This first week as a FabAcademy student has been a very nice and unforgettable experience with the desire to learn about digital manufacturing and the recent technologies that link this science.
Group Assignment:
- Do your lab's safety training. Characterize your laser cutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance, and types.
Individual Assignment:
- Design, laser cut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the laser cutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways. For extra credit, include elements that aren't flat.
COMPUTER CONTROLLED LASER CUTTING
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials and is typically used in industrial manufacturing applications. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-powered laser, usually through optics. Laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the generated laser beam. A typical commercial laser for cutting materials involved a motion control system to follow a CNC or G code of the pattern to be cut onto the material. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which is then melted, burned, vaporized or ejected by a gas jet, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish. Industrial laser cutters are used to cut flat sheet material as well as structural and piping materials.
Group Assignment
On this occasion we visited the Fab Lab iFurniture located in the city of Lima, we met our colleague Evelin Cuadrado and Cristian Loayza. You can see a security zone around the CNC laser machine, marked by yellow lines with black stripes, which are visibly marked on the floor. This is to prevent people from entering the work area without adequate protection.
Safety signage
Signage is a fundamental aspect for proper work in the workspace. Signs must be vertical and horizontal, visible and clear to warn of laser dangers, electrical hazards and safety regulations that must be followed. In addition, signage helps maintain order in the workspace and preserve the condition of the machine.
Signage area
This is the horizontal safety signage area which influences the work area of the CNC router machines and the other machines of the FAB LAB UNCP, these remind workers of the specific safety risks while the equipment is in use.
electrical risk
The figure shows the visual electrical safety signs fixed on the wall next to the electrical panel. These signs are necessary for safety from the risk of electrical elements.
Individual task
CO2 laser cutting works by directing the output of a high power laser, usually through optics. Laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the generated laser beam.
Cell phone holder by laser cutting
The following process involves laser cutting in 3 mm thick MDF material to build a cell phone holder model of 02 plates linked by joining holes and tips of the material designed by dimensioned cutting of said MDF plates, which will serve as reminders for Father's Day.
Manufacture of a cell phone holder at the CIT FAB LAB UNCP
Digital manufacturing involves a design and production process, where computer-aided design will be used to create prototypes. The CIT fab lab UNCP is equipped with 3D printers, a CNC PCB, a CNC ROUTER and an automated laser CNC.
Choice of material
Characteristics: laser cutting Die-cut pieces measuring 7.5x15cm Lightweight 3mm MDF biodegradable material
STEP 1: The figure shows the model of the cell phone holder made of the material that has been chosen in this case: MDF, which means Medium Density Fiberboard, which could be translated as medium density fibers.
STEP 2: The next step is to design, in this case we use SolidWorks, this because it allows us a faster parameterized design and since it is a 2D design it is more optimal.
STEP 3: This document will be exported in DXF format since this file will open with Lighburn..
STEP 4: We import our DXF design into lighburn so we can edit the parameters.
STEP 5: In this section, the power and cutting speed are configured. This will depend on the material to be cut. In this case, it is a 3 mm thick MDF. A power of 27% and a speed of 20 mm/s are used. The machine has a power of 150W of CO2.
STEP 6: Once you have the parameters, you have a preview of how the cut will be made so as not to have any inconvenience in the machine process.
STEP 7: When it is ready, we proceed to send the file to the cutting machine, in this case we are making the cut in the CO2 laser cutting machine.
STEP 8: Once the file and the material are loaded, we close the machine to prevent the smoke produced from escaping into the environment. We supervise the work because flames can occur when cutting.
STEP 9: The following image shows the cut made by the CO2 laser machine, according to the design with the measurements of the die-cut pieces measuring 7.5x15cm Lightweight 3mm MDF biodegradable material. Once the cut is finished, the material is removed to verify and perform final cleaning. In this case, the assembly of the cell phone holder is carried out.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, laser cutting machines offer numerous advantages, such as high cutting precision, fast speed and wide adaptability to materials. However, they also have some limitations, such as the high cost of equipment and the high qualification requirements for operators.A Laser Cutter is a technological tool that cuts materials through a CO2 (carbon dioxide) tube. Work from a predetermined vector (design with specialized software), which will cut, mark, engrave or score to obtain the required piece. Thanks to the sophisticated technology of the Laser Cutter, it is currently possible to work with any type of material, so that it is an exact copy of what we imagine.
The task developed allowed me to reinforce my knowledge and learn more, it also allowed me to organize and follow all the safety procedures that are essential when working with different technological tools, such as the 3D printer, CNC laser, CNC router, etc.