04 Computer Controlled Cutting

![Light Saber](img/0400_lightsaber.png "Light Saber") Ref: [xkcd Lightsaber](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/lightsaber.png) - Lasers only stop in movies. ### Instructors Notes Topics discussed: * Electronics design from (http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.16/doc/projects/ftsmin/index.html) will be used for Electronics design * Fab Academy lab/manager/student agreements (draft.md), check with Instituition for permissions * Look at inventory docs, add local links * Regional reviews, meetings, fill up calendar.txt ### Interesting links Here are some interesting links from Neil's discussion with students * Youtube: [Sketchpad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USyoT_Ha_bA) - Bio: [Ivan Sutherland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Sutherland) * [Fusion 360 for Linux Web Browser](https://gist.github.com/probonopd/0fab254aa0b6fc371d8db641822bd530) * 3D Augmented Reality * [threejs](https://threejs.org/) * [3D Bear](http://3dbear.io) for kids * Create & design with [flatfab](http://flatfab.com/) * [ASUS Chromebook C300S](https://www.amazon.com/Chromebook-C300SA-Compact-Intel-Celeron/dp/B01MG696PV/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518016178&sr=1-3&keywords=asus%2Bc300%2Bchromebook&dpID=41yzW3BKS%252BL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1) ### Lecture This week: * 2D cutting* * Cutting Tools * Vinyl cutters - anything you can cut with a knife * Laser cutters * Parametric design - the design changes when the size of the material changes. There is no need to redraw the entire design. * Vinyl Cutter * Materials - paper, cardboard, vinyl (need lift off tape) * Settings * Force * Speed of the knife * Cut Depth * Also depends on temperature and humidity * After cutting, you need to weed the transfer i.e. remove the parts that are not required. When pulling the tranfer tape, do it at an angle * Demo video on electronics vinyl cut * Laser cutting * Flexures, living hinges * DefProc [Laser-cut Lattice Living Hinge](https://www.deferredprocrastination.co.uk/blog/2011/laser-cut-lattice-living-hinges/#more-1916) * Inkscape - plugin for [Living Hinge by Drphonon](https://inkscape.org/en/~drphonon/%E2%98%85living-hinge-creator) * Corrugated cardboard should bend, not kink * Settings: * Power * Speed * Rate (Pulse) - too high - melts, too low - gaps * Safety issues - **FIRE Hazard** <section class="info"> <a href="img/0401_Never_leave_your_lasercutter.jpg" target="_blank" > <figure class="infoimg"> <img class="w320" src="img/0401_Never_leave_your_lasercutter.jpg" alt=" Never leave your lasercutter un-attended"/> <figcaption> Never leave your lasercutter un-attended </figcaption> </figure> </a> <div class="infotext"> Never leave your lasercutter un-attended.<br> The operator was cutting a thick piece of acrylic using high power at slow speed. He then went for lunch.<br> The laser cutter was a write-off case. </div> <div class="infoclr"></div> </section>  * Assignment * Individual * Make anything on the vinyl cutter * Make a press-fit construction kit, using cardboard. The design must be parametric, accounting for the thickness of the material. Make some parts that you can assemble in multiple ways. * Group * Make simple test cuts, vary power and speed, observe results, obtain optimum settings * Measure the kerf, make a group page characterising your laser ### Briefing Notes Here are some working notes on the topic. <section class="info"> <a href="img/0402_raster_to_vector.png" target="_blank" <figure class="infoimg"> <img class="w640" src="img/0402_raster_to_vector.png" alt="Happy CNY 2018" /> <figcaption>From Raster To Vector</figcaption> </figure> </a> <div class="infotext">Steps to take to convert a raster image from a CNY card to a vector image that can be sent to a vinyl cutter </div> <div class="infoclr"></div> </section>  * What to be done this week (minimal): * Vinyl Cutting - make something with the vinyl cutter e.g. sticker, notebook decoration, logo etc. * I suggest that you use a raster image e.g. [Happy CNY](https://i0.wp.com/quotesbae.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Happy-Chinese-New-Year-2018-Cards-Image-Picture-Photo-Wallpaper-20.jpg) * Convert this raster image into a vector using Inkscape concentrating on the large logo - [How to vectorize](http://goinkscape.com/how-to-vectorize-in-inkscape/) * Clean up logo and save as a vector image (.svg, .dxf etc) * Cut out on vinyl using the [Roland GX-24](https://www.rolanddga.com/products/vinyl-cutters/camm-1-gs-24-desktop-vinyl-cutter). * Weed it - Youtube:[How to Weed and Apply Vinyl Using Transfer Tape](https://youtu.be/XdsLyLu3y8E) * Stick vinyl on glass window or laptop. * Laser Cutting * YouTube Videos * Epilog: [How To Use](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I_rghzEakw) * Epilog: [Creative Laser Applications for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W58UjRpXQ9I) * Universal [Laser System Overview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IiohltlV58) * Universal Laser Cutters [iHub Training](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKfrrxP1OV8) * Group project * Introduction to laser cutting and settings (Power, Speed, Rate) with the Epilog or Universal Laser cutter. This will be a walkthrough class to demonstrate laser cutting. * Obtaining optimal cutting settings for a variety of material, each of you will choose one material and obtain settings for it using a trial and error method. Determine kerf. * Individual project * Use Fusion 360 to design a parametrically defined object (e.g. Laser cut box) - to be inserted later. Cut it using 2mm or 3mm plywood or cardboard. * Design and cut a [press-fit construction kit](http://fabacademy.org/archives/content/tutorials/04_Computer-Controlled_Cutting/Press-Fit_Construction_Tips.html). * Schedule: * Thurs - review/research * Fri - tutorial on Fusion 360 * Sat/Sun - individual prep work * Mon/Tue - Laser cutting at T11C