This week was all about the computer control cutting. In this we learm about the history and basis of computer control cutting. First Our instructor give information about the vinyl cutter machine and the Laser cutter machine . we learn about the specification of laser cutter and vinyl cutter present in our Lab.
characterize your lasercutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types
cut something on the vinylcutter design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for extra credit include elements that aren't flat.
In this week we have to work on laser cutter, so first of all we need to characterize few things of our laser cutter. Number one is Kerf. When laser burn the material, the thickness or area of material which burn away are called kerf. The area/thickness may vary.
In order to measure the kerf of our laser cutter, we have designed test file in INKSPACE. Firstly we have measured the thickness of our material then we have made rectangular boxes of different thickness with 0.05mm difference around the actual thickness of material. we have cut one long slit of same height. Idea is to check which hole is perfect fit for that slit so that we can use that thickness.
Similarly in order to test the power, speed, focus and rate we took the test from here. Edited it and then processed through epilog and cut it. We can see from below test card that changing the shades can effect in engraving. The darker the shade, the more it will engrave. Also it show the hole size, flexible cut and engraved writing.
Requirement for this week is that design should be parametric. solidworks was more versatile, flexible and easy to handle so, I decided to choose solidwork. Solid works is parametric software and user friendly. I was new in solid work, I decided to construct the andriod mobile Phone as well tablet holder or stand. It will be very easy for everyone to watch any thing without holding tablet in the hand.
To start working of parametric design in Solid work, first of all we need to enable the equation. Create variable of different name and assign them value.
For making drawing from the assemble select make drawing from the assemble at tool bar (file) and also selecting the 1:1 scaling.
For generating the .dxf file select save as from the file toolbar and select .dxf file.
After saving in pdf I open the file in epiloger and set the speed, power and Frequency.
The second assignment of this week is to cut something on vinyl cutter.
I decide to cut the logo of FabLab Khairpur with My name.
First of all I download the logo. I Open Inkscape software and import the logo. Go to "Path" and select the trace bit map.
Add a text of my name.
Select the brightness cutoff and adjust the threshold. Then remove the original picture and keep trace bit map logo.
Before turn on the cutter we need to insert the sheet. While inserting the sheet it is important to remember that the roller that hold the
sheet will be in the white ribbons.