Step 1: Laser Cutting Mold Parts

Open the design files on the computer in a program for editing .ai, .pdf, or .svg format vector files (Adobe Illustrator is used in this tutorial):

Screen shot of the design file opened in Adobe Illustrator.

(Note: In Abobe Illustrator switching to view "Outline" (under "View") makes it easier to work with the design files.)

Arrange the mold parts that you will be laser cutting so that material use is minimized and so that they will fit onto your sheet of acrylic:

Mold parts to make the leaf shaped actuator mold arranged for laser cutting.
Mold parts to make the leaf shaped actuator mold arranged for laser cutting.

Chose a combined raster and vector laser cutting mode in the configuration box for the laser cutter. Choose settings for the laser cutter that are appropriate for raster engraving and cutting of the specific acrylic that is used (run some test with the material beforehand):

Laser cutter 1

Remove the protective plastic film from the acrylic sheet and place it in the laser cutter:

Laser2

Laser2

Close the lid of the laser cutter, switch on the laser cutter and the ventilation, and send the laser cutting job from the computer to the laser cutter and start the job:

Laser4

Gather the cut parts when the laser cutting is done:

Cutparts