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Moving wind turbine
Created using Trotec materials: TroCraft Eco wood and TroGlass acrylic
Trotec's range of engraving materials are ideal for a wide range of applications, including model making. Follow our tutorial to create a wind turbine with moving parts. All Trotec materials can be ordered from our engraving supplies webshop.
Preparation
Required Material:
- 1 Sheet TroCraft Eco 3 mm
- 1 Sheet TroCraft Eco 1 mm
- 1/4 Sheet TroGlass Black Satins 3mm
- Covering material for the laser bed, such as paper
Laser machines used:
- Speedy 360, 80 watts
- 2" lens
- Vacuum table with honeycomb cutting table and acrylic cutting grid
All machines in the Speedy laser engraving series can be used to create this sample.
Tip:
- Create multiple turbines with different materials to experiment with the finishes
Step by Step
Step 1: Design
Import the graphics and adapt it to your requirements. Send the graphic to your laser machine with the following print settings:
| Process Mode | Resolution | Cut Line |
|---|---|---|
| Vector Job | 1000dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Colour | Enhanced Geometries, Inner Geometries first |
Step 2: Laser cutting the TroCraft Eco (1mm)
Lay the thin TroCraft Eco onto the honeycomb cutting table in your laser machine and cover the rest of the working surface with paper to create a stronger vacuum. Please note parameters will vary depending on your laser machine and the available laser power.
| Colour | Process | Power output % | Speed % | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | CO2 cutting | 66 | 2 | 1,000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | On | 0mm | - |
Tip:
Use a small nozzle for a clean cut quality when working with TroCraft Eco.
Step 3: Send the Wind Turbine to the Laser
Send the graphics for the turbine column to your laser machine using the following settings:
| Process Mode | Resolution | Cut Line |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Job | 333dpi | None |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Colour | Enhanced Geometries |
Step 4: Laser cutting and laser engraving TroCraft Eco (3mm)
Lay the 3mm TroCraft Eco onto the honeycomb cutting table in your laser machine and cover the rest of the working area as before. Send the file to the laser using the following settings. Parameters will again vary depending on the laser used and its available power.
Laser parameters: Laser engraving
| Colour | Process | Power % | Speed % | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Engrave CO2 | 15 | 50 | 500 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | on | 0mm | High Quality |
Laser parameters: Laser cutting
| Colour | Process | Power % | Speed % | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | CO2 cutting | 100 | 0.8 | 1,000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | On | 0mm | - |
Step 5: Print the Stand to the Laser
Send the graphic for the stand made from TroGlass acrylic with the following settings to your Trotec Laser:
| Process Mode | Resolution | Cut Line |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Job | 500dpi | None |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Colour | Enhanced Geometries, Inner Geometries first |
Step 6: Laser process the TroGlass Black Satins
Change the honeycomb cutting table for your acrylic cutting table and lay the TroGlass material on your laser machine bed.
Laser parameters: Laser engraving
| Colour | Process | Power % | Speed % | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Engrave CO2 | 20 | 50 | 500 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | On | 0.5mm | High Quality |
Laser parameters: Laser scratching
| Colour | Process | Power % | Speed % | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | CO2 cutting | 50 | 0.4 | 5,000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | On | 0mm | - |
Tip:
Change and use the large nozzle. This is the correct choice for working with TroGlass material.
Step 7: Assembly
Lay out all four laser processed parts.
First insert the wind turbine pillar into the base, hang the blade component on the nose and fix it with the small circle of TroGlass.
It should only be pressed tight enough for the wind turbine to turn.
Your turbine is now ready.
Inspiration
- As an alternative to the "Don Quijote" wind turbine, you can also cut a system with modern, three-bladed blades
- Change it up and use different coloured TroGlass to make it more colourful.
- We recommend that you glue the fastening loop1 made from TroGlass.
