Computer-Controlled Cutting
Group Assignment:
Do your lab's safety training.
Characterize your laser cutter's focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance, and types.
Individual Assignment:
Cut something on the vinyl cutter.
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.
This week, we have the following assignments. For the group assignment, I'm the only one in Peru. It turns out that a Latin American group has now been formed with people from Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. I recently found out that there's another Peruvian, but he's in the province, in my beloved Huancayo. So, I got in touch with my fellow countryman Armando Calcina to carry out this assignment digitally, which brings a big challenge
To begin with laser machine safety, it is essential to have knowledge of the space in which it is located. This will allow us to first have a general overview and then focus on the specific details.
1.Safety Lines and Restricted Areas.
In the Fab Lab iFurniture, you can see a safety area 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 the proper protection.
2.Safety Signage
It is essential to have proper signage in the workspace. The signs should be visible and clear to warn about laser hazards, electrical risks, and safety rules to follow. Additionally, the signage helps maintain order in the workspace and preserve the condition of the machine.
Signage also helps preserve the machine. For instance, in the area where the laser controls are located, it is forbidden to place magnets, as this could damage the equipment.
Proper Use of the CNC Laser Machine
1. Know the machine
One of the things we must know before operating the machine is the type of equipment we are using. The machine in the Fab Lab iFurniture is of Chinese origin, a C4V laser 1390 type.
A laser tube in a laser machine is the main component that generates the laser beam. Its function is to convert electrical energy into concentrated laser light, which is used to cut, engrave, or mark materials with precision. The power and type of the laser tube determine which materials the machine can process and the quality of the results.
The CNC laser machine also has a stabilizer that powers on the entire machine. It also has ports to connect to the internet, the computer, or directly via USB. It includes the power buttons for the machine, the laser, and the lamp.
2. Tools
One of the most important things to consider are the tools used for the machine, perhaps not directly, but indirectly. For example, a material thickness gauge to measure the material's thickness, a tape measure to take measurements of the materials to be used, in this case recycled ones, and also a caliper to measure the distance between the material and the machine's laser.
Let me know if you need more adjustments.
Speed and power tests.
1. Material
An important step before working with the machine is knowing the material thickness, in order to make the necessary configurations and calibrations.
For the assignment of characterizing the focus, power, speed, and acceleration of the laser cutter, we selected a material from the Re-trazos project of the Fab Lab iFurniture, aiming to recycle it and use it in our test.
2. Software.
I designed and scaled the test using the Rhinoceros software.
I open the RDWorksV8 software and configure the parameters.
For this, we have the basic knowledge that: black corresponds to engraving, blue to marking, and red to cutting. However, for this exercise, we will configure the power and speed based on the colors.
3. Hardware
I started conducting the corresponding test, taking into account the power and speed parameters.
Since I will be using 3mm MDF for some of the tasks, I made a comb with that material thickness.
The 3mm MDF comb fit with difficulty in the 2.9x3mm tolerance. It did not fit in the 2.8x3mm tolerance. In the 3mm x 3mm tolerance, it fit without any issues.
I had to redo the exercise, but this time I tested it with another MDF from Sodimac, using the same parameters. Here, I can make a note: between the two materials, in my opinion, Arauco brand is much better, as the cut is done easily. In contrast, with Sodimac MDF, I had to run the cut again because it hadn't completely cut the area of the square. In the photo, you can see what it cut with the indicated parameters.
On February 9th, I coordinated with Armando Calcina to meet virtually at 6 p.m. We used a Google Meet link for the meeting, during which I presented the topic 'Lab's Safety Training'. Through the webcam, I showed him practical examples I performed in the Fab Lab.
Armando lives in Huancayo, so meeting in person will be difficult. For this reason, we have decided to move forward with our projects through this medium.
On February 9th, I coordinated with Manuel Ayala to meet virtually at 6 p.m. We used a Google Meet link for the meeting, during which I presented the topic 'Lab's Safety Training'. Through the webcam, I showed him practical examples I performed in the Fab Lab.
Armando lives in Huancayo, so meeting in person will be difficult. For this reason, we have decided to move forward with our projects through this medium.
Individual Assignment
Vinyl Cutter
For the vinyl cutting activity, I had to go to Toulouse Lautrec, where Silvana provided me with her support to carry it out.
To start this activity, I was reflecting on what design to create and I thought about making something based on the geometry of a lamp I made in the laser cutting assignment (you can click here to learn more about the project). I could say it was my source of inspiration, and I created it in the Rhinoceros program.
To carry out this process, I placed the vinyl on the fabric and then put another piece of fabric on top to iron. The mistake I made was using a polyester fabric, which burned and didn’t adhere well to the shirt, causing the vinyl to get damaged. But! To improve the result, I decided to cut the vinyl and give it a different touch. In the end, one part has a dark shadow, while the other part properly adhered to the shirt.
Kit Parametric
Since the challenge for this week 03 is to create a parametric kit, I needed to use a software that would help me do it, as I didn’t know how to. That’s why I’ve added the learning process in week 02.Click here to view it.
I'm starting to create my model!
I started creating the design for my parametric kit after learning a bit about Onshape. I thought about making parametric toy modules for children, specifically in the shape of little figures with arms and legs. I began designing them and continued exploring the program.
First, I created the rectangular shape and followed the steps in the tutorial to recreate the openings for the fitting. In Onshape, there's the option for variable (x), which allowed me to assign parameters to the height, width, depth, diameter, radius, chamfer, thinkness, etc.
After setting the measurements, I proceeded to extrude the shape, also using the thickness parameter.
After setting the measurements, I proceeded to extrude the shape, also using the thickness parameter
In this figure, you can notice the difference in the parametric measurements and how the shape changes according to the numbering. What's interesting here is that, when the material thickness is changed, the shape automatically updates.
Before starting the cut, I choose my material, which is recycled, a toy box. This will be used for what I have designed: 2 mm thick cardboard with two faces, one laminated and the other made of cardboard. I place the material in the laser machine, adjust the laser for the material, and use a 7 mm ruler
I begin configuring the RDWorksV8 program. For this, I start making the configurations and check that the file is correct. I first started with a speed setting of 30 and power 40 to test it, but it didn't work.
I continued testing on 2 mm cardboard. I tried with speed 50 and power 20, but it failed. Then, I tried with speed 45 and power 25, and it worked! I was able to make my little person kit.
All the little people were cut correctly. Now it's time to assemble and have some fun with the parametric kit!
With this kit, you can create different shapes and build bridges or castles.
But above all, one can have fun with the family by bringing technology into the home.
Now, to make it more fun, and since I liked the Onshape program, I made a parametric lamp!😀
I begin by creating a basic shape, as this will allow me to familiarize myself with the software and the necessary tools for my design. Starting from this initial shape, I will adjust the measurements and details that will help me shape my lamp.
I create a circular pattern that projects throughout the entire circle. I choose 30 spaces, as I want the lamp to look somewhat dense and have a flower-like shape.
I design the chamfer so that the piece can fit easily, and I also create a variable to make it parametric.
Here, I make a note in each box, where the different values are displayed.
What is marked in green are the parameters that helped me set the diameter and the material thickness.
Here, I can leave a note about what happened to me right in the lab. I had configured my design in 3mm MDF, but I couldn’t find material of that thickness. I had to walk around the lab and found 2.8mm MDF. The great thing about parametric designs is that I could change the material thickness with just one click, and it was ready for cutting!
I placed the 1220 mm x 870 mm MDF material, with a thickness of 2.8 mm, on the CNC laser bed. I calibrated the laser to the material and set the power to 50 and the speed to 20 in the RDWorksV8 software.
Here we can see the pieces already cut, ready to move on to the next phase, which is assembly.
A little while modeling with the result of the lamp.
And now, some pictures of the lamp showing off in its best pose, which is on the ceiling!, with the light off and on. 😀
And now a perspective view.! 😀
Reflections
I really enjoyed this assignment. Every day I learn more, and every time we are given an assignment, I lose my appetite due to the nerves
One of the things I learned is how to recognize and get to know a bit more about the space where the CNC Laser is located, the meaning and purpose of each button, the care the machine requires, and also the human care that needs to be considered.
When I started doing the parametric kit activity, I was really complicating things for myself, but in the end, I decided to create something simple and parametric. I really enjoyed the dynamic, and in the end, my kids had fun.
When making a parametric lamp, I had considered using 3mm MDF, but in the end, I used a 2.8mm one. The great thing about designing it parametrically is that I didn’t have to redraw it, I just changed the parameters, and that was it.
I hope to keep learning! It was a very valuable experience.