Step 1: Prepare your Artwork and Send it to Your Laser
Make your own design, or download our templates (above) and make any desired adjustments. Once your file is complete, send the job to your Trotec laser using the print settings below.
Print Settings
Process mode
Resolution
Cut line
Standard
500 dpi
none
Halftone
Others
Color
optimized geometries, inner geometries first
Step 2: Cut and Engrave the TroLase Sheet
Place the TroLase sheet on the acrylic cutting grid table in your laser. Cover the remaining area on the table with scrap paper (e.g., standard printing paper). This technique will help to concentrate the laser's suction force on your material to prevent it from moving during laser processing.
Proceed to enter your laser processing parameters. The optimal settings will vary depending on your particular laser and its maximum wattage.
New Speedy 400 Users
The recommended parameters below have been devised for older Speedy 400 models. If you are using a new Speedy 400 with OptiMotion™, your laser will automatically determine the optimal speed. Hence, you can use the following power and speed values for the Red (Cut CO2) process:
Power: 50%
Speed: 2%
Processing Parameters
Color
Process
Power (%)
Speed (%)
ppi/Hz
Black
Engrave CO2
35
75
Auto PPI
Red
Cut CO2
42
1.2
1000
Blue
Cut CO2
20
10
1000
Passes
Air Assist
Z-Offset
Direction
Advanced
1
ON
2
Bottom to top
Optimized quality, corr. 5
1
ON
-
-
path planning: standard, corr. 5
1
ON
-
-
path planning: standard, corr. 5
Step 3: Cut the TroGlass Color Gloss
Remove the TroLase from your laser's work area, and place the TroGlass sheet on the acrylic grid cutting table. Once again, cover the remaining work area with scrap paper to concentrate the vacuum suction force on your material.
Next, enter your laser processing settings. Similarly to in Step 2 above, your laser and its maximum wattage will determine the best parameters for your project. Our recommended settings (below) pertain to Speedy 400 (120 W) systems.
New Speedy 400 Users
If you are using a new Speedy 400 with OptiMotion™, you can use the following power and speed values for both both Red and Green (Cut CO2) processes:
Power: 80%
Speed: 1.1%
Proceed to cut the TroGlass in several steps:
Skip the Green (Cut CO2) process, so that the larger sign components can be cut first
Remove the cutouts from your laser and place them to the side
Peel the protective film from the reverse side of the remaining TroGlass sheet, and stick double-sided tape on its underside
Place the remaining TroGlass sheet back into your laser in the initial cut position, with the tape on the bottom side
Proceed with the Green (Cut CO2) process, ensuring that you skip both Red and Blue (Cut CO2) processes
Laser Parameters:
Color
Process
Power (%)
Speed (%)
ppi/Hz
Red
Cut CO2
30
0.2
5000
Blue
Cut CO2
20
10
5000
Green
Cut CO2
30
0.2
5000
Passes
Air Assist
Z-Offset
Direction
Advanced
1
ON
-
-
Path planning: Standard, corr. 5
1
ON
-
-
Path planning: Standard, corr. 5
1
ON
-
-
Path planning: Standard, corr. 5
Step 4: Assemble the Sign
Once laser processing is complete, remove the cutouts from your laser.
First, peel away the protective film from the back of the largest TroLase cutout. Then, carefully stick this piece to the marked area on the red TroGlass cutout.
Next, affix the two smaller TroLase cutouts ("No. One" and "Freshly baked") to the the marked areas on the sign.
Finally, remove the protective film from the back of the red TroGlass lettering. Glue the individual pieces to the upper-left edges of the font engravings of the sign. This will produce the illusion of a shadow created by the lettering.
More Ideas
Experiment with different colour combinations — TroLase and TroGlass are each available in a variety of colours and finishes!
