Kerf Correction process for laser cutters
For friction fits and for accurate clearances of parts, it is necessary to counteract the effects of the laser's cut path not being infinitely small.
General Procedure
Test-cut a rectangle with two known lengths.
Measure the two lengths to find an affine fit function
Maybe even do this 2-dimensionally, in case the x-axis kerf is different than y-axis ideally, `a` is 1 the kerf value represents the amount of material removed by the laser, measured from the center of the cut line To correct for the kerf: * make all designed holes/mortises smaller on each side by the kerf value * make all designed nubs/tenons larger on each side by the kerf value ## Box Joint Kerf Correction Starting from the known kerf value, produce test pieces with slightly smaller and slightly larger kerf corrections, to see what produces a fit with the right amount of friction. Increments of 0.04 mm