Workshop 2 - Laser cutting and engraving workshop @ IEDC Summit 2026

Jist of the workshop
Back again with the Xtool S1 as the machine for this workshop. This time, we are experimenting with different colors of acrylic sheets to find the right parameters for each one. The team for this workshop includes Archita BK, Ashtami PS, Mishael Sharaf, and myself.

Swatch cards with XTOOL S1 parameters for that material.

Templates of the keychains lasercut on XTOOL S1.

Intent

The intent was to introduce laser cutting to college students as part of IEDC Summit 2026. We wanted to make brooches or badges that they could pin onto their bags, but we eventually ended up making keychains instead. The agenda was to teach them what laser cutting is, what the machine does, its applications, the parameters involved in operating it, and the software used in the workflow. The aim was to give them an understanding of the complete working process, from design to the final product.

Pre Workshop Activities

Material Sourcing

We four went to choose the material from shop in the city, Global Traders otherwise known here as JJ plastics in Ernakulam. Now whys is this important you may think, because if the material is sourced from a different shop the parameters might change. We got it cut to he fit the bedsize.

We also sourced the split rings, chains and jump rings to attach the acrylic pieces so it becomes as a complete keychain.

Material cutting

Some of the acrylic pieces were bigger than what could be placed on the bed of the XTOOL S1. The working bed size of the XTOOL S1 is 45 cm x 30 cm, including the space needed for the pinning clips. The plan was to get them cut by someone else in the lab. Because of our enthusiasm, we came earlier than the others in the lab and did not wish to wait for someone to help us. Sreyas helped us find the acrylic cutter, hehe well we couldnt be that independent. Earlier, I had seen Alvin cut acrylic, and he had also asked me to try cutting a piece. From that experience too, I cut those pieces using the acrylic cutter.

The interesting aspect of working on conducting a workshop is how we become a mini manufacturing unit. Mishael handed me the sheets as I scored, cut, and snapped the acrylic sheets, while Ashtami was organizing them. Here, the experience of cutting forex sheets and foam board for architecture made it easier, I would say.

Material testing

We bought acrylic colors mostly in warm tones and two shades of blue acrylic. In the XTOOL software, we added the material settings based on the color we had. We started with a light yellow acrylic that did not give a clean output. It was quite disappointing to see the rough finish. We had just found the parameters for the cut and engrave settings, and we decided not to use that color for the workshop.