Thursday, December 27, 2012

How to Create Multi Layer Sign

One Sign, Four Layers:

Using your laser to both engrave and cut creates unique and a detailed multi-layer technique and dimensional lettering.... Try this with the use of LEDs to backlight your sign and put the sign in the best perspective!

Materials Needed:

Acrylics and Laminates / Engravable Plastics

(we used 3 mm, 6 mm and 10 mm Acrylics)

 

Machines Possible:

Speedy 300, Speedy 400, Speedy 500

(we used the Speedy 300 60W)

How To:

Open the file "Multi-layer-sign" in your graphics software, then send it to the laser.

Settings for speed and laser power may vary depending on the machine used.

Black (engraving)
Power: 35 %, Speed: 70 %, Resolution: 600 dpi, air assist on

Red (cutting)

3 mm Acrylics
Power: 100 %, Speed 0,75 %, Frequency 5000 Hz, air assist on

6 mm Acrylics
Vector engraving Power: 10 %, Speed 1 %, Frequency 2000 Hz, air assist on
Cutting: Power: 100 %, Speed 0,25 %, Frequency 8000 Hz, Z-offset -1 mm, air assist on

10 mm Acrylics
Cutting: Power: 100 %, Speed 0,1 %, Frequency 8000 Hz, Z-offset -3 mm, air assist on


Tips:

Use reverse engraving to protect your materials from dust and keep them clean.

Use the 2 inch lens for engraving the laminate and for cutting 3 mm acrylics and the 2.5 inch lens for cutting acrylics of 6 or 10 mm.


A good exhaust is very important for perfect cutting results when cutting acrylics.

Prepare the layers with double-sided adhesive tape, then the assembling only takes some minutes.

Help yourself: Engraving the base plate and the laminate helps for the correct positioning.

Mounting a top layer on the 10 mm acrylics creates a visual multidimensional effect.

Be creative! Post your sign ideas on our Facebook Page!

Download the file for the multi-layered sign shown!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Happy Holidays!


On behalf of Trotec Laser, Inc., we would like to wish you Happy Holidays! Extending our best wishes of happiness, health and prosperity in the New Year!

Enjoy this special time with family, friends, good food!


We've included some fun holiday files for you to create own works of art! A Wooden and Felt Christmas Card and a Laser Cut Paper Christmas Card.


Best Wishes,

Your Friends at Trotec Laser

Thursday, December 13, 2012

How to Print from Adobe Illustrator

Easy Workflow:
One of the most frequently asked questions is “Do I need to print from CorelDraw® or can I work with my preferred graphic program?”

JobControl is compatible with all graphic programs! Today, we are going to break down the workflow for Adobe Illustrator®.

Getting Started: Three Things to Remember
  • When creating a new document, please use a basic RGB document.
  • When opening an existing document, make sure, that in File - Document Color Mode “RGB Color” is activated. This ensures that the colors are interpreted correctly.
  • For cutting lines, define line color RGB 255/0/0 and line width of 0.001 mm or 0.003 pt.

Print Setup: Done Within a Few Clicks


  1. Go to “File – Print”: The Print dialog box of Illustrator shows up. Additional information for users of Adobe Indesign: In the InDesign Print dialog box select “Output” and activate Color “Composite RGB”. Like this, the printer interprets colors correctly.
  2. Click on "Setup": A Print Setup Dialog Box notification will pop up.
  3. Click on "Continue": This will launch the Print Setup Dialog Box.
  4. Select the Trotec Printer and Click on "Preferences": This will launch Trotec's printing preferences.
  5.  Adjust the size, material, and process settings as necessary. Then Click on "OK" to save and close Trotec's printing preferences.
  6. Click on "Print": in the Print Setup Dialog Box of the operating system.
  7. Click on "Print": in the Print dialog box of Illustrator. The job is transferred to JobControl. Pull your artwork from the Job Queue to the Job Plate.   

To check the cutting lines turn on “WYSIWYG” (What You See Is What You Get”) and check the color of the cut line. The color will be pure RGB red.


Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Small Business Jobs & Credit Act was Extended for 2012!

The Federal Government has once again extended the ‘Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010’ which means it is not too late to take advantage of Section 179 Deductions!



What is the Section 179 Deduction? 

Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment purchased or financed during the 2012 tax year from their gross income.

Why does Section 179 exist? 

To help motivate the American economy, the US Government developed incentives to encourage businesses to invest in themselves.  Section 179 allows businesses to write off the full purchase price of qualifying equipment all at once, as opposed to a little at a time through depreciation.

Are there Limits of Section 179? 

Section 179 does come with limits - there are caps to the total amount written off $139,000, and limits to the total amount of the equipment purchased $560,000.

After passage of the 'Tax Relief Act of 2010', large businesses that exceed the threshold of $560,000 in capital expenditure can take a Bonus Depreciation of 50% on the amount that exceeds the above limit.


What does this mean to you?  

All businesses that purchase, finance, and/or lease less than $560,000 in business equipment during tax year 2012 are subject to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction.

Therefore, if you invest in a Trotec Laser system, you may be able to deduct the full purchase price from your taxable income!


Consult an Expert! 

As always, Trotec highly recommends that you consult the IRS or your Tax Advisor for full program details, qualifications, and limitations that may apply before investing in and depending on this deduction.