Lasercutter lesson

10/7/26

Machine setup

1. Turn the machine on using the key (if not already on)
2. Open the lid with two hands
3. Place material to cut on the bed somewhere
4. Close the lid

Inkscape

1. Open Inkscape
2. File->New document (choose a 40” wide by 30” tall paper size if you’re cutting something bigger than letter sheet)
3. File->Import DXF of interest
   • Method of Scaling: Manual scale
   • SVG Input: Include SVG images as editable object(s) in the current file
4. Select all the geometry and change the stroke thickness for everything to “Hairline”
   • Fill and Stroke–>Stroke style
   • Width: Hairline
5. Prepare a shape for filling (engraving)
   1. Select some geometry (a non-structural shape like circle/hexagon/whatever)
   2. Change its fill color to any color; this will be etched but not through-cut
   3. Change its stroke paint to “none”
6. Prepare your text for engraving around the edge
   1. Select the text
   2. Change its stroke paint to any color other than black
7. Send your file to the Epilog software
   1. File->Print
   2. Printer selection should be “Epilog Engraver”
   3. Click “Print”

“Epilog Dashboard” software

1. Make sure that “Machine” selected at the top is the laser you’re working on (1, 2, or 3)
2. Zoom out to find your cut geometry, which may be below the bed
3. Drag that geometry using the up/down/left/right arrow tool. Place it where you want it to be cut on your material.
4. Set Auto Focus to “Plunger”
5. Set power/speed settings for all three layers
   1. For “engrave” layer (should be your shape)
      1. Click on “Import Material Settings”
      2. Select appropriate engrave setting for your material and desired resolution
   2. “Vector” layer must be separated by color. Click on that layer to expand the view, and click “Split by: Color”
   3. For geometry you will “etch” but not cut all the way through
      1. Click on “Import Material Settings”
      2. Select the correct cut setting for your material (even though you’re not cutting it)
      3. Click to expand view of specific settings for the etch layer
      4. Turn the speed up (perhaps to ~100%)
      5. Turn the power down (perhaps to ~20%)
   4. For geometry you will cut
      1. Click on “Import Material Settings”
      2. Select the correct cut setting for your material
6. Click “Print.” This sends the file to the lasercutter.

Back to the machine

1. Switch auxiliary exhaust ventilation fans on
2. Press play/pause button to begin cut
3. Press play/pause button again to pause cut at some point after it’s begun
4. Press play/pause button a third time to resume and finish cut
5. Once it’s done, open the lid and hold the uncut material down so it doesn’t move, and jiggle the cutout to make sure it’s free
6. If it’s free, you’re done. If it didn’t cut all the way through, run the cut a second time without moving the material
7. Shut off the exhaust ventilation fans