Laser Cut Wooden Rulers with Rocket, Butterfly, and Planet Designs
Instruction
Information
"This project features a collection of unique laser-cut wooden rulers, each adorned with engaging designs including rockets, butterflies, and planets. These rulers offer a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal, making them perfect for students, artists, or anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted stationery. The use of laser cutting ensures precise measurements and intricate details in each design."
Instruction
Step1
Manufacturing Instructions: Laser Cut Wooden Rulers in xTool Creative Space
Software: xTool Creative Space (XCS) Material: Wood (e.g., Birch Plywood, Poplar Plywood, MDF) – Thickness suitable for rulers (e.g., 3mm or 1/8 inch) Machine: xTool Laser Cutter (e.g., D1, P2, M1 - instructions are general for XCS)
1. Design Preparation in XCS:
Import File: Open xTool Creative Space. Click "File" > "Import Image" or "Import Vector" and upload your ruler design file (SVG is ideal for precise cuts).
Size and Position: Check that the rulers are correctly sized. You can drag them on the canvas to match your material's placement.
Layering: The ruler design should be imported with distinct colored lines for cutting and potentially for engraving/scoring, if details are meant to be engraved rather than cut. Based on your image where everything is purple, we will assume most details are intended for cutting.
2. Material and Machine Setup:
Load Material: Place your chosen wooden material securely onto the working bed of your xTool laser. Ensure it is flat and stable.
Measure Material Thickness:
In XCS, go to "Material Settings."
Select your material type (e.g., "Basswood Plywood" or "Birch Plywood").
If using custom material, select "User-defined material."
Use the "Auto-measure" function in XCS (if your machine supports it) or manually measure your material thickness with calipers and input it into XCS.
Focus: Ensure the laser is correctly focused on the material surface. xTool machines often have auto-focus or indicators for manual adjustment.
3. Setting Cutting Parameters:
Select Objects/Layers: In XCS, select all the objects/lines you intend to cut. This will likely be the entire purple layer from your image.
Set Mode: In the "Processing" panel on the right side of XCS, for the selected layer (the lines you want to cut), choose "Cut."
Cutting Parameters (Recommended starting values for 3mm plywood - ADJUST FOR YOUR SPECIFIC MACHINE AND MATERIAL!):
Power: ~80-100% (Start with 90% and adjust based on results. Higher power for cleaner cuts.)
Speed: ~6-10 mm/s (or 360-600 mm/min) (Slower speed for a cleaner and complete cut.)
Passes: 1-2 (For 3mm plywood, 1 pass might be sufficient with high power and lower speed, but 2 passes can ensure a clean through-cut.)
Air Assist: On (Crucial for clean cuts and minimizing charring on edges).
Important Note on Settings:
The parameters "Speed: 3700.0 mm/min (61.67 mm/s)" and "Power: 37.5%" from your original image are for LightBurn and potentially a different laser machine with different power. For xTool Creative Space and specific xTool machines, you will need to use xTool's recommended parameters for your material (e.g., 3mm birch plywood) or perform your own test cuts. xTool Creative Space has a built-in material library with preset parameters. Utilize it!
How to find recommended parameters in XCS:
In the right panel of XCS, after selecting your material, recommended parameters should appear.
Alternatively, click "More xTool materials" to access the online parameter library where you can search for your specific machine and material combination.
4. Sending the Project to the Laser:
Preview / Framing: Before starting the cut, always use the "Framing" or "Preview" function in XCS. This allows the laser to trace the outline of your design (without the laser firing) so you can verify it fits on your material and is correctly positioned.
Start: Once you are confident with the settings and placement, click the "Start" or "Process" button, and then confirm to send it to the machine.
Supervise: Always supervise the laser cutter throughout the entire cutting process.
5. Finishing:
After the cutting is complete, carefully remove the finished rulers from the laser bed.
If necessary, you can lightly sand the edges to remove any charring or rough spots.
Clean the rulers to remove any residue.
Safety Precautions: Always adhere to laser machine safety guidelines, including wearing appropriate laser safety glasses and ensuring adequate ventilation.