15-Wildcard Week¶
Learning outcomes¶
- Demonstrate workflows used in the chosen process
- Select and apply suitable processes (and materials) to do your assignment.
Have you answered these questions?¶
- Documented the workflow(s) and process(es) you used
- Explained how your process is not covered on other assignments
- Described problems encountered (if any) and how you fixed them
- Included original design files and source code
- Included ‘hero shot’ of the result
Assignment¶
This week required us to work with a digital fabrication process that we had not used in previous assignments. For this task, our group visited Jigme Namgyal Super Fab Lab and worked with a machine that was new to us: the Zünd G3 L-2500.
The Zünd G3 is a large-format digital cutting table designed for precise cutting and finishing of many different materials. Unlike most machines in our lab that rely on a single cutting method, the Zünd supports a wide range of interchangeable tools. These tools can be used for cutting, scoring, creasing, punching, and milling, depending on the material and the job. This makes the machine extremely versatile and suitable for materials such as cardboard, leather, foam, textiles, and thin plastics. How is it different from the other machines I have used so far? At first, I found the Zünd somewhat similar to the laser cutter, mainly because I was using it to cut cardboard, which is a material I had already worked with before. However, after spending more time with the machine, the differences became much clearer. Unlike the laser cutter or CNC machine, which normally use only one tool at a time, the Zünd can switch between multiple tools in a single job, allowing different operations without resetting the material. One feature that really stood out to me was the crease cutting (creasing) tool. Instead of cutting all the way through the cardboard, the machine can press a crease line that allows the material to be folded cleanly. This was very useful when making designs that needed folds, such as packaging or structural models, because it saved time and improved accuracy. Another major difference is how the Zünd operates compared to other machines in the lab. The laser cutter uses focused laser beams, and the CNC machine uses rotating end mills, while the Zünd uses mechanical blades. Because of this, it does not produce dust like a CNC machine or fumes like a laser cutter. Overall, the workflow and learning process felt very different, and it gave me a better understanding of how digital fabrication can be adapted to different materials and design needs.
Designing¶
I firstly made a sketch of my design. I traced an image to get the outline of the shape i wanted to put together in the end.
After the sketch was made, i extruded the sketch
Press ‘p’ on the keyboard to project your design. Select the faces of the component that needs to be projected.
Now we start getting into the steps of how tha machine settings are set.
This was the sign that the machine was on and ready to start setting from the computer
Zund Apps
Heres the four apps we accessed to use this machine
Open Zund Editor and go to File > Import > select your design.
Something like this shows up
The material type we are using is conjugated cardbox.
Ungroup the lines, and assign machine steps - crease and thru-cuts for each one. For this, select the lines > right-click > Change method > New method
This is what it should looks like after assigning the methods.
- Download the design you saved at first Open the Cut Queue app from the Zund App and you can ‘Start job’.
- The bar on top shows how much your cut is finished
Fixing the Material
Before beginning the cutting process, we secured the cardboard sheet to the Zünd cutting table using double-sided tape. This was done to keep the material firmly in place and avoid any shifting while the machine was operating. By preventing movement, the tape helped ensure cleaner cuts and better overall precision.
Cutting and assembling¶
Then, when all the steps are completed, then the machine will start cutting after your design loads
Heres how the cardboard cutout turned out! After that I just needed to add a few touch-ups like drawing on the eyes and we were done!
Heres how the design turned out!
Design files¶
Thank you