Sketch & Cut – Your drawing automatically cut by laser!
Draw a shape on any material, put the drawing in Sketch&Cut and a laser will automatically cut your object for you. Sketch&Cut is the latest development in laser cutting, but it is so simple to use that anyone that is able to make a drawing can use it.
By combining laser cutting technology with computer vision Studio diip has developed a stand-alone, easy to use laser cutting machine that can be used by everyone with a pencil. Classic laser cutting devices use technical, computer generated 2D drawings created in software like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator. To use the Sketch&Cut laser cutter no technical skills are needed; just draw by hand what you want to cut or engrave and it will be done exactly like you drew it. You don’t even need a computer!
Sketch&Cut is useful for a lot of different disciplines but it is especially suitable for creating models, prototypes, jewelry, stencils, personalized packaging, signs and engraving. Sketch&Cut is fit for home use, for artisans, hobbyists and artists, but it can also be used for business and educational use.
Project
In 2013 we came up with the idea of combining our core expertise, computer vision, with one of their passions, the maker industry. We started testing the idea of a hand drawing laser cutter by buying a laser cutting machine and attaching a webcam to it. After experimenting with this setup for a while it became clear that we were able to write software that made it possible to recognize hand drawings. We then proceeded to translate these drawings into controlling a laser cutting machine and the first prototype was created.
How it works
In the current system the camera takes a picture of the material in the cutting area. This snapshot is used to detect the lines with computer vision technology. With a touchscreen you can then indicate what parts need to be cut and what needs to be engraved and just press the start button. The machine will then decide the best way to cut your drawing.
After a year of fine-tuning the concept and developing several prototypes we are preparing to take the leap to a Kickstarter project in the near future. We are hoping for your support in this campaign, so be sure to check our site regularly for updates!
