Computer controlled cutting

1. Weekly Brief Summary

This week, I did an assignment using Fusion 360, Trotec Speedy 100, and Silhouette CAMEO3. I made a parametric kit on the Fusion 360 and used a laser cutter to cut out the parts from the cardboard. Also, I cut the cutting sheet using the Silhouette CAMEO3 and made a sticker.

2. Weekly Assignment Requirement

Group Assignment

  • characterize your lasercutter’s focus, power, speed, rate, kerf, and joint clearance
  • document your work (individually or in group)

Individual Assignments

  • Design, lasercut, and document a parametric press-fit construction kit, which can be assembled in multiple ways.
    Account for the lasercutter kerf.
  • cut something on the vinylcutter

Learning outcomes

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

Have you

  • linked to the group assignment page
  • Explained how you parametrically designed your files
  • Documented how you made your press-fit kit
  • Documented how you made your vinyl cutting
  • Included your original design files
  • Included your hero shots

Kamakura Group Assignment Week03

4. Assignment Work Planning

  • Group Assignment
    (a)Kerf・・・Menghe Xu
    (b)Foucus・・・Yuki Oka
    (c)Parameter・・・Toshiki Tsuchiyama

  • Individual Assignments(1)
    (a)Creating a parametric kit
    (b)Output with laser cutter
    (c)Modify the design

  • Individual Assignments(2)
    (a)Making stickers
    (b)Fabrication of flexible substrates

5. Description of Assignment Work

Creating a Parametric Kit

1. Designed with Fusion360

All the parametric kits were designed by Fusion360.
I thought of a kit that could be built freely by sticking supports on the foundation.
So the first one we created was the foundation, the circular parts, and the columns of different lengths.

Parameters

Name Unit Expressionn Value
thickness mm 2.6mm 2.60
diameter mm 150mm 150.00
radius mm diameter/2 75.00
quanitity floor(radius/distance+1 6
distance mm 10mm+thickness 12.60
poleA_hight mm 250mm 250.00
partsA_diameter mm 40mm 40.00
partsA_radius/2 partsA_diameter/2 mm 20.00
poleB_hight mm poleA_hight/2 125.00
slot_length mm 30mm 30.00
slot_diameter mm 20mm 20.00
join_depth mm 8.5mm 8.50
slot_angleA deg 90deg 90.0
slot_angleB deg 180deg 180.0

2. Setting Parameters

To create a parametric design in Fusion360, you can use the [MODIFY]→[Change Parameters] variable to enter a variable in Setup.
Here, instead of the numbers you use to enter the diameter of the figure or the thickness of the model, you can use your own You can define and use variables.

This feature makes it possible for you to design a model and then have to resize it in a hurry. You can modify the entire model simply by changing the values of the parameters.

I created a variable to derive the number of holes in the base of the model we are going to create. It is based on the “Ueki-zan” method taught in Japanese elementary schools.

This parameter is for drilling holes (except for the center hole) to match the diameter of the circle.
In the image above, the number of holes (from the center to the outer diameter) is 6, but if you reduce the diameter of the base, the number of holes will be reduced to Decrease.

Exporting to DXF Data

I wrote the created sketch data in DXF format and read it in Inkscape.


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3. Cutting Parameter

As shown on the group page, I cut the cardboard with the numbers below.

Machine Power Speed Hz
trotec speedy 100 35 1.2 20000

4. Modify the design

There were multiple problems with the output prototype.

  • The strength of the support is weak
  • Since there is only one part, the degree of freedom of building is low.
  • There is no thickness on the foundation, so it is not stable.

Due to the above problems, I have decided to improve the design and materials.
This time, I have created multiple parts besides circular parts.

I used [Slot] → [Center Point Slot]and [Center Point Arc Slot] for this part.

I have set these parameters, but in many cases I have not been able to input variables successfully in the process of creating a slot.
This time, I made a 3mm aluminum stick.

5. Evaluate

When I was setting up variables, I felt like I was taking a math class.
I was always thinking, “When I set the number between holes to 10 mm, how many holes can I make when the base diameter is 120 mm?”
Setting up variables is a bit troublesome, but it’s convenient because the width of the design that you can output by changing the numerical value is wider.

Making stickers

1. Silhoette CAMEO3

The cutting machine I used this time is Silhouette CAMEO3.
Create processed data with specialized software called Silhouette Studio.

Download “Silhouette Studio” for Mac from here

2. Data Processing

This time, I decided to use the FabLab Kamakura logo as a sticker.
The data was created using the Silhouette Studio.
Read the data from [File]→[Import].

[List of corresponding image files] - Standard : svg / pdf / ai / cdr / esp / gsd / dxf / png - Designer : svg / pdf / gsd / dxf / png / jpg / jpeg / gif - Business : gsd / dxf / png / jpg / jpeg / gif / tif / tiff

Once the data is reflected in the workspace, open the Trace Panel from the tab on the right.

Pressing the button [Select Trace Area] and dragging the image you want to make data displays the characters and icons in yellow.

However, the entire data is not yellow, so [threshold] needs to be adjusted.
Press [Traces] when the entire data turns yellow.


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[Trace Results]

3. Set Up a Cutting Mount

Silhoette CAMEO3 has a special cutting mount, which is fixed by pasting a cutting sheet, paper, etc.

The cutting mount has a grid pattern that makes it easy to locate media and data.


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I adjusted the workspace memory to fit the data in the empty space because the memory on the cutting board matches.

4. Processing

Once the media is loaded, send the processed data to the machine side.
Set the processing details on [SEND].
First, I made the material into a sticker sheet and processed it with the machine side’s recommended value.

This time at 2D design tool, I tried to do the same thing as Adobe Illustrator using Inkscape.


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The cut speed was so fast that the seal came off.
Also, the pressure seems to be a little strong, so I decided to set it manually.
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This time it went well.

5. Finish

The finish is to remove excess seals with a cutter knife.

The seal I made this time has become very fine, so it was hard to peel it off, but it worked out well.

6. Evaluate

I found out that the working parameter setting provided by the cutting machine side cannot be done well.
I repeated the test cut and felt that I had to set it up to suit the material.

6. Description of Important Weekly Learning Outcome

I tried cutting out the copper foil tape with a cutting machine and tried many test cuts, but it didn’t work as a flexible substrate.I want to find a way to do better.

8. Appendix