3. Computer controlled cutting¶
WEEK 3¶
In this week we learned about controlled cutting method using Advanced machines.
Laser cutting machine¶
It is a large, advanced machine that use a two laser tubes directed to create X shape to make a cut through material or graving.
Here you can see Ali al-jeshi using the computer to put the required parameter for the cut we want.
As we can see in the screen over here, we can choose multiple colors that can represent a setting group that we can use on multiple or singular shape with other groups that carry deferent settings
As shown in the picture we are controlling the speed and the power to test and see the effect and find the best setting for acrylic
Before starting to cut the provided data we will do a line test on a small piece to find the focal point by drawing a line in the computer and putting the object on an angle and start the cut.
After that and back to the previous example we can use this controller to move the laser head and start a new origin point to make a cut on deferent points on the board, you can click on frame to see the laser movement and to make sure that the laser is on perfect hight to get perfect strength we use a small lego peace that we put under the laser gun exactly to make sure we are on the required Z
The result (Based on the speed / power for each color that we changed)
We conclude that the best cut for acrylic is speed=20 , power=65
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Individual Assignment¶
In this assignment we created simple shapes that can be be fit together by creating a small gape (1.6 mmm) using cartoon sheet.
As an example, im using a circle in 2-D using cuttle (you can also use inkscape), creating any kind of shape and adding a gap that is 1.6 mm width to hold the 2 shapes together and estimate a depth depending on the other shape that will be placed in the gap.
to create a gap, press on modify then after selecting both items (the shape of the hole and the 2D body) then pressing on the following option :
The final shape of the design, we notice that their are four holes but only one shape to fill it, why?, because we can duplicate the shapes and print any number we want using the laser cutting computer (RD works)
note that the star with the circle are not considered press fit, because they must both have a gap to be pressed in each other, we can print the circle (multiple times) then by putting them with each other they are considered a press fit.
In the workshop :¶
We repeated the same steps that we did in group assignment, using the lego piece to adjust the hight, adding the data that we sent on @fablabbh.share@gmail.com
Speed and power control
Adding the files
import
Choose how many copies you want
Choosing a color that represent a setting group and putting the speed and power we need , we used (speed= 55 , power= 80)
entering data , cutting speed and power are the important cut to get the perfect cut
here we added the material, used a blue tape to hold it so there will be no movement
Z adjustment
Using the control panel to point the laser on a corner to have minimum material waste be repeating the steps we did in the group assignment, setting an origin and pressing on frame to see the laser movement on the board.
The final product
press fit
fitting :
VINAL (STICKER MAKING)¶
Here we are going to create stickers, using silhouette which is an app used for a type of printers, you can use others depending on the printer you have
We start by downloading a simple image from google, that we want to print and then adding them in the editing page of the software we are using.
I used :
Start by adding the picture we want and changing the size and then pressing on trace option on the right.
This is how it look like.
Now we bring a sticky board and place to sheets that are slightly bigger than the size of the shapes in the application
Connecting the printer to my laptop using USB connection
After carefully putting the sticky board in the printer then attaching it we press on send.
After finishing
we remove the extras.
final product
Additional¶
you can use the vinal printers to create PCBs, by controlling the speed and changing the blade inside it, also you can cut on leather , and even more depending on your creativity, which make it a multi purpose machine.