A laser cutter is a wonderful tool for rapid prototyping, as it can accurately and quickly cut flat materials like wood, MDF and cardboard into precise shapes and even engrave them. The laser cutter takes a digital vector path file and translates them into a cutting pattern.
Although it is possible to even cut steel with industrial laser cutters, our particular model at the PMB is only able to cut less dense materials like cardboard, wood or acrylic. Before buying something, ask the staff at PMB on what to buy.
The entry barrier for laser cutting is very low, as you only need a vector software like Adobe Illustrator to create the file itself. As you build your prototype out of 2D layers, it sometimes needs a bit of creativity to arrive at a suitable solution, but here you can also find a lot of instructions and inspirations by makers on the internet.
A major distinction in laser cutting is between cutting and engraving.
Laser cutting services might have different file requirements. The recommendations of the PMB for their laser cutter can be found here:
A cutting template for the PMB can be downloaded here:
Lasercutting Template Illustrator-20191101.ai
In order to cut your design you need to submit the material and the material on Monday till Friday between08.30am and 9.30am.
A PMB employee will cut the file for you on the same day.