Rhino Laser Cutting Guide

1. Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.

TROTEC SPEEDY 400

Located in the Digital Modelling Room (Room 160, Building 202)

Maximum material size: 900mm x 600mm x 12.7mm

Can cut: Strawboard, Plywood, Acrylic, Leather , Potentially other materials upon request

TROTEC SP500

Located in the DBE Makerspace (Room 114, Building 418)

Maximum material size: 1245mm x 710mm x 12.7mm

Can cut: Strawboard, Plywood

2. Download the template

Rhino Laser cutting templates (3dm)

3. Job Setup

Import your work into the template

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:

https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html

Layers

Layers are pre-set in the template for the different machines. You should delete any layers you don't need.

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

Nesting

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.

Line weight

This is pre-set in the template

In the Layers panel:

Set Print width to Hairline

Set Line type to Continuous

Remove duplicate lines

To remove suplicate lines in Rhino

a) Select all

b) use the Make2D command

SelDup - will delete duplicate lines

Curve Boolean – will delete duplicate lines & join shapes not a single polyline.