Basically, it's all about getting comfortable with the tool chain at the Fab Lab; how to use the laser cutter and the 3D printer to make simple selected models.
Laser Cutting Idea: I love lions too much; I'm a Leo horoscope sign, so when I founded this file on 3axis.co, I liked it too much!
3D Printing Idea: I usually travel for my work and attend meetings for long hours. Sometimes, I need to put off my coat or jacket if it feels a little bit hot. With this 'on-the-go' hook, I can keep my coat or jacket tidy and neat by hanging them at any place using this awesome 'S' hook. I founded this file on prusaprinters, and I decided to 3D printing it; it's simple and quite useful.
RD WorksV8
A software used to setting cutting and scanning parameters for designs desired to be cut with Laser Cutter machines
Ultimaker_Cura-4.13.0 Interface
A software used for slicing 3D objects and export them to G-code file suitable for 3D printers
El Malky ML 1390 CO2 Laser Cutter @ODC
PRUSA i3 MK2 3D Printer @ODC
Plywood sheet (3 mm. thickness) for Laser Cutting
PLA filament for 3D Printing
DXF file was downloaded and imported to RD WORKS Software
Cutting Parameters
Scanning Parameters
After importing the DXF file to RD WORKS, the figure was fit close to Origin point with scale of 50x54 mm.
Cutting and Engraving (Scanning) lines were highlighted with black and red respectively. Parameters are follows:
Cut:
Power: 60% - Speed: 10 mm/s
Scan:
Power: 15% - Speed: 350 mm/s
The file saved on a flash disk drive in a 'UFile' format that is compatible with the Laser Cutter
Layer height: 0.15 mm (Normal)
In fill rate: 20%
Orientation: The part was put down on the virtual bed plate (in Uultimaker Cura) with 0 dimension in the Z axis, and it was moved in the right direction to avoid printing in the middle of bed.
Filament Temperature: 210 C
Build Plate Temperature: 60 C
Build Plate Adhesion: Brim
Scaling and 3D Printing Parameters
Scaling and 3D Printing Parameters
Slicing - Time and Material Consumed Preview
Setting parameters on Laser Cutter:
Navigating to find the desired file
The origin point and work space of the machine were defined as well as as the work time preview.
Time needed for cutting completion: 1 minute and 39 seconds
Laser Cutting work time preview
And finally, here it is 😃
The entire cutting process and final outcome can be viewed from the video here.
After cutting completion
G-code file has the full description with all needed parameters : Newest Clip S Hook Heavy Duty_Brim_0.15 mm._20 Infill-black PLA_5 gm_37 min
The G-code file was copied to the SD card of the printer with all parameters set ( Layer height-Infill rate-Filament and Bed Temperatures).
The filament was loaded and the printer started to calibrate the base bed surface after reaching the target temperatures.
The entire process from turning the printer on till the final object printing can viewed from the following videos: 😃
Clip S hook heavy duty finally printed and in action!
For me, Laser cutting preparation and implementation were Ok, but I faced some issues regarding the 3D printing during my first attempt for this week's assignment. I consulted the Fab lab specialist and the G1's Slack group for proposed solutions, but the problem was within the hardware of the printer itself.
On the other hand, I helped one of my colleagues, Farida, to set up laser cutting parameters for her assignment, and guess what? it worked safely!
I worked thoroughly with the FabLab specialist especially on the 3D printing of this week assignment when the molten filament stuck with the nozzle and didn't settle down on the base bed. We tried many ways to manipulate filament and base bed temperatures to successfully perform printing process, but it seemed that there was a problem the nozzle heater.
After nearly four weeks later, I managed to successfully print week 1 assignment (S clip hook) after the printer has been maintained. Besides, I increased the scale of the design, added a Brim adhesion, and decreased the infill rate to avoid insufficient cooling of the molten filament and to increase stability of the printed object.
Besides, I was keen to keep the Fablab specialist noted and posted with every step I do on the Laser cutter as a matter of safety.
Finally, I reported the total consumed amount of time and material for laser cutting process to the FabLab specialist.
During the face to face session of that week, it was my first time EVER to use the Laser Cutter and 3D Printer personally, I was a little bit nervous about setting cutting and printing parameters. For 3D printing, the first attempt failed as we didn't set the filament temperature accurately (as per recommended), so printing didn't go well. Finally, after setting the right filament temperature in Ultimaker Cura software, the model was printed correctly!
The technique of Laser Cutting and 3D printing preparation and implementation are essential to design and finalize the enclosure part and other crucial parts of my final project hardware.
During the EOW session ( Saturday), Rawan, Salma and I, have executed sample laser cutting and 3D printing exercises, and they were really cool.
The most important things that I have learnt are:
Laser cutting: setting cutting and scanning parameters matters! You can see the difference between the three Super Mario models with different power and speed values.
3D Printing: It's highly important to closely monitor the first layers while printing for a successful printing process.
Besides, NEVER forget to set the right recommended filament and base bed temperature 😃
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