Raster vs vector laser cutting

The primary difference between vector and raster graphics is that raster graphics are composed of pixels, while vector graphics are composed of paths or lines. The main differences between modes required to laser process each type involve the movement of the axles and in the parameters used.

1. What is raster in laser cutting?
2. What is vector in laser cutting?
3. What is the difference between raster and vector engraving?
4. What are raster graphics good for?
5. Which one will the laser cutter not cut?
6. What software is used for laser cutting?
7. What is a vector cut?
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of laser cutting?
9. What weight stroke should vector engraving be?
10. What is raster mode?
11. What is the difference between score and engrave?

What is raster in laser cutting?

Laser engraving or laser etching is a method of marking where the laser head engraves by moving from left to right slowly down the material. It is also know as 'raster engraving'. Think of it like a printer where instead of printing, it is actually taking some of your material away to mark the surface.

What is vector in laser cutting?

Vector cutting performs the action of cutting an outline and a shape from a piece of material. The word vector itself essentially means “line”. Therefore the designing and cutting process relies on lines to create the desired output. This type of cutting must be done using a vector image.

What is the difference between raster and vector engraving?

Raster engraving is created by the laser scanning the engraved areas very much as a printer does, filling the area to be engraved line by line. Vector engraving, on the other hand, is created more like a line drawing. The laser follows the vector lines and draws them as a single line.

What are raster graphics good for?

Raster graphics are best used for non-line art images; specifically digitized photographs, scanned artwork or detailed graphics. Non-line art images are best represented in raster form because these typically include subtle chromatic gradations, undefined lines and shapes, and complex composition.

Which one will the laser cutter not cut?

Polycarbonate is a poor choice for laser cutting. ABS Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt ABS does not cut well in a laser cutter. It tends to melt rather than vaporize, and has a higher chance of catching on fire and leaving behind melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid.

What software is used for laser cutting?

Adobe Photoshop: Photoshop is used for creating and editing raster images. Adobe Illustrator: Illustrator is used for creating vector images, and is the software that is used to sent projects to the laser cutter.

What is a vector cut?

With vector cutting, a laser cuts along a line that is defined by a vector image. ... Rather than being composed of lines and points, a raster image is composed of pixels, which have varying color. Raster engraving doesn't necessarily cut all the way through the metal piece; instead, it creates a relief.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of laser cutting?

Laser cutting machine has high level of efficiency and required design replicas are exact copies of each other. Disadvantages of laser cutting: Efficiency and power consumption depends on the type of section that need to be carried out and nature of the laser. Usually, laser cutting have high energy consumption.

What weight stroke should vector engraving be?

All Vector cutting and engraving line weights should be . 001 inch “Stroke” width maximum with NO “Fill”.

What is raster mode?

Raster graphics, also called bitmap graphics, a type of digital image that uses tiny rectangular pixels, or picture elements, arranged in a grid formation to represent an image.

What is the difference between score and engrave?

Score is simply a lower power cut. It follows a defined path using lower power (or higher speed) to mark, vs. cutting thru. Engraving moves the head back and forth, side to side, either between the edges of a defined path (“Vector engrave”) or varying power or dot pattern based on raster/bitmap image shading.