Computer-controlled cutting

In this assignment I used two 2D softwares:
AutoCad and Illustrator.



I used AutoCad for the laser cutting and Illustrator for the vinyl cutter.
First I will explain what and how I did with the laser cutting assignment.
I wanted to create a fun press fit kit which will be in the border between
a fun game and a decoration/design game.
I used AutoCad becuase I really enjoy sketching 2D with AutoCAd.
I feel confident in the software and I feel I can create everything I want with it.
in order to use the AutoCad file in the laser cutter I exported it as a DXF file.
before creating the press fit kit I first chose the material-3m poplar wood.
after I chose the material I first created a press fit measure tool:





When the measure toll was ready I could see what is the best lenght for the parts
of the kit. by lenght I mean the area where the two parts can be combined.
After doing this I started skeching in Autocad my concept to the press fit kit with the
best measures for the material of my kit.



I wanted to create a kit which the user tares out the little shapes from a board and can
also create compound shapes on the same board.
I came to the idea of creating a minni tree which the user can decorate it
by different shapes that he has in the kit.



after cutting I realized that all of the shapes have fallen down.
this is something I didn't bring to consideration as I designed and sketched the kit.
so I went back to the Autocad and created a small line in a different layer, which the
laser cutter will engrave and not cut.



after creating this bridge I went back to the laser cutter.



when the kit was ready I wanted to decorate it with text cut from the vinyl cutter.

To sketch this I used illustrator, because when I work with text I think that Illustrator
can give me a large range of text edit options to choose from.



after finishing the graphic sketch to the kit I went to the vinyl cutter:



As you can see from the photo, the machine ripped the vinyl sticker.
this happend becuase in order to make the graphics I used too many dots.
I created the lines of the graphics again with small amount of dots and went back
to the vinyl cutter.



When I managed to create a good vinyl cut it was time to put the graphics on the kit.





Download DXF file_tree kit

Download DXF file_vinyl