Stacked layers generator Free

Slice any 3D model into layers that stack back into the shape.

Open Stacked layers in the app Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser.

Two chess pawns made of stacked plywood layers

In short: Slices a 3D model into horizontal layers separated by gaps and joins them with a central spine (half-lap) or a dowel with spacer rings. Good for chess pieces, vases, busts and other mostly-vertical objects.

Load an STL (or start from the built-in chess pawn) and the generator cuts it into horizontal layers as thick as your sheet. Each layer's outline becomes a part, so the stack rebuilds the model. It suits chess pieces, vases, busts and other mostly upright shapes.

The layers are separated by gaps and held in line by a connector you choose: a central spine that slots into every layer with a half-lap joint, or a dowel through all of them with spacer rings. Either way the stack lines up by itself while the glue sets, instead of being nudged into place by eye.

The 3D preview shows the stack built from the exact parts you will cut. Downloads are SVG or DXF sheets nested to your sheet size, with part numbers engraved so you can lay the layers out in order.

Your STL is read in your browser and never uploaded. For a step-by-step walk-through, see From STL to laser-cut layers.

Settings

All of these can be changed in the app, and the 3D preview updates as you type. The name under each setting is its key in a share link, e.g. https://laserpuzzle.app/app/#/stacked-layers?model=…; a link only needs the settings that differ from the defaults.

Model

Setting	Default	What it does
3D model `model`	your file	Mesh file (STL recommended).
Up axis `up_axis`	auto	Which axis of the file points up. 'auto' = the longest one. Options: auto, x, y, z.
Upside down `flip`	off	Flip if the model comes out inverted.
Rotate about vertical `rotate`	0 °	Chooses which side of the model the spine runs along. From -180 to 180 °.
Height `height`	60 mm	Scale the model to this height. 0 keeps the file's units (assumed mm). From 0 to 1000 mm.

Layers

Setting	Default	What it does
Gap between layers `layer_gap`	3 mm	From 0 to 50 mm.
Layer outline `section_mode`	middle	Where each layer samples the model: at its mid-height, the union (max) or intersection (min) of its top and bottom faces. Options: middle, max, min.
Smallest feature `min_feature`	1 mm	Features thinner than this are removed (laser-cut wood breaks below ~1 mm). From 0 to 10 mm.
Engrave next layer outline `engrave_next`	on	Score the outline of the layer above onto each layer - looks nice and helps alignment.

Connector

Setting	Default	What it does
Connector `connector`	spine	Options: spine, dowel.
Spine inset `spine_margin`	2 mm	How far the spine sits inside the model silhouette. From 0 to 30 mm.
Spine minimum width `spine_min_width`	8 mm	Keeps the spine at least this wide at thin necks. From 2 to 100 mm.
Dowel diameter `dowel_diameter`	6 mm	Measure your rod. The hole is this + clearance. From 1 to 50 mm.
Spacer outer diameter `spacer_diameter`	12 mm	From 2 to 100 mm.

Plus the material and machine settings every generator has: material thickness, kerf, slot clearance, sheet width, sheet height, part spacing, engrave part labels, cut line colour, engrave line colour.

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Settings

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