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Computer-Controlled Cutting


The Task

Design, make and document a press-fit construction kit.

The Decision

    A children's learning wheel - a press fit wheel with educational information on each 'spoke'. The example created uses the numbers 1-6.
    A Rack for Safety glasses and earmuffs in the workshop




DXf File Downloads

Click here to download Wheel of Knowledge - 3mm ply

Click here to download Glasses Rack - 4mm ply

The Execution

1. Hand sketch & Dimesion

2. CAD.

Notch Comb for testing joints


In order for the press fit to have an interference fit (i.e. friction to keep the parts together) A variety of notch sizes must be tried until the optimum friction/inteference is found. To do this, two trial pieces were cut with notch sizes ranging from 2.5-3.0mm in 1mm incriments, for a workpiece of 3mm thickness. 2.7mm provided the best fit.


  • Each of the design elements were then sketched in separate pages.


  • The elements were then combined in a new sketch with the "copy all" and "paste" commands. Here some nesting was also done to minimise material wastage.


  • "Save as" .dxf.


  • 3. Cut

  • Send to lazer cutter - depending on the set-up you may require additional processing of the files for layers and or arrangement of the components on the sheet. Here not covered.
  • Run file
  • 4. Assemble



    Glasses and Earmuff Workshop Rack

    4mm ply - 3.7mm notches - attachment to substatre needs refinement