Tiger Strake Digital Fabrication

#### Week 2: Laser cutting and 3D modelling Today we learned how to use a laser cutter and a vinyl plotter. We also made a quick workshop on how to use 3D modelling software, in this case Blender and Fusion 360. Our task during classes was to design and laser cut a press-fit structure, that uses multiple cardboard pieces and can be assembled in multiple different ways. We had to take into consideration, that the so-called kerf of the laser takes away a bit more material than specified in the design. With all that in mind I designed my structure. It is composed of triangles with small notches at all three end which interlock with each other. Here is a picture of the CAD drawing of the triangles. <img src="CAD_Sketch_Press-Fit_Triangle.jpeg" width="480" height="480"> I assembled a small sphere with them which you can see here: <img src="press-fit_triangles.JPG" width="480" height="480"> The second assignment of today was to model two household items in CAD. I decided to model my (very cool) space mouse and a water bottle. (A space mouse is a computer mouse that allows you to freely move in 3D space.) I decided to choose two items that require different methods to model. (e.g., The mouse utilizes the “revolve around axis” tool whereas the bottles utilizes the “shell”, “thread” and “loft” tool.) Modelling process: <ul> <li>First, I took two pictures of it with some calipers next to it so that I would be able to calibrate the image to correct size later. (Since it is symmetrical, I only need one picture from above and one from a side.)</li> <li>Then I imported these pictures into Fusion 360 and put them on their corresponding axis. </li> <img src="Screenshot1.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>After that I used the spline tool to create the outline of one half of the mouse and connected it right in the middle. </li> <img src="Screenshot2.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>Next, I revolved the sketch around the center axis to get a perfectly symmetrical shape. </li> <img src="Screenshot3.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>Then the body was split to give every part a different material and cut of the unnecessary bottom.</li> <img src="Screenshot4.png" width="816" height="480"> <img src="Screenshot5.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>Next, I modelled the knobs on the side of the mouse and mirrored them. </li> <img src="Screenshot6.png" width="816" height="480"> <img src="Screenshot7.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>After that I split the model further and assigned different materials to each section (for example, rubber and plastic for the top part and aluminum for the bottom).</li> <img src="Screenshot9.png" width="816" height="480"> </li>Finally, I rendered the whole model in the Fusion 360 rendering menu and exported it. </li> <img src="Render_Space_Mouse.PNG" width="816" height="480"> </ul> Here is a video on the process: <video width="816" height="480" controls> <source src="Space_Mouse_Modelling.mov" type="video/mp4"> </video> <IMG SRC="Space_Mouse_Spinning.gif" width="816" height="480"> And this is how I modelled the bottle: <ul> <li>Create cylinder</li> <li>Make the top thinner using a rectangle as a cutting tool</li> <li>Use a fillet for a smooth transition</li> <li>Create the upper and lower ring (revolve around axis)</li> <li>Use a smaller cylinder and shell tool to make the bottle cap</li> <li>Create threads on bottle and bottle cap (thread tool)</li> <li>Assemble all parts</li> <li>Connect bottle and lid via a band using loft tool</li> <li>Cut out grooves on bottle cap using small circles and a circular pattern</li> </ul> Here is a video on the process: <video width="816" height="480" controls> <source src="Bottle_Screenrec.mov" type="video/mp4"> </video> ... and a picture: <img src="Bottle_Screenshot.png" width="816" height="480"> <IMG SRC="Water_Bottle_Spinning.gif" width="816" height="480"> Cutting a Benchy from Cardboard Another project I did was this laser cut Benchy. A Benchy is commonly used as a benchmark for 3D printers and since I like them I decided to cut one out of cardboard using the laser cutter. There are multiple ways to do this. You can stack layers of cardboard on top of each other, next to each other, fold them or use interlocking slices. I decided to use interlocking slices, because this is a relatively material efficient and it looks cool! Instead of manually drawing all these slices, I used an application called "Slicer for Fusion 360". It is discontinued software, but it still allowed me to upload 3D models and slice them into laser-cuttable pieces that interlock. Here is a picture of what the model looks like: <IMG SRC="IMG_5864.JPG" width="816" height="480">