4. Computer controlled cutting¶
Group assignment:¶
Features of The CNC Laser Cutter:¶
● Approximate dimensions (width x height x depth) of 730 x 562 x 298 mm
● Minimum working area 406 x 305 mm
● Min. workpiece height of 114 mm
● High-speed, continuous-loop dc servo motors using linear and rotary coding technology for precise operation
● Laser power 40 watts.
● Approximate weight 40 kg.
● CO2 laser tubes. Manual focus, 2” focus lens
● Optimized raster, vector or combined modes.
● Controlled user resolution from 75 to 1200 dpi.
● The automatic switching power supply accommodates 110 to 240 vols, 50 or 60 hz, single-phase.
● Sound level 59db.
Design of laser focus calibration patterns¶
The laser cutter within the kits delivered by the manufacturer has a calibration pattern, but this experience will serve to corroborate the focus distance of our laser cutter and experiment with other distances for other projects. The design is done in the fusion 360 software, we will only manufacture 5 patterns with distances close to the calibration standard granted by the manufacturer.
Generating the dxf file to perform the cut.
The dxf file generated in the 360 fusion software is imported into the CNC laser program to be ready for cutting.
We get the patterns designed above.
Calibrating¶
For this process it is used as a 3 mm MDF sample material. The cutting parameters chosen for this test are: power = 30% and speed = 70mm/s.
The following pattern shows the variations in laser cutting when we calibrate the laser at different distances. From the samples obtained it is observed that the best is the 53mm, it has good definition in the cut with little unevenness.
Laser cutter power and speed patterns¶
The following pattern shows the variations in laser cutting when we calibrate the laser at different distances.
From the samples obtained it is observed that the best is the 53mm, it has good definition in the cut with little unevenness.
Description of patterns From the patterns made we can see that to have a deep and well-defined cote you have to lower the speed and increase the power, quite the opposite to make only light routes, it is preferable to use low powers to prolong the useful life of the machine.
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Individual reflection¶
What has been learned in this experience is that the laser used in the cutter has a certain focus where the light converges at a point concentrating all the energy and in this way make an almost vertical cut, and this translates into a high fidelity cut to the design, it is also important to note that to extend the useful life of the machine it is preferable to use powers as low as possible compensating, for proper cutting a speed also low, this can be seen in the samples previously made.
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Individual assignments:¶
01 Design¶
The parametric design was made in Fusion 360, it is a prototype for poultry feeder with 4 compartments.
Design process video
02 Cutting process¶
The material used was MDF 3mm. The software used is CNC laser.
The laser cutter is configured with the following parameters of speed and cutting power.
The point of origin and the cutting height are calibrated
The laser cutter closes, and the cut is made
manufacturing process video
Then we get the cut pieces
03 Assembly process¶
At this stage the pieces are joined, using only the pressure between them.
Use of the vinyl cutter¶
The vinyl cutter to use is the roland GS – model 24.
The software used for the design is the Canva.
The software we use to cut into vinyl is Cutstudio.
