3. Computer Controled Cutting

Objectives of the Week

1. Demonstrate and describe parametric 2D modelling processes.
2. Identify and explain processes involved in using the laser cutter.
3. Develop, evaluate and construct a parametric construction kit.
4. Identify and explain processes involved in using the vinyl cutter.

Schedule

Wednesday, Jan 21st - Global Class - Computer Controled Cutting

Thursday, Jan 22nd: - Cutting and Parametrics 1

Password: 4RL7Cv%G

Friday, Jan 23rd: - Cutting and Parametrics 2

Password: w!4SA%GL

Class Notes

Parametric design - a design based on parameters - when yo change a parameter the design changes automatically

Lazer Cutter 1. 2D cutting, marking, engraving 2. Materials: can cut a wide variety of materials depending on the equipment. Generally can not cut metal 3. Key parameters tuned for cutting different materials are: speed and power 4. deep nest: open source tool for optimizing nesting - DEEPNEST.io 5. need to account for lazer thinkness: kerf - can create the required offset in the CAD design (using parametrics) or in the CAM software

Vynal Cutter - Used for cutting thin, realtively soft materials: paper, vynal, fabric… - Key parameters are blade type, cut depth, speed

Assignments

Group assignment:

1. Do your lab’s safety training

2. Characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, joint clearance and types.

3. Document your work to the group work page and reflect on your individual page what you learned.

Link to the group assignment page

Individual assignments:

1. Design, lasercut, and document a parametric construction kit, accounting for the lasercutter kerf.

   3a. Explained how you created your parametric design:

   See parametric design section for Fusion & Grasshopper

   3b. Documented how you made your press-fit construction kit.

   Group Project Parametric_Comp

   3c. Reflect on your individual page what you learned of your labs safety training See lazer cutter and vynel cutting notes below

2. Cut something on the vinyl cutter.

   4b. Documented how you made something with the vinyl cutter.

   4c. Included your original design files.

   4d. Included hero shots of your results.

Cutting Documentation and Examples

Lazer cutting

Class Notes

1. follows two coordinates (no z)
2. uses vector to cut, raster, engrave
3. G-code: very basic language that the matchines use. It is 90% coordinates (X,Y,Z)

4. cuts using a lazer

   • old ones used light
   • most now use CO2

5. What we can do here in Barcelona

   • Materials: plastics, wood, cardboard, fabric, need to be consiensous of refelctivity, some materials are more expensive than others

   • do a preliminary test with a cheap material to make sure it looks good

   • thinkness: varries by material but typically limited to 8mm

     • this is limitation is due to the focal point of the laser. Not the thinkness of the material

   • Parameters: power, speed, frequency, air compressor (only have this off if you are cutting paper or textiles)

6. Ways to create 3d forms: stacking, cross section, bending, there is a plug in to fusion that does this automatically

7. Sending Files

   • make sure file has layers with: raster, inner edge, outer edge

   • make sure the colors of the layers are set appropriately

   • steps

     • Open the file on the lazer cutting computer

     • open the file in Rhino

     • File —> print to the correct matchine

       • make sure the scale is 1:1 and you do not scale to the selected area

       • this will automatically open the CAM software

     • place material in the bed and move the laser to the corner (top left)

Lazer Cutting Example

Vynal cutting

Class Notes

1. other interesting uses

   • silk screens
   • cutting iron on lettering for shirts
   • inflatables using thermo adhesive
   • copper tape for soft circut

2. files

   • must mirror images and words if you care about the direction

3. materials

   • anything you can easily cut with an exacto knife
   • card stock
   • paper
   • coper tape (good for soft circuits)

4. Software

   • siluette studios
     • doesnt allow .sbg (most common) save as .dxf
   • templatemaker.ml for free templates

5. Cutting

   • paste small pieces on the clear sheet
   • turn the matchine on
   • connect with bluetooth or with cord
   • from material drop down select the most similar material. If you arent sure you should do a small test
   • make sure wheles are on notches
   • align edge of mat with small line on the left
   • Optional - click generate test, send test

Vinal Cutting Example

1. from inkscape save as svg
2. go to cloudconvert to convert to dxf
3. open silhoutte studios
4. open dxf file in sillouete studios

5. preparing image

   • select all and group
   • resize by dragging corners

   

6. preparing cut settings

   • select closest material from dropdown
   • gnerate test using button on lower left
   • run test to determine if inital settings are correct
     • try to remove the test with a pair of tweezers. If it removes cleanly you can proceed with the cut

   

7. Final Result