Animal figure drawings by laser cutting. Laser cutting plywood

All photos from the article

Is it difficult to assemble a plywood laser cutting machine with your own hands? What problems can be expected at different stages of project implementation? What equipment will you need to buy? In the article we will try to find answers to these questions.

Pros and cons of laser cutting

When implementing any large-scale project, the question of its expediency always arises. We will try to help the reader to give an independent answer to it.

Benefits

• The device for laser cutting plywood in practice is able to work not only with it. The list of processed materials includes leather, fabrics, plexiglass, plastics, in a word, all materials that have low thermal conductivity and a relatively low combustion temperature;
• Thanks to the CNC, the machine will allow you to cut with the highest precision, creating detailed contours;
• Its possibilities are not limited to sharp. Laser cutting machines for plywood are quite capable of performing the functions of an engraver. By varying the speed of the carriage and the power of the beam, they can create complex images with tone transitions;
• By focusing the beam, the width of the cut can be kept to a minimum- from 1/100 mm, which again has a positive effect on the accuracy of manufacturing parts or the detail of the image applied to the workpiece.

Problems

Of course, without them, too, will not do:

• The price of the purchased equipment will not be cheap. The most popular solution for inexpensive home-made engravers - a laser diode extracted from a DVD burner - is categorically not suitable for cutting plywood due to its low power. The minimum laser power for cutting plywood is 20 watts; with any significant thickness of the material, it is better to increase it to 40 - 80;

Reference: a carbon dioxide laser tube of such power, when ordered directly from Chinese manufacturers, will cost the customer 15-20 thousand rubles at the current exchange rate. The cost of a complex and expensive focusing system, DSP controller, stepper motor driver and carriages will be added to the cost of the laser.

• The life cycle of the tube is from 3 to 8 thousand hours, after which it needs to be replaced;
• The laser requires liquid cooling. In industrial conditions, a cooling plant operating on the principle of a heat pump is used for this purpose - a chiller. The minimum cost of such a unit is 35 - 45 thousand rubles;

However: with a short duration of work, you can get by with a tank with a capacity of 80 - 100 liters and a water pump that will pump its contents through the tube jacket.

• CNC implies the presence of not only special software, but also sketches of the contour of the manufactured product. Drawings for laser cutting plywood are not so easy to find; their independent construction will take a very long time;
• Finally, the cutting of the material is carried out due to its rapid heating and evaporation. In this case, the edges of the cut are inevitably charred, and the room is filled with smoke. If so, you will have to design a closed case with a transparent lid and an intensive forced ventilation system.

Design

So, how does a homemade plywood cutting laser work?

The base of the bed is an aluminum professional pipe measuring 40x60, fastened with a furniture corner and self-tapping screws for metal. The case is assembled from inexpensive laminated chipboard - it does not experience significant loads during operation.

Please note: a 12-volt LED strip has been launched around the perimeter of the case. The backlight will allow you to visually control the cutting process.

Guides are fixed directly on the tubes of the frame, ensuring the movement of the carriages along the transverse axis.

A longitudinal pipe with another guide is screwed to the carriages - already under the carriage, which provides direct movement of the head.

And here is the laser head itself for cutting plywood. The foil is used to seal the connection of the tube with the fitting.

Drawings for CNC laser: materials for work, drawings, models

Modern computer technologies, if not completely eliminated the need to use manual labor, then reduced it to a minimum for sure. The use of laser machines also gains more and more fans every year.

CNC laser machines are called a whole range of devices designed for processing various surfaces. Management is carried out with the help of computer programs.

Dear machine tool builders, we have selected a large number of models in dxf format for you, you can download it for free HERE.

What materials can be processed?

The device is used for processing, creating drawings on many types of surfaces:

1. Mirror.
2. Glass.
3. A rock.
4. Acrylic.
5. Leather.
6. Paper.
7. Cardboard.
8. Wood.
9. Veneer.
10. Plywood.

And this is not a complete list of CNC cutting applications. The use of non-contact technologies will allow processing even materials of small thickness. Recently, the automation of such work was considered in principle impossible. As well as the simple creation of drawings for the CNC laser.

The principle of operation of the device

Currently, any laser equipment has an acceptable price level. Therefore, it is gaining popularity, it is used not only in large, but also in small businesses. The drawings with templates presented in this section will also become indispensable helpers. At the same time, high-quality work and high productivity are typical even for the most budget models.

To correctly use the drawings using cutting, you need to understand what the machine consists of:

1. Whole bed.
2. A table located in a horizontal plane.
3. Mobile portal. It is equipped with a special head that emits a laser beam.

The stepper motor allows you to set the equipment in motion. The numerical program scheme organizes the adjustment of all parameters. The CNC device places the laser at certain positions along with other devices that perform work operations.

The optics assembly of the units also has several components.

• Tubes with a laser.
• Emitter in the form of a head.
• Reflective devices with the shape of mirrors.
• focus mechanism.
• Focus lens.

Equipment with capabilities

This equipment has the main working tool - with a laser base. It has a high power rating. Due to this, the processing of materials endowed with parameters of various types becomes available. Thanks to such technologies, it is possible to obtain parts with various characteristics and dimensions.

The possibilities of laser installations should be considered in more detail in order to correctly use drawings with templates.

This is an affordable technology option, although not the most effective. A laser cutter consumes less energy than a plasma cutter when doing the same job. Even with heat treatment. The advantage of this type of cutting is the accuracy of the edges, the ability to maintain optical performance.

Cutting is done through or through. The use of the second option is relevant in the case of the manufacture of souvenirs. Laser processing contributes to the rapid removal of the upper layer from the plastic. This allows a pattern to be formed on the surface of the second layer. Such jewelry work is only possible with laser and CNC machines.

This solution has its own principle of operation. Thin through cuts are applied carefully, step by step. After that, a line is drawn up with the necessary dimensions. It doesn't matter how complex the image is, how thick the material is. The main advantage of laser engraving is high speed.

In what areas is the equipment used?

This is an important point for those who are just about to purchase machines.

1. Creation of souvenir products.

In the production of souvenirs, it is laser machines that have shown high efficiency. It has already been said that non-contact processing makes it possible to create patterns on parts with any parameters. This makes the whole workflow easier. Even pens and USB key fobs are processed using this technology.

1. Information, award products.

Laser machines are convenient to use for the manufacture of plates with any information. Diplomas made of two-layer plastic, award certificates - and in this area, laser machines have practically no equal. The main thing is to choose the right drawings.

Especially the equipment is relevant when creating interior and exterior elements. Successfully after using the machines, surfaces made of acrylic, plexiglass look - they have a glossy end, there are no radii from the cutter. The smaller the element, the easier it will be to cut it out when plasma cutters are used.

In the design of interiors, laser cutting technology has been widely used. We are talking about the manufacture of overhead elements, decorating furniture, creating radiator and ventilation grilles. Usually we are talking about elements with a small thickness, fragile.

It is almost impossible to make such parts on milling cutters, because it is difficult to avoid the appearance of chips and cracks, and other similar defects. Children's toys, constructors and individual elements of the interior can also be made using this cutting technology.

This direction is also characterized by the active use of laser cutting of veneer. Especially when it comes to the production of marquetry, inlays. Many objects in the Hermitage were created using this technology.

1. Packing works, changing the structure of foam rubber and plastic products.

Already few people will be surprised by the packaging made using laser machines. The equipment is convenient in that it can be easily and quickly programmed at any time. No need to be tied to a certain circulation, set up complex lines for supplying materials. The surface is free from creases during non-contact processing. The surface of the drawing looks beautiful.

The width of the processing zone is usually indicated in the first article of the designation of a particular model. When choosing one or another device, one must always remember about the possibility of facing the need to solve non-standard problems. The larger the size of the working area, the greater will be the range of tasks that are set for the workers.

The following factors must be taken into account during operation.

• Laser engraving can be used without creating printing forms, clichés and matrices. Accordingly, there is no need to purchase additional equipment, involve more people in the processing.

Most operations are easily performed at home. As well as the preparation of drawings. It won't be hard to cut them.

This also saves time spent on prepress processing. The production process is accelerating, the performance of any installation is getting better.

• Laser technologies are known for the fact that they do not require the use of a large number of materials.

Without the laser itself, engraving is not performed. And the installation is powered by conventional electricity. One laser should be enough for about 20 thousand hours of continuous operation. Intensive operation of one device can last up to 7 years. Even if the cutting is carried out constantly.

• One operator is quite capable of maintaining the plant. The main requirement is the ability to work with graphic programs.
• Products can be produced both in small and single batches. For the design of drawings and their direct production, working files are created in a special program.
• The result of any work is obtaining durable images that are resistant to any external factors. The drawing can be saved for the future.

Laser engraving: more about the technology

When using this technology, it is assumed that the material is removed from the surface of the workpieces by sublimation. The result is achieved due to the action of a focused laser beam on the surface of the material. Power when working cutting for him remains maximum. The main thing is to correctly manage the installation parameters in order to achieve the desired result. Laser engraving works in many ways on the same principles as a printer. The equipment is as convenient as possible due to the fact that practically not a single step is carried out manually. This is required only when preparing drawings. And in finished form, the image will last as long as possible, without any damage.

vseochpu.ru

Free drawings for laser cutting in .dxf format. For laser, plasma and waterjet cutting of metal.

drawings for laser cuttingThis page contains graphic files for laser, plasma and waterjet cutting in CAD format. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the files do not require additional processing. All contours are closed and drawn with arcs and segments.

Here, we place only a small, fact-finding part of our library. Files for 2D cutting are presented in the most popular and readable DXF format, which is accepted by almost all CNC sheet metal processing machines (TRUMPF, Amada, Bystronic).

These drawings are perfect for creating metal art objects, lattices with a unique design, as well as gates, fences, stairs, landscape and interior design elements.

Silhouettes of animals, birds or plants in dxf or dwg are perfect for decorating a bedroom, living room and walls in any room, as well as for landscape design.

Examples of works performed using laser cutting technology can be viewed on this site.

Please note that all images presented on this page can be cut on our laser cutting equipment, at the lowest prices and with the highest quality.

Buy a complete archive of drawing files for laser, plasma and waterjet cutting.

In addition to ready-made files in dxf, we offer such a service as:

Translation of any graphic files (bmp, jpeg, gif) into dxf format, for a nominal fee.

Library of free files for laser cutting.

You can see an extended selection of silhouettes in our VKONTAKTE group

www.blesk-m.ru

Program for plasma CNC creation of drawings: features of work

The work is greatly facilitated when CNC plasma programs are used, the creation of drawings in this case is faster. The main thing is to set the parameters correctly and understand how the technology works.

About special programs and working with drawings

Thanks to modern laser machines, as well as programs for CNC plasma and the creation of drawings, it is possible to process workpieces from any material without any problems, ensuring a high intensity of the process along with quality. But modern technologies have by no means contributed to the fact that a person is completely excluded from the technological chain. Operators are exempted only from participation in the process of manufacturing blanks.

To obtain the desired result for CNC, it is required to comply with the main conditions, which are the proper level of production preparation, the development of machine control programs.

The essence of any software used in control is the creation of a set of codes that are converted inside the CNC microcontroller, and then become impulses when they enter the execution mechanisms. The function of the latter is transferred to stepper motors or servomotors. But the latter option is used only for some models of machine tools. It is important to choose the right program for creating a drawing.

Electric motors are used in the course of pulse conversion, after which the latter become mechanical movements for the instrumental part. In the same process, the bearing spindle with the cutter is involved. Inside the program, a kind of route is laid, which is subsequently implemented by the machine. How the cutter moves relative to the future workpiece depends on this. Thanks to modern technologies, it becomes easy to provide the required speed, cutting power. Flame treatment also facilitates the process.

Inside the control program, a separate file is created, which must be processed further. What does the choice of modern software involve. But you need to create a preliminary sketch of the future product, because the route cannot appear from scratch.

Processing program

Products are created on the basis of sketches, the role of which is transferred to three-dimensional models of a mathematical type. The participation of the plasma cutter is organized at later stages. This name was given to an exact copy of the design, which is recreated in virtual space.

In a way, 3D models are like assembly drawings. These models are created based on "flat" 2D models. For example, which are the drawings of the part. It is their construction that becomes the main function for special CAD programs. The AutoCad feature package is a typical representative of such solutions, involving processing using plasma cutting.

Such solutions can be described as automatic design systems. In industry and design offices, this tool has long been an indispensable assistant. Facilitates, simplifies the entire cycle that makes up the process of developing documents for designers thanks to packages of similar software solutions. This also applies to creating sketches for parts using plasma cutting, 3D modeling technology, and developing parts for assembly. The so-called CAD packages are the basis on which control programs are created, the results are sent to the machines themselves, which allows you to start production. Further, plasma takes part in the processing.

Features of working with equipment

The typical strategy that CNC milling machines use when creating products can be described as follows:

1. The stage dedicated to the creation of a sketch or drawing.
2. The previous work becomes the basis for the development of models in three dimensions.
3. Setting a route when using the software. The three-dimensional model now becomes the basis on which this very route is created.
4. Then proceed to the export of the control program, using a special format. The main thing is that the format is understandable to the model of the laser machine itself.
5. Loading the control program into the device memory. Then the processing program starts.

First stage

At the first stage, one cannot do without a thorough study of the documentation of the design content. It is supposed to use drawings for small components and assembly units, a large number of materials in the development of detailed drawings. On the drawings, specialists will indicate the types, sections, sections, put down the necessary dimensions. Using plasma cutting makes it easier to get the desired result.

A few years ago, the production conditions involved the creation of technological maps for the construction of future products. They were intended to effectively organize the work of specialists with manual milling machines. But when automatic equipment appeared, it was no longer necessary to create such maps.

Detailed drawings in most cases from the very beginning support the electronic format, are created with its active use. Two-dimensional sketches, among other things, are easy to make by digitizing a paper drawing. Created in the program, such a picture will speed up the processing process.

Second phase

During the second stage, details are created in a three-dimensional plane. This task is also carried out using the CAD environment. Thanks to this, visualization of the frame for parts, assemblies for assembly, and the whole product is available. An additional possibility is to perform calculations based on stiffness with strength.

The three-dimensional model that has become the basis is a mathematical copy of the product, as it should be in finished form. To bring the project to life, it remains only to produce a part that has the required characteristics. Using plasma cutting allows you to achieve results faster.

Third stage

It is to obtain the desired result that the third stage is used. It involves the development of a route for future processing using plasma equipment. Such work belongs to the technological part of the process. It affects several parameters in the end:

• The quality with which products are produced.
• cost level.
• Processing speed.

If we talk about CNC milling machines on which cutting is carried out, then in this case the three-dimensional sketch is converted. So the following steps are performed:

1. The processing area is limited.
2. Definition of transitions, finishing and roughing.
3. Selection of a cutter with certain dimensions.
4. Programming modes in which cutting is carried out.

There is a special software - post-compressors. They allow you to export the data described above in a convenient format, which is easily accepted in the controller for the CNC machine representing a particular model.

Fourth stage

The fourth stage ends with the design of a working control file that allows you to create the required part. After that, everything is done by the plasma cutters themselves.

Fifth stage

The work is completed at the fifth stage. It assumes that the program file is being loaded into the memory of the CNC machine. The processing is in progress. The first sample of the released part must be checked. If errors are found, corrections are made in the electronic documentation.

Conclusion. Some features of plasma cutting

Plasma cutting is one of the most efficient methods for metal processing. But such power is difficult to manage, only masters of sufficiently high qualification can handle it. Only they can be allowed to control the plasma cutter.

Minor defects may appear on some parts, this is absolutely nothing to worry about. It is only necessary to take into account the peculiarity of each of the bases used in production. The minimum hole size when using this technology also has its own characteristics. For example, if the diameter of the metal is 20 millimeters, then the maximum value for the hole itself is 15 millimeters. This must be taken into account when working with the CNC plasma program, the creation of a drawing will only be accurate in this case.

Depending on the thickness of the sheet, it is necessary to use a current with different characteristics. For example, sheet metal 40 millimeters or more is cut with a current of 260 amperes. But 30 amps will be enough if the thickness is only 2 millimeters. The strength of the current affects how the thickness of the sheet is obtained. It is also necessary to take into account what form the part has in each section. The result also depends on this.

Modern equipment is characterized by a high level of accuracy. But small deviations are quite acceptable if they do not exceed existing standards.

Modern computer technologies, if not completely eliminated the need to use manual labor, then reduced it to a minimum for sure. The use of laser machines also gains more and more fans every year.

They call a whole range of devices designed to process various surfaces. Management is carried out with the help of computer programs.

What materials can be processed?

The device is used for processing, creating drawings on many types of surfaces:

1. Mirror.
2. Glass.
3. A rock.
4. Acrylic.
5. Leather.
6. Paper.
7. Cardboard.
8. Wood.
9. Veneer.
10. Plywood.

And this is not a complete list of CNC cutting applications. The use of non-contact technologies will allow processing even materials of small thickness. Recently, the automation of such work was considered in principle impossible. As well as the simple creation of drawings for the CNC laser.

The principle of operation of the device

Currently, any laser equipment has an acceptable price level. Therefore, it is gaining popularity, it is used not only in large, but also in small businesses. The drawings with templates presented in this section will also become indispensable helpers. At the same time, high-quality work and high productivity are typical even for the most budget models.

To correctly use the drawings using cutting, you need to understand what the machine consists of:

1. Whole bed.
2. A table located in a horizontal plane.
3. Mobile portal. It is equipped with a special head that emits a laser beam.

The stepper motor allows you to set the equipment in motion. The numerical program scheme organizes the adjustment of all parameters. The CNC device places the laser at certain positions along with other devices that perform work operations.

The optics assembly of the units also has several components.

• Tubes with a laser.
• Emitter in the form of a head.
• Reflective devices with the shape of mirrors.
• focus mechanism.
• Focus lens.

Equipment with capabilities

This equipment has the main working tool - with a laser base. It has a high power rating. Due to this, the processing of materials endowed with parameters of various types becomes available.
Thanks to such technologies, it is possible to obtain parts with various characteristics and dimensions.

The possibilities of laser installations should be considered in more detail in order to correctly use drawings with templates.

• Cutting.

This is an affordable technology option, although not the most effective. A laser cutter consumes less energy than a plasma cutter when doing the same job. Even with heat treatment. The advantage of this type of cutting is the accuracy of the edges, the ability to maintain optical performance.

Cutting is done through or through. The use of the second option is relevant in the case of the manufacture of souvenirs. Laser processing contributes to the rapid removal of the upper layer from the plastic. This allows a pattern to be formed on the surface of the second layer. Such jewelry work is only possible with laser and CNC machines.

• Engraving.

This solution has its own principle of operation. Thin through cuts are applied carefully, step by step. After that, a line is drawn up with the necessary dimensions. It doesn't matter how complex the image is, how thick the material is. The main advantage of laser engraving is high speed.

In what areas is the equipment used?

This is an important point for those who are just about to purchase machines.

1. Creation of souvenir products.

In the production of souvenirs, it is laser machines that have shown high efficiency. It has already been said that non-contact processing makes it possible to create patterns on parts with any parameters. This makes the whole workflow easier. Even pens and USB key fobs are processed using this technology.

1. Information, award products.

Laser machines are convenient to use for the manufacture of plates with any information. Diplomas made of two-layer plastic, award certificates - and in this area, laser machines have practically no equal. The main thing is to choose the right drawings.

1. Promotional Products.

Especially the equipment is relevant when creating interior and exterior elements. Successfully after using the machines, surfaces made of acrylic, plexiglass look - they have a glossy end, there are no radii from the cutter. The smaller the element, the easier it will be to cut it out when plasma cutters are used.

1. Cutting plywood and veneer.

In the design of interiors, laser cutting technology has been widely used. We are talking about the manufacture of overhead elements, decorating furniture, creating radiator and ventilation grilles. Usually we are talking about elements with a small thickness, fragile.

It is almost impossible to make such parts on milling cutters, because it is difficult to avoid the appearance of chips and cracks, and other similar defects. Children's toys, constructors and individual elements of the interior can also be made using this cutting technology.

This direction is also characterized by the active use of laser cutting of veneer. Especially when it comes to the production of marquetry, inlays. Many objects in the Hermitage were created using this technology.

1. Packing works, changing the structure of foam rubber and plastic products.

Already few people will be surprised by the packaging made using laser machines. The equipment is convenient in that it can be easily and quickly programmed at any time. No need to be tied to a certain circulation, set up complex lines for supplying materials. The surface is free from creases during non-contact processing. The surface of the drawing looks beautiful.

The width of the processing zone is usually indicated in the first article of the designation of a particular model. When choosing one or another device, one must always remember about the possibility of facing the need to solve non-standard problems. The larger the size of the working area, the greater will be the range of tasks that are set for the workers.

The following factors must be taken into account during operation.

• can be used without creating printing forms, clichés and matrices. Accordingly, there is no need to purchase additional equipment, involve more people in the processing.

Most operations are easily performed at home. As well as the preparation of drawings. It won't be hard to cut them.

This also saves time spent on prepress processing. The production process is accelerating, the performance of any installation is getting better.

• Laser technologies are known for the fact that they do not require the use of a large number of materials.

Without the laser itself, engraving is not performed. And the installation is powered by conventional electricity. One laser should be enough for about 20 thousand hours of continuous operation. Intensive operation of one device can last up to 7 years. Even if the cutting is carried out constantly.

• One operator is quite capable of maintaining the plant. The main requirement is the ability to work with graphic programs.
• Products can be produced both in small and single batches. For the design of drawings and their direct production, working files are created in a special program.
• The result of any work is obtaining durable images that are resistant to any external factors. The drawing can be saved for the future.

Laser engraving: more about the technology

When using this technology, it is assumed that the material is removed from the surface of the workpieces by sublimation. The result is achieved due to the action of a focused laser beam on the surface of the material. Power when working cutting for him remains maximum.
The main thing is to correctly manage the installation parameters in order to achieve the desired result. Laser engraving works in many ways on the same principles as a printer. The equipment is as convenient as possible due to the fact that practically not a single step is carried out manually. This is required only when preparing drawings. And in finished form, the image will last as long as possible, without any damage.

Laser cutting plywood "Wood"

Cutting wood with a laser machine

Wood is considered the most beautiful of all materials known to mankind. In addition, wood is an environmentally friendly, safe and higher quality material that has been used since ancient times. It is used in various fields of production, in particular in construction. Wood today produces a wide variety of products that we use both in everyday life and as decorative elements.

Not so long ago, every manipulation: cutting, engraving, burning, was carried out in the old fashioned way - with your own hands. The process was, of course, labor-intensive, but very interesting and exciting. Today, any actions with wood can be performed using laser machines and improvised tools.

The laser has a thermal effect on the tree. By cutting, the machine fuses the edge, thereby protecting the wood from microbes and bacteria, providing a longer service life for the product. Unlike plumbing tools, when working with the equipment, no waste, chips, sawdust occurs, the workpiece or layout is not deformed, and the drawing is fully consistent with the original.

However, each type of wood is processed differently. It all depends on the breed, thickness, humidity, hardness, as well as on the delivery season.

Types of laser machines for plywood

Machine tools with numerical control
Modern CNC laser machines can perfectly cope with blanks from any tree. However, despite its versatility, each model has its own characteristics and characteristics.

• Floor machines
  The working table of the machine can vary from 0.5 meters to 2 meters. Such machines are designed for installation in a specialized room and are used, as a rule, in heavy industries. The machines have a monolithic body, which provides them with the stability of the entire structure, and also effectively reduces the vibration background that occurs during operation. The main purpose of such equipment is cutting, engraving, cutting wood.
• Desktop machines
  A small layout that does not require installation in the production room. Ideal for processing at home or within the walls of a small office. An excellent optical system allows you to cope with high-quality cutting and decorating workpieces.
• Compact machines
  With your own hands, using a marker, you can apply decorative elements to various bulk products (pens, key rings, jewelry, any layout, etc.), while each detail will be clearly visible, and the pattern will be durable. This feature is achieved due to the special design of the marker with a high-tech optical system.

Principle of operation

A model, the workpiece is processed using a beam, which looks like a spot on the surface of the material, the diameter of which is several microns. The beam is formed due to the lens, which is installed at a small distance from the base part of the part.
The beam moves thanks to the drive, which is pre-programmed for the technical parameters of the processed element.
Most often when processing wood are used:

• Gas, with a beam diameter of 10 microns, formed using a gas tube.
• solid state laser. The beam diameter of 1 micron is created using neodymium glass.

Advantages and disadvantages

Modern machines have a lot of advantages:

• High accuracy
  Engraving or cutting with a machine is considered a high-precision process. The thickness of the cut is no more than 2 mm. To cut or engrave with your own hands, you no longer need to exert physical effort and use an improvised tool.
• High efficiency
  The speed of work allows you to minimize the time when performing various amounts of work, which allows you to save energy.
• economy
  This indicator refers to the consumption of materials, and to indicators of energy consumption. Due to the high precision of work, laser cutting machines economically save wood, reducing waste to a minimum.
• Versatility
  In addition to cutting, the machines are capable of carrying out engraving work.

Only one factor can be attributed to the main disadvantage - this is its cost and inaccessibility. Not every amateur can afford to buy such an expensive laser woodworking machine, but everyone can try to do it with their own hands.

Approximate cost for laser cutting services. Prices are indicated in rubles per 1 linear meter of cut. The engraving price is indicated in rubles per 1 square centimeter.

DIY laser machine

As mentioned above, not everyone can afford to purchase laser-based wood equipment, but it is quite possible to make it yourself from improvised materials.

Tool and material for assembly

• laser diode;
• pencil, preferably mechanical;
• radiator, as a cooler;
• optical fiber;
• thermal lubricant;
• type D or 2 AA batteries;
• eye protection.

The most important point in the work is eye protection. Do not, under any circumstances, look into the beam so as not to damage your eyesight.

As for the diode… High power IR diode with 1W output capable of burning any material except metal. The diode should work at 2V with a constant current of 1.7A. Pay attention to the fact that the diodes have different polarity (plus and minus). If the connection is wrong, the diode will simply burn out.

Layout and assembly

We connect the diode to the radiator. For better thermal conductivity, treat with thermal grease. Next, move on to the mechanical pencil. A pencil with a metal body is best suited, which in the future will avoid melting when overheated. We disassemble the pencil, insert an optical fiber into the tip and fix it with epoxy or glue.

For a do-it-yourself laser, it is better to take a thin pencil to fit the size of the optical fiber. We assemble: we insert the optical fiber with the tip back into the pencil and twist it tightly. Thanks to such a simple but quick design, everyone will be able to burn out various patterns with their own hands and engrave on wooden products.

If you have not changed your mind and decided that you simply need a laser machine, then the choice of a particular model must be approached with special responsibility. Study the full information about each model, compare the parameters you need, and only then proceed with the purchase. You can also find information on how to make laser-based equipment with your own hands from an ordinary pencil or an old DVD or CD drive.

Souvenir products made using laser technology appeared on the market relatively recently and in a short time created a separate direction in the souvenir industry.

The market offers the consumer products made of different materials and for various purposes: promotional souvenirs, toys, kitchen utensils, interior items, items with individual design. New laser technologies: engraving on metal, wood, glass allow you to create products for a variety of applications. In this article we will consider the use of lasers when working with plywood.

What are the advantages of laser engraving and cutting plywood?

Laser cutting of plywood provides the maximum accuracy of transferring a given image to the surface of the material. The use of a laser differs from milling in a better cut edge that does not require further processing. A focused laser beam cuts millimeter pattern elements while maintaining the dimension of a given element, which is not available to a cutter. The use of a laser saves material, as there is no waste in the form of sawdust.

Scope of this technology:

2. Manufacture of furniture and decorative interior elements. The use of laser cutting allows you to produce products with high detail, inaccessible when using a metal cutter or cutter.

To understand the technological process of plywood laser cutting, Endurance Laser Lab experts will step by step illustrate all the stages of manufacturing a souvenir product from plywood. Today we will carve a tea house.

Laser-cut blanks for a tea house are often sold in art and needlework stores. Let's see how they are made on equipment from Endurance!

To create a finished product, we will take the following steps:

• Let's create a drawing of a tea house.
• Let's connect the laser engraver.
• Load the drawing into the software for the laser engraver and set the program settings for cutting the material.
• Let's install the material (plywood sheet) in the working field of the Endurance Laser Lab engraver.
• Make sure that the printable area does not extend beyond the plywood sheet.
• Let's start the plywood cutting program.
• Separate the received parts from the base and glue them.

Creating a drawing for laser cutting plywood

To create complex drawings, Endurance laser laboratory experts recommend using the CorelDRAW graphics editor. In the case of the tea house, we will take the finished drawing in the form of a jpg image.

Initially, we planned to make a tea house using the Endurance Makeblock XY 2.0 plotter laser engraver with a wide working area of ​​​​31 by 39 cm. This would allow us to load the drawing in one file and produce all the structural elements in one step.

At the time of writing, the sales department reported that all Makeblock engravers are sold out and they are ready to give us an Endurance DIY desktop laser engraver for the experiment. The working area of ​​this model is 20*20 cm. This meant that we would not be able to fit all the details of our house in the working area of ​​the cutter.

I had to cut the drawing into separate parts and cut them one by one.

Connecting the Endurance DIY laser engraver - step by step instructions

There were no problems here. Devices from Endurance Laser Lab usually work without problems. We load the drawing into the software for the laser engraver and set the program settings for cutting the material.

To work with the Endurance DIY laser engraver, we used the popular CNCC Laseraxe version 2.53. This software has a fairly wide functionality, while it is free. You can download CNCC Laseraxe from our website. The program does not require installation. The interface is somewhat confusing at first glance, but it will not take much time to figure out the program.

1) Run the program and connect to the laser engraver by pressing the Connect button. Then open the drawing with the Open button.

2) We process the picture by pressing the PR button and selecting the upper right picture of the hare.

3) Set the burn time and laser power to the maximum. We press the Advan button.

4) In the changed window, check the setting of the vertical sliders, which should match the picture: the top one - on Outline, the bottom one - on Path/Speed. Then we create g-code by pressing the Create button.

5) The program offers to go to the page with the code. We press "Yes".

6) Before sending the pattern for burning/cutting, we need to check whether the laser is correctly positioned in relation to the material. We put a tick in the WS box. The laser indicates the point from which the engraving/cutting process will begin. We place the material in accordance with the laser point and start the process by pressing the Run button. To cut through the material, you need to start the laser several times manually through the Run button. The harder the material, the more times you need to run the process. We used a soft material - balsa for aircraft models. It took 5 laser runs to cut through 4 mm of balsa.

This is what the finished parts of the house looked like.

And this house turned out after connecting the parts.

Conclusion

We demonstrated laser cutting of plywood and step-by-step production of a souvenir from plywood using Endurance lasers. All the important nuances and subtleties of working with plywood and setting up laser technology cannot be described in one article. Therefore, we have tried to give information about working with plywood in the most general terms, deliberately not touching on the choice of materials, thickness and type of plywood, laser power, etc. A more detailed analysis of work in this direction will be published in separate articles after studying and conducting practical experiments.

For all questions about working with laser technology, you can contact our office. You can also get acquainted with our products and purchase laser equipment there.

Article sponsored by old.EnduranceRobots.com - chatbots, robots, lasers and engravers in Moscow.