![neutral marked box](/static_processed/570336d73f1b8b9f50782ed0dea30695/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/money-box/box-marked-neutral.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Acrylic Money Box
Use the directions and template below to make an arcylic money box with all-round photo engraving. The money box is a great gift for the hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
To browse our full materials range, please visit www.trotec-materials.com
Preparation
Required material
- 1/4 sheet of 3 mm TroGlass Color Gloss black (available at Trotec)
- Material to cover the engraving table (e.g. paper)
Machine used
- Speedy 400 flexx
- 120 Watt CO2/50 Watt fiber laser with 2.85" flexx lens
For this sample, you should use a laser machine from the Speedy flexx Series.
Important
- Use the acrylic cutting grid table.
- Leave the protection foil on the material during cutting. It protects the acrylic from scratches. Remove the foil right before marking.
Tip:
- Produce cash boxes to keep in your inventory and individualize them for your customers upon request.
Step by step
![csm_moneybox-dreamcar-cutting-parts_23a4055015_1.jpeg](/static_processed/d4562ed418cc5f7e6db4ad7a5d9e9499/csm_moneybox-dreamcar-cutting-parts_23a4055015_1.jpeg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/applications/acrylic-money-box/csm_moneybox-dreamcar-cutting-parts_23a4055015_1.jpeg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
Step 1: Import /create design template
Create your own design or import our design template into your graphics program. We optimized the design so that you can produce two cash boxes out of one quarter sheet of TroGlass without material waste. You can also visit www.makeabox.io and enter the required dimensions, material thickness, kerf, etc. and download the finished file. If you define the kerf correctly, you can simply put together the parts without glue. (We used a kerf of 0.2 mm.)
Print settings
Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
---|---|---|
Standard | 500 dpi | none |
Halftone | Others |
---|---|
Black & White | enhanced geometries inner geometries first |
![csm_box-marked-neutral_e0942cfad6_2.jpeg](/static_processed/6e49d97747dacd2a6c00d0e3c7d74b01/csm_box-marked-neutral_e0942cfad6_2.jpeg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/applications/acrylic-money-box/csm_box-marked-neutral_e0942cfad6_2.jpeg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
Step 2: Laser process
To optimize your results, you should use the acrylic cutting grid table because it eliminates back reflections on the material. Simply position the acrylic sheet into your laser and cover the rest of the table to maximize the exhaust power. Then cut the design out of TroGlass.
Laser Parameters:
Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
---|---|---|---|---|
red | Cut CO2 | 30 | 0.2 | 5000 |
Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
---|---|---|---|
1 | on | - | - |
Info:
- We used the standard laser parameters from JobControl optimized for quality because we want to mark on the cutting edges as well.
- You can download the material parameters from JobControl here.
![csm_Driver-Moneybox-Marking_b6e6697e43_3.png](/static_processed/71352b0ce14083b46a82ab924c544f93/csm_driver-moneybox-marking_b6e6697e43_3.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/applications/acrylic-money-box/csm_Driver-Moneybox-Marking_b6e6697e43_3.png","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
Step 3: Prepare for photo marking
Open the template for laser marking. It shows the four pages of the money box. Import the desired image and position it into the center of the page. Please make sure that the image is big enough to cover all four sides of the box. Make 3 duplicates of the image and position them all into the center of the page. Now position each of the images into one of the four power clip containers (with transparent outline - see video). The image appears as one, but has been split into four. Now send all four designs to the laser. Make sure that you use the exact dimensions and the graphic is positioned in the middle.
Print settings:
Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
---|---|---|
Photo | 500dpi | none |
Halftone | Others |
---|---|
Stucki | Invert |
Important:
All black parts of the image are marked and appear white afterwards. This is why the image needs to be inverted.
![csm_Moneybox-Dreamcar-powerclip_9a8775e14b_4.jpg](/static_processed/e8919a3c7a2bee46a44a2ec362ebbb00/csm_moneybox-dreamcar-powerclip_9a8775e14b_4.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/applications/acrylic-money-box/csm_Moneybox-Dreamcar-powerclip_9a8775e14b_4.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
Step 4: Laser marking
Position the assembled money box into your laser. Start marking with the right (narrow) side (no. 1), followed by the left (narrow) side (no. 3). Next mark the front (no. 2) and finally the back (no. 4). Remember to focus the laser machine before marking the front (no. 2). You could mark the pieces from 1-4 one after the other, but then you will have to focus again after each part.
Laser Parameters:
Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
---|---|---|---|---|
black | engrave FLP | 40 | 55 | 75000 |
Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
---|---|---|---|
1 | on | - | High Quality |
![csm_Moneybox-acrylic_5577e27c62_5.jpg](/static_processed/25d2d6f28c47b9eb62fc9de1ddaceb73/csm_moneybox-acrylic_5577e27c62_5.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/applications/acrylic-money-box/csm_Moneybox-acrylic_5577e27c62_5.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
Step 5: Post-processing
The only post-processing necessary is cleaning the glass holder. We recommend using some water and dish soap.
Inspirations
- On dark acrylic you can achieve particularly good results with the fiber laser source of the Speedy flexx series.
- If you want to mark four individual images instead of the all-round graphic, you can mark the image directly on the material before cutting.
- You can also UV-print the material. Our JobControl Vision will help you cut out the printed sheets with highest precision. Don't forget that the cutting edges will appear black (resp. in the color of the acrylic used)