KSA FAB LAB > Laser Cutters > ULS Laser Cutter

PLOTTING FROM AUTOCAD

In order to assure the best chance of success when using the laser cutter from AutoCAD, it is necessary to set up a .pc3 and .pmp file using the AutoCAD Plotter Manager. Do not plot directly to the laser cutter from AutoCAD, as this can produce unusable page sizes (in testing, we've seen pages that are 144" wide, oand also 0"x0").

Creating your .pc3 and .pmp files

The following instructions were written by Universal Laser Systems:

1. With a drawing open, select File, then Plotter Manager, then double-click on the Add a Plotter Wizard. If the Autodesk Hardcopy System window appears, select the version of AutoCAD you are using, then click Continue, at which time the Add Plotter – Introduction Page will appear.
2. Click Next> to start the Wizard.
3. At the Add Plotter – Begin window, select System Printer, then click on Next>.
4. Select the appropriate ULS print driver from the list (example – M-300), then click on Next>.
5. Do not import a PC2 or PC3 file, so click Next> again.
6. Specify a plotter name (example – "M-300 AutoCAD Laser Cutter"), then click Next>.
7. Click on Edit Plotter Configuration, which should open the Plotter Configuration Editor window.
8. Click on Custom Properties in the Device and Document Settings Tab window and then click on the Custom Properties button to access the ULS printer driver.
9. Click on the Engraving Field tab then make sure the device is set to Landscape and then click on the Maximum Page Size button (example for the M-300 would be 24.000 inches width and 12.000 inches height).
10. Click on OK to exit the driver.
11. Click on Modify Standard Paper Sizes (Printable Area) in the Device and Document Settings Tab window, then click on the Modify button.
12. Change ALL margins to 0.00, then click on Next>.
13. Specify a PMP file name (example – "M-300 AutoCAD Laser Cutter") then click Next> and then Finish.
14. Click OK to exit the Plotter Configuration Editor window and then click Finish to exit the Add Plotter – Finish window. This has set up a new plotter named "M-300 AutoCAD Laser Cutter.pc3" which can be selected via the AutoCAD main menu File>Plot>Plot Device tab. If a warning appears stating that the devices paper size will be used, then click on OK.

When You Are Ready To Plot

To access power and speed settings prior to plotting, click on Properties from the Plot Device tab, then Custom Properties. After modifying the driver settings, and clicking on OK, you will be asked if you want to make a temporary or permanent change to the PC3 file. It is recommended that you select “Save Changes to the following file:” - which will change the default settings within the M-300 AutoCAD Laser Cutter.pc3 file. Click on OK to save the changes made to the driver.

Questions?

If you have any questions about anything contained in these documents, please contact Matt Bernhardt at bernhardt.7@osu.edu, or 614.292.7595.