Tool Foam Cutting

A Kern Laser will help to organize your tools by shadowing them with tool foam. Utilizing tool foam can greatly reduce the amount of time that you spend looking for misplaced tools and increase your manufacturing and work place efficiency. Cutting tool foam is so easy that we use it for our own "Laser Tool Kits" that come with each laser system.

One of two basic techniques can be used for tool shadowing. First is completely cutting out the outline and placing a piece of contrasting colored foam on the back side. A heat gun or adhesive can be used to stick the two foam pieces together. The other option is to give the outline of the tool a fill and engrave away the shadow of the tool, like the zoomed in photo below. Both techniques are simple and can be done with the software that is included with every Kern Laser System. Even the largest of tool chests can be customized using our large format laser systems with bed sizes up to 52" x 100".

tool foam

The Simple Tool Foam Shadowing Process:

  1. First, using a scanner simply scan the tool to be shadowed and import the image to your design software.

  2. Next, use the trace tool to create an outline of your tool.

  3. Finally, using the Kern Printer Driver send the outline to the laser and begin cutting the outline in your foam.



Tool Etching

tool laser etchingNow that you have your foam shadows cut out take it a step further and mark your tools with durable etchings. This can be done with the same laser system used to cut out the tool foam. Marking your tools with an identification number or description gives you the ability to create the most organized and personalized tool chests possible. Variable laser power settings can be used to engrave a portion of the foam away like to zoomed-in preview above. The etchings to the left were created using a 150 watt laser and regular shop air for an air assist.

Kern laser systems will not only etch onto metal but also cut up to 1/8" stainless steel and 3/16" mild steel, which will make our laser system the most versatile piece of machinery in your shop.

 

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