What I learned?
In this week we introduced to laser cutting technology. By controlling laser power and speed we can cut different type of material such as wood, acrylic, and cardboard. Depending on focusing the laser the material could engrave, cut or either burn thus we need to be aware of the relationship between changing the process speed and power. In addition, we learned about Vinyl Cutting Technology that used to print stickers for different applications.
Task required:
We assigned to design, laser cut a parametric press-fit construction using cardboard. Also, use a vinyl cutter machine to cut something.
what I did ?
I used CorelDraw to prepare a simple design as my first time to cut by the vinyl cutter. Also, I designed a parametric sketch in Fusion360 to cut it using a laser cut machine.
Procedure:
Vinlycutter
I chose to write a text. Then I added a curved line from the internet that I cut it by knife tool. As shown in the figure below this is my design that I would like to cut.
The first step after preparing the design in CorelDraw format was choosing the material and I chose black color roll. Next is uploading the roll inside the Vinyl cutter machine, there is a manual fixture when I press on it the sheet will enter as well as there is a control panel identify the type of the sheet as a roll. Notice that there is a test bottom that we can choose it before starting our design cutting process. By clicking on this bottom the machine will cut a test logo cut that already provided from the supplier to make sure that it’s cutting sufficiently as we can have an option to change the force cutting if we need. The figure below summarizes the work steps.
The result was not sufficient as my design size was small it was hard to remove the litters efficiently so I decided to repeat printing after increasing the force of cutting. The figures below present final steps:
Laser cutting
As a beginning, I started with a simple sketch designed in fusion360. The design should be parametric to make the modifications easily and fast. As shown in the figure below, after sketching the main dimensions I went to modify>change parameters then I specified a name for each dimension then I put them in the favorites so when I complete the next sketch I give it names same as the specified ones thus when I change one depth the others will change directly.
In addition, after finishing the sketch I saved it as DXF format that can be open in CorelDraw which identified in the laser cutting. The figure below shows the design and saving a step.
Well, on a computer connected with a laser cutting machine. I opened the CorelDraw file where and an essential step should be done before start cutting. The machine has certain programming to know the type of the process, for example, to cut shape the sketch must be in blue color, to engrave the sketch must be in black color. Also, if you have a complex sketch or different parts you should choose red color for those parts you want to cut first like a hole inside a regular. Then, blue color for the outer lines. In my case, I need to use blue color only. The following figures summarize the work process:
The final parametric design by cardboard
Pens Holder
Another enjoyable design I decided to achieve this week was penned holder. I used Fusion360 to sketch 2D sides for my holder. Then I convert them to CorelDraw. In addition, I added some vectors to the sides as a decoration. Notice that I chose the outline colors to organize the cutting process so the black colors will be engraved. Next, the red lines will cut and finally the blue ones. The following pictures present my steps.
The proper setting for laser cuting machine
The proper setting To make the cutting successful there were several trial and error tests done as a group assignment. We decided with my colleagues to print a design in different times with different tolerance sizes, assemble them and test the fitting. I printed some pieces of my design. I compared the theoretical set dimension with the measured actual size using vernier caliper. The results showed Kerf is 0.28.