Laser cutting/CAD question
01-23-2011, 07:33 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Crestview,
FL
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Laser cutting/CAD question
Howdy,
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a "notch" do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
I have just about got a file ready to go for the laser, just need to notch them so they stay put.
Someone on here awhile back emailed me a "low wing trainer" plan that looks great I made quite a few changes and I have enlarged it to 73" wingspan for a 91 fourstroke I have, if it works good on the laser I will share the plans.
Thanks
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a "notch" do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
I have just about got a file ready to go for the laser, just need to notch them so they stay put.
Someone on here awhile back emailed me a "low wing trainer" plan that looks great I made quite a few changes and I have enlarged it to 73" wingspan for a 91 fourstroke I have, if it works good on the laser I will share the plans.
Thanks
01-23-2011, 08:07 PM
#2
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
ORIGINAL: weskel
Howdy,
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a ''notch'' do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
I have just about got a file ready to go for the laser, just need to notch them so they stay put.
Someone on here awhile back emailed me a ''low wing trainer'' plan that looks great I made quite a few changes and I have enlarged it to 73'' wingspan for a 91 fourstroke I have, if it works good on the laser I will share the plans.
Thanks
Howdy,
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a ''notch'' do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
I have just about got a file ready to go for the laser, just need to notch them so they stay put.
Someone on here awhile back emailed me a ''low wing trainer'' plan that looks great I made quite a few changes and I have enlarged it to 73'' wingspan for a 91 fourstroke I have, if it works good on the laser I will share the plans.
Thanks
The best cut is with the fastest speed you can cut with, with appropriate power.
Notch size depends on the material, 0.1 for balsa ,.05 for ply, also depends on the speed of cutting for small notch's at high power . just have to experiment
Remember that wood purchased in volume will have a lot of variability so again be ready to experiment
Bob
01-23-2011, 09:07 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
You could try turning the DWG files into DXF files, then cut and paste the parts back into a DWG file, then purge the drawing as this gets rid of a lot of unnecessary background detail. Not sure if it affects the order they were drawn. I would think that the laser cutter software (as opposed to the CAD software) is where you would set what order the parts are cut.
As for the tab length, I reckon the smaller the better. Around 1 mm should suffice, but I guess it depends on how many you put on each part. Locate the tabs on straight(ish) sections of the part to make it easier to cut through them with a knife.
As for the tab length, I reckon the smaller the better. Around 1 mm should suffice, but I guess it depends on how many you put on each part. Locate the tabs on straight(ish) sections of the part to make it easier to cut through them with a knife.
01-24-2011, 04:56 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Crestview,
FL
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
Thanks for all the great info guys, I have ordered all my wood last night for the build, hopefully I will be attempting the cutting this week.
I will keep you posted.
I will keep you posted.
01-24-2011, 06:57 AM
#6
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
In Corel, you can open up the object manager and re-order the drawings by draging the individual curves up and down in the list. I would guess that the lowest curves are cut first. I don't know the effects are of grouping, but it may be possible to group some items together and move the order of the group. For example, you can group all lightening holes together and move the group to the bottom of the list, so they will be cut first. This is like using the arrange to back function. Sounds like the laser is cutting in the order of back to front.
Scott
Scott
01-26-2011, 10:42 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Crestview,
FL
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
Thanks Limeybob, that is exactly what I was looking for, the thickest I will cutting in ply is 1/8" and the thickest balsa will be 3/8" I guess for the 3/8 balsa I should probably run 100% power and 50% speed.
Thanks again
Thanks again
01-26-2011, 10:48 AM
#10
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
ORIGINAL: weskel
Thanks Limeybob, that is exactly what I was looking for, the thickest I will cutting in ply is 1/8'' and the thickest balsa will be 3/8'' I guess for the 3/8 balsa I should probably run 100% power and 50% speed.
Thanks again
Thanks Limeybob, that is exactly what I was looking for, the thickest I will cutting in ply is 1/8'' and the thickest balsa will be 3/8'' I guess for the 3/8 balsa I should probably run 100% power and 50% speed.
Thanks again
Bob
01-26-2011, 11:48 AM
#13
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
ORIGINAL: weskel
Have you ever tried stackign two sheets of 1/8'' balsa on top of each other so you could them twice as fast?
Have you ever tried stackign two sheets of 1/8'' balsa on top of each other so you could them twice as fast?
FYI, don't cut over the laser's metal base, the laser will smoke the bottom of the sheet and discolor the metal.
I use a multi point support system I made myself.
bob
01-26-2011, 05:47 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Crestview,
FL
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
Well I played around with the laser a little tonight, and ran into a couple problems.
I opened my dwg file in corel draw X4 and when i tried to test cut some pieces some of them would cut and others wouldnt.
The only thing I noticed is when I had one of the ones that did cut on the screen (in cutting position) it showed a box with i think line thickness and they showed "fine line".
Any of the parts that showed "fine line" would cut, and any of the others would not, I would send it to the laser and when I tell it to run it would just beep and nothing showed up on print preview.
I looked all over for some setting to bring up the option of "fine line" but couldnt find anything.
I even loaded a dxf of the plan, still no-joy.
Any help would be appreciated.
I opened my dwg file in corel draw X4 and when i tried to test cut some pieces some of them would cut and others wouldnt.
The only thing I noticed is when I had one of the ones that did cut on the screen (in cutting position) it showed a box with i think line thickness and they showed "fine line".
Any of the parts that showed "fine line" would cut, and any of the others would not, I would send it to the laser and when I tell it to run it would just beep and nothing showed up on print preview.
I looked all over for some setting to bring up the option of "fine line" but couldnt find anything.
I even loaded a dxf of the plan, still no-joy.
Any help would be appreciated.
01-26-2011, 06:52 PM
#17
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
ORIGINAL: weskel
Well I played around with the laser a little tonight, and ran into a couple problems.
I opened my dwg file in corel draw X4 and when i tried to test cut some pieces some of them would cut and others wouldnt.
The only thing I noticed is when I had one of the ones that did cut on the screen (in cutting position) it showed a box with i think line thickness and they showed ''fine line''.
Any of the parts that showed ''fine line'' would cut, and any of the others would not, I would send it to the laser and when I tell it to run it would just beep and nothing showed up on print preview.
I looked all over for some setting to bring up the option of ''fine line'' but couldnt find anything.
I even loaded a dxf of the plan, still no-joy.
Any help would be appreciated.
Well I played around with the laser a little tonight, and ran into a couple problems.
I opened my dwg file in corel draw X4 and when i tried to test cut some pieces some of them would cut and others wouldnt.
The only thing I noticed is when I had one of the ones that did cut on the screen (in cutting position) it showed a box with i think line thickness and they showed ''fine line''.
Any of the parts that showed ''fine line'' would cut, and any of the others would not, I would send it to the laser and when I tell it to run it would just beep and nothing showed up on print preview.
I looked all over for some setting to bring up the option of ''fine line'' but couldnt find anything.
I even loaded a dxf of the plan, still no-joy.
Any help would be appreciated.
bob
01-27-2011, 04:45 AM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Crestview,
FL
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
I found the setting last night to change the entire drawing to "hairline", I will test it out tonight.
And the P edit did work perfect, thanks
And the P edit did work perfect, thanks
01-29-2011, 04:17 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: A salty piece of land,
CT
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
Hi Weskel, I just finished putting the Zing 24 laser cutter by Epilog through its paces and it will be reviewed shortly in Model Airplane News. I have an online review article on the MAN site you can see here: http://tinyurl.com/4lmqyf7
I think there is a setting in one of the dashboard driver screens that allows you to set the cut order. You check the "Vector Sorting" and then select "Optimize" I bet that will make the cut process much smoother. I think it overides ther CAD's line drawing order. Also, this is a 40Watt unit and I have a complete cut power/speed chart in the online article so you can see what materials take what setting to cut cleanly with a minimum of charring. Since you have an 80watt unit, i would say your setting would be half the power or twice the speed settings of the 40watt unit! You are a luck y guy to have an Epilog to play with at work!
GY
I think there is a setting in one of the dashboard driver screens that allows you to set the cut order. You check the "Vector Sorting" and then select "Optimize" I bet that will make the cut process much smoother. I think it overides ther CAD's line drawing order. Also, this is a 40Watt unit and I have a complete cut power/speed chart in the online article so you can see what materials take what setting to cut cleanly with a minimum of charring. Since you have an 80watt unit, i would say your setting would be half the power or twice the speed settings of the 40watt unit! You are a luck y guy to have an Epilog to play with at work!
GY
01-29-2011, 04:29 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: A salty piece of land,
CT
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
As for the Epilog not cutting some lines, I do believe that you have to set the line thickness to .001 . anything over that thickness will engrave as a raster but not a vector line. In the Color Mapping dashboard, you can adjust and assign the colors and the power setting and speed. Be sure to check the vector, rastor (or Both) for combination jobs. I use a CAD program called Graphite from Ashlar. it works great. In the first dashboard "General" you set the page size "Cut window" and I entered the size of the table 12x24 inches for the Zing 24. Placing the parts anywhere in the windows does the trick. The Zing is also equipped with the Vector cutting grid which helps "suck" think materials down flap if you cover up the rest of the grid with ordinary sheets of paper. I have even cut out MonoKote stick on trim material (100% speed, 5% power) without cutting through the backing paper. very cool for making decals!
GY
[image http://images.rcuniverse.com/gallery.../lg-216251.jpg image]
GY
[image http://images.rcuniverse.com/gallery.../lg-216251.jpg image]
03-10-2011, 09:00 PM
#22
My Feedback: (32)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Marana,
AZ
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
Nice review! I have a 40 watt that I use in my cutting/engraving business - absolutely love it!
I was wondering about the trim sheets, but hadn't gotten around to trying it yet - thanks for the tip!
By the way, once the cutting grid gets really yucky with burnt wood residue, you can clean it with spray oven cleaner. Works great, and is easier to get (and cheaper)than the Zep stuff the manual reccomends. I usually take the metal grid out of the box to do this, so as not to mess up the foam gaskets for the air vent.
I was wondering about the trim sheets, but hadn't gotten around to trying it yet - thanks for the tip!
By the way, once the cutting grid gets really yucky with burnt wood residue, you can clean it with spray oven cleaner. Works great, and is easier to get (and cheaper)than the Zep stuff the manual reccomends. I usually take the metal grid out of the box to do this, so as not to mess up the foam gaskets for the air vent.
03-11-2011, 08:40 AM
#23
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Laser cutting/CAD question
ORIGINAL: weskel
Howdy,
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a ''notch'' do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
Thanks
Howdy,
I have been playing around with an Epilog laser we have at work. I took a couple ribs I had drawn in Autocad 2008 to use for testing.
First the laser does a awsome job on balsa and light ply, cutting very nicely. The first question I have is there a way in Autocad or Corel draw X4 (we use the corel draw program for the actual engraving/cutting) to make the order in which it cuts the lines to flow smoothly. To explain a little better the laser will cut the lines in the order they were drawn, this can be very inefficiant, for example it may cut a line on the leading edge of one rib then jump to another rib cut a little and then return to the first rib and cut some more, etc.
There has to be a command or function in auto cad or corel to make it flow nicely.
Also, to you Epilog laser guys, I have at my disposal a 75 Watt epilaser, what power and speed settings have you found to be the best for overall quality?
One more question, when setting up files for cutting how big of a ''notch'' do you put on your parts to hold them in the wood frame so all the pieces dont fall out?
Thanks
As to cutting the balsa versus plywood situation. I use .035" for all plywood and .060" for balsa, no matter what thickness. Over 3/8" thick and different story, as the wood may catch fire.
Am runing off of a 100 watter Kern laser with double optics to cut two sheets at same time.
Wm.
