Sign Builder Illustrated: If sign shops are looking to bring in a machine that offers a multitude of capabilities, then they should look no further than a laser engraver/cutter. "A laser engraver or cutter is a smart addition to any sign shop," says David Stevens, industrial applications manager, Trotec Laser, Inc.
Thursday, October 01, 2020
Laser Focus
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Laser cutting and etching has made tremendous strides over the last handful of years. Similar to the trend we saw with 3D printers, laser cutters have move in two directions. In one direction, they have become cheaper and easier to use, thus creating a market for you average DIYer or home tech savvy person. In the other direction, they have gotten bigger and bigger, and functionalities have expanded to allow them to be used for more and more industrial processes. This article talks more about this direction. Laser cutters have become affordable enough for more companies to purchase one and expand their scope of work. Laser cutters allow you to cut shapes out, etch drawings and writing, and more into a multitude of materials, including plastics and metals. I can definitely see where this tool belongs in the sign making world, and I have to believe more sign shops own these than we know.
While my experience on a laser cutter is limited, once I had access to a laser cutter, I found myself using it for many more applications than I once thought. A laser cutter and engraving machine could be an unstoppable unit when it comes to sign manufacturing. Additionally, the range of sizes that laser cutters come in along with adapters and engraving features could allow for a fairly significant range of use in a professional environment. I really like how this article spells out how a laser cutter can be used to add personal touches to clients' deliverables and how to market yourself with a laser cutter. The article also offers advice on purchasing considerations and what the difference on paper looks like in an actual shop. While I do not see myself in the laser cutter market, I think this article provided a strong foundation for anyone looking to get into the industry.
Laser cutters are dope as hell. During my undergrad, I got to see very large-scale manufacturing machines like laser cutters, water jets, and 3D printers. Since then, the market for these machines has evolved at a remarkable rate. 3D printers have gone from science-fiction to home appliances that are just as popular appliances, with unique uses like tabletop miniatures popping up. When we look at the theater scene, CNC machines are popular, and there’s always push back when new technology enters the scene, because “it’s not real woodworking.” I don’t expect 3D printers to enter scene shops due to their lack of structural integrity, but maybe props shops. However, laser cutters would fit right in as the latest addition to a scene shop. The toolpathing required would be similar to what’s done for CNC and it would open a realm of acrylic and engravings that would be rather cool opportunities.
It feels nice to read/write something that isn’t about covid or horribly depressing for a change. Laser cutters are so helpful! I’m so glad I ended up taking an IDeATe class last year that taught about laser cutting and 3D printing because I then subsequently used those skills on basically every project I’ve done since then. Part of what makes them so useful is the way that they allow for intricate detail on a variety of materials, and permit etching and engraving, not just cutting. For most scenery purposes, the CNC router is probably a more effective tool, just because the CNC works on larger and thicker materials, and that’s the size that most theatrical detail needs to be. But for applications like model making, or certain props work, a laser cutter often proves to be the perfect tool, turning a lengthy and difficult project into a much simpler one.
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