Computer Controlled Cutting

February 10, 2024

Challenge

Group assignment:
- Characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types.
- Document your work to the group work page and reflect on your individual page what you learned.
Individual assignments
- Design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways.🤔
- Cut something on the vinyl cutter.

Group Assignment

In the context of this assignment, our primary task involved the calibration of the laser cutter. This calibration process entailed meticulous adjustments to determine the optimal settings for focus, power, and speed, tailored specifically to the material designated for cutting. Subsequent to this calibration phase, a series of tests were conducted to measure the kerf, aiming to ascertain an optimal gap value for the construction kit that forms a crucial part of our project. For a more comprehensive understanding of the procedures and outcomes, please refer to the details provided on this page .

group work

Design

Embarking on the project from scratch posed an initial challenge, as the concept of the construction kit’s final form was unclear. To gain inspiration and insights, I undertook extensive research by reviewing the work of over 20 students who had previously tackled similar projects. A recurring theme among their creations was the incorporation of a motivational shape, serving as a foundational element for their designs. This commonality provided valuable guidance and sparked creative ideas as I began to conceptualize and formulate my own vision for the construction kit.

Choosing a motivational shape as my guiding theme, I embarked on the design journey. Despite the abundance of motivational symbols, I found it challenging to align them with my inherent design principle—‘Simple is king.’ Faced with this dilemma, I opted for a pragmatic approach: I began with simplicity, adhering to my foundational philosophy, and gradually introduced complexity as the design unfolded. This iterative process allowed for a harmonious balance, ensuring that each addition contributed to the overall motivational essence while maintaining the elegance of simplicity.

And so begins my design journey armed with the fundamental knowledge of drawing circles, squares, and triangles. With these basic shapes as my building blocks, I embark on the creative process, transforming simplicity into an expressive and intricate design. This marks the inception of a journey where each shape and line contributes to the unfolding narrative of my construction kit, a testament to the power of foundational elements in design.

Best Shots

Best Shot

The design Process

Having previously worked with Onshape, I found it to be a user-friendly platform. However, my initial concern revolved around the parametric aspect, particularly the need to establish variables. Gratefully, my instructor guided me through this by introducing the concept of variable tables in Onshape.

here we go:

I started a new sketch to draw my shapes.

New Sketch

Then I drew a circle and a rectangle.

Circle and rectangle

Then after that, I prepared the variables I needed to work with.

Variable Table

Prepare variables

Then I trimmed the extra lines.

Trimming Extra lines

After that, I started to assign the variable to the design.

Assign Variables

While assigning the variables I had to assign constraints so I maintained the optimal needed shape with every change in variable values.

Assign Constraints

Then finishing the first slot.

First Slot Done

After that, I will circular pattern the first slot to achieve the other needed slots and clone the same constraints and values of the first slot.

Circular pattern slot

Here we are the first shape is ready now.

First Shape Done

Now my other shape is also a circle but with 4 slots instead of 3, the same process will be the same just changing the number of the circular pattern from 3 to 4.

Second Shape

Now the other shape is Square.
the process will be the same but with different constraints as the shape is different.

Square Constrains

Building the slot will be as we mentioned previously.

Square Slot Ready

Then we will circular pattern the slot with 3 more clones.

Square Circular pattern for the slot

Here is the final shape look

Square is ready

The other shape is a triangle (also like the other shapes we built but with different constraints).

Creating the triangle

triangle is Done

Now all the shapes on one page

All Shapes Together

Now we will export each shape alone.

Export shapes

Now we will prepare the nest to start the cut on the machine.

shapes nest

Then we need to set up the printer settings and send the order to print.
Press (ctrl + p) to enter print settings in Ilustrator.

Print order

Then we will go to settup to set the settings of the laser.

print settings0

Now we will go for more settings to enter to epilog settings window.

epilog settings

We have firs to setup the size of the sheet (bed size).
Then select Vector type to cut the shapes.
Now we can use epilog cheat sheet to set the setting we need (I’m using MDF 2.7mm).

Cheat sheet

Then we need to reflect the settings on the epilog setting window.

epilog settings

Then we will send the order to the printer.

send to printer

Then we will put the board in the printer to be cutted.

board on bed

And now the parts are cut and ready to be assembled together.

shapes after cut on bed

shapes ready

Now, faced with the challenge of constructing a meaningful design using these basic shapes, the imperative is to delve deeper and introduce complexity.

As I immersed myself in the creative process, contemplating the form my design should take, a serendipitous encounter occurred. A colleague passing by suggested exploring the concept of the desert rose—a captivating and inherently irrational-shaped rose. Intrigued by the suggestion, I delved into the exploration, uncovering inspiration in the beauty and complexity of this unique natural form.

Desert Rose

Qatar National Museum
Video you should watch.

Here we go from SimpleShape to complicated builds

Raw Files

Circle (3Slot) Circle (4Slot) Square (4Slot) Triangle (3Slot) Onshape link
STL Files

VinylCutter

A vinyl cutter is a versatile machine that uses a sharp blade to cut various shapes and designs into vinyl sheets. These machines can work with various materials, such as cardstock, vinyl, and wood. The material a cutter can carve depends on the specific model, as some have more capabilities than others.

Cameo4

Faced with the task of utilizing the vinyl cutter to cut a design, I initially set out to cut my logo. However, as I progressed, the complexity of the design, characterized by numerous intricate lines, posed a considerable challenge for the vinyl cutter. Recognizing the potential difficulties at the final stage, I made a pragmatic decision to pivot from my original plan and opted for a more feasible design to ensure a successful outcome.

My Logo