4. Computer controlled cutting

This week I will do:

Laser Cutting

  • Characterize your lasercutter, making lasercutter test part(s), making test part(s) that vary cutting settings and dimensions(group project)
  • Cut something on the vinylcutter
  • Design, lasercut, and document a parametric press-fit construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways

Vinyl Cutting

I might make:

  • stickers
  • flexible circuit boards
  • a textured surface/relief pattern
  • screenprint resists/stencils

Research

Results

  • Description: Complete assignments and produce outcomes of Week 4 Computer controlled cutting.

  • Planning: Using the research on the Kerf Gauge, I intend to reproduce the kerf guage in Adobe Illustrator and measure the kerf of the Epilog Helix 75w Laser Cutter.

  • Materials: Using current laptop, internet connection, and Epilog Helix 75w Laser Cutter. Used poplar 1/8” plywood to test the kerf gauge.

  • Problems: I made the kerf gauge, but line thickness did not make a difference.

  • Corrections: I changed the power setting by 10% from 50% up to 100% and found a noticeable difference. I measured with a digital caliper and found a .030 difference from 50% to 100%

Material % Power Measurement (inches) Kerf (inches)
Poplar Ply 50 0.9955 0.0045
Poplar Ply 60 0.9925 0.0075
Poplar Ply 70 0.9890 0.0110
Poplar Ply 80 0.9895 0.0105
Poplar Ply 90 0.9870 0.0130
Poplar Ply 95 0.9875 0.0125
Poplar Ply 100 0.9895 0.0105
Cardboard 50 0.9875 0.0125
Cardboard 60 0.9870 0.0130
Cardboard 70 0.9860 0.0140
Cardboard 80 0.9855 0.0145
Cardboard 85 0.9840 0.0160
Cardboard 90 0.9835 0.0165
Cardboard 95 0.9830 0.0170
Cardboard 100 0.9830 0.0170

  • Workflow: After experimenting with the kerf gauge, I downloaded and installed SolidWorks 2018 to learn about parametric modelling. My license had expired, but I was able to renew it becouase of the responsive Chris MORSE of the SOLIDWORKS Education/Research Team.

  • Success: SolidWorks is working and I found a parametric Cardbot model to learn with. Brian Mayton blazed the trail in his week 2 experience with Fab Academy. He provided a png file of the parts, so I will bring it into SolidWorks and see if I can reproduce it.

  • Learning: I immersed myself in SolidWorks by following a tutorial provided in the software. I have also cut the boat number for my Laser sailboat with the Roland CAMM-1 GS-24 Vinyl Cutter.

  • Using Roland CutStudio

  • The weeded boat number using purple because it was in the vinyl cutter. This was a test.

  • These are the final results using blue vinyl to be applied to Little Blue after I gelcoat.

  • I always wanted to be able to make a cardboard surfboard. Thanks, Mike Sheldrake! Cardboard Surfboards I will use this as a prototype for my final project. I’ll cut a 5‘10” Fish when I get back to the GOCAT Fab Lab.

  • This is the surfboard with the stringers forward to aft and the first set of ribs (port to starboard) installed. I cut the parts from 4mm cardboard. There were 20 sheets of 610mm x 305mm cardboard; they were salvaged from the flood. I cut the rough edges off and made nice pieces to cut the parts from.

  • This is the complete surfboard before fiberglassing. The second set of ribs are installed with the rails attached. Ready for glass!