Laser cutter class

This page is the overview for the laser cutter class. The class is a project-based introduction to the software and hardware of the laser cutter, intended to teach participants in the class everything they need to know in order to use the laser cutter. We assume no prior knowledge of the software involved, only general knowledge of how to use a computer.

This class is broken into three main parts: part 1 deals with the design of the laser cut object using Inkscape, part 2 deals with the use of the laser cutter software, and part 3 deals with the operation of the machine itself.

This page is currently a work in progress, and should be used right now only for planning purposes, not as an actual resource for learning yet. When this message goes away, this page is considered usable as a learning resource.

Project Overview

In this project, we will create a laser cutter merit badge that employs many standard techniques in laser cutter design.

This class has one suggested prerequisite, namely the class on design software, which will give you a more complete understanding of Inkscape than is provided here. While the prerequisite is not absolutely required, it's suggested because it helps you understand the software at a more general and fundamental level than we teach in this class.

Part 1: Design using Inkscape

In this part of the project, we will design the merit badge, both the physical aspects and its realization in software. There are therefore 2 main steps to perform here. The first step is to sketch out and decide on the overall design and dimensions, the second is to translate this into a precise sketch in Inkscape.