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Week03: Computer-controlled cutting

Group Assignment

do your lab’s safety training
characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types

This group assignment document was written by Shintaro Ito.

01. Summary

By changing various parameters in the laser cutter and using materials to verify the results, we discovered the optimal parameters for the material used this time. The specific parameters are as follows.

Z-axis 0mm
Power 60%
Speed 10%

Additionally, to verify the kerf and clearance based on the relationship between the material and the laser, we used designs with different values of kerf and clearance for cutting with the laser cutter. We discovered the optimal kerf and clearance for the material used this time. The specific parameters are as follows.

Cardboard 5.18mm
Kerf 0.227mm
Joint clearance 0.01mm

02. Machines Used This Time

alt text

03. General Usage Instructions

03-1. Preparation

  1. ⁠Take the duct of the dust and odor removal machine (air cleaner) to the outside.

  2. ⁠Turn on the power transformer (ON)

  3. ⁠Turn on the dust collector/deodorizer (air cleaner)
  4. ⁠Turn on the compressor
  5. Start the computer. The password at startup is the same as the Wifi password.

03-2. Creating Processing Data

  1. In Node Kannai, we use Corel Draw.
  2. Drag and drop the target image onto the Corel Draw screen.
    1. Color settings: Black = engraving (raster processing), Red = cutting (vector processing), Blue = guideline (vector processing)
  3. Process the target object so that it can be handled by the laser cutter.
  4. With the target object selected, choose the color palette on the right with the mouse.
    1. Left click: Inner color (default is white)
    2. Right click: Outer edge color (default is red)
  5. After processing, select the target object and open the print screen with ctrl + p.

6. Selection > Print will be transferred to the UCP (Universal Control Panel).

Notes

  • Don’t forget to take screenshots for creating the document.
  • Screenshots can be taken with the following command. (It is very cost-ineffective for Mac users to memorize Windows-specific key layouts and shortcuts, so I will note it here.)
  • If you transfer processing data while the UCP (Universal Control Panel) settings screen is open, you can carry over the setting information. Please be careful if you want to respond with the same parameters continuously.

03-3. UCP (Universal Control Panel) Settings and Output

  1. Set the Z-axis, power, speed, and the type of laser used on the UCP (Universal Control Panel).
  2. Check the position of the header. The object you want to cut may be outside the range of the header’s movement, or the header may be positioned to project the laser into an empty space.
  3. Turn on the power supply transformer (ON). Always turn it ON before the device supplying power.
  4. Turn on the power of the dust and odor removal machine (air cleaner). Turn the green switch ON.
  5. Once all settings are complete, close the lid of the laser cutter machine and click the green triangle mark on the UCP (Universal Control Panel). There is a “Start” button in the lower right corner, but this is a misdirection. Please be careful.

04. Laser Cutter Parameter Settings

04-1. Adjusting the Focal Distance

Prerequisites

  • Material : Plywood
  • Constants : DPI250

Procedure

  1. The Z-axis is adjusted by changing the height of the header.
  2. Use a jig to adjust the height.
  3. If the jig is wobbling, the adjustment is not yet complete. Please be careful.
  4. Is the jig adjustment complete? Congratulations. That is the Z-axis focal distance zero.
  5. If necessary, adjust based on the current Z-axis information. This time, the goal is to find the appropriate focal distance, so we are adjusting in increments of 0.05mm.
  6. Repeat this process.
  7. Done.

Findings

  • The farther the focal distance, the thicker the kerf becomes.
  • If the focal distance is too far, cutting cannot be done. In the image above, at +5.0mm, the cutting is becoming questionable.
  • Just because the focal distance is close does not mean it will cut better. It must be at the precisely correct focal point.

Conclusion

  • We adopted 0.00mm.

04-2. Relationship Between Speed and Power

Prerequisites

  • Material : Cardboard
  • Constants : DPI250

Procedure

  • Adjustments can be made from the UCP (Universal Control Panel) settings.
    • Attach a screenshot of the screen
  • Adjust speed and power respectively.
  • Actually output it.
  • Repeat this process.

Findings

    • Speed is directly linked to output time, but it is also directly linked to cutting performance. Faster is not always better.
    • During adjustments, at 80% power and 4% speed, the cardboard started to catch fire. Monitored and extinguished with water.
    • Recently, maintenance on the laser may have improved output.
      • Edited a video clip.

Conclusion

  • We adopted 60% power and 10% speed.

05. Checking Kerf and Clearance Considering Material

05-1. Checking Kerf

Prerequisites

  • Material : cuttingboard
  • Constants : DPI250

Procedure

  • Set kerf in Fusion 360.
    • Attach an image.
  • Set parameters.
  • Actually output it.
  • Measure.

laser_kerf_x10 v1.svg

Conclusion

  • We adopted 0.227mm.

05-2. Adjustments Regarding Joint Clearance

Prerequisites

    • Target Material * Cardboard
    • Constant * DPI250

Procedure

  • Set up the curve in Fusion 360

  • Set the parameters
  • Actually output it
  • Measure

laser-comb_layout_3.svg

Conclusion

  • We adopted 0.01mm

06. Week 03 Group Work Completed. And on to the Individual Assignment…

Each person’s URL is listed