In this week we are learning how to use the CAM mode in Fusion 360 for CNC machine and how to create a female mould tool for a silicone resin injection, so we are able to create a solid part (We’re are not gonna get the real solid part now for reasons of force majeure). First of all i started to do the mould design in Fusion.
Then i moved from design to manufacture and i started to setup my stock, it is 50 x 50 x 10 mm (x,y,z), and the final part is 30 x 30 x 5 mm.
After this i had to setup all the operations settings as tool, geometry, heights, passes and linking.
I generate the tool path and post processed.
Once everything was settled i started the most interesting part, the simulation!
During the simulation i noticed that i missed the 2D pocket and the 2D counter, so i added it to my project, but instead of the 2D pocket i used engrave because it’s better for the text. I had some issues with engrave because my tool was not the right one, so i just edit it and changed all the settings and finally it worked!
Here i added a video of me working with the CNC Machine for the DP402 project.
In this lesson we added an OLED display in our Microbit system, it is used for reading information as temperature, light, drawings etc..
So i started with collegate the wires on the breadboard to the OLED display.
Then we had to create the code, in this way we can program the system and make wathever we want. The good thing to work with an open source system is that you can be creative and innovative, and do something new that is never been done before!
The code for attach the OLED display to the Microbit.
Once the code is ready you can collegate the Microbit to the computer and add it to the system. In this case we wanted to read the temperature with the Microbit, as we know there is a sensor inside that give us this opportunity. If everything is collegate in the right way this should be the final results!
Here is shown the Microbit connected to the OLED display, and with the program that we embedded before we can measure the temperature.
Making a website was our first project in the XE404 module, it will be used as a method of documenting our progress. Searching around WordPress themes i choose the Aaron theme, i think that the website look more professional with this one.
After the decision about the theme i had to choose one representative image and the background color that i would use for it. I choose the blue because is being proven by science that blue can have a sedative effect, calm the mind and can actually reduce blood pressure and body temperature. Human resources specialists propose blue for an interview or first meeting – which inspires trust, maturity and reliability.
This is the shade of blue that i used.
I added also this header background image that i think represent the soul of the XE404 module, a performant and appealing electronic component!
How to add contents?
Here is where the blog takes form, inside this internal area we can add contents to our pages or posts.
If you click edit post (up on the left) on the page that you want to modify
you will see the actual page writing.
For a more complete website we need to follow some rules, the first one is to add categories and menus for share the contents in an easyest way.
A good explaination of what a diagram for a website is:
As i was saying before we need categories, menus and pages for populate our website.
For this we need to go in the customise section.
Here we can see all the aspects for customise our website.
We’re gonna click on the menu section in order to add posts and pages.
These are all my pages, and if you look properly you will see that all the week posts for XE are all under the XE404 page.
If we want to add a new post we have to click on add items
At this point you can choose if you want to add a page or a post.
Then you can go into the dashboard section that is to the left of the customise one, and you can see all the pages, posts and categories and you can modify them.
All my pages in this image.
How to add media?
Let’ s say that you want to add images or videos in your website, it is really easy to do, in the same page where we are adding text to our post you will see the add media section.
Then you have to click on upload, and you have to check in you computer the image file that you want to add to the post. After this just click on insert into post.
Adding a video is even more easy, i just click on insert video from URL, in the same page, and then i have to paste a video from youtube or somewhere else and it will be added to the page.
Website icon
A website icon is important in a website, it represent your brand image or logo. I added it from the same customise menu / site identity / site icon
How the site icon look like.
Widgets
A widget is an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays information or provides a specific way for a user to interact with the operating system or an application.
Widgets include icons, pull-down menus, buttons, selection boxes, progress indicators, on-off checkmarks, scroll bars, windows, window edges (that let you resize the window), toggle buttons, form, and many other devices for displaying information and for inviting, accepting, and responding to user actions.
In this week we started to use BBC Micro:bit that is an embedded system. The first thing to do is program what you want to do with the Microbit, and you can do that on the Microsoft website “Make Code”.
Here is shown the Microbit plugged into the computer with the program that i have written, it turn on the leds of the microbit for make a number 1 shape.
This image show when i started the first approach with the sealing of a component!
Below we have some examples of what you can do with Microbit, in this case we create a smiley and sad face which works with the buttons A and B or A+B pressed.
Button A pressed give us a smiley face and B pressed a sad face
A+B give us some mixed face between sad and smiley
The code for the smiley face.
Then we worked on the (LDR) Light dependent resistors, that are basically light sensitive components most often used to indicate the presence / absence of light.
(How Microbit should be collegate with the LDR)
The simple code that i have made for the LDR.
The complete circuit together.
These video are the demonstration of how the LDR work with a Microbit.
In this week we studied about 3D printing and scanning. Due to Covid-19 we didn’t had the chance to finalize this project with the 3D printer, but just with the scanning.
For this project i used an app for scanning called QLONE
Basically with this app you need a printed foil like this one showed below, and then you have to positionate your 3D object in the middle of it.
I have spent a lot of time for the scan, i had to redo it like 5 or 6 times because the feature is not really intuitive. Also the light is important, if the model is not illuminated properly the app can’t see the shape of the object.
The effective scanning.
I used this Homer Simpson figure for my scan.
The results that i had with this scanner, i can say it is nothing short of fun…
That is embarassing.. ahahah
So i just thinked that the Homer figure was too complex for the app, and i just tried with another more simple shape.
Same results, even worst in a sense. It was a Rubik Cube..
In this week we are learning how to use the CAM mode in Fusion 360 for CNC machine and how to create a female mould tool for a silicone resin injection, so we are able to create a solid part (We’re are not gonna get the real solid part now for reasons of force majeure). First of all i started to do the mould design in Fusion.
Then i moved from design to manufacture and i started to setup my stock, it is 50 x 50 x 10 mm (x,y,z), and the final part is 30 x 30 x 5 mm.
After this i had to setup all the operations settings as tool, geometry, heights, passes and linking.
I generate the tool path and post processed.
Once everything was settled i started the most interesting part, the simulation!
During the simulation i noticed that i missed the 2D pocket and the 2D counter, so i added it to my project, but instead of the 2D pocket i used engrave because it’s better for the text. I had some issues with engrave because my tool was not the right one, so i just edit it and changed all the settings and finally it worked!
In this second lesson we were asked to improve our skills with CAD, especially with Fusion 360. CAD (computer-aided design) software is used by architects, engineers, designers, artists, and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations. CAD software can be used to create two-dimensional (2D) drawings or three-dimensional (3D) models.This was my first approach with Fusion 360, i have to say that i really like this CAD program, it is really useful and intuitive. The challenge for this week was to create a 6-sided die (10x10x10mm, R1mm fillets on all faces, D2mm holes 0.5mm deep) i have done it in 5 min. This is the final results!
During the following days i also modeled in Fusion the product for the DP403 module. It is basically a rack for small clothes made for our Fixpartner, click here for the full explanation of the Fixperts project.
CAD Drawings of the DP403 product.
3D Animations made in Fusion360
This animation shows how the product will be attached to the radiator.
These are some new version of the same product but with a different hang up solution, with my group mate Christy and John, we choose to use magnets, so i added magnets to it.
3D Animations of the new hang up.
I also have played with the “create a form” feature in Fusion. Basically “create a form” allows you to play with a solid form as it is a sculpture.
These are some good tutorials that i used for learn this feature.
I wanted to realize a lamp that i have drawn while i was in the uni, it was for the DP402 project, but it was really too complex to realize with the time that we had.
This is the sketch where i started from.
Fusion Lamp sketch.
I started to modify the shape.
I had to do 17 versions of it on fusion and i still didn’t finished.
This is the point where i am now, i will keep continue until i finish.
Indeed a project that i have completed with this techinque is the Windproof Lighter. In my imagination this lighter had to be in wood and with a metal foil where the fire is.
Lighter first sketch.
Simple shape sketch on Fusion.
Creating the form around the sketch.
That’s the final result, for this result i had to work on 22 version of the product.
Some renders made with the render feature on Fusion.
I have also added a text on the back of the image, i used illustrator for make the text and then i added it to the model.
Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a software application for creating drawings, illustrations, and artwork using a Windows or MacOS computer. Illustrator is widely used by graphic designers, web designers, visual artists, and professional illustrators throughout the world to create high quality artwork.
I had the chance to install illustrator because he’s been free for a while due to Covid-19, so i used it for make the text for my lighter and my website icon.
Lighter text.
Website icon.
Keyshot
Renders are something that always fascinated me, because when you have a good render in front of you, you almost can’t see the difference between a picture and a render.
KeyShot is a stand-alone, real-time ray tracing and global illumination program used to create 3D renderings, animations and interactive visuals. It has a simple user interface with drag-n-drop material and environment presets, interactive labeling, texture mapping, physical lighting, animation and much more.
I used the trial version of Keyshot for 14 days for this reason you will see the Keyshot text on the images, hopefully i will buy it soon because i really loved this software.
I have made a ball model on Fusion and then i moved the DWG file on Keyshot, the user interface is really intuitive so it was easy to play around with the features, materials, etc..
Nike ball render.
I also have done some render for my Windproof Lighter. I don’t know why when i rendered it on Fusion the metal foil was at his place, but with Keyshot it just messed up.
Parametric design is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response.
Parametric design is a paradigm in design where the relationship between elements is used to manipulate and inform the design of complex geometries and structures.
The term parametric originates from mathematics (parametric equation) and refers to the use of certain parameters or variables that can be edited to manipulate or alter the end result of an equation or system. While today the term is used in reference to computational design systems, there are precedents for these modern systems in the works of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, who used analog models to explore design space.
This is a good tutorial for Fusion, about this topic.
Exhaust – draws combustible material out. (Machine: Extractor)
Assist – injects air at the cutting point. (Machine: Compressor)
If it’s not strong enough, that material stays around – Bad news
You shouldn’t see smoke hanging around in laser cutting chamber
Exhaust fumes are very bad news
Plastic will outgas for a minute after cutting. Leave the lid closed for a minute
Kerf
Some material is removed with the cut.
Some drivers (e.g. mods) allow for this, with offsetting.
Otherwise, you should allow for this in your design (parametrically!)
Safety
All laser cutters want to catch on fire
Card, MDF, plywood and acrylic are all really close to combusting when cutting.
Don’t step away from the machine. Always supervise.
Initial combustion: open the lid. Otherwise, smother or use the fire extinguisher.
Laser optics need to be kept clean, otherwise, heat can build up (so avoid smoke)
WIP: Check safety procedures
Materials
Cardboard – the good stuff bows, not kinks. Use old boxes. Very forgiving for joints
Plywood – Real thickness != real thickness – use the callipers.
All my laser cut projects are inside my locker in the university, unfortunately i didn’t take picture to them so i will add the laser cut shelf made by my group mate for DP402 Kyle.
Laser-cut Poseable Person
Here a really interesting project and an example of joints made by Rob Ives.
Electrical devices are powered by electricity (e.g. lights, kettle, fridge, toaster). Electronic devices use electrons in a clever way (e.g. to control a robot or display like a TV).
Ohm’s law: Voltage (Volts) = Current (Amps) x Resistance (Ohms)
V = I x R
Note also that the power used by the circuit is also an important consideration, where Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) x Voltage (Ohms)
P = I x V
A good analogy to understand what these terms are. Voltage determines how much oomph you can get. The resistance indicates what is restricting the flow. The current is how much stuff is flowing.
Components
breadboards – allow you to connect items up without solder
wires – conduct electricity (diameter matters)
resistors – resist flow of electricity
potentiometers – are resistors where the user can vary the resistance
capacitors – store energy (kind of like a battery) in an electric field. They store charge and tend to smooth out changes in current.
inductors – probably won’t need these just yet, but an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it.
buttons – like switches, but only make connection when pressing
switches – allow toggling between open circuit (no flow + no activity), and closed circuit (flow + activity)
diodes – only allow current to flow in one direction (where the arrow is pointing). Note that LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes – they are a type of diode.
batteries – they store energy (typically are 1.2, 1.5, 3, 3.7, 9, 12.6V)
Circuits
There are 2 types of circuit:
series = inline
parallel = next door
Analog waves are smooth and continuous (e.g can vary anywhere between 0-1), digital waves are stepping, square, and discrete (e.g. are either 0-off, or 1-on).
Note that you can represent an analog signal digitally with PWM (pulse width modulation). This simply turns the signal ON and OFF in different amount to give an overall percentage ON.
Input devices
Input devices are things that allow you to input information to your circuit. They are also called sensors, because typically they sense something in the environment (e.g. temperature, humidity, light) and quantify how much of it there is in some way (e.g. temperature in Degrees Celcius, humidity as a % and light as light intensity or Lux). Some examples of input devices you can use in circuits are:
temperature: thermistor, thermocouple
light: LDR (light dependent resistor), or photodiode (more accurate)
distance: sonar sensor
And many others, e.g. magnetic field, acceleration, sound level, vibration, force, pressure, angle, image.
Some sensors are passive and can simply be plugged in and they change resistance with a change in property (e.g. LDR resistance changes as you change the amount of light). Other sensors are active which means they require their own circuit and power source.
Output devices
Output devices actually do something. These can be motors (DC, BLDC, servo, stepper), lights, speakers, solenoids, displays. Note that output devices sometimes need special drivers to make them work, and often the require quite a lot of power to operate and so might need a special (or separate) power source to operate.
All these information are from our study material made by our tutor Derek Covill.
Fritzing
Fritzing is an open-source initiative to develop amateur or hobby CAD software for the design of electronics hardware, to support designers and artists ready to move from experimenting with a prototype to building a more permanent circuit, and allows you to build/design a circuit in 3 formats: breadboard circuit, schematic and PCB layout.
This is my first approach with Fritzing, and here i create my first electronic circuit.
Simple LED circuit
I followed this tutorial for understand where to start with the circuit.
I then collegate the 470Ω resistor, to be fair i used the 1K resistor because i didn’t had the 470. After this i collegate the 5mm LED to the breadbord and at the end the battery clip collegate with the battery.
