Dragon Polymer Clay Cutter Tutorial

V1 sizes: 25 and 35mm wide.
Added a less scrawny V2 of the 35mm & 45mm, (white).

Fun Tutorial: Working with SVGs in Inkscape, Cookiecad, and BambuLab

Note: This might feel like a borderline ridiculous method, but if you hate how SVGs get mangled when importing into Fusion (like I do) and enjoy working with SVGs in Inkscape, this workaround is for you. Welcome to the fruits of my hyper-focused Sunday!

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Step 1: Inkscape

1.1 Prepare Your SVG in Inkscape

1. Export as PNG:

   • Select your black outer cutter object(s) in Inkscape.
     
   • Go to File → Export PNG Image.
     
   • Use the following settings:
     
     • Resolution: 2000 DPI
       
     • Export area: Select Selection only (if your lines are part of the same file).
       
   • Save as SVG.

2. Save two SVG copies for the infill section(s):

   • One with the original line thickness.
     
   • One with thicker lines (if you need additional ).

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1.2 Calculate the Offset Values in Inkscape (For Step 3)

Note: You can skip this and eyeball it.

1. With your original file that includes both the outer cutter and inner fill:
   
   • Group your outer lines:
     
     • Select all outer lines and press Ctrl + G to group them.
       
   • Group your inner lines:
     
     • Select all inner lines and press Ctrl + G to group them.
       
   • Add a 1x1 cube:
     
     • Set both width and height to 1 mm and press Enter.
       
     • Duplicate the cube by pressing Ctrl + D.
       
   • Align the first cube:
     
     • Select a cube, select the outer group, and press Shift + Ctrl + A to open the Align and Distribute menu.
       
     • Under Relative to, choose First selected and align it horizontally and vertically.
       
   • Repeat this for the inner group.
     
   • Select both cubes:
     
     • Select both cubes by holding Shift and clicking on them.
       
     • Resize the page to the selection by pressing Shift + Ctrl + R (Resize Page to Selection).
       
     • Write down the X and Y values of the infill-aligned cube (make the Y value negative for later use in Step 3).
       
     • Save this information for later!

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Step 2: Process the PNG in Cookiecad Beta

1. Import the PNG into Cookiecad Beta.
   
2. Select Mode:
   
   • Cutter or Cutter Set (for multiple at once).
3. Adjust Settings:
   
   • Blade height: 7.5 mm with 0.6mm thickness (this gives a 10 mm total height due to the 2.5 mm handle height).
     
   • Sharp Blade: 0.22 mm width with 1.5 mm chamfer height (set to 0.22 instead of 0.2 to avoid issues with Arachne wall generator mode).
     
   • Handle dimensions: 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm.
     
4. Export as STL.

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Step 3: Combine Files in BambuLab

Note: No align tool is present in BambuLab, so this must be done with coordinate entry. Don't use Tinkercad because it reduces the mesh and creates holes in the model.

1. Import the STL Base:

   • Load the STL file from Cookiecad into BambuLab.

2. Import Your SVGs:

   • Load the SVG of the original lines and set the height to 8.2 mm (this creates a 1.8 mm imprint from the 10 mm cutter height).
     
   • Load the thicker SVG for and set its height to 2 mm.

3. Align Your Objects:

   • Use the Move Tool to set all objects to World Zero by typing in zeros.
     
   • Offset directionally by the coordinate values found in Step 1.2:
     
     • Positive X and Negative Y from the values you wrote down.
       
   • Drag the Z-axis up until the objects snap to the plate.

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Step 4: Merge Objects

Here are 3 options for merging your cutter objects:

4.1 Export All Objects as One Object (Simplified for One Cutter)

• Export as one object without merging individual parts:
  
  • In Bambulab select "File > Export > Export all objects as one stl..."
  • Export the entire design as a single STL file. This will automatically combine all objects into one object without needing to manually merge them.
    
  • This method is easy and works perfectly for a single cutter.

4.2 Merge Individual Objects in BambuLab

• Merge directly within BambuLab:
  
  • Hold Ctrl and select all objects you want to merge.
    
  • Right-click and choose Merge.
    
  • Under the Process menu, switch from Global to Object to see individual part names.
    
  • Use the Mesh Boolean Tool to combine two objects at a time until your entire design is solid.

4.3 Use Blender to Merge Objects

• Merge in Blender for greater control:
  
  • Export all objects as a single STL (as in step 4.1).
  • Open the STL file in Blender.
    
  • Separate the parts (if needed) by pressing Tab to enter Edit Mode, then press P and choose Separate by Loose Parts.
    
  • Press Tab again to exit Edit Mode.
    
  • Select the objects you want to merge, then press Ctrl + J to them into one object.
    
  • Press A to select all objects.
  • Go to File > Export > STL.
  • Select the Batch Mode checkbox.
  • Export all the selected objects.

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Step 5: Finalize the STL for Printing

1. Import the STL:

   • Re-import the finalized STL file back into BambuLab to double-check your design and ensure all objects are correctly merged and positioned.

2. Slice the Model:

   • Once everything looks good, proceed to slice the model in BambuLab to prepare it for printing.

3. Check the Slicer:

   • Review the slicer settings and preview the sliced model to make sure everything is correctly aligned and ready for printing.
     
   • Do not enable Arachne unless absolutely necessary, as it can distort files and should only be used when required.

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That's It!

Your cutter is now complete! 🎉

If you have any questions or get stuck, drop a comment below—happy crafting!

0.2mm nozzle only