Digital Fabrication
An Introduction to 3D Printing,
Laser Cutting and CNC Milling
By the end
• Digital Manufacture, what’s that?
• What you can make, understand how
• Where to start with designing
• How to get it made
• Education
• Invention
• Tool Access
What is Digital Fabrication?• CAD > Fab
• Machine is controlled digitally
(computers)
Manual skills becomes computer skills
• Manual: Manual Lathe
• CNC: CNC Lathe
• What does the difference mean?
What uses Digital Fabrication?
Revolution is afoot
• Removes
barrier
• No stock
• Customisable
• Complexity is
free
Tools Available to You
• Laser Cutter
• 3D Printing
• CNC Machining
Laser Cutting
Raster Engrave + Vector Cut
How it fits in
• Paper, plastic, wood, metal
• Limits (2D, thickness, materials)
• Cards, cogs, jewelry, rapid mock
• Great for: 2D, engraving, snap
together, precise cuts, ~ zero tool
diameter, kerf manipulation
Think about…
• Material burns
• Material warping
• Kerf
3D Printing
How it works
Types
• Extrusion (plastics, concrete)
• Powder (high detail plastics, sandstone)
• Liquid (plastic)
• Sinter (Al, Ti)
When to use 3D printing?
• Internal geometry
• Multiple parts
• Prototyping
Think about…
• Overhangs + supports
• Bed lift
• Material selection
• Infill
CNC Milling
• Like 3D printing but ‘Subtractive’
Details on CNC
• 2.5D to 5D
• Bits, routing, drill, tap
• Plastic, wood, metal, glass
When to use it
• Harder materials
• 3D, highly accurate
• Dies
Think about…
• Tool thickness (internal corners)
• Number of part rotations
Preparing your designs
• Half design, half for machine
Laser Cutting - Rules
• Recognise Cut vs Raster
– Vector + Red + hairline = cut
– Image or thicker + not red = raster
• Files
– SVG, AI, EPS, DXF (vector capable)
– Not JPEG, PNG etc (unless only raster)
Laser Cutting – Software Recommendations
• Adobe Illustrator (designer, $$)
• Inkscape (general, free)
• Fusion 360 (accurate, varies free to $25/m)
3D Printer – Rules
• Accepts 3D models
– STL or OBJ
• Careful with overhangs
3D Printer – Software Recommendations
• Autocad Fusion 360 (parametric)
• Blender (freeform, free)
• Sketchup (free, plugin to STL)
CNC Milling – Rules
• Accepts 3D models
– STL, OBJ, DXF
• Think of # dimensions needed
• Think of tool diameter (remove
square internal corners)
• CAD to CAM cost (feeds + speeds)
CNC Milling – Software Recommendations
• Autocad Fusion 360 (recommend)
• Blender (freeform, free)
• Sketchup (free, plugin to STL)
Getting it made – Finding Suppliers
• http://misformaker.com.au/equipmen
t-access-locations
/
• Maker space coming soon
• Or Email and we connect you with
the right one
Thank you gift
Each person receives:
• $15 off fabrication through M4M
• Obligation free consultation
• Discount on future presentations
• Discount on ‘Custom Earrings’
Future
• Maker Space
• Electronics Class
• 3D Modeling software class
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