What is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to slice materials. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics

Preferred file formats for lasercutting

  • AutoCAD DXF
  • PDF
  • SVG

    • CorelDraw can be used to check and finalise your cuts.

    Steps In Lasercutting

  • 1) Obtain 2D profile of the object face
  • 2) Export the profile as DXD
  • 3) Import DXF file into CorelDraw to make necessary adjusments
  • 4) Send the profile to the lasercutter and print

    • Softwares to check the layout before importing to CorelDraw

  • LibreCAD
  • InkScape

    • LibreCAD

    LibreCAD is a free computer-aided design application for 2D design. Create a new file, import > block and then select your DXF files. You can then layout your drawings before sending it to CorelDraw.

    InkScape

    Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used to create vector images, primarily in Scalable Vector Graphics format. Other formats can be imported and exported. On Inkscape, select a file size, import your DXF file and choose manual scale when importing the DXF. You can then layout the imported DXF files to how you want it to be before sending it to CoralDraw

    Kerf

    Although our laser is extremely accurate and precise, the laser itself has a thickness, called a “kerf”. Because the laser burns or vaporizes material, the kerf is the thickness of the portion of the material that is lost when the laser cuts through. Adjusments have to be made to make sure the designs are not loose and will fit perfectly. Adjustments that can be made are decreasing the size of the holes and increasing the size of the tabs.