Truss Buss

Basics of Vector Graphics and Laser Cutting

• Vector graphics are essential for precise lines and shapes in designs, especially for applications like laser cutting.

• The vector path determines how the laser will move; it follows the drawn lines without scanning like traditional printers.

How Laser Cutting Works

• Laser cutting focuses a beam through a lens, creating a narrow, intense focal point similar to using a magnifying glass.

• Combined energy leads to cutting materials through burning or vaporization.

• Paths created in vector graphics directly influence the outcome of the cut.

Laser Beam Characteristics

• The beam converges to a focal point, allowing for concentrated energy delivery. This convergence greatly affects cutting effectiveness:

  • Focused on the material: effective cutting occurs.

  • Focused above the material: ineffective or damage (frosted edges, charring).

  • Not reaching the material: no cutting results.

Cut Quality and Material Thickness

• As material thickness increases, divergence of the beam occurs, leading to conic walls and imperfect perpendicular cuts.

• Non-coplanar surfaces may experience weak glue joints due to ash or soot leftover from cutting, impairing adhesion.

• Preparing surfaces before gluing (sanding or cleaning off ash) is crucial for strong joints.

Focus Adjustment for Thickness

• Adjusting the focus may be necessary for different material thicknesses:

  • Thinner materials: focus near or at the surface.

  • Thicker materials: focus may need adjustments at both surface and mid-level to optimize the cut.

Efficiency in Laser Cutting

• Combining lines and optimizing layouts can significantly save material and cutting time:

  • Overlapping paths can lead to redundant cuts if not merged correctly.

  • Manual organization of cuts can lead to time savings compared to automatic layouts.

• Example findings show:

  • Manual layout reduced cut time from 33:18 to 21:48 minutes.

  • Automatic layout, although efficient, didn’t outperform manual organization significantly.

Software for Vector Graphics

• Popular software like Adobe Illustrator is commonly used for creating vector graphics:

  • Ensure paths are created as vectors and not rasterized for effective recognition by cutting software.

  • Path thickness should be optimized to aid software recognition during laser setups.

  • It’s important to check if paths are recognized as vectors (indicated by dotted lines) when importing into laser software.

Note on Using Fonts in Designs

• Using monoline fonts may complicate designs as they result in two lines instead of a single path.

• Simplifying paths through software tools (e.g., Pathfinder in Illustrator) can help create clean cuts by ensuring only one line is present for laser cutting.