Hey everyone! I need to create an eyebrow stencil. I’m wondering what kinds of materials would be compatible with the Nova Thunder laser cutter that could also curve to lay flat on the forehead. I was thinking a thin plastic. Any ideas?
Heavy paper would be cheap and fast, although I don’t know if paper suits your purpose.
From what I can find online, DuraLar might be a good option to try. It is a product that is a lot like mylar, but a lot like acetate as well. But is more stable under laser than acetate. It is clear like acetate. I’d probably try the .005 or heavier. The .003 thickness is pretty flimsy. I use it when I’m working on complex appliqué designs for quilt making. I’ve not, however, put it on a laser, though - so my suggestion might be overruled by @sixvolts, @JoshW, or even @michaelb . They know more about these things than I…
That said, they sell it at Asel Art Supply here in town, so if they approve of the material, you could take a look at some “in person,” then decide if it fills the bill. Also available online from retailers like Dick Blick. https://www.dickblick.com/products/grafix-dura-lar-clear-acetate-alternative/
The only other stuff I can think of that seems like a possibility to me would be quilting stencil material. There are heat-resistant varieties as well as the regular " will get all warped up under heat" varieties. Sheets are usually around 12x18 in size and are in the quilt notion departments at Joann’s, Hobby Lobby or a local quilt shop.
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Something like these stencil blanks should work.
Hobby Lobby carries the Show-off brand, but I cannot find what it’s made of.
Michaels carries a brand that should work.
https://www.michaels.com/folkart-painting-stencils-blanks/10483771.html
Both links are mylar plastic.
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I’d think the poster board or Manila folder card would suite your needs. Cheap to experiment with, too.
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Looks like another group is ahead of us on this: https://talk.vanhack.ca/t/material-approval-request-to-cut-duralar-on-the-laser-cutter/3294
They were able to cut it without too much issue, but if you’re cutting a ton, let us know so we can clean the lens up afterwards (that really holds true for any materials though).
Totally off-topic to the subject at hand, but on the same Vancouver Hackerspace listserv: https://talk.vanhack.ca/t/about-that-electric-beaver-in-the-furnace-room/9600
We really need to have an electric rodent too!
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