This week, we worked on Laser cutting and scanning group assignment.
We divided ourselves in 3 groups and conducted various trials on laser cutting machine.
What is Laser cutting:-
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials,
and is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications,
but is also starting to be used by schools, small businesses, and
hobbyists. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power
laser most commonly through optics. The laser optics and CNC
(computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the
laser beam generated.
What is Kerf in laser cutting:-
When a laser cuts through a piece of material, the lasers own width displaces a little extra
material than is specified in the original design. The amount of material that is burned
away
is known as the kerf in laser cutting. The size of the kerf depends on
the laser being used and the material being cut. It not only changes as per each material,
but
it changes based on speed, beam power, cutting geometry, assist gas and a few other factors.
lasercut Material use this Week
MDF
Carboard
Plywood
Acrylic
Objectives of this Group Assignment:-
Understand the Laser cutting machine, its specifications
Understand how to operate the machine
Learn safety precautions while operating the Laser Cutting Machine
To find out the optimum speed and power values along with calculating the Kerf value for
various materials
Carboard scanning:-
Preparations:
We used a 3 mm thick cardboard sheet. To find out
how the machine would work in scanning/engraving with
different speed and power settings, the team used the
same dxf file that was used in marking dots, modified
it to edit the text for the settings. It was then imported in RDWorks.
Results and conclusion:-
Below is the snapshot of final part with engraving done. Looking at the
results, we concluded that for a 3 mm cardboard sheet, the machine was able
to engrave properly with 200 - 250 mm/s speed and 10% - 13% power. As we increased the power
and reduced
the speed, it resulted in deep engraving with not so good quality of engraving.
Cut something on the vinylcutter design, lasercut, and document
a parametric press-fit construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf,
which can be assembled in multiple ways
Tasklist
Varying cutting settings and slot dimensions.
Make lasercutter test part(s).
Cut something on the vinylcutter design, make, and
document a parametric press-fit construction kit
Vinyl Cutting:-
A vinyl cutter is an entry-level sign-making machine. Vector
files with patterns and letters created on a computer are directly
cut on a roll of vinyl that is mounted and supplied into the vinyl
cutter by USB or serial cable. Signs, banners, and advertisements
are all made with vinyl cutters. Vinyl cut letters are frequently
used in advertisements on cars and trucks. These machines were made
to cut vinyl, but they can also cut through computer and speciality
papers, as well as bulkier materials like thin magnet sheets.
I printed my design differently because I had to print my design in different colors so
I printed my design on different paper and put the
1 after 1 part on my laptop.
Final Vinyl Cutting Output
kapwing:-
What is the kapwing?
Kapwing is a simple tool that allows you to edit your photos in
the way you like. While there are a variety of ways to modify
photographs, Kapwing is quick, free, and works right in your browser.
Laser cutting is a technique for cutting materials with a laser.
It is most commonly employed in commercial manufacturing, but it
is increasingly being used by schools, small enterprises, and amateurs.
Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser through
optics, which is the most frequent method. The material or laser beam created
is directed using laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control).
The Vigyan Ashram Fablab is equipped with a SIL 80-watt CO2 Laser Cutting Machine.
Here's a photo of the machine, along with some information about it:
Set Focus (Its all about 7mm-8mm far from surface)
Make Sure your File has been ready.
Open RD works with Suitable Extension.(.DXF)
Select object and set Power and speed as per Material.
Material Index - Which material is allow or not allowed.
Set Priority, If there is different shape and curves.
Select Object.
Press Download Button.
Set Origin (After Selecting File in Machine)
Check for Frame.
START.
This Image Shows Modes, Power, Speed, Priority, etc
Precaution While using Laser Cutting Machine
Do not put your hand in front of the lens.
The door should be closed when cutting.
Smoke from burning sheets should not be inhaled.
Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan), any chlorine-containing substance, PVC (Cintra), Vinyl, Glass,
Fibreglass, Carbon fibre, and similar materials should not be used.
Use material that is up to 6mm-8mm thick; do not attempt to use thicker material.
Paramatric Design:-
Parametric design is a design process in which complicated
shapes are defined by algorithms and input parameters,
such as in the design of buildings and technical components.
The method is founded on algorithmic thinking, in which the
relationship between design intent and design response is
determined by parameters and rules.
Press fit Kit
Try Press fit kit design in Fusion 360
I started with Fusion 360 for Parametric Design.
In Fusion 360, I create a comb out of a 3mm sheet.
What is the Grasshopper ?
Grasshopper is a visual programming language and environment for
the Rhinoceros 3D CAD application. David Rutten of Robert McNeel
& Associates devised the programme.
Components are dragged onto a canvas to form programmes.
These components' outputs are subsequently connected to
succeeding components' inputs.
This is the photo, I made different shapes inside the grasshopper, then I cut this too,
inside the laser cutting, I explored the basics inside the grasshopper.
Cardboard Kerf Photo
What is Kerf in laser cutting:-
When a laser cuts through a piece of material, the lasers own width displaces a little extra
material than is specified in the original design. The amount of material that is burned
away
is known as the kerf in laser cutting. The size of the kerf depends on
the laser being used and the material being cut. It not only changes as per each material,
but
it changes based on speed, beam power, cutting geometry, assist gas and a few other factors.
I did not use kerf in my design.
Rhino
My final press-fit kit is made in Rhino.
Withi.n this design, I have used different commands which I am showing below
Use Command
Line
Circle
Mirror
Rectangle
Ellipse Center
HandleCurve
Distance
Trim
Export
Line
What is The Line Command?
One line segment is drawn via the Line command.
I have used the line command inside my design and put it inside a handle
Circle
What is the Circle Command?
Using a center point and a radius, the Circle command creates a circle.
I used the circle command inside my design and created different circles inside it and gave them differently sized.
Rectangle
What is the Rectangle Command?
A closed rectangular polyline is created with the Rectangle command.
I used the rectangle command inside my design where I created different small rectangles and gave them different shapes.
Mirror
What is the Mirror Command?
A mirror-image duplicate of an item is produced using the Mirror command.
I used a mirror command inside my design where I mirrored the different areas of my rectangle.
Ellipse Center
What is the Ellipse Center Command?
A closed elliptical curve is created via the Ellipse command.
I've used the Ellipse Center command inside my design, inside which I've created a circle.
HandleCurve
What is the HandleCurve Command?
Chained Bézier curves are drawn using the HandleCurve command in the manner of an illustration software.
I have used the HandleCurve command inside my design where I have created different curves.
Distance
What is the Distance Commadn?
The distance between two places is reported by the Distance command.
I used the distance command inside my design where I checked the sep and the distance of the different circles.
Trim
What is the Trim Command?
Trim allows you to remove and chop off certain areas of an item where it intersects with another object.
Export
You can save your file by using the export command.
Cutting Software Name RDworksV8
What is the RDworksV8 ?
RDWorks is a free application that allows you to easily
perform laser cutting and engraving tasks.
Drawing points, lines horizontal and vertically, polylines,
ellipse and circle, rectangle and square, Bezier curve, text,
and formats for CAD models such as DXF, AI, and PLT are all
supported by RD Works.
