Sponsored links

Make a wooden key chain by engraving and cutting with CO2 laser cutter

Sponsored links

I made a key chain from MDF and veneer, engraved & cut with EtcherLaserPro.

Sponsored links

Preparing the processing data

First, convert my dog Eva's photo to black and white in Photoshop to make a PNG file. The black and white image was loaded into Illustrator and converted to vector data using the vector trace function. This is used as the data for engraving.

We can also manually trace the outline of Eva to create data for cutting.

The engraving and cutting are done on separate layers and output to an SGV file, and the SVG file is imported into SmartDIYsCreater.

By keeping the engraving and the cut on separate layers, they will be recognized as separate items when imported into SmartDIYsCreater.

This allows you to set different parameters for engraving and cutting.

Make with MDF

We'll make it out of 4 mm thick MDF. The camera function of EtcherLaserPro is really useful. You can take a picture of the material to be cut with the built-in camera and specify where on the material to cut.

As you can see in the image above, you can specify the exact location of the item you want to cut, even if it is almost scrap wood that has been cut out here and there. The camera function allows you to make effective use of almost any scrap material.

The engraved and cut parameters were previously examined, as follows

Engraving
・Power: 25%
・Speed: 5000mm/min
Cut
・Power: 100%
・Speed: 600mm/min

That's all I did.

Close the door of the EtcherLaserPro and start cutting.

It will be engraved on the empty space of the scrap wood.

The processing was done properly in the exact place I specified.

The fluffy, burnt look is a nice touch.

Make with veneers

The veneer also uses material that has already been cut. I placed the items where I thought I could make the best use of the material space.

The parameters are the following, as previously examined

Engraving
・Power: 30%
・Speed: 5000mm/min
Cut
・Power: 100%
・Speed: 1000mm/min<

That's all I did.

It is processed in a matter of seconds.

The veneer also has a nice wood grain.

The key chain is complete!

I used the EtcherLaserPro to create a key chain for my dog Eva made of MDF and veneer.

Copied title and URL