Laser Cutting & Engraving

MODULE: 02

TOOL BASICS The laser cutter works just like an inkjet printer, where a laser raster head swipes back-and-forth. Depending on the power and speed settings, the laser can either cut completely cut through a piece, or it can etch into the surface — this is known as etching or “rastering.” The depth of a raster depends on the laser settings. A laser set to too much power, or too slow a speed will MATERIAL create unsightly edge burning. Getting the settings right will take experimentation to calibrate correctly, and will depend on the material being used. LASER BED Top Suppliers: Trotec™, Legend™, Epilog™, Universal Laser™

Top Software: Corel Draw™, Adobe Illustrator™, AutoCAD™

SAFETY Never stare directly at the laser while it is cutting, or it can lead to temporary blinding. Also, be careful not to set the laser settings too high, or the material will burn and smoke which can potentially lead to a fre.

PRO TIPS After some experimentation, save the speed/power settings that work well for each type of material. This can be used as reference for all future applications.

Below: A fat-packed furniture scale model cut from 1/8” masonite board (at right). This model was used to test construction joinery on a small-scale frst, before the full- scale furniture design is cut on the CNC router.

Above: Laser etching into the surface of a plywood panel. The depth of 1 the raster can be ajusted using the machine’s speed and power settings. 5 LASER CUTTING & ENGRAVING MFG. LAB MASTER MAKER MODULE

Spread: High-end Makerspaces will stock the most advanced, high- tech automated machinery with a wide variety of low-tech, traditional (manual) machines. Urban Workshop’s California facility is on par with the most elaborate of in-house corporate R&D labs. 2 LASER CUTTING & ENGRAVING MFG. LAB MASTER MAKER MODULE

Laser Cutting & Engraving

TIPS & TECHNIQUES The caliber of detail which can be achieved with laser cutting can be simply INSANE. The possibilities of designs to be laser cut or engraved is endless, with makers, engineers and designers constantly pushing the envelope, with newer and more unique applications of the technology — from one-off parts sold on e-commerce shops like Etsy, to revolutions in footwear 2D pattern making design & manufacturing.

Etching / burnishing is a technique for using the laser to burn to any determined depth — creating a debossed relief effect. This is known as laser engraving, and is very powerful technique for creating custom illustrative, textural, and graphic design patterns in material surfaces.

PRO TIPS Calibrate the laser before cutting. Also experimentation with settings and materials will need to be undertaken to get the right results for your project. Make sure to keep a log of the settings for material type, and keep them next to your laser machine in your shop.

Below & Right: Logo branding cut from two different colors of acrylic. Many businesses use this technique to give a modern look & feel to their brand.

Above: Volumetric sculpture made from stacking and gluing together independent 3 layers of laser cut 1/8” MDF board. LASER CUTTING & ENGRAVING

Below: A ‘3D carved’ wood relief effect can be achieved through rastering / etching wood using different laser power settings. After running a 3D CAD fle through programming software, the laser cutter power / speed settings will be stored and ready to produce this type of complicated effect. As you can see, this effect can produce much more fnite detail than CNC milling — without needing access to the larger, more expensive equipment and parts that come with the territory of CNC.

Above: Intricate graphic illustration laser engraved into the bottom of a wood skateboard deck, taken from a 2D vectorized Adobe Illustrator drawing. Because of the precise quality of laser etching, makers, designers and marketers commonly take advantage of this technology to apply custom graphic branding / logos to custom products or displays.

10 4 LASER CUTTING & ENGRAVING MFG. LAB MASTER MAKER MODULE

This module is an exerpt from:

THE MAKER’S FIELD GUIDE: MASTER MAKER EDITION 230 pages of professional content, including an advanced bonus chapter on industrial design & entertainment design project builds from start to finish. Collector’s edition cover design variant.

Digital pdf downloads included with every book purchase through the website. www.themakersfieldguide.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Armstrong is part industrial designer, part product developer, part brand specialist, entrepreneur and thought Leader. He has held senior leadership positions on several different Advanced R&D and Special Projects teams.

Christopher was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where he developed a love for working with his hands, while watching endless behind-the-scenes featurettes for blockbuster flms like Batman Begins and Terminator 2. After working multiple blue-collar jobs (and selling movie replicas on the side), he fnally saved up the means to later immigrate to California, where he attended the Art Center College of Design. After design school, he began his professional career working in consumer faucet design. Briefy thereafter, he served a short stint as a freelance concept designer working on Sony PlayStation Home and other video game titles with his close friend and long-time mentor, John Park.

He has since worked with over 30+ clients worldwide, designing and developing some of the most technically-advanced products in their respective industries. He continues to have an intense passion for design, technology & engineering, business, and brand building — where he helps to shape the future of companies through innovative products, brand messaging, and storytelling (only now on a much larger scale than the home garage days of his youth). He’s lectured and given talks at multiple design and concept art trade schools, including Art Center, Concept Design Academy, Red Engine School of Design, Brainstorm, and Design Engine. He currently offers corporate training in advanced design and CAD modeling.

Most recently he was responsible for designing and developing and helped to launch a full line of patented performance footwear and apparel for LIFT Aviation, where he served as Lead Designer. He also designed high-performance racing footwear for some of the most hardcore race car drivers around, under the Piloti brand name — helping to restore the cult brand to the forefront after it’s demise in the early 2000’s.

Christopher’s work has been featured in TransWorld Motocross (TWMX), Red Bulletin Magazine, AOPA Pilot, Hypebeast, Footwear News, Digital Trends, Corofot, RECOIL, Performance BMW, Octane, IDSA, and ImagineFX.

www.christopherarmstrongdesign.com [email protected] Instagram: @christopher_armstrong_