Week 2

Vinyl Cutting

First, I modeled a heart shape in Fusion 360 and tried to cut it with a plotter, but the shape was repeatedly distorted:

I decided to use an existing heart shape from the internet that appeared properly. I cut a piece from the sticker roll and loaded it into the plotter:

Here is the model for the heart:

Once the plotter finished cutting, I removed the unnecessary parts of the sticker (weeding):

Then I transferred the finished heart onto transfer foil and was able to place it wherever I wanted:

Laser Cutting

Next, I tried laser cutting another heart using a CO₂ laser. The 40W laser cutter features a working area of 457 x 305 mm. I measured the kerf at around 0.375 mm and the cardboard thickness at 2.24 mm. I set the laser frequency to 500 Hz and reduced the heart’s outline thickness to 0.02 mm for vector cutting mode. Then I adjusted speed and power of the laser and turned on the exhaust and air assist. The result was successful.

Here is the final cut-out:

Further Laser Experiments

The following week, I continued by refining parameters for cardboard vector cutting and recorded them for future reference:

I tested these settings by cutting two interlinked hearts out of cardboard:

Here is the source for the 2 interlinked hearts:

Afterwards, I switched to a different material, plywood. I performed a quick rectangle test:

Using these test results, I determined separate parameters for vector and raster cutting on plywood:

I also edited a photo online, converting it to a simplified black-and-white and SVG format in preparation for engraving:

Finally, I successfully engraved the image onto a heart-shaped piece of plywood:

Looking back, I could experiment further by adjusting image detail levels, testing lighter or darker burns through multiple passes, or even engraving directly from a PNG. This could allow more precise control over shading and detail in the final piece.

Light Experiments and Heart Sculpture

In the end, I decided to experiment with lights and photograph a sculpture composed of hearts from different angles.