LASER CUTTING

What is Laser cutting?

Laser cutting is general term used to describe one of several types of lasers that cut a material by melting, burning or vaporising it. The path of the laser is defined by a line or path based software program, typically Adobe Illustrator.  The power and type of laser is determined based on the speed, accuracy required and type of material to be cut.

How to use laser cutting?

Designers need to understand how the laser cutter interprets the Illustrator file.  Different intensities are often used based on different colours which provide different depth of cut or intensity of the laser.  The path is also important and multiple lines on top of each other, though not visible for a print job, slow down the laser cutting and run the laser over the same path multiple times.  It takes some time, experience and knowhow to efficiently design for laser cutting.  In addition, different laser cutters have different input requirements, so it is often time wise to budget for design time.

When to use laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a very versatile way to produce intricately shaped objects and prototypes.  It is also used extensively to personalise many objects including glass, Perspex, wood, plastic and many other materials.  Laser cutting makes sense for small volume, custom or personalised jobs.

Alternatives to laser cutting?

Laser cutting has supplanted the much more traditional method of bespoke hand manufacture for prototypes.  Other new alternatives include 3D printing for prototypes.  On the custom personal side, pad printing and traditional engraving are options, but for a precise, repeatable, low cost solution for low to medium volumes, laser cutting or a variety of material, laser cutting has several advantages. It is simply a cut above the rest 

For more information, setup instructions and current projects visit the Bespoke Website.

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