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Using Fusion 360 with your laser cutter

Embark on a journey into the fascinating world of laser cutting with our exclusive Fusion 360 tutorial series! Designed for both beginners and seasoned designers, this blog post marks the beginning of an exciting exploration into the realm of precision design.

Your YouTube Playlist

Designing for the Laser in Fusion 360

Fusion 360 Basics: Building a Foundation for Laser Cutting

In our inaugural video, we demystify the essentials of the software, focusing on tools and features crucial for laser cutting applications. From sketching to dimensioning, we guide you through creating a solid base structure, laying the groundwork for more intricate projects.

Fusion 360 Box

Crafting a Laser-Cut Box: From Concept to Reality

Stay tuned as we take you step by step through the process of designing and cutting a functional box using a 3d CAD modeling software. Each subsequent video in the series will build on the skills learned in the previous one, allowing you to gradually master the art of laser-cut precision.

Fusion 360 Box
Fusion 360 Tutorial Files (378 downloads )

Why Fusion 360?

Fusion 360 stands out as a versatile and powerful CAD software, ideal for seamlessly integrating design and manufacturing. After downloading, learn how to harness its capabilities specifically for laser cutting. Then, unlock the potential to bring your creative ideas to life with unparalleled precision.

Join the Creative Revolution

Whether you’re a hobbyist, maker, or industry professional, our Fusion 360 tutorial series is tailored to elevate your laser cutting skills. After you watch, stay connected with our blog for in-depth insights, advanced techniques, and insider tips. We will empower you to turn your design concepts into reality.

Subscribe, Share, and Stay Inspired

Subscribe to our blog and share the knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. Be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of laser cutting creativity. We’re here to empower you with the skills and insights needed to unleash your full potential in precision design.

Ready to take the first step towards laser-cutting mastery? Let the Fusion 360 tutorial series be your guide. Subscribe now and stay tuned for a creative journey that promises to transform your ideas into finely crafted realities.

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Laser Cut Acrylic Crown

Laser Cut Acrylic Crown


Acrylic Crown

The laser cut acrylic crown is meant to be a crown based on one of my daughters favorite movies.

A very fun piece, to design. It’s close to the general shape of the one in the movie but you have to change the design a good amount to appease copyright laws. I think I am far enough away but will remove this if I have to. Hopefully, I am in the clear. It is a free download below and there is a quick video of the bending process.

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The process for bending is really simple but it can be tedious. First, I tried using a heat gun, which is how I have seen bracelets made. It takes longer then I wanted. Next, I thought it might be easier to boil, so that’s what I did. A quick string on the ends to hold to the head and you’re good to go.

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How to convert Inkscape file types

How to convert Inkscape file types

Wow this trick is a time saver! Especially if you sell your files. With all of the different equipment everyone uses, its tough to make sure you have a file type everyone uses. This trick will help you to bulk convert Inkscape file types!

This is what it looks like when you run the script.

When your ready to convert Inkscape file types, select what type of file your converting from and to and away you go!

And it’s fast!

Get some more information on the plugin and download it here.

The download button doesn’t jump right out at you so I highlighted it.

How it works

First, you will need to have Inkscape installed.

If you don’t already have it, click ‘Download’ in the menu here.

After that, you need to download a batch script.

Scroll down to the of the page in the link and click the download button. I highlighted it in the picture above.

Next, take your newly downloaded batch file and place it in the same folder that your files are in.

After that, double-click on the batch script to run it. This will open up a command prompt, shown in the black picture above and below. You have to enter some instructions one by one. These instructions are:

  1. First, type “svg” (if you are converting FROM svg) for Allowed file types for source and press Enter button.
  2. Next, enter “png” (if you are converting TO PNG) for Allowed file types for output.
  3. After that, enter the value of DPI (Dots Per Inch) for output PNG images. (I didn’t change this number on mine and it seemed to work ok but use this information at your discretion)
Convert Inkscape filetypes

Test it out!

Feel free to test this method out on some of my free files! If it doesn’t work for you, you can always just re-download the files as they are. (But it should work 😉 )

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How much does the Glowforge cost to run?

How much does the Glowforge cost to run?

This is something I have pondered for a while and I am sure others have too, the Glowforge electricity cost. Especially if you are looking to form a price matrix or to just figure out how to charge. In my quest to figure out how much my Glowforge cost to run, I came across, what I am calling, a Watt Watcher! This is what it really is https://amzn.to/342HIt5 #ad

This is what it looks like and it plugs right into the wall.

Plug your Glowforge right into the outlet and start working.

There are a few different modes, but the one I found most useful is in the image shown, monitoring Kilowatt hours (which I discovered are not the amount of kilowatts used in an hour).

When your engraving / cutting / scoring is done, you can use this number and multiply it by your local electric rates.

Voila, you have your Glowforge electricity cost!

The Test

Example. The first thing I did when I got mine was to plug it in to the wall and try it out. I started cutting my Moon Shelf file, found here: Moon Shelf or here: Moon Shelf Etsy. I was shocked to see how low the number was. A further inspection told me I plugged in the wrong power cable. I was actually monitoring my router.

Tip number 1: Make sure you are actually monitoring the Glowforge.

After I learned Tip Number 1, it was time to calculate the Glowforge electricity cost. I cut the second half of the pieces needed for the Moon Shelf. The remaining pieces I needed are pictured below to give a clear idea of what the Glowforge electricity cost was for.

The remaining pieces took about 9 minutes to cut.

At the end of the cut, the ‘Watt Watcher’ (https://amzn.to/342HIt5 #ad) read 0.060 kWh.

Find your local electricity rates, mine is 22.59 cents per kWh.

Multiply the readout from your ‘watt watcher’ by the local electricity rate and you will have your Glowforge electricity cost.

For this cut, my Glowforge electricity cost was 1.355 cents.

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How the Glowforge works

How the Glowforge Works

I wanted to make something for people to explain a little about how the Glowforge works. My goal was to help explain some aspects of the system so that if anyone has any problems, they would have a better idea of where to start. Specifically, when I learned about the system, the condition the lenses need to be kept in made a lot more sense to me. This was my first take and I intend to make a better one but I hope it helps someone.

I didn’t post this as an official training video because I want to make a better one but sign up below if you want to be notified of future training videos or free files!

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