05.01 Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is a precise method of cutting a design from a material using a digital file as a guide. It uses a high-powered laser to slice materials such as wood, plastic, glass, metal, and paper into custom shapes and designs.

Create Laser Cut Design with Fusion 360

1. Sketch out design ideas on paper or digital sketchbook
2. Selecting 3D Modeling software, ideally a parametric modeling program such as Fusion 360
3. Model the parts of your design paying attention to joints, where pieces meet, and how thick the material is. User parameters act as variables and allow the model to change based on user input
4. Lay all of the parts flat
5. Prepare a tool path that takes into account the width or kerf of the laser
6. Export a DXF file for cutting
7. Prepare the DXF file according to the instructions of a particular laser cutter.

Laser Cutting Links

• SVG Box Generator 
• Making a laser-cut box/case with elastic clips | Climbers.net 
• So What’s a Practical Laser-Cut Clip Size? | Deferred Procrastination 
• Workshop basics: laser-cut enclosures - Captive nut and screw T-slot joints | Raspberry Pi Projects 
• An OpenSCAD Library For All Your CNC Cutting Needs | Hackaday 
• CNC Joinery MAKE 
• Laser Cut Press Fit