176 lines
6.4 KiB
Markdown
176 lines
6.4 KiB
Markdown
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# Course Description
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In this course at TTLMakerspace, you will go from beginner to practical working knowledge of designing and modeling in 2D, and the operation of a laser for etching and cutting a variety of materials.
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Starting with desktop versions of lasers you’ll work your way through lessons and projects up to the industrial ThunderLaser cutter.
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Schedule:
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Six three-hour weekly classes, Tuesdays 6pm to 9pm
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## Outcomes:
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At the end of this course you will have achieved the following goals:
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* A complete understanding of the steps needed to go from concept to completed project
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* Familiarity with the properties of a variety of materials - woods, plastics, textiles
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* Experience and comprehension of the most important principles of CAD modeling for constructing with laser cut parts
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* Setting speeds and power levels
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* Full understanding of the most common etching and cutting operations
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* Experience creating tool paths with Lightburn software
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* Setting up materials and performing operations
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* Machine maintenance and Safety
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Following this course, you’ll be certified to use desktop lasers, and book time with the industrial laser at TTLMakerspace (with your membership). You will also be able to join the growing community of TTL Makers sharing Laser knowledge on our Discord community.
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Useful for: signs, gifts, personalizing anything, stamp-making, organizer, decorative items, lanterns
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# What To Expect
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## Week 1 - Get To Know Lasers
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* Become familiar with the types of lasers including diode and CO2 based.
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* Understand fundamental principles of the hardware
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* Introduction to Lightburn software
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Concepts Covered:
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* 3 types of operations - cut, score, engrave
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Intensity and Speed settings
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* 3 coordinate systems - work area, current position, user position
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* Job Origin
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**Exercise 1** - Learn to connect to the laser from software and troubleshoot issues. Tour all of the tools available and experiment between the design and control sides of the software.
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**Exercise 2** - Master intensity/speed settings to create a small papercraft project with cutting and scoring
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**Exercise 3** - Engrave your first image on wood
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---
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## Week 2 - Helpful tools & Materials
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Having gotten the basics of controlling a laser, we learn by practical lessons how the laser reacts differently to various types of materials. We build practical tools that we can use in all of our projects for getting the ideal settings.
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* Build useful tools, including a speed/power grid
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* Make templates for multiple materials
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* Learn to create a library of material settings
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* Learn more advanced features of Lightburn
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* Learn to work with images
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Concepts Covered:
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* Linear arrays
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* Alignment tools
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* Shape Properties
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* Cut and Art Libraries
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* Raster Images
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**Exercise 1** - Create a speed/power grid for use in dialing in settings with a variety of materials.
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**Exercise 2** - Create a cut grid
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**Exercise 3** - Create your own settings library, learn to save/load it.
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---
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## Week 3 - Using Design Software
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Having become quite familiar with Lightburn, we expand our skills into incorporating features of design software packages that are not built in to the software. We learn to use vector drawing tools in ways not available in Lightburn.
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* Learn to use Inkscape features not available in Lightburn
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* Make a workflow between design software and Lightburn
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* Understand paths, shapes, and common terms
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* Set up a work environment for laser
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Concepts Covered:
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* File formats, vector/raster
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* Custom color palettes
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* Shape On Path effect
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* Text On Path effect
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**Project:** Design and create a unique coaster. Working in Inkscape, learn to make patterns using paths, and produce a coaster design that you can bring into Lightburn for decorating and cutting.
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---
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## Week 4 - CAD for Constructables Pt. 1
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Up to now we have used 2D software. In this introduction we look at the advantages of 3D software for creation of constructable projects. We learn about the parametric modeling, and how it can help us iterate on designs.
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* Learn to sketch and design in CAD
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* Make objects that can be easily adjusted, customized, and cut on the laser
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Concepts Covered:
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* Workbenches - part design, sketcher, draft
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* Construction Geometry
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* Constraint-based design
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* Padding/Pockets
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* Shape2d, exporting for laser
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**Project part 1:** Base Model - Using CAD software, make a Parametric Box capable of being dynamically resized. This can be an organizer for your week 3 project, or another box of your own design.
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---
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## Week 5 - Using Design Tools
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* Learn to incorporate files made in design tools like Inkscape into CAD
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* Work with text in CAD
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* Work with Vector files (Illustrator, Inkscape)
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* Work with STEP files (Rhino, Fusion 360, Solidworks)
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**Exercise - TTL Sign**
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Learn how to prepare interchange files for success in CNC milling. Create and cut the TTL sign by working with SVG files.
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**Exercise - Dice Tray**
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Given a dice-tray model created in Fusion, create the CAM paths necessary to cut it out with the Omni mill using FreeCAD.
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---
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## Week 6 - Multi-body Construction
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Learn to design and mill interlocking parts
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Use Construction Geometry
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Understand sub-shape binders
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### Final Assignment - Cleat Wall Organizer
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Using what you have learned and a template, create a cleat-wall organizer that you’ll be able to arrange and mill on your own. Book a time to review and cut the assignment!
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### During the program:
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To complete the program, you must complete all assignments and demonstrate proficiency.
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Make arrangements to catch up missed classes.
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Use the small machines to practice (subject to availability/classes)
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Following week 3, you can practice on the big CNC with supervision (subject to availability)
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If you hit a snag, let me know!
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### Following the program:
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* Three hours of free CNC time (no membership required, must be used within six weeks)
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* With membership, can use small machines at any time.
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* Members book time on large CNC through Cobot, $25/hr
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* Must use approved software for path creation
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* Run your file by us to avoid disappointment!
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### Tips For Success:
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* Practice! Use the small machines.
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* Make your own files
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* Have a project in mind, but don’t miss important concepts by being focus-locked on it.
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### Resources:
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[Youtube Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWmF8yQa3itOntkOny9doHqQwAZ0soRrS)
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[Omni CNC Quickstart](./docs/CNC_quickstart.pdf)
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