This week we learned how to use the laser cutter in the OEDK. This was the logical next step in learning prototyping and fabrication, because it used our newly acquired 2D drawing skills and turned them into physical objects. 

The laser cutter is amazingly accurate due to a very small (.005 spot size) cut. We started by cutting out an OEDK logo, which we had altered in Engrave to cut out the outside and engrave the inside. There were a few steps leading up to cutting, including turning the ventilation, setting the Z-value, and setting the origin of the coordinate system. We also used the test function to make sure that the laser would have a large enough surface to cut out “OEDK.”

Setting up files was relatively simple, requiring changing the color of the lines and the corresponding cutting power, speed, and mode–engrave or cut. The OEDK logo was a great warmup, because it illustrated the different functions of the laser cutter and its corresponding Engrave Lab application.

When we first cut the OEDK logo, the laser did not cut all the way through. This was easy to fix. We simply ran the program again and the laser accurately cut the exact same lines.

After cutting and engraving the OEDK logo, we experimented with other uses, such as logo engraving, as shown below with the Coffeehouse Logo:

Picture 1. Playing around and familiarizing ourselves with the laser cutter (go coffeehouse!)

Picture 2. Harrison

By the time we got to cutting out the clock parts, we were familiar with the settings we had to use to get the best possible cut. This was advantageous because we only had to cut each piece once. Some of the pieces in the clock design required 1/2 inch thick pieces of wood, so we cut multiples of the 1/4 inch wood and glued them together to create this depth.

Picture 3. Cutting clock parts after editing out the unnecessary lines.

Picture 4. Gluing parts that needed to be 1/2″ thick. We used hand clamps, discovered that the clamps would slightly move the wooden pieces when attached, resulting in imprecise joining of parts.

Picture 5. More construction. We used wood glue and clamps instead of super glue because we wanted the bond to be stronger and longer lasting.

Picture 6. Finished product! Clock hands and structural components.

 

We were challenged by altering the original files in Engrave Lab, and were pleased by the app’s compatibility with Adobe Illustrator. With a bit of help from Wettergreen, we were able to delete words and symbols in the file, and reimport it to Engrave Lab to get the perfect cut.