Week 03 Computer-Controlled Cutting

a) Description of the week

1. Prof. Neil explained various cutting method and tools(hard and soft).
2. As recitation advanced designing methods and tools(software) are introduced. Including use of AI.

b) Task of the week

1. Group assignment: characterize your laser cutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types
2. individual assignment: cut something on the vinyl cutter design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the laser cutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for extra credit include elements that aren't flat Plan and sketch a potential final project

1. Group assignment

c1) Result

• group work

d1) Thoughts and feelings

• From this week I started actual machine operation, it is fun. At the same time I need to consider safety issue as below;

  • Be careful the material so that hazardous gas might be generated. Never ever try to cut PVC. This site organizes such DON'T materials.
  • Be careful of fire. For this I must stay nearby the machine till the work end. Once the material started burning, I must turn off all the power switches relating the machine.
  • Wear glasses to protect my eyes.

• I understood each machine has each character, so it is important to know it and take it into cutting data. Otherwise I cannot cut as I draw in the data. Our instructor told age of the machine also affects, so if you changed any parts of the cutter, the character would be changed.

• Even if I operate properly, the machine causes trouble. For example when I started the laser cutter, the instructor told “Stop now, the belt might be slipping! ” he recognized it by the sound. If someone could not detect it, the work would be failure.

2. Individual assignment

2-1 Vinyl cutter

c2-1) Result

I made below sticker with a vinyl cutter "CAMEO 3".

d2-1) Process for the result

1. I used below dxf data for cutting. (original file .dxf)
   

2. As preparation, installed "silhouette studio 4.5 basic edition"
   

3. Imported the dxf data into silhouette studio, then adjust the settings.
   • Blade Depths:3
   • Pass:1
   • Force:15
   • Speed:10
     This time I am cutting 3M Wrap Film Series 2080 , then I was recommended the strong setting as above.

4. Sheet setting

   • I just set the sheet and keep by hands, did not use mat.

5. Cutting
   
   After cutting, I checked back side then I saw sticker mat was also cut, it means the force and blade depth was strong.
   

6. Transfer

   • Put a transfer sheet on it
   • Carefully stick it on the target (this time my PC)
   • Press enough
   • Carefully remove the transfer sheet
     
     

e2-1) Thoughts and feelings

• This was the first time I use vinyl cutter and now I am able to use our lab's vinyl cutter.
• When I cut thick sheet like sticker, I need to be careful if the sheet rolled. Because in such case the sheet is not flat that the curl of the roll might interrupt the machine work.
• The appropriate setting differs for each type of sheet. So better to start with weaker setting then gradually raise.

2-2 Parametric construction kit

c2-2) Result

I made below construction kit with parametric design with our lab's laser cutter "FABOOL laser CO2"

Torii(Gantry like gate of Japanese shrine)

Marunouchi Building

d2-2) Process for the result

Parametric design with fusion 360

1. On Fusion 360, I can open parameter window by clicking "Modify" -> "Change Parameters"
   

2. On parameter window, I can set my own parameters by clicking "+ User Parameter"
   

3. Once parameters set, I can use them in the sketch. I can refer which part use which parameter through parameter window.
   

4. Complete the design
   

5. If I change a parameter, the design is changed accordingly.
   Changig kerf parameter bigger (10mm)
   
   Then design shows 10mm kerf

Making cutting data with "Shaper utilities"

Our instructor introduced add-in for fusion "shaper utilities". Which copies one face of the 3D shapes in fusion360.

1. Installed the add-in, the add-in is shown in "make panel"
   

2. I made parametric design of the kit with fusion360. (original file)

3. From the result of group work, kerf width should be 0.2 mm for 3mm thick cardboard.
   
4. Copied top face into svg file.
   
5. Remove filling in and leave only outline for laser cutting.(original data)

6. Import the data into laser cutter control software(Smart DIYs Creator)

1. Cutting with our laser cutter.
   

e2-2) Thoughts and feelings

• I had no idea to change fusion360 data for cutting. The data conversion tool or method is very important.
• Parametric designing is quite important and constraints as well. Our instructor pointed my data out that I used too much dimension settings, it made my data congested in appearance. If I used constraints, it should be simpler. I noted this and tried to the same drawing with constraints. Obviously it is faster and simpler.
• To make repeated design or symmetry design, this time slots, "Pattern" and "Mirror" function are useful.
  
  But this time I did not know use it. As a result the design appearance is complicated even such a simple design. I should study and use many functions to make the work simple.
  

end of the document