In this tutorial I'll show you how to use a single design to make 3 different projects: Engrave on a bamboo candle top, a spa foot brush and cut a "Do Not Disturb" door hanger. I'll share my techniques for a more accurate engrave on a circle and how to setup an object that's to tall for the baseplate. Combine all these projects to make a beautiful gift basket.
Make a template for the lid. Measure the lid and draw a circle that size. In my case the lid has a smaller lip on the underside so that’s the measurement I’ll use.
Securely attach the cardboard to the honeycomb and cut the cardboard. I used the following parameters: Power = 100 Speed = 15 Pass = 1. These setting will vary depending on the thickness of your cardboard.
Carefully remove the cut circle from the cardboard and place the candle lid into it.
When you close the machine lid the screen will refresh and will show the red circle off center. Do not move the circle, perform an auto measure and it should correct itself.
Import the image and make any image corrections and adjustments that you like and change the layer color to PURPLE. I changed the Fuzziness and Sharpness to 100 for this image.
Do not remove the RED circle yet. Use it as a guide to place your imported image.
Once you are happy with the placement delete the red circle.
The candle top is made of bamboo, I'll use the 3mm basswood for the material setting. Set the parameters for Engraving and send to the laser for processing.
Since the brush is tall I’ll have to move the honeycomb down so that the laser can focus. I have the riser base and moved the honeycomb down to the first slot as shown in the picture.
Next, to determine the height for auto focus to work correctly I place a ruler across the laser bed opening. The top of the brush should reach the ruler, it doesn't have to be exact, but get it as close as possible.
I used a combination of a sanding pad and wood chips to get the brush in place. Make sure the red laser dot is on top of the area to be engraved. Remove the ruler from the laser bed.
Change the Mode to “Baseplate Removed” and perform an auto measure, if the auto measure is successful you know you have the height correct.
Place the graphic onto the brush and frame to confirm the placement.
Set the parameters for Engraving and send to the laser for processing. This brush has a finish on it and the engraving came out a little darker than I would have liked, but It's still beautiful.
Don't forget to change the Mode back to “Process on Baseplate” when you move the honeycomb back.
Open the door hanger file.
Using the Outline tool add an inline of -0.114, click OK and assign it a Blue layer
Next Add your text to the hanger and weld it.
Assign the parameters by layer color:
RED - Cut - Hanger
BLUE - Score - Inner Line
PURPLE - Engrave (Vector) - text
PURPLE - Engrave (Bitmap) - image
Send to the laser to process.
Now that you have completed the 3 projects you can add a few more items to make a beautiful gift basket.
Hope you enjoyed this project, give me thumbs up if you did.