Laser Cutting Entry

 The Improved SOP

    

This SOP is a very detailed work procedure as we went in-depth about the start-up of the equipment like the air compressor, laser cutter, and fume extractor. We also did a step-by-step explanation of how to use Coreldraw and import the file into the system so we can get it printed for laser cutting.

In the end, our team did not manage to get the mass production printing of our models but our test print of the model can be shown below.

What I have learned from the test print is that to compensate for kerf, we had to keep decreasing the length of the gap so that is what we did for the bottom piece. On the 2nd attempt, the main laser cutter we were using was in use, so we had to use a different laser cutter where not only the power of the laser is higher but we were also using a different material(acrylic), hence the kerf compensation we did from the first test was outright useless. After that attempt, we decided to keep to the same material we used before which is plywood. In the last attempt, we managed to compensate for the kerf till the gap was about to be tight but with a light force added upon the model, the part came loose. In summary, we will be able to get the part to fit tightly so long as we had sufficient time.

Overall, despite coming late for the practical and not going through the briefing the lecturer gave as I was late. I managed to pass my individual competency test and I am now more confident than ever to operate the laser cutter to make prototypes in the future. I also know how to compensate for kerf by using parametric which was taught by the lecturer.

The picture below show the test my team and I done with the test prototypes.

The embedded files below are the parts that are made for our model

Computer Aided-Design(Handphone holder)

For week 2, we needed to design a handphone holder using Fusion 360 with the parametric. 

The parametric is something new that was not introduced in the previous semester. What the parametric does is basically allow us to get the measurements pre-done then let us use the exact measurement when we need it in the design. Not only that, it is very easy to change the measurement as and when we need to fit our design. The usage of parametric in designing something simple like a handphone holder was honestly just added work, but for more complex design like a PC case design where there is much more small and intricate design, the parametric is something that will be very useful and much needed.

Firstly, I set up my parametric with the measurement I will be using in the design later on.

The 3 main units I will use will be the length, width, and thickness so L, W, and T.

I made 2 parts of the handphone holder as this will be done through laser cutting and not 3D printing as informed by my lecturer. The 2nd part will be slotted into the hole created in the base of the 1st piece. 

To compensate for kerf, I reduce the hole size by 0.50mm so that after the laser cutter have made the cut. The joint can be inserted tightly without it coming out. We learn that kerf is a new concept that is very important when using the laser cutter as it determines whether you have done well in your design.

Finally, I extrude the entire model by 5mm which replicates the handphone holder. This allows other users to view the model having to imagine what it would look like.

Below is the embedded file of my personal handphone holder

So, the key takeaways I got from this week's lesson would be using parametric to aid me in designing and making my model in Fusion 360. I decided to make a simple model after having to redo it from scratch after finding out that the model is to be laser cut and not 3D printed. As I have said it and I will say it again, using parametric for something so minor as a handphone holder is just spending more effort on something unneeded, but it will be very useful when using Fusion 360 to make more complex designs like a PC case for example. Having the knowledge of how to use parametric will be great in the future. 
 

Computer Aided-Design(Key Ring Design)

Since this is a refresher of the keyring that we did before, I did not learn anything new other than familiarizing myself with using Fusion 360 again.

First of all, I create a rectangle of 65mm by 25mm. Then, I offset the rectangle by 2mm. 

After that, I use the fillet tool to smoothen the edges of the rectangle. These steps are shown in the picture below.

I added the circle and my name. The hole is to allow the keyring to be attached.

In the last step, I extrude the specific part of the model like the border of the keyring, my name, and the board that my name is on. The circle is not extruded to create a hole for the attachment.

What I realized after doing this refresher was that the software is very easy for newcomers to pick up software and use it without prior knowledge.

Home

To whoever may chance upon this humble blog, I would like to welcome you to this blog full of my shenanigans. Anyways, where were my manners? I have forgotten to introduce myself, I am Brayden from Group 2 (She/esh). 

The 2 goals that I would like to achieve in CP5070 would be quite adept at using the knowledge I learned during the lessons and applying it to help me reach my goals. For example, using Fusion 360 to create models that allow me to use 3D printing to print what I desire or use the laser cutter to make my drawing a reality. 

Some of the team's ground rules are:

• Complete all tasks on time 
• Be punctual for meetings and sessions
• Communicate any problems regarding any meetings timing or ideas
• Schedule meetings that everyone can agree upon
• Everyone's opinion should be respected during any discussion and everyone should be given ample amount of time to voice their opinions

Arduino Programming Entry

For this week of Arduino programming. We are tasked to complete 4 different tasks that are separated into input and output namely:

• Interface a Potentiometer Analog Input to maker UNO board and measure its signal in serial monitor Arduino IDE
• Interface an LDR to maker UNO board and measure its signal in the serial monitor
• Interface 3 LEDs (Red, Yellow, Green) to maker UNO board and program it to perform something
• Interface the DC motor to maker UNO board and program it to on and off using a push button on the board

Before I use the Arduino board to complete the tasks, I will use Tinker CAD to make the codes and the placement of the board. I will put the interactive tinker codes below to show how to make it.

 Potentiometer

Using the video for the potentiometer using analog input, I used tinkercad to design the board and searched up the code to measure the signal.

From the codes, I understand that turning the potentiometer clockwise or anticlockwise will result in a change that will be shown in the LED. So to sum it briefly, turning the potentiometer to the right there will be more resistance hence increasing the blinking of the LED while turning the potentiometer to the left will decrease the resistance so the LED will blink less.

LDR

From what I can understand from the codes is that the LDR which is Light Dependent Resistor will increase or decrease the resistance through the light intensity that is exposed to it. So the higher the light intensity exposed to the LDR, the less resistance of the LDR. So like a daylight sensor where the LDR will detect that in the morning to afternoon where there is still light in the sky. The LED will not be switched on since the resistance is at its highest. At night time when it is dark, the LDR will detect that there is less/no light in the sky and decrease its resistance allowing the LED to shine its brightest.

3 LED

For this task, what I have learnt was how I can make 3 different coloured LEDs turn on in sequence. Just by making 3 of the same codes 3 times where the LED will have both switches on high and low after a second delay. 

DC Motor

This task was quite challenging as there were more unique components to be used like a button and a motor. There is a difference between a separate button with tinkercad and the actual board. Honestly, this task was quite rewarding as it was also the one that took the most time, so knowing that I completed the task made me quite happy.

This week of tasks is one of the more challenging ones as there was a lot of stuff to do and post it up. However, it was also one of the more fun ones as there were many new things to experiment with after learning and understanding the Arduino board. I think these tasks were great in limit testing myself in the knowledge I have learned and how I can apply it in completing the 4 tasks. Using other resources to help supplement the missing information I need like Youtube videos, searching on Google. I hope that I can apply what I learn here in the future.