Laser Cutting Advice Requested
07-25-2010, 03:33 PM
#1
Laser Cutting Advice Requested
Gentlemen:
I am in the process of producing a laser cut kit for sale. The laser cutter has suggested cutting all parts free from the balsa sheet and bagging the parts instead of leaving the parts attached with tabs to the sheets. Most laser cut kits I have experience with have the parts attached to the sheets but I must admit that having the parts already detached sounds good.
Which do you prefer and why?
Thanks to all in advance for your help.
I am in the process of producing a laser cut kit for sale. The laser cutter has suggested cutting all parts free from the balsa sheet and bagging the parts instead of leaving the parts attached with tabs to the sheets. Most laser cut kits I have experience with have the parts attached to the sheets but I must admit that having the parts already detached sounds good.
Which do you prefer and why?
Thanks to all in advance for your help.
07-25-2010, 04:12 PM
#2
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
Having the parts cut out and bagged would save some time for the builder. On the other hand, it's nice to get the sheets so you can make use of the extra wood in the build. I'd rather have the extra wood.
07-25-2010, 04:31 PM
#3
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
Depending on the complexity of the kit, and how many laser cut parts, having them in the sheet, with the sheet numbered, and the parts numbered or named, is the easiest way to identify the parts, and check before starting the kit that everything is there.
07-25-2010, 04:40 PM
#4
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
I would say having them in the sheets might make it easier to find and organize things. Not as big an issue if you bag by assemblies like all the ribs and wing parts, fin + rudder. etc. You could seperate regular ribs and center ribs by putting them together with rubber bands.
But in the sheets sounds like less work for you.
Tom
But in the sheets sounds like less work for you.
Tom
07-25-2010, 09:25 PM
#5
Senior Member
RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
As a laser cutter myself, I would have the parts left in the sheets with break tabs to hold the parts in.
I have done the cut and bag approach and it really adds to the time to assemble a kit. Instead of checking off a list of 6-10 sheets, you are inventorying what could be hundreds of parts, not only that, the parts would be better protected if left in the sheets. Also, you have the bonus of the builder getting usable scraps and the cutter not having to deal with those scraps.
Later!
I have done the cut and bag approach and it really adds to the time to assemble a kit. Instead of checking off a list of 6-10 sheets, you are inventorying what could be hundreds of parts, not only that, the parts would be better protected if left in the sheets. Also, you have the bonus of the builder getting usable scraps and the cutter not having to deal with those scraps.
Later!
07-25-2010, 10:19 PM
#6
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
ORIGINAL: cwesh
As a laser cutter myself, I would have the parts left in the sheets with break tabs to hold the parts in.
I have done the cut and bag approach and it really adds to the time to assemble a kit. Instead of checking off a list of 6-10 sheets, you are inventorying what could be hundreds of parts, not only that, the parts would be better protected if left in the sheets. Also, you have the bonus of the builder getting usable scraps and the cutter not having to deal with those scraps.
Later!
As a laser cutter myself, I would have the parts left in the sheets with break tabs to hold the parts in.
I have done the cut and bag approach and it really adds to the time to assemble a kit. Instead of checking off a list of 6-10 sheets, you are inventorying what could be hundreds of parts, not only that, the parts would be better protected if left in the sheets. Also, you have the bonus of the builder getting usable scraps and the cutter not having to deal with those scraps.
Later!
07-25-2010, 10:40 PM
#8
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
My laser cuttings are left in the sheet, laser printed ID on sheet and parts, and a ID# to sheet list come with the kit, If you got several hundred parts bagged, even if they are bag per what is to be built it takes about as much time as cutting a few tabs to release a part. PLUS the parts are protected better. There are about 600 pasrts on the dornier Do-24T, for sure some of them would be damaged if bagged!
07-26-2010, 08:54 PM
#10
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RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
ORIGINAL: 049flyer
Thanks to all for the excellent advice.
The kits will have the parts attached to the sheets as advised.
Thanks to all for the excellent advice.
The kits will have the parts attached to the sheets as advised.
07-27-2010, 10:02 PM
#11
Senior Member
RE: Laser Cutting Advice Requested
MSHAY,
As to cutting from paper plans, I don't, I need laser ready CAD files. To cut directly from a scanned plan would not be accurate at all and the time to scan and convert the plan to a proper CAD file would get expensive at commercial hourly rates.....
If you would like more info, PM me.
Later!
As to cutting from paper plans, I don't, I need laser ready CAD files. To cut directly from a scanned plan would not be accurate at all and the time to scan and convert the plan to a proper CAD file would get expensive at commercial hourly rates.....
If you would like more info, PM me.
Later!
