3. Computer Controlled Cutting
The Lasercutter and vinylcutter are the 2 machines that we will learn to use this week. Both machines work with vectors. This means that everything is in 2D.
Vinylcutter
To create something with the vinylcutter, you first need a design.
I choose a drawing of a flower with a smiley in it that I found on Google.
To create a vector of this drawing, I used a tool in Rhino to convert drawings into lines. I changed the petals and merged them all together.
Once the design is ready, I saved it as a Rhino 6 version (this is the version of the computer that is connected to the vinylcutter) and uploaded it onto the drive.
The next step is setting up the parameters. Here you select and place the vector into the right position in the window. The important position is in the bottom left corner.
There are many colors of vinyl to chose from! I choose a strong red color for the flower.
The first test that the vinylcutter does is cut a circle with a square inside.
Once everything is set up, the machine is ready to cut.
This is the result! I used transfer paper to transfer the sticker onto another surface without lossing any details.
Lasercutter
parametric press-fit construction kit