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Print & Cut matching game
Step-by-step tutorial
Looking for promotional giveaways or gifts which can easily be customisable to customers equirements? Then follow our tutorial to create your own laser cut memory game using MDF and acrylic. To purchase Trotec materials visit our engraving supplies webshop.
Preparation
Materials required:
- 2 sheets MDF 600x300mm, 6mm thick
- 1/4 sheet TroGlass Clear 10 mm
- Material to cover the engraving table, such as paper
Laser machine used:
- Speedy 360, 100 Watts with a 2.5" lens
- JobControl® Vision camera system
- Aluminium cutting grid table or honeycomb cutting table for laser cutting the MDF
- Acrylic cutting grid for laser cutting the acrylic
This sample can be created using any Speedy laser from the Speedy 300 platform or above which has JobControl® Vision laser software installed.
Important information:
Make sure that "Send Beziers and paths to driver" option is activated in your software as the JobControl® Vision software will not recigonise the registration marks without it activated.
Step by Step
Step 1: Picture cards
The first step is to either use our design or create your own. Print the design directly onto the MDF using a UV printer.
(Find tips for the graphics creation for JobControl® Vision)
Send the job to the laser machine using the below settings. Please do not use custom settings as the registration marks will not be recognised by JobControl® Vision.
Print settings:
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Job | 1000 dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Colour | enhanced geometries, inner geometries first |
Step 2: Laser cutting picture cards
Create the parameter settings. The recommended settings will differ depending on your laser machine and its available laser power.
The printing process used can also have an impact on the laser parameters.
Tips and tricks for using JobControl® Vision laser software are available here: JobControl® Vision software
Important: When laser cutting wood, please use the nozzle with small diameter. You can also increase the pressure of your air assist.
Tip: Apply application tape to reduce the traces of smoke. Do not cover the registration marks as the JobControl® Vision camera system will not be able to "read" them.
Laser parameters registration marks:
| Colour | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | RegMark | - | - | - |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - |
Laser cutting parameters:
| Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| red | Cut CO2 | 90 | 0.6 | 1000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | on | - |
Tip:
- We used the standard laser parameters from JobControl® optimised for quality
- You can download material parameters for JobControl® on our website www.troteclaser.com
Step 3: Acrylic holder
We produced an acrylic holder for the picture cards.
Tip: Check the kerf when producing the base plate, it may need to be adapted for yuour design.
Send the job to the laser using the below settings:
Print settings:
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Job | 500 dpi | - |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| - | enhanced geometries, inner geometries first |
Step 4: Laser cutting acrylic holder
Create the parameter settings which as before will differ depending on your laser machine and the laser power available.
Important: When laser cutting acrylic, use the nozzle with big diameter. You can also increase the pressure of your air assist.
The pole may be bent during laser cutting.
Laser cutting parameters:
| Colour | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| red | Cut CO2 | 95 | 0.1 | 20000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | on | -3 mm | - |
Tip:
- We used the standard quality laser parameters from JobControl®
- The material parameters of JobControl® can be downloaded our website www.troteclaser.com
Step 5: Post-processing
Clean the laser cut edges of the MDF cards and then put the stand together.
Your completed memory matching game with holder is ready for use.
Inspiration
- Let your creativity out. With this game you can change the shape of the picture cards or use different materials. You can also add a logo or other text on the back of the playing cards or branding purposes.
- To create a fancy effect we engraved the laser cutting edge with a stripe pattern. An easy way to do this is to put the cards on the holder, place it inside the laser machine and engrave all 4 sides.
