Week 3: Computer Controlled Cutting

Week 3 is all about Computer Controlled Cutting. We had a lot to talk about when it came to parameters, I was using fusion and when I made the attempt to export my dxf file I created on Fusion 360 to Adobe Illustrator so that I could laser cut my shape out, I ran into the error you can see below.

My plan was to create a moose miniature that would be easily constructed by kids. Although due to my version of fusion being unable to export its files efficiently and correctly, I will need to come back to this exercise when I figure out what is wrong with my Fusion 360.

Although I was not able to create the miniature I had planned on creating, I decided to focus on the Vinyl Cutter and making a logo for my moose miniature to stick to a possible packaging. I used the tutorial on how to use the vinyl cutter provided by my lecturer to make sure I didn’t make too many mistakes in using the vinyl cutter.

I started by creating the logo on Illustrator. I decided to make the logo simple so that it would be easy to apply when finalizing, and it would minimize any faults in the cutting process. 
Once I created the logo, I went into the fablab and looked started to try and work the vinyl cutter. It was a very straight forward process, making sure to follow the tutorial I had. I placed a teal blue vinyl into the cutter as I should, but when I went to scan the size of the sheet of vinyl, for some reason the machine only measured the width of the material and not the length of the material.

To solve this, I changed the scan type from roll to piece on the cutter. I then uploaded the moose illustration t the computer for printing. Everything on that part went smoothly, as I have used illustrator before, and the tutorial was very clear and straightforward.

Once the vinyl was cut, I went through the process of using tape to detach the blue from the sticky back. I needed to use a tweezer to actually attach the vinyl to the tape, and this causes a bit of a chip to the moose mouth.

I then started to finish off some of the detail and picked out the eyes with the tweezers.

I then finished the vinyl job by sticking it t a piece of cardboard, for preservation and to see how it would look on a cardboard packaging, thinking that it may be the way I was to package the moose miniature.