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Internet of Things - Knowledgebase

Computer Controlled Cutting

Lecture Computer Controlled Cutting

https://vimeo.com/510902064#t=3m11s

Software

OpenScad
Inkscape

OpenSCAD and SVG

How to create a design for cutting with OpenSCAD and InkScape

  1. Have an idea and sketch your idea on paper
  2. Install OpenSCAD and Inkscape
  3. Depending on the complexity of your design open OpenSCAD or InkScape for creating your design
  4. In Inkscape: Good to know
    • Draw the lines, using a line thickness of 0.25 points.1
    • Don’t fill any spaces; make areas transparent.1
    • Use standard colours (black, red, green or blue).1
    • Use a single layer for your whole drawing.1
    • converting objects as text to vectors can via menu Path > Object to Path (Shift + Cntrl + C)3

In OpenSCAD:
1. Create your design in 2D using this page https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Using_the_2D_Subsystem 2
2. Export your design as Vector (SVG)
3. Import your design in Illustrator or Inkscape and:
* Remove the fill of the object
* Set the lines to 0.25 thickness
* Use standard colours
5. Export your design to DXF and continue to the laser cutter

Designing SVG files for OpenSCAD

If you want to use SVG files with OpenSCAD, you need to be aware that the SVG import function of OpenSCAD is not perfect. It might take you a few tries to import a SVG, and you can expect that you need to edit/process your SVG in Inkscape before OpenSCAD can render you SVG. When trying to make your SVG work in OpenSCAD, use the following process:

  1. try an optimisation step on your SVG.
  2. save SVG as "Plain SVG".
  3. load your SVG in OpenSCAD with the line
   import(file="SVGName.SVG");

Here are some optimasation tips you can/should try:

  • When you create a vector drawing in Inkscape, make sure your canvas is the size of your drawing, not bigger.
  • Also do not use layers, everything should be in one layer.
  • Make sure your line thickness is larger than 0, and a size that you are able to print. So do not make thinner lines than 0.2 mm.
  • For improving rendering and printing simplify your path.
  • Try to reduce open paths, in the past only closed paths were rendered by OpenSCAD.
  • And always save your SVG als "Plain SVG".

For al the optimisation steps you can take to make your SVG work check out this manual https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/OpenScad_beginners_tutorial#Import_and_extrude_2D_graphics_from_SVG

Laser cutting

Laser cutting a DXF file

  1. Go to the laser cutter and place your material
  2. Launch the laser cutter software and import your DXF file.
  3. Continue by selecting the parts that need to be cut or engraved.
  4. Make sure to select the correct Power and Speed settings.
    If you do not know the correct settings for your material, make a small test cut before you start with cutting your full design.

For these steps follow the Makerlab manual:
handleiding-laser-ver.-01en.pdf
Available on the Makerlab page
Or my manual which has some more pictures : lasercutting guide

Laser cut patterns

Examples of lasercut patterns for creating more flexible constructions by MIT http://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/computer_cutting/flexures.png

Paper cutting

http://fab.academany.org/2019/labs/waag/students/josephus-vanderbie//week04.html

Foam cutting

Foam Cutting

Makerslab

https://www.hva.nl/kc-fdmci/onderzoek/makerslab/makers-lab/start.html