Drawn in Turbocad and exported into the laser cutter, cut on 1mm mdf. Obviously need to adjust the end brick work to interlace properly, but the idea seems to work quite well.
Happy modelling for 2013

Tim Horn wrote:Drawn in Turbocad and exported into the laser cutter, cut on 1mm mdf.
Tim Horn wrote:Drawn in Turbocad and exported into the laser cutter
davidb wrote:I know it's a long way off, but the Missenden Autumn Weekend in October has arranged for Bob Gledhill to tutor a course on laser cutting.
John McAleely wrote:Sounds interesting. Will there be a laser cutter onsite as well, so that it's the full hands-on experience? After a recent talk in our area group, I'm keen to spin up a CAD package and get some modelling done with it...
davidb wrote:John McAleely wrote:Sounds interesting. Will there be a laser cutter onsite as well, so that it's the full hands-on experience? After a recent talk in our area group, I'm keen to spin up a CAD package and get some modelling done with it...
Yes, John. Bob will have a laser cutter. I think, though, that in order to let everyone get something done, items will need be smaller rather than whole buildings, but the idea is that people can get an introduction and then fly solo, preparing files so that they an be cut elsewhere (like Hackspace that Keith refers to). There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and come away understanding the process. I found Bob's article very interesting.
barhamd wrote:The things I'm trying to get my brain around at the moment are:-
What material to cut the majority of the building from? Do I use an MDF, something commonly available like 3mm or do I use a plastic, maybe 1mm ABS?
What is the best approach for the corners? Do I try to make a butt joint, but use a material thin enough that the brick closures are still correct? do I try to mitre the corners either by filing or even using a jig to hold the part at 45 degrees and then slice of the angle on the laser cutter? Do I try to cut every other brick out on the corners and dovetail the walls together?
What is the best approach to windows? If I use a thicker material like 3mm MDF for the walls do I have to make the windows to fit into the recess in the wall? If I use a thinner wall material do I have multiple layers to give window reveals?
Just how clever can you get with cutting depths and engraving? The cutter can also engrave a larger area so can I do things like the recesses in a paneled door using the engraving or do I have to use multiple layers of material? Can I also engrave certain bricks away to give a slightly less perfect wall finish and is it worth doing so?
Terry Bendall wrote: Many of the firms who do offer a laser cutting service use styrene,
Terry Bendall
Alan Turner wrote:Terry Bendall wrote: Many of the firms who do offer a laser cutting service use styrene,
Not in my experience. Styrene is usualy a banned material as it damages the LASER.
barhamd wrote:This was my first attempt with the cutter Makespace in Cambridge had delivered last week.
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