
- Interpolate tutorial
- Elements of Design tutorial
- Tips and Tricks tutorial
- Inkscape Manual (if you'd like)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Woflies puzzle creator
Box Template
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