3. Computer-Controlled Cutting¶

Group assignment¶

We have been given a task to search about the kerf and joint clearance for the cardboard in the CO2 laser printing. The results was that we have to make the joints width 1.65mm as the cardboard width is 2.1mm after many tries by printing and changing the joint size, because the laser printing do some changes in size and this is called (kerf) that the sides of the printed thing will be decremented by 0.2mm to 0.5mm

We checked different sizes for the joints starting with 1.9 and continued decrementing it and print it, then try if it is stuck or still it will fall. Finally when we reached 1.65mm it was good for the cardboard.

Click here to see other groups work:

Individual assignment¶

Idea¶

This assignment was interesting were we have to design a parametric press-fit construction kit and print it using laser printer machine, I searched for designs to get an idea for my design, I found one and liked it so I tried to do it by myself through Fusion 360

This is what I saw in the Internet and liked it, so I tried to make something similar to it.

Design¶

-I used the Parametric design tools to create the joints: From Modify I chose Change parameters:

-Then I created two parameters w = 1.65mm for width and h = 8mm for height

Here with the joint design:

then I sent the design to the computer connected to the laser machine to adjust it and print it, here how to check all the characteristics like focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, and joint clearance to print it correctly on the cardboard. After that, we send the file to the machine and check the frame to avoid printing something outside the cardboard area

After printing a suitable quantity I emerged the units to make the final design and this was the result.

Laser Cutting¶

1- select the file name in the machine

2- press Enter to download the file into the printer

3- click origin to select area for printing, then frame to check if it is suitable to print or not.

4- Putting this lego piece to check the distance from the laser pin and the cardboard.

5- this was my first printing, and it shows that the other design is too mini, so I repeated the printing after adjusting it

6- Here I printed the wanted number of each design to finalize the design.

7- And this was the result:

Why Laser cutting?¶

Because 2D laser cutters don’t operate on the Z-axis, they have the freedom to maximize power without changing the angle. Tackle your biggest workpieces with a two-dimensional laser. One thing to keep in mind with laser cutting machines is that their power and beam intensity stem from the type of lasing material and laser stimulation process.