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Year 8 · Design and technology · CAD and electronics · Lesson 2

Designing for the laser cutter

Designing in 2D CAD for the laser cutter: cut and engrave lines, safe materials (never PVC), finger joints, nesting to save material, kerf and test cuts.

Whiteboard video lesson: Designing for the laser cutter

17-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Explain how a laser cutter works
  • Prepare cut and engrave lines
  • Use finger joints and nesting
  • Follow laser cutter safety

The method

  1. Cut outline.
  2. Engrave details.
  3. Nest.
  4. Check, test, supervise.

Key words: laser cutter, vector, engrave, finger joint, nesting, kerf, acrylic, MDF.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

What does a laser cutter use to cut?

  1. Step 1: Light

Answer: a focused laser beam

Question 2

What kind of CAD drawing does a laser cutter follow?

  1. Step 1: Flat

Answer: a 2D vector drawing

Question 3

What two jobs can a laser cutter do?

  1. Step 1: Through, or surface

Answer: cut and engrave