LESSON TEME: Computer-Controlled Cutting

  In this week, I tried to use two mechine. One is a Vinyl Cutting Machine. The other is a Leaser Cutting Machine. Finally, I made a Sticker of my affiliation by the Vinyl Cutting Machine and a Robotic Hand as a Construction Kit by Leaser Cutting Machine. The following images show the Robotic Hand :-)

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[1] Robotic Hand Made by Cardboard

Vinyl Cutting Machine

  This is a Vinyl Cutting Machine in Fablab @Kyushu University. I drew a text of my affiliation name; "ICER @Kyushu University Library". The vinyl cutting machine cut out the text on a vinyl sheet. I picked up the outside sheet of the text by a tweezers. The remaining inside text is paseted to an application sheet. I picked up the backside of the application sheet and pasted it on my Macbook Air. Finally, I peeled off the application sheet and find the text I drew.

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[2] Cuting Logo by Using Vinyl Cutter
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[3] Application Sheet
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[4] Complete!

Drawing a Symbol by Using Laser Cutting Machine

  Before cutting a cardboard, I tried to draw a vector graphic image on a cardboard and an acylic board.

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[5] Symbol for Drawing
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[6] Drawing Symbol on Cardboard by Using Laser Cutting Machine
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[7] Drawing Symbol on Acrylic Board by Using Laser Cutting Machine
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[8] Complete!

Parametric Design in CAD

  I designed a construction kit by CAD: Autodesk Fusion 360. To make a slit for constructing cardboards, I used several parameteric values in the CAD. Finally, I export the 3D CAD data to a 2D vector graphic image to cut it by a leaser cutting machine.

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[9] Design Cutting Parts by Using CAD
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[10] Parametric CAD Design Settings
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[11] Converting to 2D Outlines

Cutting a Cardboard by Using Laser Cutting Machine

  Sending the vector graphic image to a leaser cutting machine, I cut out the designed image on cardboards by a learge leaser cutting machine in Fablab Dazaifu. These cardboard parts are large size so these boards weren't burned but some other members burned their cardboards.

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[12] Cutting Outlines by Using Laser Cutting Machine
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[13] Cutouted Parts

Constructing Parts of Cutouted Cardboard

  I constructed these cardboards and mede a robotic hand. I designed one joint to connecting upper claws and bottom claws. The joint can control the upper claws closing to the bottom claws. So, the robotic hand can catch up something lightweight object like a plastic bottle.

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[14] Construction Work 1
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[15] Construction Work 2
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[16] Construction Work 3
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[17] Construction Work 4
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[18] Complete!

Impression

  A vinyl cutting machine is ease to use but a leaser cutting machine is hard becase the machine has to set several parameters like a leaser power or leaser moving speed according to the matrial I want to cut out. Sometimes, our fablab member burned thire cardboard. So, I'm impressed that we have to take care these prameters when I use a leaser cutting machine. I have designed several mecanical desin by CAD but I haven't use parametric values. In this time, it's my first time though, I tried to design by using several parametric values on CAD. I'm impressed that it's very useful to checking for a backlash of linkages to smoothly rotate a joint connecting them.

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