Laser Cutting Experiments
In the last couple of weeks, I have spent many evenings playing around with our new laser cutter in the learning studio. So far I have not started any big projects, but just enjoyed the opportunity to work with such different materials on the same machine. It’s astonishing how the cutter can produce acrylic gears, colorful fabric designs, etchings in a mirror surface, fragile paper ornaments, or wood cut-outs (more in this Sample Gallery).
The image to the left shows quick 10 minute clip art designs we used to test materials, below is an example of a bigger project by Kristina Larsen. She just started to use the laser cutter with Adobe Illustrator for her artwork.
“I’ve been wanting to do something with this design for a long time. The black felt is made of polyester and the rest is a slightly thinner rayon/wool blend. The non-synthetic felt looks and feels much nicer, so I plan to swap out the black with the good stuff in dark brown. Once it’s all together I’ll attach it to a backing material, probably fabric.
I find the process of fitting the pieces together immensely satisfying, like working on a squishy jigsaw puzzle. I’m also happy with the combination of precision cuts and organic lines, and that I’ve managed to use computer and laser cutter to make something warm and handmade feeling.”
7 Comments to Laser Cutting Experiments
Looks like you’re having success already! It’s great to get a tool that opens up a news space of materials and/or techniques. If you find yourself in need of making some boxes for projects, check out this software I wrote a while ago: http://rahulbotics.com/boxmaker
Thank you Raul, I think your software will definitely come in handy! We’ll give it a try and report back.
Hi Rahul and hi Luigi, wow I’m envious about the laser, I use an old one not at the Science Museum, and my goal is to get one installed there too… Rahul, we used your boxmaker software in
some early tests… I’ll dig out the photos.. Keith
Oh and in some of these photos (and in other galleries in studiobricolage picasa) you can find some nice laser work with artist Margaret Pezalla-Grandlund… but you have to dig around
http://picasaweb.google.com/studiobricolage/PaperFinis#
HosseinMay 24, 2009
Hello,
I am new to laser cutter, I want to buy one but I have no idea what to look for, I did some research online, The same machine that I can buy from Hong Kong for $4000 I have to pay at least $12,000 locally, so I wonder what could be the difference?!?!
This is beautiful….i wish i could get a laser.But my family fears and ensures not to get me one as they want every thing in the house in the shape as it was bought..hehehehe
If you ever get 5 minutes check out our 5 axis laser cutting techniques.
Regards
Simon
May 13, 2009