Today I started a month-long residency at Shaper Tools. They're ramping up for a pre-order soon and have a pretty amazing product. I'll be using the Shaper Origin, along with standard tools (table saw, drill press) to make a kinetic sculpture. It's a really cool gig because I get to keep what I make. Basically, they're going to have a catalogue of cool stuff for marketing, but they're also going to make the files available to everyone else that might want to make something similar.
I made something simple in order to learn the tool. It's machine that makes use of four gears and a ratchet mechanism.
I made something simple in order to learn the tool. It's machine that makes use of four gears and a ratchet mechanism.
I only have until the end of July, so I can't spend too long on this project. The goal is to learn how it all works so I can tweak the main design before starting in order to mitigate as many mess-ups as I can. I'm hoping to get done with this shorter project by the end of the day Thursday.
Today I made some gears at half scale. They don't mesh as nicely as I had hoped, but I think it's due to the sharp edges on the teeth.
Today I made some gears at half scale. They don't mesh as nicely as I had hoped, but I think it's due to the sharp edges on the teeth.
I added a small fillet and I think that will do the trick.
The tool is actually really easy and intuitive to use. The only issue I have is setting up my file before importing. I'm designing everything in 3D CAD, but the Origin only accepts SVG files. That alone wouldn't be a big deal because I can save as a DXF, import to Illustrator, and then save as an SVG. The issue is with the color coding. Shaper uses four colors to differentiate between an inner and outer cut, as well as a fill cut. The issue arises when you have to stack a few different layers on top of each other to get the cut you want.
For instance, say you want to cut a donut shape out of a sheet of plywood. I'm trying to do just that so I can create a built in "rod" to attach a bearing.
For instance, say you want to cut a donut shape out of a sheet of plywood. I'm trying to do just that so I can create a built in "rod" to attach a bearing.
The issue is you can't just use one single image/color to get the cut you want. In this case, you have to stack two colors together. Blue lets you cut on the inside of the shape. Green cuts on the outside of the shape. Red is a fill cut, to get rid of material.
You can probably see the issue. If you don't open up your layers, it's hard to see what all you have in there. But you need both. The red layer cuts out all of the area. It stops before getting to the edge and middle. That is to say, it won't mis-cut, but it also can't go all the way to the edge. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind the software, but I think it only goes 1/2 the width of the cutting bit from the edge. The blue layer is what gives you the precise, to-the-edge cut.
I'm still getting used to thinking this way. It reminds me a bit of printmaking. You have to think about negative space even though you're putting something (in this case, a red and blue circle) where you want it to be cut. The same in wood and lino cuts. It could also be compared to screen printing since you have to think about all of the layers you're stacking on top of each other.
I know a lot of people won't be creating their files in a 3D CAD program, but I think there needs to be a more intuitive way lay out the cuts you want to make. There was talk of plugins for Autodesk Fusion, and maybe down the down you'll be able to upload a STEP file and it'll flatten it out for you and auto-assign what cuts to make.
I'm still getting used to thinking this way. It reminds me a bit of printmaking. You have to think about negative space even though you're putting something (in this case, a red and blue circle) where you want it to be cut. The same in wood and lino cuts. It could also be compared to screen printing since you have to think about all of the layers you're stacking on top of each other.
I know a lot of people won't be creating their files in a 3D CAD program, but I think there needs to be a more intuitive way lay out the cuts you want to make. There was talk of plugins for Autodesk Fusion, and maybe down the down you'll be able to upload a STEP file and it'll flatten it out for you and auto-assign what cuts to make.