As part of the group work, we received an invitation to participate in a meeting with colleagues from the Fab Lab Academy. Through the Fab Lab iFurniture program, Evelin gave us a workshop on occupational risk prevention and safety at work.
The group training on safety measures in the workplace of a Fablab was given by Evelyn, manager of Fablab iFurniture. This talk was interesting because of the way she shared her experiences and knowledge in the workplace on computer-controlled machines dedicated to CNC routing and cutting.
To complete this project, three types of joints were used to connect the pieces precisely and functionally. The choice of joint type is crucial to ensure the stability, durability, and ease of assembly of the parts. Each part is designed to adapt the assembly to different design and functional needs. Each type has its specific advantages, whether it provides a stronger, more flexible, or more adjustable connection.
To perform the cutting on the UCCI-owned CNC router and with the support of Alexis, I will be using VCarve Pro, a software that provides a good solution for cutting parts on a CNC milling machine, including large pieces larger than 24" x 24". It includes tools for 2D design and 2D and 2.5D toolpath calculation, along with the ability to import and plot toolpaths from a single 3D model (STL, OBJ, etc.).
The next step is to import the 2D image of the Autocad design into the VCarve Pro window.
The next step is to view the imported image
Here we can make modifications to the design in terms of measurements and shapes.
Adjustments are made for the type of union
Here are the final views of the 2D design.
Next we can import the design into the CNC machine software ShopBot Control Software.
The latest version of the ShopBot Control Software is always available here for free download. This is the software that runs ShopBot CNC Tools. With the ShopBot Control Software, you can enter individual commands to move the tool or run a ShopBot Part File, a cutting file created in a CAD/CAM program such as the ShopBot Design Software Suite, to cut out a part.
To carry out this work, I chose as a base material a pressed wood board measuring 1.5 mm thick and 1.40 x 2.40 m. I placed and fixed this board on the work table of a CNC router from the SHOP BOT brand.
The wooden board is then fixed and held. For this, 04 screw-type fasteners were used.
The next step is to set the coordinates of the worktable and the CNC machine control.
The CNC starts the routing and cutting movement
The CNC finishes cutting the design
Proceeding to extract the cut plates using tools such as a screwdriver and a crowbar and carefully without damaging the contours.
View of the plate after the plate cuts have been removed
View of the assembled furniture using the fixing joints.
Another view of the finished piece of furniture
Stand for decorations
Stand to place various decorations
