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Laser Origami

Discussion in 'General Talk Forum' started by kram242, Mar 4, 2013.

  1. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Hey guyz check out this really unique use of a laser cutter for creating 2D folded/extruded objects essentially turning them into 3D objects
    P.S. I think Tweakie will like this one ;)


    [​IMG]

    Mark and Trish
     
  2. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Now that is really :cool:
    Not sure I fully understand the part with the laser pointer though....
     
  3. Tweakie

    Tweakie Member

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    Very neat idea - now that melting and folding I really have to try.

    Thanks for posting. :good:

    Tweakie.
     
  4. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Welcome Tweakie, I thought you may want to try this out :)
    Same here Dave.
    Mark and Trish
     
  5. Tweakie

    Tweakie Member

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    There is some more information regarding the use of their specialised (shape) pointers in this video


    Tweakie.
     
  6. Tweakie

    Tweakie Member

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    Well, the principle certainly works but…

    This is not, I think, something that will work successfully ‘straight out of the box’, it would require quite a lot of experimentation (perhaps trial and error) to get it just right.

    A laser beam does not, in itself, contain any ‘heat’ – it is the reaction of the material it comes into contact with which actually generates the heat. To heat a material enough for it to bend under gravity there has to be a molecular change, this in turn liberates certain gasses which can adversely affect the original material’s properties.

    From my initial test, with a small piece of polycarbonate, it bent easily enough under gravity but the material became brittle at the point of the bend so it would be necessary to find just the right material to use.
    I doubt that cast acrylic would work but extruded or rolled acrylic is perhaps the best choice for further experiments.
    As time permits, I will experiment further and post the results (success or failure). :D

    Tweakie. Attached files [​IMG]
     
  7. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    I see what you mean with what looks to be gas bubbles throughout the bend. Very cool though, because you did it! :good: Now is just a matter of refining the process I would guess.
    Thanks for the video post on the laser pointers It makes a lot more sense now and actually is a very cool idea. Not sure how you would measure to spec for a part though. Maybe print out a double lined part onto a transparency then follow between the lines. Seems like a lot of work when you can just send the file to the cutter.
    Mark and Trish
     
  8. Tweakie

    Tweakie Member

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    I am not certain exactly how it works (RF graphics tablet as laser top cover, overhead camera etc.) but the secret is in the software which RF identifies the particular laser pen being used then creates the relevant shape, correcting for any hand shake - misalignment etc. and presumably with a snap to grid function.
    As far as I can tell - the actual path is decided by the pen position and the visible laser pointer is just for the operator's visual reference.

    Ahh - the wonders of technology. :D

    Tweakie.
     
  9. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    so true :D
    It is very neat to see how they combined the two technology's to create a whole new concept.
    Mark and Trish
     
  10. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    OK, the laser pointer makes a lot more sense now.... THANKS. I agree with Mark, as neat as it is, it makes more sense to use a cut file though.
    Also not sure how it all works precision wise Like in the example with the box with gears. How did the holes for the shafts line up exactly with each other and have the gears mesh just right?
     

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