# Quick Start Guide

![](/files/-MjD01Etvahl_0HIr224)

### Submission and Machine

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Checklist" %}

* [ ] [Rhinoceros 3D](https://www.rhino3d.com/) is installed
* [ ] Download *Fab Lab Laser Cutting Template*
* [ ] All goemetry is linework for CUT and ETCH
* [ ] CUT line spacing adheres to material specific parameters (see Parameters).
* [ ] All geometry is hatching for RASTER
* [ ] All linework is on correct layers (CUT, ETCH, RASTER)
* [ ] All linework is set to "By Layer" for print colour, width, linetype
* [ ] Explode Text (command: Explode)
* [ ] Remove Duplicate Lines (command: SelDup > Delete)
* [ ] Ungroup all geometry (command: Ungroup)
* [ ] Specify material, name and student ID number in file

#### Download the Template File here:

{% file src="/files/IQEiFG3lE3umMYhYl7bE" %}
General Laser Cutting Template
{% endfile %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Video Tutorials" %}

### [Laser Cutting YouTube Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgGN9A-SZN9ncaFTxaRi6vG2aSoRPqam0)

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Parameters" %}

### **Machine Parameters**

**Material Standard Size:** 700 x 1000mm

**Material Maximum Size:** 900 x 1200mm.

**Materials Safety Data Sheet:** Students can bring material from other suppliers, but it must be accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which can be obtained from the material supplier. 

**Line Colours and Types**

* CUT: Black (RGB: 0,0,0) Vector line 
* ETCH: Red (RGB: 255,0,0) Vector line 
* RASTER: Blue (RGB: 0, 0, 255) Hatch 

![CUT, ETCH, RASTER](/files/-Mi-mFHk5fTAOvlYMjDo)

<figure><img src="/files/LYzUkqomt9A9KmcqnjUM" alt=""><figcaption><p>Laser cut example: Truss structures are cut from 1.8mm boxboard </p></figcaption></figure>

## Minimum geometry size and bridges

The bed of the laser cutter consists of a metal tray with a 10x10mm grid of gaps; upon which material sheets are laid. Therefore any geometry with a shortest side  \~10mmm or shorter in length will likely fall from through the laser cutter bed and will be lost.

<figure><img src="/files/6NRje7nTEvK8M2nzNviD" alt=""><figcaption><p>The geometry on the left is small enough to fall through the laser cutter bed</p></figcaption></figure>

There are two solutions to this:

A)      Increase the size of the geometry so that it is large enough to not fall through the laser cutter bed.

B)      Include ‘bridges’ or breaks in the linework of small geometry so that it stays attached to the material sheet instead of falling through. These pieces can then be cut out by hand from the sheet.

<figure><img src="/files/tExhny84UikcgLT2d524" alt=""><figcaption><p>The gaps in linework keep the small pieces attached to the sheet instead of falling through</p></figcaption></figure>

1. Bridges can easily be added to your geometry using the “Break” command in Rhino.
2. Or, if you are familiar with Grasshopper, use this simple script to quickly apply bridges to closed curves:

{% file src="/files/9xjqfhtyagoreCrVQCTs" %}

<figure><img src="/files/0BgKXnQqfRQZBFpXWQ9T" alt=""><figcaption><p>Set 1: Set Curves</p></figcaption></figure>

A) Open 'Bridge maker.gh' with the Laser Cutting Template. Select all the relevant CUT lines, and 'Set Multiple Curves'.

<figure><img src="/files/WSQq2EBMaZJUbiRWchCI" alt=""><figcaption><p>Step 2: Control Variables (No. &#x26; Width of Bridges)</p></figcaption></figure>

B) Using the 'number slider', select how many bridges you want to generate, and the width of the bridges.

<figure><img src="/files/PjEWmivuKFf6LTvcLLGo" alt=""><figcaption><p>Step 3: Bake new curves</p></figcaption></figure>

C) Right click on the 'Curves to Bake' container to 'Bake' new curves.

<figure><img src="/files/DWxuCJet9Bu1wXrBo1GC" alt=""><figcaption><p>Step 3: Ensure you 'bake' into the CUT layer</p></figcaption></figure>

D) Choose the 'CUT' layer to 'Bake' new curves into the Laser Cutting Template. Ensure to delete the original CUT lines.

3. You can also add an etch line along the bridges to provide a guideline of where to cut out the pieces by hand.

<figure><img src="/files/KfepoxuwSkxWrgAnrLIn" alt=""><figcaption><p>The etch lines provide a guide for where to cut out the pieces by hand</p></figcaption></figure>

## Minimum cut line spacing

Cut line spacing refers to the minimum allowable distance between parallel lines when laser cutting.&#x20;

As laser cutting requires heat (the laser) materials behave differently when being laser cut. Some materials, such as plastics will distort when too much heat is introduced. The build up of heat can also lead to fires.

The following is a list of materials and their respective MINIMUM distances between CUT lines. These distances do not apply for etching, only CUT operations.&#x20;

<mark style="color:red;">**\*\*Please note: These settings are a BETA version and may change as we learn more. Refer back to this list before each Laser Cutting submission. Failure to adhere to these minimums will result in job cancellation.\*\***</mark>

| Material          | Material Thickness | Minimum cut line spacing |
| ----------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------ |
| MDF               | 3mm                | 3mm                      |
| Boxboard          | 3mm                | 2mm                      |
| "                 | 1.8mm              | 1mm                      |
| "                 | 1mm                | 1mm                      |
| Lauan Plywood     | 2.7mm              | 2.5mm                    |
| Poplar Plywood    | 3mm                | 3mm                      |
| Perspex (Acrylic) | 3mm                | 4mm                      |
| "                 | 2mm                | 3mm                      |
| Polypropylene     | 0.6mm              | 2mm                      |
| Mountboard        | 1.5mm              | 1mm                      |
| Optix Card        | 300gsm             | 0.5mm                    |
| Ivory Card        | 290gsm             | 0.5                      |
| {% endtab %}      |                    |                          |

{% tab title="Costs" %}
**Cost:** $1.00 per minute + material costs

[**Fab Lab Materials List**](https://apps.powerapps.com/play/e814a70e-f638-4554-a518-6a9fe37df6bf?tenantId=0e5bf3cf-1ff4-46b7-9176-52c538c22a4d\&source=portal\&screenColor=rgba\(0%2C%20176%2C%20240%2C%201\))

## Reducing Cost

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/1R3QK0Z7LmI>" %}

> 3 MINUTES

#### **NOTES**

The two important things to reduce the cost of laser cutting is the amount of material you use and the time it takes to process.

Tips include:

* Efficient nesting of linework onto your sheets to minimise the number of sheets you need.
* Sharing cut edges to reduce the amount of material used and minimise processing time.
* Reducing the density of your etching and rastering for visible resolution and reduce processing time.
* Reuse sheets from previous jobs that still have usable material.

## Reducing Material Use

**Nesting Geometries Efficiently**

Objects that sit outside the internal boundary risk not being read by the laser cutter and may not be cut. Objects sharing the same edge will produce a more accurate cut and finish. It will also save cutting time and reduce material wastage. Unless objects are using the same cut or score line, space objects at least **5mm** apart. Jobs which are spread across an excessive number of sheets will not be accepted.

1. Use the `[Move]` and `[Rotate]`commands, or use the Gumbal&#x6C;**,** to nest your objects closer together.
2. Move the objects towards the top left corner.
3. Ensure the objects do not extend out of the internal boundary.&#x20;
4. Have objects share edges as much as possible; straight lines can be aligned to save material wastage and to reduce cutting time.&#x20;
   1. Avoid overlapping lines. An easy way to avoid this is to select your overlapping objects and use the`[Make2D]`command and `[SelDup]` to select and delete any duplicate lines.

![Poor Nesting (Left) and Better Nesting (Right)](/files/-LXvPJEui7DUGGYlWbpb)

![Poor Nesting (Left) and Better Nesting (Right)](/files/-LXvUU3za_aJQFm3N18b)

**Selecting Material Size**

Check the Fab Lab [Material List](https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/3076681/FABLAB-MATERIAL-PRICELIST.pdf) to see if your material can be cut on smaller sheets (i.e. 600x600mm instead of 900x600mm). If your chosen material is available on smaller sheets, use `[Scale1D]` to change the size of your material.&#x20;

![Poor Material Size Selection (Left) and Better Material Size Selection (Right)](/files/-LXviUPHMjZ9u1sbBIZg)

**Selecting Material Thickness**

Some materials come in multiple different thicknesses; where possible, try using thinner sheets.

## Reducing Cutting Time

The quicker a job is to cut, the less it will cost for cutting time. To reduce cutting times, try reducing the amount of lines/curves a Job has.&#x20;

**Reducing Lines**

* Avoid lines of less than 1mm.

**Reducing Hatching**

* Hatching can be very time-consuming; limit hatching where possible or replace with Etch outlines instead.
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="SUBMIT" %}
**Once you are confident your file is ready, please submit job here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MG1TJd5\_tZLmc0F8x39" %}
[Job Submission](/the-fablab/job-submission/job-submission-platform.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

If you would like to speak to one of our technicians about a specific job or project, please book a consultation here:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MgyNJZD6\_J5AbazwqGJ" %}
[Book a Consultation](/the-fablab/book-a-consultation.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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