Preparing Laser Cutting Files in Rhino: Difference between revisions

From DBE Makers
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
No edit summary
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
= <big>Rhino Laser Cutting Guide</big> =
== Choose your laser cutter ==
===  <big>1. Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.</big> ===
Choose the right laser cutter for your material type and size. See more detailed information at [[Laser Cutting]].
[[File:Laser_Cutters.jpg|300x300px|right|frameless]]
<div class="noresize">
'''TROTEC SPEEDY 400'''
=== Trotec SP500 ===
Maximum material size: 1245 x 710mm


Located in the Digital Modelling Room (Room 160, Building 202)
Materials: Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)


'''Maximum material size:''' 900mm x 600mm x 12.7mm
Location: DBE Makerspace, building 418


'''Can cut:''' Strawboard,  Plywood,  Acrylic, Leather , Potentially other materials upon request
=== Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx ===
Maximum material size: 1000 x 610mm


Materials: Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, polypropylene, fabrics, and other materials


Location: Digital Modelling Workshop, building 202
</div>
== Download the template ==
[[:Media:RhinoLasercutTemplate-V2.zip|Download the Rhino laser cutting template]].


This is a zip archive containing a 3dm. On Mac, double-click the zip file to extract it. On Windows, right-click and select Extract all... to extract it.


'''TROTEC SP500'''
== Job setup ==


Located in the DBE Makerspace (Room 114, Building 418)
=== Import your work ===
Import your work into the template.


'''Maximum material size:''' 1245mm x 710mm x 12.7mm
Check that your work is at the appropriate scale. For example, if you need to make a model at 1:100 scale, scale down your work by 0.01. If you're having trouble with scale, try a [https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html scale converter].


'''Can cut:''' Strawboard,  Plywood
=== Choose material size ===
Choose an appropriate material size for your work. Use the ''layers'' panel to hide unused layers for other material sizes.


=== Nest objects ===
Move elements to fit within the boundaries of your chosen material size. If you need to use multiple sheets, make a copy of the material boundary to prepare separate sheets. Hide any layers for sheet sizes that you aren't using.


Arrange the parts of your design inside this boundary, close together, and favouring the left side. This saves money and reduces material waste. 


Make sure to keep at least 5mm from the edge of your material, and at least 1mm between shapes. This allows latent heat to disperse from your material, preventing charring and the risk of fires.


=== <big>2. Download the template</big> ===
<div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_Nesting.png|center]]
[[Media:Rhino Lasercut Template V1.1.zip|Rhino Laser cutting templates (3dm)]]
=== Assign layers ===
Layers are pre-set in the template. Assign parts of your design into the appropriate layers:


# Select the element or elements to assign; for example, select all the curves you plan to cut, or the hatches you want to raster engrave.
# In the ''layers'' panel, right-click the appropriate layer (e.g. Cut or Raster engrave).
# Click ''change object layer.''


<div class="res-img">[[File:26-09-17-ChangeObjectLayer.png|center]]</div>


=== Line weights ===
</div>Line weights have been pre-set in the template. If you're not using the template, or you've added extra layers, set the following in the ''layers'' panel:


# Set ''Print width'' to ''hairline''
# Set ''Line type'' to ''continuous''


=== Remove duplicated lines ===
Check for any duplicated lines. To remove duplicate lines in Rhino:


# Select your work and the material boundary.
# Use the ''Make2D'' command, and input the settings shown in the ''2-D Drawing Options'' panel below.
# ''Make2D'' will make its own layer group. You should ''Hide'' or ''Delete'' the original layer group to avoid duplicates.


<div class="res-img">[[File:Make2D_settings.png|center]]</div>


=== <big>3. Job Setup</big> ===
=== Explode and join hatches and text ===
'''<big>Import your work into the template</big>'''
For all text and line-based pattern hatches:
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = info
| text = '''Ensure that your objects are at the appropriate scale.'''
The Laser Cutter cuts at 1:1 scale.
For example, if you need your models at 1:100,
they should be scaled down by 0.01.


'''Having trouble with Scale  {{!}}  Try a scale converter:'''
# Use the ''Explode'' command
https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html
# Use the ''Join'' command__NOEDITSECTION__
}}


Do not explode solid hatches.


== Export to PDF ==


'''<big>Layers</big>'''
# Click ''File,'' then ''Print'', or type in ''Print'' into the command line. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_1.jpg|center]]</div>
 
# Under ''Destination'', select ''Rhino PDF.'' Under ''Size'', scroll down to select ''Custom''. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_2.jpg|center]]</div>
{{Note
# Set ''Width'' and ''Height'' to match your selected material size, making sure units are set to millimetres.
| inline = 1
# Select the following: Output Type: ''Vector Output'', Output Color: ''Display Color.''
| type = info
# Under ''View'' and ''Output Scale'', select ''Window'' and click ''Set''. This will return you to the view of your work. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_3.jpg|center|600x600px]]</div>
| text = Layers are pre-set in the template for the different machines. You should hide or delete any layers you don't need.
# Select the area to print by selecting the corners of the rectangle that matches your material sheet size.<div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_4.jpg|center|900x900px]]</div>{{Note
}}
 
Assign parts of your design into the appropriate layers.
 
Select the desired element - '''Right click the layer''' e.g. RASTOR ENGRAVE, VECTOR ENGRAVE, FILL or CUT.
 
In the dropdown menu choose '''change object layer.'''
 
 
 
 
 
'''<big>Nesting</big>'''
 
Move elements to fit within the boundaries of your chosen material size. If you need to use multiple sheets, make a copy of the material boundary to prepare separate sheets.
 
Arrange the parts of your design inside this boundary, favouring the left side. Saves money and reduces material waste.
 
Nest your design, placing each element close together (2mm minimum distance between parts) or if possible, sharing cut lines.
 
[[File:Rhino Nesting.png|frameless|700x700px]]
 
 
 
'''<big>Line weight</big>'''
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = info
| text = This is pre-set in the template
}}
In the '''Layers''' panel:
 
Set Print width to '''Hairline.'''
 
Set Line type to '''Continuous.'''
 
 
 
'''<big>Remove duplicate lines</big>'''
 
To remove duplicate lines in Rhino.
 
a) Select your work and the material boundary.
 
b) use the '''Make2D''' command and use these settings.
 
[[File:Make2D settings.png|frameless|450x450px]]
 
c) Make2D will make its own layer group. You should '''Hide''' or '''Delete''' the original layer group to avoid duplicates.
 
 
 
'''<big>Explode</big>'''
 
Use the '''EXPLODE''' command on text and line based pattern hatches.
 
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| text = Do not explode solid hatches
}}__NOEDITSECTION__
 
Then use the '''Join''' command to reduce the number of lines.
 
 
=== 4. PDF Export (Windows and Mac) ===
1) Go to File and select Print, or type in Print into the Command Line.
 
[[File:Rhino PDF 1.jpg|frameless]]
 
 
 
2) Under Destination, select '''Rhino PDF.''' Under Size, scroll down to select '''Custom.'''
 
[[File:Rhino PDF 2.jpg|frameless|400x400px]]
 
 
 
3) Set Width and Height to match selected material size.
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| text = Make sure Units are set to Millimetres
}}
Make sure that the following are selected: Output Type: '''Vector Output''', Output Color: '''Display Color.'''
 
Under View and Output Scale, select '''Window''' and click on '''Set''' which will bring you back into the model page.
 
[[File:Rhino PDF 3.jpg|frameless|600x600px]]
 
 
 
4) In the model page, select the area to print, which should be the rectangle that has been previously set up to match the selected material sheet size.
{{Note
| inline = 1
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| type = warn
| text = If you are using multiple sheets, only select one and repeat the PDF export for each sheet.
| text = If you are using multiple sheets, only select one and repeat the PDF export for each sheet.
}}
}}
Press '''Enter''' to go back to the Print window.
# Press ''Enter'' to go back to the Print window.  
 
# In the Print window, set ''Scale'' to ''1:1''. Set ''Margins'' to ''0.00''.
[[File:Rhino PDF 4.jpg|frameless|900x900px]]
# Click ''Print'' to finish and save file as PDF. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_5.jpg|center]]</div>
 
[[Category:Laser cutting]]
 
 
5) Back in the Print window, make sure that scale is set to '''1:1'''
 
All Margins should be set to '''0.00'''
 
Select '''Print''' to finish and save file as PDF.
 
[[File:Rhino PDF 5.jpg|frameless|600x600px]]

Latest revision as of 15:45, 18 September 2026

Choose your laser cutter

Choose the right laser cutter for your material type and size. See more detailed information at Laser Cutting.

Trotec SP500

Maximum material size: 1245 x 710mm

Materials: Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)

Location: DBE Makerspace, building 418

Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx

Maximum material size: 1000 x 610mm

Materials: Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, polypropylene, fabrics, and other materials

Location: Digital Modelling Workshop, building 202

Download the template

Download the Rhino laser cutting template.

This is a zip archive containing a 3dm. On Mac, double-click the zip file to extract it. On Windows, right-click and select Extract all... to extract it.

Job setup

Import your work

Import your work into the template.

Check that your work is at the appropriate scale. For example, if you need to make a model at 1:100 scale, scale down your work by 0.01. If you're having trouble with scale, try a scale converter.

Choose material size

Choose an appropriate material size for your work. Use the layers panel to hide unused layers for other material sizes.

Nest objects

Move elements to fit within the boundaries of your chosen material size. If you need to use multiple sheets, make a copy of the material boundary to prepare separate sheets. Hide any layers for sheet sizes that you aren't using.

Arrange the parts of your design inside this boundary, close together, and favouring the left side. This saves money and reduces material waste.

Make sure to keep at least 5mm from the edge of your material, and at least 1mm between shapes. This allows latent heat to disperse from your material, preventing charring and the risk of fires.

Assign layers

Layers are pre-set in the template. Assign parts of your design into the appropriate layers:

  1. Select the element or elements to assign; for example, select all the curves you plan to cut, or the hatches you want to raster engrave.
  2. In the layers panel, right-click the appropriate layer (e.g. Cut or Raster engrave).
  3. Click change object layer.

Line weights

Line weights have been pre-set in the template. If you're not using the template, or you've added extra layers, set the following in the layers panel:

  1. Set Print width to hairline
  2. Set Line type to continuous

Remove duplicated lines

Check for any duplicated lines. To remove duplicate lines in Rhino:

  1. Select your work and the material boundary.
  2. Use the Make2D command, and input the settings shown in the 2-D Drawing Options panel below.
  3. Make2D will make its own layer group. You should Hide or Delete the original layer group to avoid duplicates.

Explode and join hatches and text

For all text and line-based pattern hatches:

  1. Use the Explode command
  2. Use the Join command

Do not explode solid hatches.

Export to PDF

  1. Click File, then Print, or type in Print into the command line.
  2. Under Destination, select Rhino PDF. Under Size, scroll down to select Custom.
  3. Set Width and Height to match your selected material size, making sure units are set to millimetres.
  4. Select the following: Output Type: Vector Output, Output Color: Display Color.
  5. Under View and Output Scale, select Window and click Set. This will return you to the view of your work.
  6. Select the area to print by selecting the corners of the rectangle that matches your material sheet size.
    If you are using multiple sheets, only select one and repeat the PDF export for each sheet.
  7. Press Enter to go back to the Print window.
  8. In the Print window, set Scale to 1:1. Set Margins to 0.00.
  9. Click Print to finish and save file as PDF.
Retrieved from "https://www.dbemakers.com:443/index.php?title=Preparing_Laser_Cutting_Files_in_Rhino&oldid=805"