CNC (Lasers, Routers, Etc)

Bandwagon

Kolohe
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I don't expect this thread to get too much activity and I could make most of my posts in the 3D printing thread, but I wanted to start collecting the tools/sites that I'm using in one place and I knew I would lose them as random posts in the 3D thread. I'll give a little more backstory when I have time, but long story short: I got a glowforge basic laser cutter/engraving so I can make 3D topographic maps for work, but I'm exploring ways to make money with it and hopefully some family-focused hobbies that my family will enjoy (that doesn't involve tv or phone screens). I've had the Glowforge for about two weeks now.

My cutter:
Bring your ideas to life. (Contains a referral code)
Glowforge Referral Program Terms
Last updated March 29, 2019
Program Description
When you purchase or use a Glowforge 3D Laser Printer from Glowforge, you may qualify to participate in the Glowforge Referral Program. Under the Program, you receive a Referral Reward after a person or entity navigates to your Referral Link, places a qualifying order via the Glowforge site (without first navigating to another site, applying another discount, or using a different Referral Link), takes delivery, and keeps the printer beyond any eligible return date or any final money-back guarantee date.
Definitions
Referrer: A Referrer is someone who has a Referral Link issued by Glowforge.
Connection: A connection is someone with whom you have a genuine relationship. This includes people who have opted in to receive email or messages from you, for example by signing up for a mailing list that you operate, or who follow you on a social media account.
Connected Customer: A Connected Customer is person or entity with whom the Referrer has a Connection and who uses a Referrer’s Referral Link on the Glowforge site when making a qualifying purchase, enabling the Referrer to become eligible to potentially receive a Referral Reward.
Program: The Glowforge Referral Program.
Referral Link: A Referral Link is an https link that is unique to each person participating as a Referrer in the Program that is used to identify which Connected Customers they have referred.
Referral Reward: A benefit offered by Glowforge to the Referrer upon Connected Customer’s use of Referral Link at the time the Referral Link is used.
Terms of Participation
  1. Referrers receive a Referral Link from Glowforge. Use of the Referral Link acknowledges that Glowforge will use Referrer’s email address and other personal information, combined with information from 3rd party sources such as FullContact, to display Referrer’s name and photograph. Referrer may then give your Referral Link to as many Connected Customers as you like. You may only give your Referral Link to Connected Customers.
  2. You may not solicit anyone who is not a Connection, and you may not repeatedly solicit or “spam” anyone. You may not email multiple people identical emails with your Referral Link. You may not give your Referral Link to others to solicit referrals on your behalf. You may post your Referral Link on your own social media pages or your own owned web presence, but may not post it on or in connection with other people’s or organization’s web sites, social media pages, channels or postings (including in any comments or replies to other people’s or organizations’ posts) without their explicit permission. You may not post your Referral Link in any sort of online listing operated by a third party, including but not limited to a coupon site, directory, or map. Your actions must also be in full compliance with any third-party terms, including those of any social media platform. Without limiting any other provision of these Program Terms, you may not:
    a. run or purchase advertisements promoting Referral Links;
    b. use any domain, social media handle, email address, or other name that incorporates any Glowforge trademark or any confusingly similar mark;
    c. operate in a manner that may cause others to believe you are affiliated with Glowforge;
    d. purchase keyword advertising with the intention of directing people to use your Referral Link;
    e. offer the use of a Referral Link or use a Referral Link in exchange for any kind of compensation (other than the compensation offered by Glowforge under the Glowforge Referral Program); or
    f. infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate any intellectual property or other proprietary right of Glowforge or any third party.
    Glowforge will determine in its sole discretion whether Referrer’s actions, including posting or sending of a Referral Link, violate the provisions or spirit of these Program Terms.
  3. For a Referrer to receive a Referral Reward, a Connected Customer must:
    a. navigate to the Referrer’s Referral Link;
    b. without navigating away or utilizing a different discount, place a qualifying order directly from Glowforge while the website indicates that the Referrer’s Referral Link is being used;
    c. make actual and full payment;
    d. not cancel the order; and
    e. take delivery and keep the printer beyond any eligible return date or any final money-back guarantee date.
    If a Connected Customer cancels or otherwise fails to meet all these requirements, the Referrer will not receive a Referral Reward and, to the extent a Referral Reward has been provided by Glowforge, the Referrer will be required to return (or Glowforge may cancel) the referral award.
  4. Referrers may only receive one Referral Reward for each Connected Customer.
  5. Individuals or companies that are already customers of Glowforge do not qualify as Connected Customers under the Program. Customer status to be determined by Glowforge in its sole discretion.
  6. Referrers are eligible to earn Referral Rewards as provided in the section “Current Offer” or “Past Offers” below based on the date when the Connected Customer’s purchase was made.
  7. Referrer must make clear that he or she is compensated by Glowforge in any sharing or posting of a Referral Link. For example, “If you use this link, you will get a discount and I’ll get credits too!”
  8. Notification: Referrers are notified by email when a Connected Customer uses the Referrer’s Referral Link at the time of purchase. Email notification will also be sent notifying Referrers when the referral award is to be issued. Glowforge is not responsible for email that is blocked, lost or misplaced by the recipient, their service provider or users of the recipient’s computer and equipment, or that is otherwise undeliverable due to changes in the Referrer’s email address, blacklisting or blocking of a service provider or Referrer’s email address, unsent due to technical difficulties, or other such failures beyond Glowforge’s reasonable control.
  9. Reward Payments: Reward Payments will be issued approximately 60 days after Connected Customer's purchase. Any Referral Rewards must be converted to cash before spending any portion. Payments may only be converted to cash within 60 days of issuance. Glowforge is not responsible for lost checks or Referral Rewards that were not cashed within the relevant period.
  10. Program Modification and Termination: Glowforge reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend or terminate all or part of this Program, including any rewards, reward amounts, timing of rewards, at any time without notice. Referrers and Connected Customers are solely responsible for verifying that the Program is still in effect at the time they make or participate in new referrals. Any potential rewards at the time the Program is modified, suspended or terminated will be subject to the terms and conditions in effect at the time of a Connected Customer’s purchase with a Referrer’s Referral Link.
  11. Abuse: If at any time Glowforge suspects or determines, in its sole discretion, that a Referrer or a Connected Customer has not complied with these Program Terms or has otherwise abused the spirit or terms of this Program, or violated any Glowforge or third party rights or any laws or ordinances in any way, or violated the Glowforge Terms of Purchase and Service, it may, in addition to any other rights and remedies it may have against Referrer or Connected Customers, immediately and without notice to Referrer or Connected Customer, terminate or suspend their participation in the Program and refuse to award for referrals. Glowforge shall not be liable to Referrer or Connected Customer or to any third party for any claim or cause of action arising out of such termination or suspension.
  12. Taxes: Glowforge may be required by law to report payments to Referrers or Connected Customers to state, federal and/or local tax authorities. If it is determined that a Referrer or Connected Customer has received reward payments requiring Glowforge to report those payments, Glowforge may contact the Referrer or Connected Customer by email to request required tax reporting information including, but not limited to the Referrer’s or Connected Customer’s social security number or other valid taxpayer ID. Failure to provide such information within 30 days will result in the payments being forfeit.
  13. Limitation of Liabilities and Disclaimer of Warranties: While Glowforge will use its best efforts to maintain the accuracy and reliability of its website and the Program, it does not warrant or represent that the website or Program will always function or be error-free. GLOWFORGE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO, USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, THE LOSS OF DATA OR THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY REWARDS AWARDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE PROGRAM AND REWARDS ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. Neither Glowforge nor any other party involved in creating, producing, maintaining or delivering the Program shall be liable for any damages to or viruses that may infect your computer equipment or other property on account of your access to or use of the website or Program.
This offer is void where prohibited by law. Employees of Glowforge, its affiliates, investors, and members of their immediate families are not eligible to participate in this Program.
Offer
Current Offer

Valid since April 23, 2018.
For a Glowforge Basic printer, Referrer will receive $120.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $120.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $100 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
For a Glowforge Plus printer, Referrer will receive $300.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $300.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $250 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
For a Glowforge Pro printer, Referrer will receive $600.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $600.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $500 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
Maximum award during this time without prior Glowforge approval is $6,000.00 in credit.
Previous Offers
The offer(s) below are no longer in effect.
March 12, 2018 - April 22, 2018
For a Glowforge Basic printer, Referrer will receive $120.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $120.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $100 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
For a Glowforge Pro printer, Referrer will receive $600.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $600.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $500 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
Maximum award during this time without prior Glowforge approval is $6,000.00 in credit.
September 24, 2015 – March 11, 2018
For a Glowforge Basic printer or Glowforge Pro printer, Referrer will receive $125.00 in Glowforge credits, which can be exchanged for $125.00 worth of Glowforge products and services or $100 in cash (payable by check or electronic payment).
Maximum award during this time without prior Glowforge approval is $1,250.00 in credit.

Web tools for making customizable cut files:

Text - Letter Generator Text & Words to Image Letters Maker | LETTER GENERATOR NET (Looks like png are the only option for download, so engrave-only unless you convert to vector file first.
Boxes/Shelves/Gears - Boxes.py (This site is awesome)
Boxes - MakerCase - Easy Laser Cut Case Design
Boxes - Make A Box
Paper Boxes - Templatemaker
Gears - Involute Spur Gear Builder
Gears - Laser Cutting
Mazes - https://adashrod.github.io/LaserCutMazes/welcome
Custom Rulers - Vector Ruler SVG Generator
Jigsaw Puzzles - Jigsaw puzzle


Web tools for manipulating / preparing / optimizing files:
Convert JPG to SVG (Best one I've found) - Online image vectorizer
Nesting (optimize build area)- SVGnest - Free and Open Source nesting for CNC machines, lasers and plasma cutters
Cutlist Optimizer (thanks sadris sadris ) - https://www.cutlistoptimizer.com/
List of nesting & cutlist optimizers - CAM - ShapeOko
Convert to SVG (results vary by site - will update when I figure out which one is most reliable ) - Online SVG image converter
Convert to SVG (results vary by site - will update when I figure out which one is most reliable ) - Convert JPG to SVG (Online & Free) — Convertio
Convert to SVG (results vary by site - will update when I figure out which one is most reliable ) - Free SVG Converter
Convert to SVG (results vary by site - will update when I figure out which one is most reliable ) - SVG converter | Image to SVG


Websites for downloading free designs in vector format:

Tips, tricks & tutorials:
Inkscape tutorials ("TJ Free", youtube)

Software for making custom designs:
Illustrator
Inkscape (free)
AutoCAD
Photoshop
Global Mapper (Probably not ideal for most)
DeepNest (for arranging parts) - Deepnest - open source nesting software


Materials:
3 mm 1/8" X 12" X 20" Premium Baltic Birch Plywood – B/BB Grade - 20 Sheets by Wood-Ever https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GTQDTLR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_QCftEb0WSJQHJ

Some of the things I've made or am in the process of making so far, after 2 weekends:

First custom cut/engrave. (Pictures seem to have a steeper learning curve than other uses)
1582061625718.png


Earrings with gold inlay, drying.
1582061534084.png


And lots of boxes:
1582061578573.png


1582061650652.png


1582061664215.png


1582061673448.png





Notes - Maps:
I haven't printed it out yet, but finally figured out how to arrange my files so they're scaled and easy to work with in the Glowforge app. I need to be able to do this in a program that handles coordinates, so I'm glad that I don't have to do map stuff in Illustrator. These notes are so that I don't forget how I got it working today....will clean them up when I find a technique I like.

1. Fit AOI to PDF export page size and define scale
2. Generate contours according to map scale & material thickness (if maintaining true scale)
3. Export 1st layer as 600dpi raster only, with map element border set to a cut color.
4. Use contour lines to cut mapping boundary polygon for next contour interval, crop raster to polygon and export (preserve vector features on export, leave crop boundary polygon turned on)
5. repeat for all contour intervals.
westcliff_Page_1.jpg
westcliff_Page_2.jpg
westcliff_Page_3.jpg
westcliff_Page_4.jpg

6. for faster prints, bottom layers should remove the raster engrave portions of the layer above it.
 
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Bandwagon

Kolohe
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Any lurkers here that know of a site to "tile" designs, or upload a design and material sizes and have it auto-fill into new files based on how many it can get into each sheet? Two separate requests.
Examples:
1 - I have an earring design and a sheet of material that is 12"x20". Tile the design to cut out as many of them as I can in a single sheet of material.
2 - I have a jigsaw puzzle SVG that's 500ft x 500ft and material size of 12"x20". Split up the SVG design into separate files that fit on a single sheet, and export as many as needed to cut out each piece.



Ignatius Ignatius Siliconemelons Siliconemelons - fyi, this thread.
 
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Bandwagon

Kolohe
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Wall art would be a good option. And if it can manage metal then something like these would be another option

I haven't tried any metal or glass yet. I think it's easy to damage the laser by doing something dumb with those, so I'm going to wait a bit.
 

Bandwagon

Kolohe
<Silver Donator>
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Making progress bit by bit, but it's going slow because I can only do 1 test engrave a day. I start it right when I get home and usually finishes up a 5inx5in raster engrave right before my daughter goes to bed.

I've mostly been playing with contrast, gamma and histogram adjustments on the computer to try to improve the detail in the dark and light areas, but I think I'm going to lock into the settings that I have here and start playing more with the engraving settings instead. I'd like the engrave to come out looking exactly like the PDF, instead of trying to come up with some process to make a weird looking PDF engrave perfectly.

Test image:
RONP2.jpg


Results (With "HD Graphic" default settings):
1582740368004.png

20200226_095241.jpg


"HD Graphic" default settings:
1582739972357.png



Next file I'm going to try:
Port of Vancouver 600dpi.jpg



Settings I'm going to try:
1582740105077.png





Looking forward to getting this figured out and starting on the 3D stuff.
 

jooka

marco esquandolas
<Bronze Donator>
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Recently came across a company called Liberty Puzzles. They use these laser cutters to make some seriously kick ass puzzles.
 
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jooka

marco esquandolas
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I watched the process once but they glue a photo they create to one side of a 1/4" thick piece of plywood. They then put it photo side down and cut it, takes like 45-50 minutes per puzzle. What I like about them is the crazy looking pieces they can make with it. They had maybe 15 cutters going non stop.


colorado.png
 
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jooka

marco esquandolas
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They didn't say and I also didn't think to ask.
 
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Bandwagon

Kolohe
<Silver Donator>
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I really haven't been playing with the laser much until this past weekend, and finally feel like I hit my stride a bit this evening. I have my work computer at home because of the plague, so full access to all my work software when off the clock. I finally figured out how to set up my CAD workspace (protip: "DWGUNITS") so that DXFOUT files are at the correct scale for Inkscape to recognize, and I put a few hours into learning a bit more about Inkscape so that I can do the basic functions I need to design my own shit. JUST got to the point where I can do what I need to do in CAD and transfer it over to the glowforge interface at scale right before my daughter went to bed, so I only had time to get my first test print out of the way before I had to shut it down.

We're fighting a mouse in the pantry and spent the morning working on that, so I figured it was a good time to try to design a first in/first out canned food storage box. I have a lot more I want to do to this thing before I make 5 more, but it works a whole lot better than I expected on the very first try. I forgot to take pictures before I put it together so you can't really see the guts, but I was happy that it went together perfectly and functioned on the first try.
Screenshot_20200329-202707_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20200329-202657_Gallery.jpg


ec79b8d189d1869d77ad330012943c9f44444acf.jpeg


Unrelated, but I got hinges working a little better

Screenshot_20200329-203058_Gallery.jpg


And started working on an earring idea for the woman tonight. The red circles are cut lines and I'm hoping I can make the earrings work kind of like links on a bicycle chain. If this quick and dirty one works, I'm going to aim for a steampunk theme with the same idea.
Screenshot_20200329-203157_Gallery.jpg


Having a lot more fun with this thing now that I can start using programs I'm familiar with to design stuff.
 
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Springbok

Karen
<Gold Donor>
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Recently came across a company called Liberty Puzzles. They use these laser cutters to make some seriously kick ass puzzles.

Damnit, just went out to their website and they aren't accepting new orders. Some seriously cool looking puzzles I thought could help pass the time for my wife and mother....
 

jooka

marco esquandolas
<Bronze Donator>
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Ya, I'm not surprised, Boulder seems like a ghost town right now. Not sure how long that will last tho.
 

k^M

Blackwing Lair Raider
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I got a glowforge last October as I've enjoyed CNC woodworking & puzzle making too. I've seen some fun maps that have been made & combined with resin pours (Hyrule, GoT, LotR, wherever the Witcher takes place etc) but never thought much of doing that myself.

I will say though I've made stupid money making things like this at the moment with the TP craze. Dalek is probably my favorite thing so far though.

Make sure you never cut pvc or vinyl in there as it releases deadly chemicals (probably other shit too).

1585580369679.png
1585580426803.png


1585580504850.png
 
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Bandwagon

Kolohe
<Silver Donator>
22,731
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I got a glowforge last October as I've enjoyed CNC woodworking & puzzle making too. I've seen some fun maps that have been made & combined with resin pours (Hyrule, GoT, LotR, wherever the Witcher takes place etc) but never thought much of doing that myself.

I will say though I've made stupid money making things like this at the moment with the TP craze. Dalek is probably my favorite thing so far though.

Make sure you never cut pvc or vinyl in there as it releases deadly chemicals (probably other shit too).

View attachment 257912View attachment 257913

View attachment 257917
Re: maps, you're talking about "WhenGeeksCraft", right? I've watched all her map videos and she definitely puts out the best ones I've seen. Are you aware of anyone that is using real imagery in their maps, though? All of the ones I have seen are essentially street maps style, not maps with imagery. That's most of the trouble I'm having right now, getting imagery to look good. As soon as I get that nailed I will start on the 3d topo maps. I have this one going right now and it's looking like my best result thus far. I think the trick is cranking up the sharpness & contrast to stupid levels.
Screenshot_20200330-091840_Gallery.jpg


Awesome custom work and good to hear about the $$$, too. I've been shocked at how fast and easy it is to make marketable stuff with this thing. This is an amazingly powerful machine in the hands of a graphic designer / entrepreneur. I'm not really either of those things, but seeing the potential is enough to convince me to work on the former.

Where do you sell stuff? Etsy? That places seems full of sellers and empty of buyers.
 

k^M

Blackwing Lair Raider
2,698
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Gf setup a shopify page to use though we have very little footprint and working on word of mouth / generating more traffic.

For the maps, yeah they are all pretty much done off street maps, though some people have some pretty interesting 4-5 layer designs but those may be more CNC router vs laser cut.

I have (had) zero skill in graphic design but I started with one of your box links and expanded from there. Definitely a fun hobby, if I never make back the glowforge purchase I'll still have happy fun and shelves of project failures to smile at.