LASER CUTTING

Learning the Laser Cutter

I was able to use a 50x30 inch laser cutter through the start-up company that I had both interned and freelanced for; Circular2. I started out by taking an inspiring image from online that I felt represented Art Deco and brought it into illustrator. Then I would lock the image and created a new layer over it to trace some of the shapes. I would then make the locked image become invisible then change the shapes around to modernize the shapes. Then I would print it out on paper to make sure it is the size that I need it to be then turn the illustrator file into a .dxf file and email it to myself. Once I got to Circular2, I would take the .dxf file and put it into solidworks. I would look up online what to set the laser cutters speed and power to depending on if I was Laser cutting neoprene, denim, or leather. I would lay decoy fabric down to make sure the sample came out how I needed it to and that the cuts were durable. Once that was all set and I came to a speed and power and had spaced out the cut out shapes enough then I would laser cut my final fabric. It also would laser cut the pattern piece along with the shapes I had created. Lastly, I am finished and can decide if the shapes need top stitching or not.