Laser cutting & T-Trak-Z Modules

[E231-500]

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone on here has had any experience with making their own laser cut wooden T-Trak modules?

 

I have been lucky enough to obtain a bench top laser cutter that can cut wood up to 5mm thick. Its a Creality Laser Falcon 5W

 

I have N and Z scale trains, but would like to start off with making T-Trak-Z Modules. I've had a search through the forums and online but would like to get some advice from the knowledgeable folks on here.

 

Does anyone know how one would go about designing and cutting module pieces for later construction?

Also, has anyone had experience using a laser cutter with thin brass? I was thinking I may also be able to use it to make various other items like signals and/or overhead line equipment.

 

Thanks in advance.

[cteno4]

@Martijn Meerts had designed his own lasercut modules and had them cut at a service. Also recently @Giugiaro’s club has been making their own module kits as well. A few others as well here have lasercut kits. Keep us posted on your process, always great to see.

 

cheers,

 

jeff

[Martijn Meerts]

Yes, I've made several designs over the years. When I have a bit of time I can try to find the files. My PC is a bit of a mess since my external storage failed a while ago. I bought a new NAS recently, but haven't had the time to sit down and move everything over / sort everything 🙂

 

[cteno4]

4 hours ago, Martijn Meerts said:

My PC is a bit of a mess since my external storage failed a while ago.

lol, Martijn I’m so glad you said this as I’m in the same boat!

 

jeff

[E231-500]

Thanks for the replies!

 

cteno4: I will certainly keep you posted. My laser cutter should arrive next week hopefully, so I will make some space and set it up.

 

Martijn: If you do find the files, that would be awesome. I did find some on thingiverse which I have downloaded, so I plan to try those as a test for the cutter.

[tossedman]

Hi E231-500,

 

I've designed and made many different laser cut T-Trak modules, using 6mm Baltic birch plywood, 3mm MDF, and even cardboard. All you are doing is making an open box and the easiest way to do that is to use a web site like MakerCase. You would just choose your units of measurement, type in your measurements (looks like 218mm X 270mm X 70mm for a T-Trak Z module), select outside dimensions, your material thickness, tell it you want an open box, select finger joints for the edge joints, adjust the slider to a finger size you feel is appropriate, and download the box plans. You can design any size box in a matter of seconds with this website. Once you download the SVG you can use your vector graphics software of choice (or LightBurn) to add holes or braces as needed. You could also engrave lines for track placement.

 

I have a thread about my cardboard T-Trak modules and there are files that you can download there for the cardboard modules. The only difference between cardboard and plywood files is the depth of the finger joints. Attached below an SVG of one of the first modules I made of plywood. The cardboard ones are probably better. You'll need to adjust any of these to fit your material size and your laser cutter. Your laser software will be different than what I use so you may have to adjust stroke colour or weight to make these files work for you.

 

Here's a link to a number of online file generators that can help you get started in making other things. It's worth your while to learn to design your own files though, so as to be able to make almost anything. What software will you be using to create or edit your designs? I use Adobe Illustrator but there are many others that will do the job. I have a commercial grade laser cutter at work that I use daily so I might be able to answer any other questions you may have.

 

You may want to watch this video about laser safety. Hopefully your laser has an enclosure and you're able to vent to smoke outside otherwise you'll have a house full of smoke.  

 

You'll have to figure out what materials to use and what to use with your laser. You can buy plywood at the home renovation type of store but it may not cut well as you never know how much glue and/or knots there are in the inner plies of the wood. I've found Baltic birch to be better but it's much more expensive. Some companies are making laser plywood. I haven't tried it yet but have heard good things about TruFlat plywood. It may be worth a look. When using MDF I get "no added formaldehyde MDF". Less off gassing of nasty fumes with this.

 

Let us know how it all goes. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

Cheers,

 

Todd

T-Trak module.svg

Edited Saturday at 07:41 PM by tossedman

[Giugiaro]

On 10/24/2024 at 1:49 PM, cteno4 said:

Also recently @Giugiaro’s club has been making their own module kits as well.

 

We've settled on using 10mm thick plywood sheets, as this thickness allows us to bolt the parts together instead of relying only on glue.

[E231-500]

15 hours ago, tossedman said:

Hi E231-500,

 

I've designed and made many different laser cut T-Trak modules, using 6mm Baltic birch plywood, 3mm MDF, and even cardboard. All you are doing is making an open box and the easiest way to do that is to use a web site like MakerCase. You would just choose your units of measurement, type in your measurements (looks like 218mm X 270mm X 70mm for a T-Trak Z module), select outside dimensions, your material thickness, tell it you want an open box, select finger joints for the edge joints, adjust the slider to a finger size you feel is appropriate, and download the box plans. You can design any size box in a matter of seconds with this website. Once you download the SVG you can use your vector graphics software of choice (or LightBurn) to add holes or braces as needed. You could also engrave lines for track placement.

 

I have a thread about my cardboard T-Trak modules and there are files that you can download there for the cardboard modules. The only difference between cardboard and plywood files is the depth of the finger joints. Attached below an SVG of one of the first modules I made of plywood. The cardboard ones are probably better. You'll need to adjust any of these to fit your material size and your laser cutter. Your laser software will be different than what I use so you may have to adjust stroke colour or weight to make these files work for you.

 

Here's a link to a number of online file generators that can help you get started in making other things. It's worth your while to learn to design your own files though, so as to be able to make almost anything. What software will you be using to create or edit your designs? I use Adobe Illustrator but there are many others that will do the job. I have a commercial grade laser cutter at work that I use daily so I might be able to answer any other questions you may have.

 

You may want to watch this video about laser safety. Hopefully your laser has an enclosure and you're able to vent to smoke outside otherwise you'll have a house full of smoke.  

 

You'll have to figure out what materials to use and what to use with your laser. You can buy plywood at the home renovation type of store but it may not cut well as you never know how much glue and/or knots there are in the inner plies of the wood. I've found Baltic birch to be better but it's much more expensive. Some companies are making laser plywood. I haven't tried it yet but have heard good things about TruFlat plywood. It may be worth a look. When using MDF I get "no added formaldehyde MDF". Less off gassing of nasty fumes with this.

 

Let us know how it all goes. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

Cheers,

 

Todd

T-Trak module.svg 4.82 kB · 1 download

Wow, Thank you so much for all the information!

The laser cutter I have purchased does not come with an enclosure, however I had planned on making up one myself and incorporating fans and hosing to extract the fumes straight out of the window (Hopefully utilising the same fume extraction hose I have for my Airbrush Booth). I am also looking into both Laser safety glasses and also a mat to go underneath the cutter to protect the bench top. One suggestion has been matte ceramic tiles as they are heatproof and not very reflective, plus easy to get from home renovation or hardware stores.

 

I am in Australia so for materials I had planned on shopping around at our big box hardware store Bunnings for different wood materials. I have been reading up on your cardboard modules and honestly never considered using the laser cutter to make them. Ironically, my oldest son works at a cardboard manufacturer, so getting some cheap (Free) off cuts of various types to trial should not be too hard. I had actually looked at seeing if his company could make them for me in bulk - but honestly where is the fun in that! 🙂

 

Reading the specifications for the cutter I bought ( Creality Laser Falcon 5W ) Shows it supports LaserGRBL & Lightburn software so I will probably start with one of those to learn to design stuff myself. As for materials, it seems to support a wide range from Wood to Metal, Plastic and others up to a maximum of 5mm. 

 

I am on night shift tonight, so I will follow the links you provided and have a good read of all the information. I am hoping that the cutter will arrive just in time for my days off, so I will update you how it all goes.

 

Thank you again to yourself and everyone for your advice and help!

[tossedman]

Cool, good to hear you’re on your way.  Lightburn is excellent software. You can use it to run your laser as well as design with it. You won’t be able to cut metal with a diode laser but wood and cardboard are easy. Being only a 5 watt laser you’ll have to go slow and maybe do multiple passes to cut any thicker wood. Cardboard shouldn’t be an issue though. Lots of opportunities to cut thinner materials for scenery and buildings though. I used thin basswood to laser cut and make this engine shed. Lots of fun to be had. 
 

Cheers,  

 

Todd

Edited Sunday at 11:02 PM by tossedman

[E231-500]

16 hours ago, tossedman said:

Cool, good to hear you’re on your way.  Lightburn is excellent software. You can use it to run your laser as well as design with it. You won’t be able to cut metal with a diode laser but wood and cardboard are easy. Being only a 5 watt laser you’ll have to go slow and maybe do multiple passes to cut any thicker wood. Cardboard shouldn’t be an issue though. Lots of opportunities to cut thinner materials for scenery and buildings though. I used thin basswood to laser cut and make this engine shed. Lots of fun to be had. 
 

Cheers,  

 

Todd

Wow! That shed looks so cool! Plus the weathering on it is real nice.

[tossedman]

Thanks! Soon, it'll be your turn to post what you're making. Looking forward to it.