Laser Cutting

What Is It?

Laser cutting is a manufacturing process that uses a high-powered laser beam to cut, engrave, or etch materials into specific shapes or designs. This process is controlled by a computer and is often used on materials like wood, metal, plastic, and fabric. The laser precisely follows a digital design, allowing for intricate and accurate cuts and engravings.

WHAT CAN A LASER CUTTER DO?

Cut

The laser cutter directs the beam of a laser to burn through the material in whatever pattern you design

Etch

The laser cutter can decrease the laser power to burn the surface of the material, but not cut through

Laser Cut

Laser Etched

MATERIALS

Cardboard  3/16” 

Ensure it is laying flat

Cardstock Paper  60lb or thicker 

Be careful to watch while cutting

Plywood & Hardwood  1/8" or thinner  

Baltic Birch plywood is best

Acrylic  1/8" or thinner  

Don’t cut any other types of plastics

Leather  1/8" or thinner  

Ensure it is laying flat

Glass and Metal  Etching only

Cannot cut through

Laser Cutting

Student Work

The "Klutz" Robot

Lottery Pig

Rivalship

NuVu Tool(box)

3D Printing

What Is It?

3D printing is a manufacturing process where a digital model is turned into a physical object by adding material layer by layer. This process is controlled by a computer and commonly uses materials like plastic, metal, or resin to create a wide range of objects, from prototypes and tools to final products.

3D Printing

Considerations

Build Volume

Support Material

Infill Percentage

Layer Orientation & Resolution

Part Orientation

Slip-Cast Ceramic

Zoom Widgets

Open-Source VR Headset

Polar Bear Cake

3D Printing

Student Work

3D Printing

Laser Cutting

Can create more complex parts

Low cost & less waste

Huge support community

Generally slower than laser cutting

Post processing may be required

More experience needed to 3D model parts

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Extremely fast & precise

Can quickly etch details

Material range

Requires active ventilation

Higher cost

Less community support

VS

Tinkercad

TinkerCAD

2D Export

Click TOP to look straight down at the workplane because we will be designing for 2D cutting

Click Flat View

to look straight down at the workplane also

Click Export

when you are done designing and select SVG as your file type to laser cut

Laser Cut Workflow

TinkerCAD

3D Export

Click Export

when you are done designing and select STL as your file type

3D Printing

Slicer Workflow

2 MINUTE TINKERCAD BEGINNER TUTORIAL

Activity

1. Use different shapes to create an abstract form in 3D!
2. For example, look at the image ->
3. Unfold the 3D form to make it 2D so you can laser cut some pieces to then build out
4. Once you have the different parts, laser cut your pieces.
5. Reflect: how close is it to your 3D model on TinkerCAD?