Full Version: Lasering multiples at once

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#1] 9 Sep 2006

Adding to the last post.

Click on the background page and the toolbar will show an offset set of parameters. Set X to something more than the width of the tool. If the tool is 1.25" set it to something convenient like 1.5". Set Y to 0.00.

After the first image of the tool is in place use Ctrl-D to duplicate it at that distance. Follow the instructions in the previous post to make the template and set up the engraving.

Doing them horizontally will save a lot of time rather than vertically in the engraving. Again the acceleration/deceleration time.

EDITED: 9 Sep 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY


From: bobkat [#4]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#1] 9 Sep 2006

Here's the short answer...no. Even if you could stack them vertically, you would have to re-focus as each piece was done.

From: Webquest [#5]
 9 Sep 2006
To: bobkat [#4] 9 Sep 2006

Wow. Now you've REALLY lost me! :-$ 

Why would you have to re-focus? Wouldn't the focus be the same regardless of where on the flat table the item is located?


From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#5] 9 Sep 2006

Your reference to stacking vertically, sounded as if the pieces are placed on top of each other, like a stack of CDs.

That's the way I originally understood it.

We know that's not the case, but if it were, refocusing would be necessary for each piece.

EDITED: 9 Sep 2006 by DGL


From: Webquest [#7]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 9 Sep 2006

Sorry about that!

I meant vertically down the tray, versus horizontally across. I may be somewhat inept, but I wouldn't try to stack them!


From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#7] 9 Sep 2006

:-) 

From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#9]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 9 Sep 2006

quote:
refocusing would be necessary for each piece


Yes, but, depending on the laser and controlling software, that could be done 'automagically' without user intervention.

From: bluepaw [#10]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3] 9 Sep 2006

You know I have been copying and pasteing for years and never thought to check for a better way. I do this almost every day. I guess the saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks is not true since you just taught me one that will save a great deal of time (and I am definitly and old dog).
Thanks Harvey,
Bill


From: bobkat [#11]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3] 9 Sep 2006

quote:
Doing them horizontally will save a lot of time rather than vertically in the engraving. Again the acceleration/deceleration time


That entirely depends on the size of the engraving in relation to the size of the piece. If you have a small engraving in the center of a large piece, you are better off to engrave them one at a time, than several at once across the page (along the X axis). Crossing over large areas of the page with no engraving is often worse than the accel/decel problem. You might also find that a speed of 75% is actually faster than a speed of 100% due to over-travel of the optics past the engraved area.

From: bobkat [#12]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#5] Unread

You would be surprised what some people will try!

After reading the other posts, I realize that "vertical" (as in z axis) is not what was meant. One at a time engraving can be accomplished in multiples by arranging the artwork in a line in the Y axis. Use the transform command, and you can make as many as you need in the x or y axis. You must make the page size the same as your table size. If you have a laser like my last one (from the company which will remain nameless), and you make a template, by the time you need to use it again, your home position has changed, rendering your template useless. To avoid templates altogether, put paper or cardboard on your table and lightly scribe your part locations on it, place your parts in the outlines and laser them; they will be spot-on. This also helps if the parts vary slightly, you can "eyeball" them to get them centered properly.


From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#13]
 9 Sep 2006
To: Webquest [#1] Unread

For a one time template, scan the object you want to engrave, trace it to vector, size your page in corel to your table size, arrange as many items on the page as you want, cover the table with transfer tape, take the table out of focus at least 1/4" and at low power, vector cut the tape. With the table being that far out of focus, you should get a good outline of the object without burning through the tape.

You might want to test your setting on just one item.

Hope this didn't confuse you more.

Dave

From: logojohn [#14]
 9 Sep 2006
To: ALL

There is a macro in the coreldraw macros folder.

It is called copy XY and will duplicate selected text/objects and you can enter the x and y offset amounts to match the layout to how they are placed in the laser.

quote:
Crossing over large areas of the page with no engraving is often worse than the accel/decel problem. You might also find that a speed of 75% is actually faster than a speed of 100% due to over-travel of the optics past the engraved area.

Didn't see the brand of laser you have. Some have a box you can check that says laser as individual lines. You can set up several pieces but it will
laser each line individually so won't travel across the blank space between items.
.

EDITED: 9 Sep 2006 by LOGOJOHN


From: Laser Image (LASERIMAGE) [#15]
 9 Sep 2006
To: ALL

Wouldn't step and repeat work as well?

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