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Computer-controlled Cutting

assignment for the week

laser cutting

group assignment characterize your laser cutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, and joint clearance
individual assignment 1. design, lasercut, and document a parametric press-fit construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for extra credit include elements that aren’t flat

learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate and describe parametric 2D modelling processes.
  2. Identify and explain processes involved in using the laser cutter.
  3. Develop, evaluate and construct the final prototype.

have i

  1. Explained how I parametrically designed my files
  2. Shown how I made my press-fit kit
  3. Included my design files and photos of the finished project

characterizing the laser cutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, and joint clearance

This exercise was done as a group. Below are all design files generated (except for ThroughCutandFlexures.f3d, that was downloaded and modified) to perform various tests on the laser cutter.

(SpeedPower.f3d)
(ShadeCard.f3d)
(PressFitComb and Kerf.f3d)
(Thickness.f3d)
(Thickness w Offset.f3d)
(ThroughCut and Flexures.f3d)

Point-wise summary of test cuts performed:

  1. For 2 mm thick cardboard, optimum speed is 30-40 mm/s, and power is 30-40%.
  2. For 6.42 mm thick cardboard, optimum speed is 30-40 mm/s, and power is 40-50%. Kerf for the same material is .52 mm.

individual assignment

For this part, I decided to build to build a geodesic dome. I also wanted to make something with living hinges, and was looking for some inspiration. A former student from Fab Lab Barcelona had made a fruit bowl, and I liked it. I made my own design for the same in Fusion 360 and cut it in acrylic on the laser cutter. Here are my design files for both:

(PartsGeodesicDome small.f3d)
(LivingHingesFruitBowl v2.f3d)