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[Laser cut and engrave] Laser Cut Wooden Heart-Shaped Puzzle with Personalized Engraving — Project made with xTool D1 Pro machine for Valentine's Day.

Laser Cut Wooden Heart-Shaped Puzzle with Personalized Engraving

Instruction

Heart Puzzle

.xcs

Smart template

Application scenario

Laser processing

Machine & module

xTool D1 Pro

20W

Compatibles · 9

Material used

1/2"(12mm) Pine Plywood

510

Information

      The Perfect Sentiment for Your Perfect Match. We are going to have fun with this puzzle on a Date Night!!

Give a gift that literally and figuratively fits together. This handcrafted heart-shaped puzzle is more than just a game—it’s a beautiful, tactile way to tell your partner, spouse, or best friend exactly how much they mean to you.

Precision-cut from premium cherry wood, the rich, warm grain flows across all 30 pieces, creating a stunning natural aesthetic that looks just as good on a coffee table as it does being assembled by hand.

Instruction

Step1

Import and Organize Layers

Open XCS and import the puzzle design file.
Separate by Color: Ensure your design has two distinct layers:
- Red Lines: For the puzzle piece outlines (Cut).
- Black/Blue Lines: For the text "You are my missing piece" (Engrave).
Group the Center: Select the text and the specific puzzle pieces it sits on. Group them together so you don't accidentally move the text out of the center.

Step2

Set Processing Parameters

Click on each layer in the right-hand panel and apply these recommended settings for 1/8" Cherry:

Layer	Processing Type	Power	Speed	Pass/Pressure
Text	Engrave	25%	150 mm/s	1 Pass (Lines: 100)
Puzzle Lines	Cut	100%	8–10 mm/s	1 Pass

Pro Tip: Set the Engrave layer to process before the Cut layer in the processing order. This prevents pieces from shifting if they drop slightly after being cut.

Step3

Align and Measure

Place Material: Place your cherry wood on the honeycomb bed. Use pins/magnets to ensure it is perfectly flat.
Auto-Measure: Use the "Aim" or "Distance" probe to let the laser measure the thickness of the wood.
Mark Processing Area: Use the "Marking" feature in XCS to trace the 8x8 area on your wood to ensure the design fits and avoids any knots in the grain.

Step4

Apply Kerf Offset (The "Secret Sauce")

To make the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly without being too loose:

Select all the puzzle cut lines.
Go to the "Offset" tool in the top toolbar.
Set the offset to 0.004 inches (0.1mm) outward.
Delete the original lines and keep the new offset lines. This accounts for the width of the laser beam.

Step5

Process and Finish

Framing: Hit "Frame" to watch the laser head move around the perimeter. This confirms your placement is safe.
Start: Close the lid and hit the "Start" button.
Clean Up: Once finished, use a damp cloth or a "magic eraser" to gently wipe away any char or smoke marks around the engraving.
Seal: Apply a thin coat of wood-safe oil or beeswax to make the cherry wood's "You are my missing piece" message really pop.

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