Computer Aided-Design (CAD)
Computer Aided-Design (CAD) 💻📏📱
Fusion 360 refresher 😛
We had a fusion 360 refresher where we made a keychain on fusion 360. Here are the steps I followed:
Step 1: Add a new sketch
Step 2: select one of the plane/plane face
Step 3: Create a triangle with dimensions of 65 mm x 25 mm
Step 4: Create an offset of the rectangle with measurements of 2 mm
Step 5: Add filets to each corner with a radius of 5 mm
Step 7: Create a circle in the middle of the line with radius of 5 mm
Step 10: Click on the eye to see the body made in step 9 and hide the sketch.
Step 11: Hide the sketch and show the bodies. Done!
Reflection 📜
This week I had a recap of the fusion 360 software. The aim was to create a keychain with my name on it using the fusion 360 software. This task is important as I have not touched the software in quite a while. Thus this helped me familiarise myself and recall what I previously learned in the previous related module. I would say this task was quite okay. Since I've done it before I did not find it super interesting but it still helped me a lot in terms of my fusion 360 skill. This task was definitely useful as we were told that we have to use this software. I used to think that fusion 360 was the hardest software I had ever came across but after much practise I did it and I can use it with ease.
Laser cutting ✂
We learned about laser cutting! 😃 We learned about laser cutter machines and how they work.
What is Laser cutting? 🤔
As stated in the name, laser cutting is when you use a laser beam to cut. The laser cutter that we use in the fab lab is Epilog. This machine uses co2 to function. The co2 laser is produced in a co2 glass tube. High voltage electricity is passed through the tube which passes the gas particles (Co2 and N2) and produces a light which is the laser beam used to cut the materials.
Suitable materials 🔨
• Wood (up to 6mm)
• Plywood
• Natural Wood (contains oils that cause small fires)
• MDF (burnt marks may occur)
• Acrylic (up to 5mm)
• Cardboard (burnt marks and fire may occur)
• Paper (burnt marks and fire may occur)
• Art Card
• Technical Board
We also learned about the safety cautions when using the laser cutter which we will be tested on during the practical test.
Safety 🦺
• Do not stare into the beam while cutting
• Do not use materials that contain
Chlorine (e.g. PVC) or Foam
• Do not cut or engrave Metal materials
• Never leave the machine unattended while
cutting/engraving
• If a small fire occurs, attempt to extinguish by blowing it or
removing material from the laser cutter
• If Material cannot be cut through,
• STOP & CHECK!
• Focus lens might be dirty, continue use of dirty lens
will result in the cracked lens!
Next, we learned about vectors and Raster. We learned about the differences and when we should use them. Below is a table of the differences.
Vector VS Raster
|
|
Vector |
Raster |
|
Resolution |
Scalable |
Pixel |
|
File size |
Small |
Large |
|
File format |
EPS, SVG, AI |
BMP, GIF,
JPG, PNG, TIFF |
|
|
Vector
graphics are also known as scalable vector graphics (SVG). These graphics
consist of anchored dots and connected by lines and curves, like the
connect-the-dot activities you may have done as a kid |
Raster images
are made of pixels, or tiny dots that use colour and tone to produce the
image. Pixels appear like little squares on graph paper when the image is
zoomed in or enlarged. These images are created by digital cameras, by
scanning images into a computer or with raster-based software. |
We then learned how to use CorelDRAW which seemed hard at first but after reading up more, is actually quite simple. Below are specifics we must follow when using the software in the fab lab.
Kerf
Kerf
is defined as the width of material that is removed by a cutting process. Kerf
is important when making slots in objects, as the kerf will determine if the objects
can fit together snugly. During laser cutting, the laser cutter removes
material from the object. This effectively makes the total length cut be
slightly higher than the desired length to be cut. This will create a loose fit
in the slots of the objects. The increase in length cut is typically about 0.01mm.
Hence, to offset the increase in length cut, the desired length to be cut
should be decreased by 0.01mm.
Activity time 📝
As a group, we were assigned to design an object we can create using a parametric construction kit. We are to design a parametric construction kit that can be assembled in multiple ways using fusion 360. We will then laser-cut it during our practical.
Below are examples done by or lecturers:
Our group decided on making a chair by using the circle and rectangle parametric constructed puzzle. Below is a very rough sketch of our design:
Reflection 📜
This week it was basically a preparation for our practical 1. We were introduced to a laser cutter machine and the theory behind how it works. We were also introduced to parametric constructions which we were then told to design one ourselves using, you guessed it, fusion 360. This lesson was definitely useful as it helps us a lot in the preparation of our practical on Thursday. I used to think that laser cutter is not a very interesting machine. I just thought it's used because people are lazy to cut things themselves haha but I found that it actually can be used to make so many things and cut so many things with precision and order which a human can rarely achieve. I feel like I learned a lot during this lesson. It prepped me for my practical which eased my mind about using a laser cutter. I didn't know that laser cutting would be sp interesting and I underestimated what the machine can do. Overall it was a very informative and fun lesson.
Handphone stand 👷
For the individual assignment, I had to design my own handphone stand using fusion 360. This was a chance for me to play around with the software!
Here is a brief explanation on how I did it:
First I created a new sketch and selected a plane
Then I made the first piece of the handphone stand. I created a rectangle and added filets to remove the sharp corners. Then I made 2 rectangular holes for my 2nd piece of the handphone stand to slide through. I also made a rectangular hole for aesthetic purposes.
Then, using the parameters feature, typed in the height and length I want both the overall piece and the rectangular holes to be. I then used the sketch dimension tool to edit the lengths mentioned above.
The same was done for the second piece of my handstand.
Above are the finished sketches 😁
Then I used the extrude tool and gave dimensions to my finished sketch.
Using the copy and paste tool, I copied the sketch of the second piece of my handstand and pasted it in the same file as my first sketch.
After giving the second piece dimension, I used the move copy tool and moved it into the right place.
Above is the finished product!
Since I had extra time, I actually came to the Fab Lab to laser cut my product. Above is my product in action hehe ~
Reflection 📜
For this assignment, I had to design a handphone stand using parametric skills I gained during practical one on the fusion 360 software. This assignment helped me improve my fusion 360 skills further. This assignment is important as skills that were practised during this assignment are very useful for my future projects. I used to think that the fusion 360 software and the parameters function was difficult, however, after this assignment I found it pretty simple after I continue practicing. I even managed to laser cut my handphone stand. Overall this assignment was super exciting. I learned a lot more about fusion 360 and how to use the laser cutter machine with ease. I really enjoyed this assignment!
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