"He Is Risen" Easter Story Tray

Prepare Your Design in XCS

1. Import the Design:
   • Open xTool Creative Space.
   • Click File -> Open Project and select the Design file.
2. Sizing:
   • Measure the flat engraving area of your physical cutting board (inside the juice groove).
   • Click your design in XCS and adjust the Size (W x H) in the top bar to fit comfortably within those measurements. leave at least 0.5" of margin on all sides.

Material & Machine Setup

4. Place the Board:
   • Place your bamboo cutting board inside the machine.
   • Crucial: Ensure the board is perfectly flat. If it wobbles, use honeycomb pins or magnets to secure it (if your machine allows), or place flat weights on the very edges (away from the laser path).
5. Focus the Laser:
   • D1 Pro: Use the kickstand lever to set the height, then fold it back.
   • M1 / P2: Use the "Auto-Measure" feature in XCS to detect the material thickness.
   • F1: Turn the knob until the blue and red dots overlap.

Engraving Settings

6. Select Processing Type:
   • Select your design.
   • Set Processing Type to Engrave.
7. Enter Power & Speed:
   • These are estimated starting points for Bamboo. Adjust based on your specific wattage.

For Diode Lasers (xTool D1 Pro / M1 - 10W or 20W):

• Power: 70% - 90%
• Speed: 70 - 100 mm/s
• Lines Per Cm (LPC): 100-120 (Higher LPC makes a darker, solid look; lower is faster but shows lines).
• Tip: Diode lasers need to move slower to burn deep into bamboo.

For CO2 Lasers (xTool P2):

• Power: 25% - 35%
• Speed: 250 - 300 mm/s
• Lines Per Cm: 120

Alignment & Framing (Don't Skip This!)

8. Framing:
   • Click the Framing button in XCS.
   • D1 Pro: Press the button on the machine. The laser will project a rectangular outline on your board. Ensure this outline is perfectly centered and does not hit the juice groove.
   • M1 / P2: Look at the camera view in XCS. Drag your design directly over the image of the board. (Refresh the camera if the lid was just closed).

The Burn

9. Start:
   • Put on your safety glasses.
   • Click Process in XCS, then press the start button on your machine.
10. Watch: Never leave the laser unattended, especially with bamboo/wood, as it can flare up.

Post-Processing (The Professional Touch)

11. Clean the Soot:
    • Freshly engraved bamboo will have black soot / char dust.
    • Wipe the board firmly with a damp cloth or a little isopropyl alcohol to remove loose char.
    • Pro Tip: If the engraving is too dark or has scorch marks around the edges (smoke stains), lightly sand the face of the board with 220-grit sandpaper. This creates a crisp, professional contrast.
12. Reseal:
    • Since you just burned away the surface, apply a generous coat of food-grade mineral oil or cutting board wax (like Walrus Oil or Howard’s) to seal the engraved area and protect the wood.