4. Computer controlled cutting¶
## Week 04’s assignment:
- group assignment:
- do your lab’s safety training
- characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types
- individual assignment:
- cut something on the vinylcutter
- design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit accounting for the lasercutter kerf, which can be assembled in multiple ways,and for extra credit include elements that aren’t flat
Any assignment must begin with a cautious approach toward cutting tools and laser machines. Therefore, our lab requires all members to adhere to the following safety guidelines.
## Safety Guidelines and Best Practices
- Stay within the designated safety area during cutting. Keep in mind that the process involves high heat and potential fire hazards.
- Always have a fire extinguisher ready. Suitable options include a fire blanket, a water spray can, or a CO₂ extinguisher.
- Ensure three key systems are running: air assist, laser cooling, and fume extraction. These are essential for safe and efficient operation. Be cautious of the homing process and objects on the workbed. When resetting, the laser cutter will automatically home.
- Keep protective features activated at all times. For instance, never disable the lid safety switch.
- Maintain your laser cutter regularly:
- Clear debris under the bed weekly.
- Clean the lens daily.
- Wipe down the mirrors weekly.
- Secure materials properly with weights. Before starting, perform aWould you like Visual Studio Code to periodically run “git fetch”? ‘framing test’ in LightBurn. Take note of any additional movement, especially during engraving. -If there is no focus, check the lens. It might be installed upside down.
- Experiencing unusual cornering? A loose lens could be the cause.
- Coordinate and homing settings:
- Start jobs from the current position rather than the home position.
- Avoid adjusting coordinates directly on the machine; use the computer to reposition the laser head.
- Important reminder: Machines don’t think for you—stay alert and use good judgment.
- Using LightBurn software:
- Scan for any unexpected shapes by using the “Select All” command (Cmd + A).
- Utilize the “PowerScale” feature for test pieces, or try LightBurn’s built-in test file.
- Perform pre-flight checks:
- Use the preview function and a ‘frame’ test.
- After selecting “Get Coordinates,” you can also view the “Show Current Coordinate” option (though this is less relevant if starting from the current position).
- Ensure the correct origin setting is selected.
- Reference material templates on the wall. These provide guidance, but always verify material settings, as they may be outdated.
- Pre-flight routines for fixing a drawing:
- Remove duplicate elements.
- Use the “Auto Join” function for smoother cuts.
## Usage of Tools
The Computer-Controlled Cutting assignment began with studying the tools available in our lab. In particular, I used a vinyl cutter to cut vinyl, a wooden plate, and paper.
## Usage of Plexiglass hot gluer
A plexiglass hot glue gun was used to join the corners of two planes. Specifically, paper shapes were glued along their edges.
I’ve been practicing using a Plexiglass hot glue gun to assemble papercut pieces into a three-dimensional cat head. First, I prepared the individual paper shapes by cutting and folding them along the designated edges. Next, I carefully applied the hot glue to the tabs and edges, pressing each piece together until it held firmly. This required paying close attention to alignment so the 3D form would match the intended design. By working slowly and letting the glue cool between attachments, I was able to create a sturdy structure. Through this process, I became more comfortable handling the hot glue gun, managing glue flow, and ensuring the paper pieces formed clean seams.
Other students created a 3D penguin, and I had the chance to assist in the process. It turned out to be quite a beautiful penguin after being colored.
Connecting papers with a Plexiglass hot glue gun is not an easy task, and occasional failures are inevitable.
Usage of Teneth Cutting Plotter¶
The Teneth Cutting Plotter was used to cut vinyl sheets. It offers a variety of colored vinyl sheets, which are used for decorating object surfaces.
The Teneth Cutting Plotter is operated using a program called SignMaster CUT 5.0.
Usage of Galvo Scanner¶
Galvo Scanner JK-30W: Description and Usage Characteristics Description
The JK-30W Galvo Scanner is a Class 4 laser marking machine designed for high-precision engraving and marking on various materials. It features a working area of 300 × 300 mm and operates on AC 220V, 50-60Hz input voltage. With a 30W laser power, it is well-suited for industrial and commercial applications, ensuring fast, efficient, and high-quality engraving.
Usage Characteristics
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Material Compatibility: Ideal for marking metals (stainless steel, aluminum, gold, silver, brass). Can also engrave plastics, leather, wood, and some ceramics.
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High-Speed Galvo Scanning: Uses a galvanometer-based system for ultra-fast beam positioning, enabling high-speed engraving with consistent accuracy. Provides sharp, clear, and non-contact engraving, minimizing material wear.
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Precision and Accuracy: Ensures fine engraving with a small laser spot size, making it suitable for detailed patterns, logos, and barcodes. Repeatability precision of ±0.002mm, guaranteeing consistent results.
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Large Working Area: 300 × 300 mm marking field, accommodating larger objects and allowing for more versatile applications.
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Software Compatibility: Works with EZCAD, LightBurn, and other industry-standard laser software. Supports vector and raster graphics, making it ideal for customized engravings and industrial part marking.
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Safety Considerations: Classified as a Class 4 laser, requiring proper safety measures (protective eyewear, enclosed workspaces). Operators should follow standard laser safety protocols to prevent exposure risks.
The Galvo Scanner was used to engrave designs on objects of varying heights and sizes, as its focus area is wide and square-shaped. It was even able to engrave designs on a cup despite its uneven surface.
Laser Cutter VOIERN 1310 RD¶
Laser Cutter VOIERN 1310 RD: Description and Usage Characteristics Description: The VOIERN 1310 RD is a high-precision CO₂ laser cutting machine designed for cutting and engraving various materials, including wood, plastic, acrylic, leather, and fabric. It features a working area of 1300mm × 1000mm, making it suitable for both small-scale and large-scale cutting projects. Equipped with a powerful laser tube, it delivers clean and precise cuts while maintaining efficiency and speed.
Usage Characteristics:
- Material Compatibility: Capable of cutting and engraving materials such as wood, plastic, acrylic, MDF, leather, and paperboard.
- High Precision: Provides fine detailing with smooth edges, making it ideal for intricate designs.
- Adjustable Power and Speed: Users can control laser intensity and cutting speed, allowing flexibility in material thickness and cutting depth.
- Large Working Area: The 1300mm × 1000mm workbed accommodates larger sheets, reducing the need for multiple passes.
- Fume Extraction System: Ensures safe operation by removing smoke and debris, preventing contamination of the laser lens.
- Red Dot Pointer: Assists in precise positioning before cutting, improving accuracy.
- Air Assist System: Helps prevent material burning by directing airflow onto the cutting surface.
- Software Compatibility: Works with various design software such as LightBurn and RDWorks, allowing seamless workflow integration.
- Auto-Focus Feature: Ensures the laser remains in focus, optimizing cutting and engraving quality.
This laser cutter is widely used in industrial production, prototyping, signage making, model building, and artistic design, making it a versatile tool for makers, designers, and manufacturers.
Setting up laser configuration:power, speed and focus¶
We demonstrated the laser cutting process using the VOIERN 1310 RD with the given design and observed that the laser beam generates steam, as shown in a short video demonstration.
Dr. Henk indicated that our laser cutter is not properly configured, as the laser beam produces steam during the cut. He then provided specific tips for improvement, which are shown in the video
Before starting the laser cutting process, I first configured the necessary settings using specialized software, likely LightBurn or RDWorks. In this step, I adjusted key parameters such as power, speed, and focus to ensure precise cutting and engraving results. The software also provided a preview of the design before execution, allowing me to verify the layout and adjust any necessary settings.
Next, I manually set the focus of the laser to achieve optimal precision. Using a focus gauge or manual adjustment, I ensured that the laser beam was properly aligned with the material surface. The red guiding laser helped in positioning, allowing me to make fine adjustments before the actual engraving process began. Proper focusing is critical, as it directly impacts the quality and sharpness of the engraving.
Once the setup was complete, I ran a test engraving to determine the best power and speed settings for the material. The test involved creating a power-speed matrix, where different combinations of laser power (horizontal axis) and speed (vertical axis) were applied to the material. Higher power results in deeper engraving or cutting, while higher speed reduces burn marks but may affect the engraving depth. The results from this test helped me identify the ideal settings for the specific material I was using.
Overall, this process ensured that the laser cutting and engraving were accurate, clean, and efficient while minimizing errors and material waste. Proper configuration of the software, laser focus, and test parameters is essential for achieving high-quality results in laser cutting and engraving.
This process was captured on video
Video¶
From Vimeo¶
We had Dr.Henk’s instructions for configurating air flow and laser focus:
air flow configuration
laser focus configuration
We had overall instruction and specific guide to configurate the laser focus and air flow from Henk’s presentation.
General instruction for Laser Cutter
My laser cut box¶
