Week3. Computer-Controlled Cutting

Part01 - Group assignment

Do our lab’s safety training characterize our lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types

Group assignment can be viewed at this link. - week3 Group assignment

After the basic laser cutting class, I realized how crucial it is to play it safe and get the settings right. Making sure all the safety gear is on and the cutter’s correctly set up is a must-do. You’ve got to tweak the power and speed just right for whatever you’re cutting, or you could end up with a mess. Paying close attention to these details and getting the machine settings spot-on isn’t only about keeping things safe—it’s also about nailing that perfect cut. This training really opened my eyes to the craft of laser cutting and the need to be super careful every step of the way.

Part02 - Individual assignment

1. Cut something on the vinylcutter

This is what we have in our lab, the machine name call “cricut”

first we need to download the software frome the webite

Useful links - Cricut - Cricut design space download

After the device is connected to the power supply, you need to connect the device to the computer.

done

I needed more complex graphics, so I used Illustrator to draw my signature and images of my cat and dog.

Then drag it into the software

The file will show you how to operate, which is very easy to use. Follow the guidance as shown below and you can set it up step by step.

1. Press the power switch first;
2. Put the prepared sticker material in and press the push button to transport the sticker in;
3. Press the start button to start cutting.

The picture below is the final effect of the sticker, I am still very satisfied with it.

2. Lasercutting

Design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for extra credit include elements that aren’t flat.

Group assignment test

This is the laser cutting machine in our laboratory

Attached are operating instructions

we download the Sample file fabcloud，and The following are the parameters we set

then we can need to set the origin，

Design the 3D file for Parametric Construction Kit

since we text in the group assignment, the curf should be 0.6mm. base on this, I use Illustrator to make the Parametric Construction Kit.

1. I built my base shape out of various geometric shapes

1. In the basic shape, I extended three similar structural shapes. Because I wanted to make a three-dimensional structure similar to a tree, this basic shape looked like leaves.

Then I copied a few more sets of the same units and was ready to issue the cutting.

here is the file lasercutting0629.dxf

send to the machine, border running After cutting, I found that the gap reserved for insertion was wrong, so it could not be inserted.

So I changed the parameters of the gap to 4.2mm and cut again

this time looks good

This is the final combination effect

The following is updated on July 2nd

After Group assignment testing, we know the curf should be 0.6mm, and now I begin to do Parametric Construction Kit.

Design the file for Parametric Construction Kit

First, I set a size based on myself, which is a rounded square unit with a side length of 40mm.

Before setting the parameters, I measured the thickness of the wood board I want to use. As shown in the picture, it is 2.8mm. I will name this parameter as the material thickness below. The first step is to draw a rectangular sketch

Enter the parameters for the side length of the rectangle

the gap I make it

#materials+#curf

the side edge I make it

(#edge-#materials-#curf)/2

Finally, the parameters on each side are set, like this

Use the mirror tool to copy the completed unit. I made 8 of them. then send to laser cutting

Finally “freshly baked”, it looks like it has been cut through, because this laser parameter has been tested by the team before, as shown in the picture above.

Here is the hero shot！！

For final project

Now that I have learned laser cutting, the plate part of my FP project can be completed with this skill.

this is the sketch of my final project.

first I need to test the curved surface, here is the one the 0.1mm gap is broken，

0.2mm gap seems work

test chimeric structure it seems work

then I use Adobe Illustrator to do the hole Manufacturing documents

Export DXF file to send to laser cutting machine

Done

I am very excited about the learning content this week, because I have wanted to make a model cut from a wooden board by myself before. I will definitely try it again later. Looking back at the detailed process recorded in this article, I will definitely be grateful now. of myself.