Laser cutter
The laser cutter allows you to cut a wide variety of materials ranging such as wood, cloth, acrylic, paper and more. By stack layers on top of each other, you can even create three dimensional entities as well.
To use the laser cutter we use either Affinity Photo or Adobe Illustrator, and the laser cutting software (UPC).
On the computer in MIDDLA, we use Affinity Photo. Log in with your KTH credentials. If you're having trouble - restart the computer.
On your own computer, or the computers in the lab rooms, you can use Adobe Illustrator.
If you've never used the laser cutter before and you're unsure how to use it, please email us and we'll give you a short crash course! :) Email: kth.middla@gmail.com
In Affinity Photo
Create a new Affinity Photo file. Set the dimensions to 600x457 mm (dimension of laser cutter bed). Set color format to RGB/8.
--- To CUT, set your stroke color to red and fill color to "none".
--- To ENGRAVE or RASTER, set your fill color to black, and stroke color to "none"
--- Set the stroke width of what should be cut to 0.072 pt or smaller (0.001 pt is an easy number to remember too)
When you're done with your design, File > Print will send it to the laser cutting program (UCP).
In the print dialog, select VLS4.60 if it's not already selected.
In Adobe Illustrator
Use the template on the desktop ("LASER CUTTING TEMPLATE") or create a new Adobe Illustrator file.
Make sure your project is in RGB color mode. Check File > Document Color Mode > RGB
Make your design using stroke weight 0.072 pt or smaller (0.001 pt is an easy number to remember too)
--- To CUT, set your stroke color to red #FF0000, and fill color to "none"
--- To ENGRAVE or RASTER, set your fill color to black #000000, and stroke color to "none"
When you're done with your design, save your file and open it in Affinity Photo on the computer in MIDDLA.
File > Print will send it to the laser cutting program (UCP).
In the print dialog, select VLS4.60 if it's not already selected.
In the laser cutting software
Open UCP and your design should appear there.
In the settings, choose your material and enter the material width or enter manual settings in the other tab.
Turn on the machine and ventilation
Safety information
Last updated
