3.Computer Controlled cutting

Background

Computer-controlled cutting, also known as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) cutting, has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, allowing for precise and automated cutting of materials. The history of computer-controlled cutting can be traced back to the mid-20th century when the first CNC machines were developed. One of the earliest applications of CNC technology was in the aerospace industry during the 1950s and 1960s. Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a system called Numerical Control (NC) to control the movements of machine tools such as lathes and mills. This system used punched cards to input instructions for the machine, allowing for more precise and complex machining operations. The development of the first CNC machine is credited to John T. Parsons and Frank L. Stulen in the late 1940s. They developed a system that used punched cards to control the movements of a milling machine, allowing for the automated production of complex parts. This technology quickly spread to other industries, including automotive and electronics manufacturing. In the 1970s and 1980s, advancements in computer technology led to the development of more sophisticated CNC systems. These systems used computer programs to control the movements of the machine, allowing for greater precision and flexibility in manufacturing. CNC machines became increasingly common in a wide range of industries, including woodworking, metal fabrication, and plastic molding. Today, CNC cutting machines are widely used in manufacturing industries around the world. They can cut a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and wood, with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. CNC technology continues to evolve, with advancements such as multi-axis cutting and 3D printing further expanding the capabilities of these machines.

Tasks

This week has following tasks:

Group assignment: characterize your lasercutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types Group Assignment is linked

here This group assignment also include the machine specifications,kerf setting etc.

Individual assignment: cut something on the card, design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways,

Macine tools and softwares used:

Design of logo

1.App. logo.com is a website that offers AI-based templates for creating logos. These templates are pre-designed and can be customized to suit your needs. When you first start designing a logo using app.logo.com, you are presented with a selection of templates to choose from. These templates are created using artificial intelligence algorithms that analyze current design trends and popular styles to provide a variety of options. Once you select a template, you can then customize it to make it unique to your brand. This customization can include changing the colors, fonts, and layout of the logo. The AI-powered tools help you make these changes easily, even if you have limited design experience. This can be especially helpful for beginners who may not have the skills or resources to create a logo from scratch. Overall, app.logo.com offers a user-friendly and accessible way to create logos using AI technology. The templates provided can serve as a starting point for your design, helping you create a professional-looking logo for your brand.

2.Editing Logo

After selecting a template and customizing it, you added the business name "Fablab" to the logo. This name reflects the nature of your business, suggesting a focus on fabrication and laboratory work. Next, you included a slogan, "Build with Vision," which adds a compelling and aspirational message to your logo. This slogan conveys a sense of innovation and forward-thinking, which can resonate well with your target audience. You then specified the industry as "Manufacturing," which helps define the context of your business and gives your logo a more targeted appeal to potential customers in that industry. Lastly, you added keywords in the block provided. These keywords, including "electronics, manufacturing, CAD, Imagination, AI," help to further define the scope and focus of your business. They also serve as a guide for the design process, ensuring that the logo reflects the core values and offerings of your brand.

3.Final logo in applogo

After customizing the logo with the business name "Fablab," slogan "Build with Vision," and industry keywords, the final design was enhanced by incorporating various database images from the logo app's collection. The completed logo was presented with a range of options, including different file formats, color combinations, and icons, ensuring versatility and adaptability for different applications and preferences.

4.Editing in inkscape

After receiving the basic logo design, you imported the file into Inkscape for further customization. Inkscape is a popular vector graphics editor that allows for detailed editing of designs. Using Inkscape, you were able to add curves and make other adjustments to refine the logo design, ensuring that it meets your specific requirements and vision. This step allowed you to add a personal touch to the logo and make it truly unique to your brand.

Vinyl cutting Machine

In this section of the assignment, I utilized a Vinyl Cutter Machine (VCM) which is designed to work with a wide voltage range, spanning from 85 to 264 volts. This machine is specifically used for cutting precise shapes from vinyl material. To operate efficiently, the VCM requires a current of 1 ampere. This machine's versatility in voltage requirements makes it suitable for a variety of environments and power supplies, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in cutting vinyl shapes.

Job on Laser cutting Machine

Parametric Modeling and Laser Cutting

Parametric modeling is a design approach that uses parameters and rules to define the characteristics and relationships of a model. These parameters can include dimensions, constraints, and other properties that define the shape and behavior of the model. Parametric models are often used in engineering and design to create flexible and adaptable designs that can easily be modified or updated.

Parametric modeling is particularly useful in laser cutting because it allows designers to create designs that can be easily customized for different sizes, shapes, and materials. By defining the parameters of a design, such as the dimensions of a part or the thickness of a material, designers can quickly generate variations of the design without having to manually redraw or modify each iteration.

I selected the solid to cut on the dodecohedron which has 12 pentagonal faces and dihedral angle is 116.56065 degree.

Here I selected a material as a card board for the laser cutting which has thickness of 4 mm.So I selected "t" as a parameter in Fusion 360.If we change different card boards of different thickness just we need to chnage value of parameter "t".Here I took thickness as 4 mm. As per this group assignment I used

Modelling in Fusion 360.

Pentagonal Face of solid

Thickness t as parameter

Rib design with t as parameter.

Final assembly

All twelve faces were copied as base part and the faces are connected using ribs with proper alingments and angles. Revolute joints are used with proper angles while assembling parts.

Laser Cutting

Working Principal

CO2 laser cutting machines operate by generating a high-powered laser beam through the excitation of a gas mixture, typically carbon dioxide, which is then directed through mirrors and lenses to focus it into a concentrated beam. This beam is aimed at the material to be cut, rapidly heating and vaporizing or melting it along the desired cutting path. Computer numerical control (CNC) systems precisely guide the movement of the laser head according to a pre-programmed design, ensuring accurate and repeatable cuts. An assist gas, like nitrogen or oxygen, is often used to blow away molten or vaporized material, maintaining a clean cut. Cooling systems prevent overheating, while exhaust and filtration systems remove fumes and particles from the cutting area. These machines are valued for their high precision, versatility, and speed across various industries.

Specifications of machine

Sanjivani Fab Lab owns 100-watt CO2 Laser Cutting and Engraving Machine by India's first laser machine manufacturing company SIL-Suresh Indu Lasers Pvt. Ltd. Here is a picture of the machine along with its specifications:-

Laser cutting of dodecohedron

This solid has total 12 faces.So I selected array of 4 x 3.It also gives optimum material utilization. Imported geometry in Laser CAD and then array it 4 x 3. Settings Used are speed 25mm/s and power is 45%.This settings we finalised from the group assignments.Also, I calculated kerf of material that I have used, The original thickness of cardboard is 4mm and after cutting it becomes 3.87mm. So, I got the kerf of cardboard is 0.13mm.

Procedure

Geometry of solid is first imported to Laser CAD.Then lay out is made.All safety precautions and checks are followed as per the group assignments.

Cutting of pentagon

Cutting of rib

Final assembly

All files

Logo for vinyl cutting

W3a V4 by ashtekarjaydeep on Sketchfab