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Laser Cutting Fabric for Piecing

Multiple copies of a shape or cutting plan can be cut by stacking layers of fabric.  The laser does not care if all of the fabrics in the stack are the same fabric or all different fabrics.  It will cut the shapes all the same on all layers.  One pass of the laser at 100% power cuts through about 2 layers of fabric.  Add passes to cut through more layers.  The speed should be at least 370 because slower speeds can cause the fabric to catch fire.  It's safer to make more passes at a fast speed.

Recommended Settings

Power:   100%

Speed:  370-500

Passes:  1 pass per 2 layers

Thickness:  Measure with a caliper

How many layers can be cut?

Up to the maximum height allowed by the laser but this is very risky.  If something goes wrong, the waste could be great.  My personal limit is 8 layers.  Adding more layers only saves you in set up time.  

If you are cutting 8 layers with 24 squares in each layer, you will cut 192 squares in one print.  It might only take you 3 minutes to setup the fabric and 15 minutes to cut.  So, cutting more layers only saves you 3 minutes.

How to Laser Cut Fabric:

Make a Stack

  • All fabric must be pressed, flat, and wrinkle-free.  See "Fabric Preparation" for more details.

  • Rough cut the rectangles of fabric needed.  The dimensions should be 1/2 inch larger than the area needed for the shapes, which gives you 1/4 inch extra on each side.  The 1/4 inch extra will be used to place weights on all the edges.  Make sure the top and left edges are square.

  • Do not put a piece of fabric larger than the tray in the laser.  The moving parts can hit the extra fabric and ruin the whole cut.

  • Do not fold fabric, cut it and stack it right sides up.

  • Make a neat stack of the prepared fabric, right sides up, lining up the edges along the top and left sides.

  • Place the stack on the tray, lining up on the guide tape with the left and top edges of the stack of fabric.  Read about guide tape in "Setting Tray Boundaries".

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Place weights on the edges and the middle

  • Place weights on all the edges all the way to the corners.

  • Place a couple quarters in the middle, avoiding any of the cut lines.

  • After the lid is closed, the Laser will take a picture. Check to make sure that the weights are not intersecting a cutting line.

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Score the design
The picture on the computer screen 

  • This step should not be skipped.  It will allow you to see the exact path of the Laser so you can place weights on each piece.

  • Set the Laser to SCORE the design so it does not completely cut the design.  The Laser should be set to no more than 25% power.  Increase the power if the line is not visible.  

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Place weights on all the shapes

  • After the Laser scores the design, lift the lid and place weights on the shapes, at each corner of each shape and anywhere that needs one.  If you cut this shape frequently, consider making acrylic weights that are about 3/4 inch smaller than the shape.

  • Click the PRINT button and watch the Laser head scan the material.   The red light MUST shine on the FABRIC and not on a weight.  If it shines on a weight, cancel the print, open the lid and move the weight out of the way.  Click PRINT and verify the light hits the fabric.

Cut
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Watch this shape in the video below.

  • Press the GO button on the Laser.

  • Watch the fabric as the Laser cuts and make sure that the fabric is not blowing anywhere.   The arrow is pointing at a shape that is not secured properly because it is very narrow.  If the laser is set to make more than one pass, the laser may burn the edge of this shape that is blowing around.  When this happens, the laser should be stopped after the first pass is finished.  Cancel the print, open the lid, add a weight, and program it to make the remaining passes.

  • If you see a problem at any time, press the GO button to stop the Laser.  Cancel the print in the software before you open the lid.

  • Fix the issue and then start the print over.  It's OK for the Laser to go over the path again.

Verify the Cut

  • After the cut finishes, open the lid and check if the fabric has been cut completely through to the last layer.  Carefully remove the weights off of one shape.  Remove the shapes carefully until you get to the bottom layer.  If it is not cut through, add the weights back to that shape and make another pass or 2.

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