Laser Cutting in the FabLab

Please use this template to ensure you have the correct settings and artboard size for your project. Your project can be created in any software you like, but you need to ensure it can export or saves to .ai or .pdf format. .ai is a specific file format that creates vector lines.

Some examples of software that export to .ai and .pdf include:

• Illustrator
• Adobe PDF

Requirements

• Acceptable Materials

  A list of acceptable materials can be found here: http://mactech.sheridanc.on.ca/fabrication/laser-policies

  Ensure that your file can be cut, etched or engraved. Feel free to see a mactech if you have any questions.

• Set Up Units and Colour Mode
  

  
  
  

  Submitted files must be in Inches and RGB Format. Other file settings require more setup and student will be asked to resubmit a proper file.

  Want to confirm your file setup? In Illustrator, select File. Document Setup allows you to change your units to inches and Document Colour Mode allows you to change your file to RGB.

• Fits on Bed Size
  

  The bed size refers to the maximum size that the laser printer can cut. This is the surface your projects gets cut on and it won’t fit in the laser cutter if it exceeds this size.

  The maximum size allowed on the lasercutters are 38×23×12 inches and 29×17×8 inches.

  Refer to http://mactech.sheridanc.on.ca/fabrication for more information on the laser cutters and their bed sizes.

   

  Make sure you know exactly what size your artboard should be and in which measurements, otherwise you might end up with a design that’s too big or too small for your artboard.

  
• Cut, Etch and Engrave
  
  
  

  Cut

  A red line means the the laser cutter will cut your artboard.

  The line must be pure red. Pure red means R is set to 255, B is 0 and G is 0. The line weight must be set to 0.01pt

  
  
  

  Etch

  A Blue line means the the laser cutter will etch your artboard.

  The line must be pure blue. Pure blue means R is set to 0, B is 255 and G is 0. The line weight must be set to 0.01pt

  
  
  

  Engrave

  A black line or area means the the laser cutter will engrave your artboard.

  The line or area must be pure black. Pure black means R is set to 255, B is 255 and G is 255. Please note engraves can take longer than cuts or etches.

• Reduce Ancher Points
  
  
  

  Removing unnecessary anchor points can produce better results and save time while cutting or etching.

• Remove Overlaps
  

  
  
  
  

  Does your project have multiple layers?

  Covering a portion of your project with another layer will not delete parts of your project. Instead it will cut, etch or engrave each layer. This may result in an incorrect project and require you to recut.

  In illustrator you can select view outlines to see if you have any overlaps.

An .ai (Adobe Illustrator) file is a vector file. Each line can either cut, slice or etch your artboard.

Please ensure your file is RGB. Lines should be 0.01pt and colours should be true red, blue or black. All other colours will not be recognized on the laser cutter. Finally your file should be set up in inches.

Laser cuts are $1 per minute. The price provided is only an estimation as the settings may need to change during the cutting process. The FabLab will contact you via sheridan email or SMS. When you submit your file, you request your preferred contact method.

Please meet with the Mactech at the time of your appointment. Cut times vary based on your project and engraves may take a bit longer. Cuts may also be grouped together, as such cuts may take longer than the suggested cut time. Please book an appointment according to your needs.

Please note, laser cutter malfunction will not be charged to you. Incorrect file type, incorrect scaling, and incorrect file preparation will cancel your appointment or require you to recut at your own expense. Please use your software's preview to ensure you are cutting what you desire.