Laser cut perpetual calendar DIY with picture - Xtool M1 ultra

 A love for DIY perpetual calendar never fades. I have created many versions of perpetual calendars, including the Cube Perpetual Calendar, DIY Month/Date Calendar, and Round Perpetual Calendar, among others. Now, it's time to explore a laser-cut DIY perpetual calendar using XTool M1 Ultra. 

Materials Used : 

Basswood planks

Wood printing Fixative spray

Super glue

Xtool M1 Ultra with inkjet module

Painter's tape

Sandpaper 

Step 1: Choose the picture you want to print in high resolution. I chose to remove the background and use the main picture alone. Import it to XCS. Open the calendar template and resize the picture you want to fit the top layer on the calendar. You can also use the option, cutout, and enhance to erase any unwanted portions of the picture and enhance the quality. 

I added a quote and hearts using the text tool and shape tool to engrave on the top layer. Choose the settings for each operation. You will need to select a multi-processing module for this, as the first step will be using the inkjet module for printing the picture, and the second step will be engraving and cutting using the laser module. 

Step 2: Prepare the wood plank for printing by spraying two coats of fixative wood printing spray from Xtool. This really helps in a clear and crisp print of the picture. 

Step 3: Now place the wood plank on the triangular prism (I don't have a honeycomb panel) and use painter's tape on all the sides to secure the wood plank with the triangular prism to avoid the plank from moving while printing. I learnt this the hard way by burning a cutting mat, ruining the base plate, and finally, I read that this is the solution to avoid all the things mentioned. I was so happy that this hack worked out beautifully.

Step 4: Once the printing is done, the software will prompt you to change to the laser module. Once that is done, then you can engrave and cut the other parts of the calendar

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Step 5: Using similar settings, cut the other layers of the calendar. I like to separate each layer into different canvases on the software for easy processing.

Step 6: As all the layers are cut, it is time for the assembly. Another tip:  if you are going to try this calendar. I would suggest placing layer 2 and 3 on the base layer and then super-gluing layer 3 onto the base board. By doing it this way, we can avoid the layer 2 circles not fitting. I tried it the opposite way by gluing the layer 3 panel first and then trying to fit the layer 2 panel in, and it didn't work, so I had to cut layer 3 and 4 another time to achieve this step. 

Step 7: Once the above step is done, the final step is to glue the top layer. Apply some super glue in the middle and on the outer layer, and place the top layer to finish the laser-cut perpetual calendar DIY with picture. 

 I was so excited to turn the calendar, only to see that it is not turning. I was so sad that the project failed, and I asked for help from the Xtool community group. One person suggested using sandpaper to smooth the edges of date, months, and day circles, and I was so happy that the sanding trick worked.  So, if you face the same problem, try this sandpaper hack to make your calendar work. 

Another version of a simple perpetual calendar with laser-engraved monogram

I also tried another version of a perpetual calendar with a simple laser-engraved monogram in the middle of the calendar.  

The wood planks I used to cut are approximately 2mm thick, and the slots in the templates were larger to accommodate them, so I had to use glue to keep them in place. 

I used wood glue to make keep the small pieces of wood to fit into the slots. Once the glue is dry , I placed the next layer of the calendar and repeated the same process to glue the top layer. 

I hope this post gave you an idea of how to create your own laser-cut Perpetual calendar using XTool M1 Ultra.  Do check the Xtool website for all the cool laser machines. ,

If you are a homeschooling parent, you need to check Xtool Education to learn how laser cutters can be used to transform abstract concepts into tangible solutions, such as designing functional prototypes, engineering mechanical models, creating art, and enhancing learning across multiple subjects with tech tools, such as STEAM and maker education.

This post is a Collaboration with Xtool, however, all the opinions expressed are my own. By clicking the affiliate links above and purchasing, you are helping me grow, and it is not going to cost you anything. Thank you. 

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