In this course at TTLMakerspace, you will go from beginner to practical working knowledge of designing and modeling in 2D, and the operation of a laser for etching and cutting a variety of materials.
Starting with desktop versions of lasers you’ll work your way through lessons and projects up to the industrial ThunderLaser cutter.
Schedule:
Six three-hour weekly classes, Tuesdays 6pm to 9pm
## Outcomes:
At the end of this course you will have achieved the following goals:
* A complete understanding of the steps needed to go from concept to completed project
* Familiarity with the properties of a variety of materials - woods, plastics, textiles
* Experience and comprehension of the most important principles of CAD modeling for constructing with laser cut parts
* Setting speeds and power levels
* Full understanding of the most common etching and cutting operations
* Experience creating tool paths with Lightburn software
* Setting up materials and performing operations
* Machine maintenance and Safety
Following this course, you’ll be certified to use desktop lasers, and book time with the industrial laser at TTLMakerspace (with your membership). You will also be able to join the growing community of TTL Makers sharing Laser knowledge on our Discord community.
* Become familiar with the types of lasers including diode and CO2 based.
* Understand fundamental principles of the hardware
* Introduction to Lightburn software
Concepts Covered:
* 3 types of operations - cut, score, engrave
Intensity and Speed settings
* 3 coordinate systems - work area, current position, user position
* Job Origin
**Exercise 1** - Learn to connect to the laser from software and troubleshoot issues. Tour all of the tools available and experiment between the design and control sides of the software.
**Exercise 2** - Master intensity/speed settings to create a small papercraft project with cutting and scoring
**Exercise 3** - Engrave your first image on wood
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## Week 2 - Helpful tools & Materials
Having gotten the basics of controlling a laser, we learn by practical lessons how the laser reacts differently to various types of materials. We build practical tools that we can use in all of our projects for getting the ideal settings.
* Build useful tools, including a speed/power grid
**Exercise 1** - Create a speed/power grid for use in dialing in settings with a variety of materials.
**Exercise 2** - Create a cut grid
**Exercise 3** - Create your own settings library, learn to save/load it.
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## Week 3 - Using Design Software
Having become quite familiar with Lightburn, we expand our skills into incorporating features of design software packages that are not built in to the software. We learn to use vector drawing tools in ways not available in Lightburn.
* Learn to use Inkscape features not available in Lightburn
* Make a workflow between design software and Lightburn
**Project:** Design and create a unique coaster. Working in Inkscape, learn to make patterns using paths, and produce a coaster design that you can bring into Lightburn for decorating and cutting.
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## Week 4 - CAD for Constructables Pt. 1
Up to now we have used 2D software. In this introduction we look at the advantages of 3D software for creation of constructable projects. We learn about the parametric modeling, and how it can help us iterate on designs.
* Learn to sketch and design in CAD
* Make objects that can be easily adjusted, customized, and cut on the laser
**Project Pt 1:** Using CAD software, make a Parametric Box capable of being dynamically resized. This can be an organizer for your week 3 project, or another box of your own design.
**Project Paper Lantern:** Create a paper lantern. Working between CAD and Lightburn, produce a papercraft lantern complete with attachment points and fold lines.
