Fab Academy
Exploring laser and vinyl cutting
This week I learned many new things!! Let's see:
To do:
Group assignment: I worked with my colleague Jhasmin Ayala
1. Do your lab's safety training
2. Characterize your laser cutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types
Individual assignment:
1. Cut something on the vinyl cutter
2. Design, laser cut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the laser cutter's kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for the extra credit include elements that aren't flat
Group assignment: Check this link
Individual assignment
1. Cut something on the vinyl cutter
I followed these steps:
a. Choose an image: Select an image to cut. For example, I chose an image of Snoopy (my favorite character)
b. Vectorize the image: First, I tried vectorizing the image using Inkscape, but it was very tedious and time-consming (i spent 2 hours just on the head). Then, i switched to CorelDRAW and used its automatic vectorization and linear design vectorization tools. I generated a SVG file }
c. Print the image: I used the Roland CAMM-1, a smaller vinyl cutter. For printing, I used mods CE (Community Edition), a modular cross-platform tool for fab labs.
d. I cut the printed vinyl, then applied transfer paper to the vinyl. With a lot of patience... I peeled off the image, and voila!
2. Design, laser cut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the laser cutter's kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways, and for extra credit include elements that aren't flat
Machines: At Fab Lab ESAN, we had two machines:
Trotec Speedy 400
AVR-1400.
Unfortunately, Trotec Speedy 400 was in maintenance, so this week i didn't have the chance to use it.
Kerf: I used different measures to find the kerf for my parametric design. Considering the width of the material I'm using (MDF), the kerf i'll be considering is 2.70mm.
I followed these steps:
a. Design a parametric image: Generate afile in Fusion360, design a circle and a polygon. Create parameters: Radius, thickness, error and depth. It was so useful because when I had to work with another form, I just created some formulas like radius/2, thickness+error. Use the circular pattern tool to automatically generate equal and equidistant cuts. For the circle, I used 5 cuts, and for the polygon, I used 6 cuts. Create a flexible piece: Add a rectangle and include a pattern in the center to make it flexible. I recommend checking all the lines of the chosen design to ensure the piece won'tbe completely cut, especially the top and bottom lines. Open a new sketch and extrude the images. Add the images, if case. Save the file with a DXF extension.
b. Prepare to engrave and cut: Modify the file in the laser cutting program: open the file, select the images and text to be engraved, and group them, select the circles and polygons, and group them for cutting. Parameters for engraving: Power 40, speed 10. Parameters for cutting: Power 150, speed 0.5
c. Final assembly: Remove the pieces from the machine and start assembling the designs. Work done!
