Software for 2D Design:

The software used for the 2D design is AutoCAD.

Parametric Designing with “Kerf”:

Parametric designing with "Kerf" is crucial for this week's assignment. The kerf is the amount of material removed by the laser cutter, which affects the fit of the parts.

Value of the Kerf and Testing in Group Assignment:

For the group assignment, we tested the kerf value using different cuts and measurements. The kerf value we determined was 0.2mm. This was tested by cutting several samples and measuring the actual dimensions of the cuts compared to the design dimensions.

Using Kerf as a Parameter to Fit the Joint:

We used the kerf as a parameter to ensure the joints fit properly. The parameter "material_thickness" was set to the thickness of the MDF sheet, which is 2.5mm, and the kerf value was used to adjust the design to ensure a snug fit. For example, when designing slots or tabs, we subtracted the kerf value from the slot width to account for the material removed by the laser.

MDF board with a black coating on one side with 2.5mm Thickness

Measuring Thickness with Vernier Caliper

Table of Formulas with Kerf:

Start of Development

The week started with understanding how a drawing software interfaces to a lazer cutting machine.

Parametric design is a process in architecture and engineering where algorithms are used to define and manipulate design parameters, allowing for the creation of complex structures and forms that can be easily adjusted and optimized by altering these parameters.

Parametric Design

After creating a simple model, the easiest way to apply constraints to it is to use the Auto Constrain button.

After selecting Auto Constrain command you can select the objects in your model that you want to constrain.

Forexample you can edit dimensions and constrained parts change with it.

I started my desin with square design of 63mm x 63mm.

I sketched where I wanted to pocket.

This is the design with all dimensions and then saved as DXF file to be used in printing.

For printing my design I imported the design I made into corelDraw software, and I duplicated my design to print many parts.

Lazercutter machine in our lab (Epilog Lazer)

Selecting parts and do printing

Making sure the printer is turnedOn, Select the our printer and click setting

Setting paramters of the printer for cutting parts

For the laser cutter Epilog Engraver Winx64, we used the following parameters for cutting the 2.5mm MDF sheet:

• Focus: Adjusted manually using a pointer, ensuring the laser beam is optimally focused on the material surface.
• Power: 100%
• Speed: 10%
• Frequency: 2500 Hz
• Kerf: 0.2mm
• Joint Clearance: Adjusted for a tight fit

Through our experiments and adjustments, we found these parameters to be optimal for our specific material and design requirements, ensuring high-quality laser cutting results.

After cutting all parts I made in laser, assembled them to create something with them.

Parts Cut

Assembling parts into a box

Assembling parts into fineshape

Group Assignment;

• do your lab’s safety training
• characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate,kerf, joint clearance and types

Group Work Reflection;

Our group work assignment, we were tasked with characterizing our laser cutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf and joint clearance. We worked togehter to test the project and Wilson helped the team on documentation of the work done.

I have added the link to the group assignment page. Here is the link: Group Assignment Page.

Original personal files below;

• Vinyl design
• PDF file of my model
• DxF File of my design
• Autocad downloadable file