Embedded Files
Exporting profiles as a dxf for laser cutting
Exporting profiles as a dxf for laser cutting
Whilst we would like you to model your final design physically using a range of model making materials, it is also important that you understand the process of explorting profiles of parts of your model for laser cutting. This is a skill you need to understand for future projects. There are two methods you can use to do this depending on what you want to export.
Export the Sketch or the lines of a part.
Export a Plan, Left, Right or Bottom view of the Drawing you have created.
Export the Sketch or the lines of a part as a DXF
Export the Sketch or the lines of a part as a DXF
Right click on surface
Right click on surface
You will not be able to use this method for exporting all DXF files. The success criteria for you to check is that when you click on the surface of what you want to laser cut, do all the lines you want to cut go orange. If so, export. If not, you will need to use the alternative method below which involves creating a new drawing.
Right click on a sketch
Right click on a sketch
If you click on the actual sketch that contains the lines you want to laser cut, the lines will turn orange. Then right click on the sketch and choose to Export as DXF/DWG. If this does not include all of the lines you want to laser cut, you will need to use the alternative method below which involves creating a new drawing.
File settings of DXF Export for the two methods above.
File settings of DXF Export for the two methods above.
If either of the two methods above worked for you, then you can carry out the stages below. If not, go to the alternative method below which involves creating a drawing and inserting a view of your product.
Save the DXF file into your Google Drive or Downloads folder.
Check that the file does snot have any errors with your teacher.
Email to Mr Kennedy for laser cutting.
YOU MUST TELL MR KENNEDY WHAT MATERIAL YOU WANT YOUR PROFILE TO BE CUT OUT ON AND WHAT COLOUR IF ACRYLIC.
Export a Plan, Left, Right or Bottom view of the part
Export a Plan, Left, Right or Bottom view of the part
Create a new drawing with these settings
Create a new drawing with these settings
These settings are really important. please double check them before you click OK.
choose the correct part
choose the correct part
Notice how you can expand the model to show you the whole product or the individual parts. Choose the part that you want to laser cut out and move your mouse over to the white space on the drawing page.
choose the view and scale 1:1
choose the view and scale 1:1
DO NOT CLICK ON YOUR MOUSE UNTIL THE SETTINGS ABOVE HAVE BEEN SELECTED.
It is really important that the correct view has been selected. Hover your mouse over the drawing for a few seconds and you will see the view you are going to get on the drawing page. If this is not the correct orientation/view, then choose one of the other views such as top, right, bottom etc.
THE SCALE MUST BE 1:1 IF YOU ARE MAKING A FULL SIZE MODEL OF YOUR PRODUCT. IF NOT, THEN CHANGE THE SCALE.
Click onto page and export
Click onto page and export
After you have right clicked on the 'drawing tab' and clicked on Export, you will need to check the settings are as the image below.
Save the DXF file into your Google Drive or Downloads folder.
Check that the file does snot have any errors with your teacher.
Email to Mr Kennedy for laser cutting.
YOU MUST TELL MR KENNEDY WHAT MATERIAL YOU WANT YOUR PROFILE TO BE CUT OUT ON AND WHAT COLOUR IF ACRYLIC.
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