This might be a naive question, so please forgive me; I am very new (I don’t even have a machine yet). I work as a CAD Designer, & I am looking into going into (on the side) laser engraving plaques that go on the tools company I work for produces. Right now we have a source that we are only moderately happy with. The problem is that he uses Corel Draw to read in our .DXF files for his laser. There are huge translation problems most of the time. Here is my question; can I use a CAD program such as AutoCAD, or Cadkey to print (plot) directly to the laser machine? Oh, I am looking into getting an Epilog-mini 25w. I think I can with no problem, but I want to make sure before I commit to getting a laser.
Thanks for any help.
You might check with the factory for the exact answer, but generally, AutoCad, CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator work well with the lasers.
Yes, but verify!
The laser engravers are a spin off of the pen plotter. Most use an variation on hpgl. The print driver makes the laser engraver show up like any other printer on your pc. So in theory you should just be able to hit print in autocad and it “should” work.
The problem (at least with laserpro) is that they use corel draw as the reference application which they test there driver based on. So any program other than corel might have some subtle issues. For example when i print a simple box from freehand the explorer only cuts 3 of the sides, but it i ungroup the box it comes out fine. Because autocad is designed around hpgl I’d expect little problem. But be sure you actually test it before you buy.
Thanks for your quick responses.
That is pretty much what I was thinking, as far as you should be ably to in theory. When I get my information pack, I’ll call to see if I can’t set something up where I can get a demo using a CAD program.
Thanks again.
Here is another question,
From what I have found, the Epilog system seems to be what I am looking for, how are they to work with? Like support & service? Does anyone anything about the “Mini”? Also, what about the Legend24TT Should I get a larger machine, or should I wait unit I get more established? I know that is up to me as far as what my needs are, I would like some pros & cons form people who have been in my shoes just getting started. What system did they get, why, any regrets? What would they do different? I just don’t want to jump into this blind.
Be afraid, be very afraid.
I’m sure the hardware can do wonderful things but the devil is in the driver. It claims be be able to take PLT or BMP files. Most laser engravers simply show up as a printer to windows, does that one? I really wasn’t able to tell. It might require a downloader that only can send PLT or BMP. That would be a pain.
See one in operation in person.
My purchase decision was based on size. So i purchased the laserpro explorer. Aside from a couple minor driver issues I’m happy with it. Of course whenever i cut acrylic i wish i had purchased more power but even if I had 100 watts I’d probably want more power.
I regret buying the honeycomb table attachment. It was expensive and I’d probably better off just buying some florescent lighting covers and use throw one away every few months.
The biggest problem I’ve had is the exhaust fan tends to pull all the A/C out of the building so I’ve had to move the machine to a warehouse area and use a portable cooler to keep myself cool.
I know what you mean with the always want bigger/more power. I know that in the future, I’ll want a bigger machine because some projects I have in mind with one of my hobbies. I just don’t know if I should get a smaller machine, get established, and then get a bigger machine. Or just get the bigger machine now, so I don’t limit myself for potential clients, as well the size I need for my hobby projects. That is a question I am going to have to think real hard on.
What kind of problem is he having? He may be using an older version of CorelDraw. With version 11, I have not had any problems importing autocad .dxf files.
From my experience, Autocad does not use the windows printer drivers the same way that most windows programs do. This may cause some problems interacting with the laser printer driver. However, I would expect that with a little extra work with configuration, it should work printing from Autocad.
He might be. The main problems have bee missing lines. I will actually be using Cadkey as apposed to AutoCad. I just used the name AutoCad in my question because more people are familiar with it.