[Solved] Laser cutting grid patterns

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thelasercutter01
Junior Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2023 2:12 pm

[Solved] Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by thelasercutter01 » Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:13 am

I thought this was going to be simple but isn't :) , hope someone can help.

Attached the DXF. What I want to actually cut out is a grid with the attached pattern (used hatch for pattern) but what actually would seems like cut is big hole in the middle as all pieces will just fall off. Without actually manually modifying all the lines so they don't dropis there a quick way to achieve what I want?

How the output should look like is in attached png.

Thanks.

Version: 3.27.8.0 (3.27.8)
Build date: Oct 6 2022
Revision: dea3962
Qt Version: 5.13.2
Architecture: x86_64
Compiler: MSVC++ 14.0 (2015)
OS: WIndows 11
QCAD Professional
Attachments
patternpic.png
patternpic.png (206.4 KiB) Viewed 2270 times
Pattern.dxf
(96.17 KiB) Downloaded 154 times
Last edited by thelasercutter01 on Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 3418
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by CVH » Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:52 am

thelasercutter01,

For a hatch with an island:
Draw an outer and an inner boundary, select both and hatch the selection with HA.

Remark that there are no rounded corners, Hatches use all but line segments.

Regards,
CVH
Last edited by CVH on Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 3418
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by CVH » Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:14 am

After re-reading the question rises what to keep ...

Usually the lines are intended as cutting paths.
So the black areas would float freely after cutting.
In essence this is not possible without bridges that keep things together.

When the intention is to cutout the black pieces then you need double cutting paths.
John Hyslop made a free hatch tool that can make a custom Hatch pattern that may suit you.
https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... 904#p39904

- Create a suitable custom pattern.
- Store it ... Restart QCAD.
- Use as pattern.
- Explode the hatch to line art.

Regards,
CVH

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Husky
Moderator/Drawing Help/Testing
Posts: 4935
Joined: Wed May 11, 2011 9:25 am
Location: USA

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by Husky » Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:59 am

thelasercutter01 wrote:
Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:13 am
I thought this was going to be simple but isn't :)
It is! I would opt for John Hyslop BHT tool too. You can use the Brick-02 tab ...

Husky-2023.03.05-05.png
Husky-2023.03.05-05.png (15.19 KiB) Viewed 2242 times

... to get something like this example hatch pattern ...

Husky-2023.03.05-04.png
Husky-2023.03.05-04.png (6.81 KiB) Viewed 2242 times

Works like a charm, saves you a lot of manual work.
https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... 904#p39904
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
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thelasercutter01
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2023 2:12 pm

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by thelasercutter01 » Mon Mar 06, 2023 10:32 am

CVH, Husky and John, you guys are ROCKSTARS!!

This works amazing. Being a total beginner with laser cutting and QCAD (and general in all 2D software's) you guys have patiently answered all my questions, really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I would have ended up doing this manually (or continue to search for solutions), spending ton of time and still not getting the accuracy needed! I am learning though something that seems quite simple isn't mostly, but with your clear guidance/tools it does make it massively easy.

Thanks a ton!

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 3418
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by CVH » Mon Mar 06, 2023 5:06 pm

thelasercutter01 wrote:
Mon Mar 06, 2023 10:32 am
Thanks a ton!
You are welcome, glad to be of any assistance.

Regards,
CVH

John Hyslop
Premier Member
Posts: 473
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2019 6:21 am
Location: Melbourne - Australia

Re: Laser cutting grid patterns

Post by John Hyslop » Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:52 am

thelasercutter01 wrote:
Mon Mar 06, 2023 10:32 am
Thanks a ton!
Thanks guys for recommending BHT :)
"thelaserguy01" your very welcome.. Happy Hatching :)

Cheers
John Hyslop
PS I haven't logged in for a while.. :wink:
IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME [ Ten most powerful 2 letter words ]

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