WEEK 3 - Computer-Controlled Cutting

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INTRODUCTION

I spent a very rich week on assignments, gained a lot of information, and learned on machines I had never worked on before.

Assignment Description

    group assignment:

  • characterize your lasercutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, and joint clearance

    • individual assignment:

  • cut something on the vinylcutter.
  • design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit.

for the group assignment you can get it here


Let's Start with the individual assignment


vinylcutter

First I had no experience cutting vinyl before,so let's take this journey together.

  • I used CutStudio software, you can download it from here
  • insall, and open it
  • Now you have a very simple interface
  • drag and drop your image here to convert it to vector.
  • Right click and choose"image outline"
  • click on extract contour lines, then ok
  • now delete the image source

Now! let's go with Vinylcutter

    our machine is Roland GX-500

  • On the machine we have clamps to install the workpiece, and to define the locations of the sensors
  • The first clamp should be placed in front of the first sensor, and the last at the end of the workpiece in front of the sensor
  • Turn on the machine, place your work piece with clamps, then choose the "piece" option, and i worked with 90gf for force
  • connect your machine with the laptop
  • click on file, then cutting setup
  • choose your machine, then get your dimension
  • put your design on correct place, and press on cutting
  • Get your product and remove everything you don't want
  • Apply tape to the product and pull it vertically
  • Then put it as you like, then slowly pull the tape at a small angle
  • finally

parametric construction kit


What is a Parametric Modelling?

Parametric is a term used to describe a dimension’s ability to change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified. Feature-based is a term used to describe the various components of a model. For example, a part can consists of various types of features such as holes, grooves, fillets, and chamfers. A ‘feature’ is the basic unit of a parametric solid model. for more details here

I used Fusion 360

  • Design the first piece as a new component
  • choose change parameters from modify
  • choose user parameters, press on "+"
  • enter your parameter name and value, then click ok
  • and when you need to set dimensions, just write the name of parameter
  • you can try to assembly your kit, go to assembly, press on join,then choose the places you need to join together
  • export your file as a dxf file
  • i used inkscape programe

    • laser cutting

  • I used K40 software for my machine, you can download it from here
  • easy to use, open it, and upload your SVG or DXF file (from open design file button)
  • I have set the power vector cut on 10
  • enjoy
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