Hello xToolers,
I grew tired of wasting materials while aligning and setting up certain projects. That's why I chose to conduct a materials test using blue painter's tape. This approach helps avoid squandering expensive materials, such as tumblers. Utilizing blue painter's tape proves beneficial when you want to preview how something will appear on your material without the risk of wasting the item. It's important to note that the settings could differ depending on the specific brand of painter's tape you purchase. Thus, I've put together a guide on conducting a materials test to assist in this process.
Feel free to download the project yourself using the button to the left and drop a like.
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Step 1: Open XCS & Create a Rectangle
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Setting 1
Process Method
Vector Laser Engrave
Process Material
Blue Painters Tape
Power(%) or Cut Pressure(g)
100
Pass
1
Speed(mm/s)
400
Lines per cm
100
Step 1: To begin, open XCS and navigate to Shapes. Select "Create a Rectangle." Proceed by drawing a square within the working area using your mouse. For precision, I ensured the square was perfect by clicking the "unlock size dimensions" button. I adjusted it precisely to 2mm x 2mm and then locked it again. Following this, I switched the engraving type from "Score" to "Engrave."
Step 2: Create Material Test Array
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Step 2: After selecting your square, navigate to the top of XCS and click on "Array." Next, choose "Material Test Array." A pop-up window will appear, enabling you to modify the material test settings. In this instance, I opted for Power settings of Max 100, Min 100, with 10 Columns and 1 Spacing. For Speed, I selected 400 Max, 200 Min, with 10 Rows and 1 Spacing. Finally, click "Ok" to confirm the settings.
Step 3: Ungroup to change Text to Engrave.
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Step 3: This step is voluntary, but I preferred the Text to be Engraved rather than Scored. To do this, click on "Array," then select "Ungroup" at the top. Now, highlight only the Text sections and switch them from "Score" to "Engrave." I utilized settings of 100% Power, 400 Speed, and 100 Lines per CM. After changing all the text to Engrave, I re-selected everything and regrouped the elements.
Step 4: Adjust the size of your Array
Step 4: Next, place your painter's tape on the test bed and adjust the Array's size to ensure it fits within the tape's boundaries. Simply click on the array and resize it if necessary, using the frame outline feature to confirm the fit. Ensure the alignment by verifying that the two dots coincide.
Tip: Initially, when conducting multiple tests, I used the black cutting board provided with the F1 to prevent engraving on my base plate. Once I fine-tuned the settings and avoided burning the tape, I transitioned to placing the painter's tape directly on the regular bed surface. If you choose this approach, again, ensure the alignment of the two dots.
Step 5: Close the sliding cover and Process
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Step 5: Once you've configured everything, click "Process" and allow the test to complete. Afterward, examine the results and proceed to conduct various tests until you pinpoint the settings that suit your specific blue painter's tape. I experimented by attempting to increase the Lines per CM from 100 to 140, but it began to burn the tape. I could have continued testing with higher Lines per CM, but for the time being, I settled on 100. Please comment below with the settings you discovered as optimal for your painter's tape, and also share if you attempted a scoring test. I'm curious to learn about the settings that worked best for others. Also maybe try different shapes like hearts or circles to see if results vary.
Step 1: To begin, open XCS and navigate to Shapes. Select "Create a Rectangle." Proceed by drawing a square within the working area using your mouse. For precision, I ensured the square was perfect by clicking the "unlock size dimensions" button. I adjusted it precisely to 2mm x 2mm and then locked it again. Following this, I switched the engraving type from "Score" to "Engrave."
Step 2: After selecting your square, navigate to the top of XCS and click on "Array." Next, choose "Material Test Array." A pop-up window will appear, enabling you to modify the material test settings. In this instance, I opted for Power settings of Max 100, Min 100, with 10 Columns and 1 Spacing. For Speed, I selected 400 Max, 200 Min, with 10 Rows and 1 Spacing. Finally, click "Ok" to confirm the settings.
Step 3: This step is voluntary, but I preferred the Text to be Engraved rather than Scored. To do this, click on "Array," then select "Ungroup" at the top. Now, highlight only the Text sections and switch them from "Score" to "Engrave." I utilized settings of 100% Power, 400 Speed, and 100 Lines per CM. After changing all the text to Engrave, I re-selected everything and regrouped the elements.
Step 4: Next, place your painter's tape on the test bed and adjust the Array's size to ensure it fits within the tape's boundaries. Simply click on the array and resize it if necessary, using the frame outline feature to confirm the fit. Ensure the alignment by verifying that the two dots coincide.
Tip: Initially, when conducting multiple tests, I used the black cutting board provided with the F1 to prevent engraving on my base plate. Once I fine-tuned the settings and avoided burning the tape, I transitioned to placing the painter's tape directly on the regular bed surface. If you choose this approach, again, ensure the alignment of the two dots.
Step 5: Once you've configured everything, click "Process" and allow the test to complete. Afterward, examine the results and proceed to conduct various tests until you pinpoint the settings that suit your specific blue painter's tape. I experimented by attempting to increase the Lines per CM from 100 to 140, but it began to burn the tape. I could have continued testing with higher Lines per CM, but for the time being, I settled on 100. Please comment below with the settings you discovered as optimal for your painter's tape, and also share if you attempted a scoring test. I'm curious to learn about the settings that worked best for others. Also maybe try different shapes like hearts or circles to see if results vary.