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3. Computer controlled cutting

Assignment week 3

Group assignment:

  • Characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf,
  • joint clearance and types
  • Learn to focus the laser. Exercise with cutting in focus and out of focus.
  • Make a test pattern, for the materials that you are using, where you vary the speed the power and the rate
  • Make a test pattern where you characterize what is the kerf of your laser, and find the joint size

Individual assignment:

  • cut something on the vinyl cutter
  • design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit with the following conditions
  • defined parametrically,
  • accounting for the laser cutter kerf,
  • can be assembled in multiple ways
  • and for extra credit include elements that aren’t flat (using hinges, curves, flexures)

Machines

Vinyl cutter

Laser cutter - Flux Hexa

Laser cutter - Snapmaker 2.0

The back-up model that we have in the lab it became the main machine for this task. It is a Snapmaker 2.0, A350 model.

Main characteristics: - 10W High Power - Auto Focus - Upgraded Camera Capture - 20/10 material for engraving/cutting - Max. cutting depth: 8 mm (Basswood) - Software: Luban Software

Safety measures: - wearing eye-protective goggles and using the machine enclosure while operating. - All objects tested are matte because highly reflecting objects can damage the laser.

Calibration

Cutting and engraving tests

Kerf measurement

Projects

Vinyl cutting project

Laser cutting parametric toolkit

Laser cutting various projects

First testing projects A box

A box with flexures

People followed for this lesson

I realized that I have to change my workflow. I have started with the plan to first try to do the assignment by myself and after that to read people’s work. But I am misreading the homeworks and I do side work while not finishing the actual assignment. Next week I will change the workflow starting with the reading of other peoples work first. I am following the recommendations of the excellent reference the Expert Network Map. The map has some filters such that for different criteria/weeks one can find different recommendations.