Posted on by P Zach Ali

File Prep

OVERVIEW

This Guide details items and workflows discussed and reviewed during class. The Guide will assist with File Preparation for Project 1, reviewing Options, Settings, and Geometry Prep.

OPTIONS

  1. Begin by setting the correct options. Type OPTIONS into the Command Prompt and press ENTER.Units: Begin by determining the form of measurement you would like to use. Regardless of your selection (Metric or Standard), you should select a Unit that is relative yo your project’s work size. We should be using Inches, or Millimeters.
  2. Grid: Set your Grid Size & Snap to something accommodating.
    1. Inches:
      1. Grid Line Count = 360
      2. Minor Grid Lines = 0.25
      3. Major Grid Lines = 4
      4. Snap Spacing = 0.25
    2. Millimeters:
      1. Grid Line Count = 1500
      2. Minor Grid Lines = 5
      3. Major Grid Lines = 2
      4. Snap Spacing = 5
  3. Snaps: Turn your Grid Snap, and Object Snap ON. The following O-Snaps should be activated:
    1. End
    2. Mid
    3. Cen

LAYOUT

  1. Simulate your workzone, by creating a RECTANGLE that resembles the size of your work area.
    1. RECTANGLE (in)
      1. First Corner = 0,0
      2. Other Corner = 47.2441” x 35.4331”
    2. RECTANGLE (mm)
      1. First Corner = 0,0
      2. Other Corner = 1200mm x 900mm
  2. Simulate your stock by creating a RECTANGLE that resembles the size of your Material.
    1. RECTANGLE (in)
      1. First Corner = 0,0
      2. Other Corner = 12” x 12”
    2. RECTANGLE (mm)
      1. First Corner = 0,0
      2. Other Corner = 305mm x 305mm

ARRANGE

MOVE your Workzone RECTANGLE, from its Center Point, to the Grid Origin Point. (0,0,0)

  1. Select your Workzone RECTANGLE, and place it on its own Layer. Re-title the Layer as ‘WORKZONE’. Lock the Layer.
  2. MOVE your Simulated Stock, from its Center Point to the Grid Origin.
  3. Select your Simulated Stock, and place it on its own Layer. Re-title the Layer as ‘Stock’. Lock the Layer.

CREATE

  1. Create a Large CIRCLE
    1. Center of Circle = 0,0
    2. Diameter = 8” or 205mm
  2. Create a Small CIRCLE
    1. Center of Circle = (0,3”) or (0,76.2mm)
    2. Diameter = 1” or 25.4mm
  3. Select the smaller circle, type ARRAYPOLAR into the Command Prompt
    1. Center = 0,0
    2. Number of Items = 12
    3. Press Enter
    4. SELCIRC and transfer all smaller diameter CIRCLEs to their own layer.
  4. Create TEXT
    1. Height = 1” or 25.4mm
    2. Value = 12
  5. Select your TEXT, and type MOVE into the Command Prompt
    1. MOVE your TEXT from Center Point
    2. MOVE your TEXT to the Center Point of the 12 o’clock Circle
  6.  Duplicate your TEXT and re-number with one of the following options
    1.  ARRAYPOLAR
      1. ARRAYPOLAR your existing TEXT.
      2. Re-number the TEXT by Double-Clicking the TEXT.
    2. COPY
      1. COPY your TEXT from Center Point to Center Point.
      2. Re-number the TEXT by Double-Clicking the TEXT.
    3. TEXT>MOVE
      1. Use the TEXT Command to create new TEXT.
      2. MOVE the new TEXT from Center Point, to Center Point.
  7.  EXPLODE TEXT
    1. Type SELTEXT into the Command Prompt, then EXPLODE your TEXT
  8. Play
    1. Utilize Curve and Polyline Commands to create Cutting and Engraving Geometry for your Clock Face. Make it unique- make it your own!
  9. EXPORT SELECTED
    1. Select the Geometry for Laser Processing ONLY. Turn OFF any Layers that will not be processed. Export the Geometry as AUTOCAD [.dxf] Filetype. Choose ‘Default’ when prompted.

LASER OPERATION

  1.  Import
    1. Import your file into LaserCut.
  2. Operation
    1. Adjust Vector vs Raster Settings by setting specific geometry on specific Setting LAYERS.
    2. Observe all Laser Policy
    3. Operate Laser Equipment, using proper Procedural Guidlines

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