Cut parts from plans using an S10 Laser Engraver/Cutter!

[@grahampayne7285]

Diecut parts are never on the plans but are often in the assembly manual. If you have the manual as a pdf file already you can export the pages with your pdf editor, import the pages into Autocad or LibreCad (free software). Then scale it to the correct size by adding a known dimension and use the scale function by calculating the scale percentage. Export or save as a DXF file that can be directly imported into Lightburn. Easy as!

[@FranklyWry]

Comprehensive yet easy to understand, this was very well done with your very pleasant speaking style. Thank you.

[@swissfreek]

Super useful tip for working off paper plans or raster (.jpg, .png, etc.) plans. The nice thing is if you have plans as a .pdf, it’s most likely already in vector form, so you can import it directly into lightburn or most vector graphics editors (Inkscape, illustrator, vectornator, affinity designer, etc.) and go straight to the step where you select and delete the lines you don’t want to cut (or set them as tool layers).

[@andrewgreen9404]

Thanks for this useful content. Because I had to hand draw and then scan parts for a repair, I struggled somewhat with creating a sufficiently clean line for the scanner to create a clear image in Lightburn. The two traced outlines merged in places which meant that there were not 2 distinct larger and smaller shapes to group and ungroup and separating them was impossible. After some thought, I came up with an alternative; I used the image scan in the standard Windows 3D image editor and block filled the shape outline in black. Tracing in Lightburn then created a single line for my Sculpfun S30 Pro to cut.

[@thingys-rd7id]

Very interesting just the sort of thing I want to do when I have the time. Thanks for taking the time to show how it's done.

[@clintonsmith9931]

Use to use Coral Draw to inlarge Walt Mooney plans scanned on printer scanner . Then print in sections and tape then together made a few quite large planes and some very small.

[@ColinWatters]

I have the same laser and it cuts veneers for marquetry very nicely. The kerf is tiny but you can even correct for that if you want.

[@jamessoutar4354]

Thanks! I haven’t seen this process before but I’ve heard it could be done. Nice to see it’s not too complicated and doesn’t require redrawing in a CAD program.

[@Painless360]

Thanks for letting me know that the video was helpful. This is a fun thing to show in a video! Happy flying!

[@ad-si4bq]

Thanks for the video it does answer all my questions,I have a lot of RC plans I can dust off and start doing this

[@vipero00]

Just my 2¢ for larger plans pin them to a wall and use a camera with a telephoto lens as far away as you can get (zoom in) to decrease distortion. Then import the image into Inkscape where you can trace the interesting parts and make an SVG file to import into LightBurn. Vector programs are much better than raster programs for these kind of outlines.

[@swissfreek]

Agreed. Or most copy centers will have a scanner you can use to get the initial raster image.

[@fredlef100]

@@swissfreek Or you can just scan in and then trace the scan with almost any raster program.

[@swissfreek]

@@fredlef100 vector program, but yeah. The thing is most of these printed plans are big sheets and it’s kind of a PITA to scan them piece by piece and then get them all aligned again, if you have a scanner at all.

[@leaktech1]

You can use a flat bed printer to print the part and cut it out. Then tape it to your computer monitor and manually trace it in lightburn. Resizing is easy afterwords.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Very interesting. Jet Provost, one of my favourite aircraft.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic tutorial, Lee! Thanks! 😃 You know, I've been wanting to make a small rc car out of depron... With a servo and one of those yellow gear motors, you know? As I don't have a PC right now, I was thinking about buying squares and so on... Then I've found an Android app to draw vectors, where you can input the dimensions and so on. So, I was going to get everything I need and start measuring... But you gave me an idea: to search for drawings of those parts, so I can import them into the drawing app! And I already found everything! 😂 (But I'm going to check with my caliper, of course!) Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@fredlef100]

well this is a pretty neat idea. something for me to add to my post retirement list with my glowforge.

[@douglasweston4927]

Thanks for uploading this video again - appreciated. Just what I was looking for, and can now forward link on to another friend.

[@Painless360]

It is the same video. Links become unviewable when videos are scheduled for release.. I hope they find it useful. Happy flying

[@brianberezowski5352]

AWESOME information. THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge. Best regards from CYQT 👍🇨🇦👍

[@JoeyCbr]

Very Interesting the stuff that’s now out there, just bought a 3d printer so need to save the pennies again for one of these. Need a bigger shed first

[@DadsRCHangar]

That’s great, I am sure you will be building many planes over the winter 👍🏻

[@trondaustad8617]

Good video mr, greettsss from Norway

[@chrisabraham8793]

you could clean up the plan section you need to import and rid the writing borders with paint.

[@jamesemery1]

good info as always. stay safe lee

[@JOSMIGJ35V]

WHAT PROGRAM DID YOU USE TO EDIT THE DRAWING

[@themuckyman]

That ruler ! lol ! Time for a nice stainless one Lee.

[@Painless360]

Heh heh. Oh I have two metal ones for cutting with craft knives. That one is the little plastic ruler from my desk set... Happy flying!

[@peterboy209]

That's what i was looking for, 👍

[@derek2593]

A small, round, bubble level on your phone screen while you take a picture, can make a perfectly proportioned picture of a part. Then put it into some software to remove the background and resize it to original size.

[@Painless360]

Great idea! Do remember that there can be distortion on some lenses so as you move to the edge of the image the image may not be spot on. Happy flying!

[@derek2593]

@@Painless360, I just wish my planes worked right now. I am too new with this CO2 laser machine to make my own planes. Parts, I could do though.

[@Painless360]

Cheap foamies are a great way to learn before moving onto more delicate models.... Happy flying

[@OneTwo-wt8qv]

Brilliant .. Cheers !

[@miguelquiroz1550]

Lee. Thanks for this video. How about assembling this parts . Will the burned side affects the gluing process or must be clean?

[@Painless360]

I'd clean them up a little to ensure that the glue is sticking to the wood and not just a charred surface layer..

[@Sixthflyer]

Great video and very helpful tip with the scanning plans stuff. Sculpfun is now selling the S30 pro max with 20 watts power. What are your impressions for that?

[@Painless360]

I've not used one... Happy flying!

[@parkflyer68]

Great tutorial! I am following everything you are doing but I can't get rid of the double line from my imported png file. I also noticed that your scan is transparent when you put it into lightburn ie you can see the grid. my scan is solid white background with the airfoil shape..... what am I doing wrong?? regards Ian

[@Painless360]

You need to ungroup the trace to be able to select the line you want. I can't see what you are missing but I'd suspect that you are not deleting the original image from the app once you've traced it.. Best of luck!

[@parkflyer68]

@@Painless360 thank you for you quick reply, by accident I found my issue. The one rib I was playing with had an arrow that intersects the line of the airfoil and it is one continuous loop, the other ribs have a definite inner and outer line….. which I am able to select which line to use. One very happy Chappy!! Great tutorials, to the point and concise, just what I needed!

[@fly2me2day]

Very interesting, more please! Do you consider the S9 a reasonable (cheaper) alternative....

[@Painless360]

Yes, you can add the air assist to it too..

[@charlesmyers9765]

I have plans for the super sporter 40, and theres some parts that im not sure how they should be cut. Can anyone help?

[@AngryPepper1964]

Thanks for this info I’ve always wanted to try this, but I can’t find the price for this unit, the links seem to just give info about the product but not the price.

[@Painless360]

Link in description. Link to the listing on Banggood: bit.ly/3RHhaBv

[@SonAndDadFPV]

Did you ever glue two peaces together on the burned sides? I do not thrust it and always sand it a little bit before applying glue.

[@Painless360]

That is a good idea to do for any joint, thanks for posting... happy flying!

[@rodhartp51]

I have imported images into Fusion 360. It has a scaling option to ensure the items is the correct size. Did you verify the scale with the photo editing program. Can you verify the image size in lightburn? thanks

[@Painless360]

I use the method shown to make sure the size is correct. Best of luck.

[@rodhartp51]

@@Painless360 Thanks

[@owenmilner9700]

I've made my laser parts so far in fusion using a trace over on imported background plan image. It's more work but you get the chance to clean up the design, make slots, holes etc the correct size to save work later on. A lot 9f hand drawn plans are pretty rough dimensionally.

[@gordinir7]

Excellent video as usual...so are you taking orders? I could really use some ready cut ribs for my forthcoming Bugaboo build.

[@Painless360]

That isn't something I do for other people. Happy flying!

[@VladTepes44]

There might be a Fablab near you that can give you access to a professional grade laser cutting machine.

[@gordinir7]

@@VladTepes44 Yes I know I was actually joking when I ask this from Lee. I have found a guy that might help me, unfortunately it has to be a modeller that knows how to reed a plan otherwise problems may occur. All the models I have build as from plans but this time i want to save some time and trouble.

[@ward6030]

Am I correct in saying you did 2 passes at 2mm/s ?

[@Painless360]

I'd always do a cutting test on new material prior to cutting the pieces you want. You may find that small differences in the material mean that a cut is too fast or needs another pass.. Best of luck!

[@humberto367]

Hello! please, would it be possible for you to share these files for cutting? thanks!!

[@Painless360]

This was the a demo of the process. Are you having a problem with an S10?

[@MichaelKlust]

Vielen Dank 👍👍👍🙆☕

[@AerialWaviator]

Fascinating. Seeing that it can cut up to 20mm wood. Very impressive. You might be able to cut your own foam wings. Not cord-wise, but by cutting 20mm rib slices and stacking them on a pair of carbon-rod spares. So many possibles with such a great tool in the workshop! 🤔💭

[@dwightbauer6705]

Why can't you just take a picture of it and Import and trace?

[@Painless360]

If you are happy that there is zero lens distortion in the camera you use... Best of luck

[@liverpudd306]

GIMP = Graphical Image Manipulation Programme.

[@Painless360]

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gimp

[@VladTepes44]

GNU Image Manipulation Program, since it is part of the GNU software collection. But that was added after. According to the authors they actually named it first because of the Gimp in pulp fiction, and then found the acronym after.

[@Townie001]

Use a lightburn camera & trace.

[@DaveWrightKB9MNM]

"GNU Image manipulation program"