3. Laser & Vinyl Cutting¶
Laser Cutting Machine (Individual Design)¶
Design Process
For this experiment, we had to choose a parametric fit design, so I started working on my design using Cuttle.
I started by creating a circle with a Width and Length of 91.3mm
Then, I added a rectangle and adjusted the X= 1.6mm, and Y= 10mm; in order to make the perfect hole size for the parametric deisgn to fit perfectly.
Then, to add the other repetitive rectangles to complete my design, I selectet the rectangle > Modify Tab > Rotational Repeat
To adjust the Repetion Pattern Number, I changed it to 8 repetitions from the Settings.
To finalize the design and create the most important part which was the holes, I selected the design > Modify Tab > Boolean Difference
The final Design:
After I finished my design, I exported the File as a DXF File, and was ready to start the cutting process.
Laser Cutting Process
Having the design ready, I opened the file in RD Works and double checked the sizes before starting the cutting process.
In the process:
Final Result!
After cutting the patterns, I created a little flower using my design, in each hole, I combined 2 pieces of the design, and connected them together.
Vinyl Cutter (Individual Design)¶
To begin with, we started learning about how the machine works and what are its characteristics.
The machine name is Cricut Explore Air 2.
Cricut can do several interesting things which includes: cutting over 100 materials - everything from cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on to specialty materials like glitter paper, cork, and bonded fabric, and even leather. Also, there’s an option of using a drawing pen instead of cutting the design.
In order to be able to use it, you have to install the Cricut Design Space to connect it on your laptop and start creating your own projects!
# Choosing My Design and Using the Vinyl Cutter To Cut It
I started by choosing my design which was going to turn into a sticker to test it out by cutting it on Cricut.
After choosing my design, I installed Cricut Design Space on my laptop and inserted my design there.
When my design was ready to be cut, I chose my prefered material in the color I liked and cut out a small piece that fit the worksheet, then used tape to stick the corners, and finally inserted it in the Cutter.
The sticker was cut out nicely without any ripped off parts.
The last thing I did was take off the part I wanted from the sticker, which was the outline, and used it as a sticker on my laptop.
To conclude, this expirement was a success and the results turned out to be as I expected!