Table of Contents

  • Individual Assigment
    1. Design and produce something with a digital process (incorporating computer aided design and manufacturing) not covered in another assignment, documenting the requirements that your assignment meets, and including everything necessary to reproduce it.
  • Final Project Development

Individual Assignment

This week was wildcard week and we went to Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fablab in Thimphu to use a machine that we dont have at our lab.

We used Zund G3 Cutting Machine to cut our design in 3 mm cardboard.
Image Source I wanted to make a holder for some personal belongings and it turned out great but it can be also used as a table as you will see further down.

We were helped by Madam Bir Maya Rai who helped us learn about the ZUNDD machine.

  • What it is:

    The Zund G3 is essentially a large-format, multi-functional digital cutter. It's a flatbed system, meaning materials are laid flat on its bed for processing. It's designed for high-volume, high-precision cutting and finishing.

  • How it works:

    • Digital Design Input: You start with a digital design (like your CAD file) created in software such as Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, or other CAD programs. This design contains the cut paths, crease lines, and other instructions.
    • Software Processing: The Zund's software (often Zund Cut Center) imports this design, optimizes the cut paths, and prepares the job for the machine.
    • Automated Tooling: The machine features a modular tool head that can quickly swap various tools (knives, creasing wheels, routers, pens) based on the material and desired action.
    • Precision Movement: The tool head moves across the material on a gantry system, guided by precise motors, executing the digital design with high accuracy. A powerful vacuum system holds the material firmly in place on the cutting bed during operation.

  • What makes it unique (and differentiates it):

    • Modularity and Versatility: Its most striking feature is its modular tool head. You highlighted several of these:
      • Creasing Tools: Crucial for packaging and folding designs, creating precise fold lines without cutting through the material, enhancing structural integrity.
      • Oscillating and Rotary Knives: Allow clean, precise cuts on a huge range of materials (cardboard, foam, textiles, plastics) with different thicknesses and densities. The oscillating knife moves up and down rapidly while cutting, reducing drag and improving cut quality on softer or thicker materials.
      • V-cutting Tool: Creates perfect beveled edges for 3D structures or signage, offering flexibility in design.
      • Automated Tool Calibration: This significantly boosts efficiency and accuracy, as the machine can calibrate its tools automatically, reducing setup time and human error.

Challenges faced

My table wasn't able to hold a lot of things, so I lowered the centre of gravity by rotating it by 90 degrees and woww, it was able to support a lot of things.

File Preparation: I had to go back to my design file a couple of times. I discovered that some of my paths weren't perfectly closed (open vectors), which confused the machine. Also, defining distinct layers for cutting versus any potential creasing lines in the future was a learning curve.

Final Project Development

I was so glad to have the wildcard week because I was able to make meaningful progress with my final project and this made me super glad!

I also re-printed the water resevoir which did not go well last week. and it turned out great. I also designed the 2nd iteration of my design(the middle module) as I will be using the same design as last week for my final project. I fabricated my design using CNC and then attached it using corner connectors that I made last week. I have added a door that will use hinges and locks to be secured for the greenhouse and a specific postition for the fan too.

Files

You can access the files here
Designs