Difference between revisions of "Inkscape how to make a pressfit design"

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== Understanding the laser cutter ==
 
== Understanding the laser cutter ==
  
The laser cutter can cut by burning away a little bit material. The laser follows the center of your vector line (drawing), burning away 0.1 mm on each side of the vector.
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The lasercutter cuts by burning away a little bit of the material. The laser follows the center of your vector line (drawing) and will burn away 0.1 mm of material on each side of the vector. Beware! Different materials and different heat settings can influence how much material exactly is lost. It is recommended to first test joinery designs before cutting the whole sheet.  
 
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Beware! Different materials and different settings on the laser cutter can influence how much material is burned away.  
+
  
 
[[File:laser-cutting-example.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:laser-cutting-example.jpg|400px]]
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'''The burning away 0.2 mm of material is a guideline, not a golden rule.'''  
 
'''The burning away 0.2 mm of material is a guideline, not a golden rule.'''  
 
When your design is ready for laser cutting, first test and measure the difference before you cut out your whole design.
 
 
You will be wasting of a lot of time, effort and material if you assume it will just work out.
 
  
  
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=== Stoke vs. Fill ===
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=== Stroke vs. Fill ===
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Open up the menu by going to object > fill and stroke.
  
Open up the fill and stoke menu by going to object > fill and stroke.
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In this menu you can change the fill (color) and the line thickness of your object. If you want to design something where scale matters (like with press fit) it is recommended to draw with a "fill" only. Because the line thickness is added to the size of your object.  
  
In this menu you can change the fill of you object and the thickness of your line width around your object. If you want to design something where scale matters (like with press fit) it is recommended to draw with a fill on you object only. Because if you design a shape with a line with set, inkscape includes the line width in the size.
 
  
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=== Example stroke vs. fill ===
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Draw a box of 50 by 50 mm, but also set a line width to 2 mm. (object > fill and stroke)
  
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Now if you look at the object with the box tool, it still seems to look ok, because that tool measures from vector to vector.
  
=== Example stroke or fill ===
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[[File:laser-cutting-example_3.jpg|400px]] 
  
Let's draw a box of 50 by 50 mm, but also set a line width to 2 mm.
 
  
Now if you look at the object with the box tool, you can still see that it still is 50 mm.
 
  
[[File:laser-cutting-example_3.jpg|400px]] 
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But if you use the black mouse tool to select your object, you can see that the line width is actually gets included in the size of your box. The line width of 2 mm get's added from the center of your vector. Hence actual size of you box is 52 x 52 mm.
  
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[[File:laser-cutting-example_4.jpg|400px]]
  
  
But if you use the black mouse tool to select your object, you can see that the line width is actually included in the size. Hence a size of 52 x 52 mm.
 
  
[[File:laser-cutting-example_4.jpg|400px]]
 
  
 
  
== Step by step in inkscape ==
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== inkscape ː how to make a test shape for lasercut pressfit ==
  
Let's say we want to make something like in this image. Cutting out 2 pieces with a slot, that (press) fit together.
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Let's say we want to make something like in this image, having 2 pieces with a slot, that (press) fit together.
  
 
[[File:Cardbord-pressfit-test.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:Cardbord-pressfit-test.jpg|400px]]
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The MDF you see in the photo is a standard plate of 4 mm thick, but if you measure it you can see that it's actually 4,13 mm.  
 
The MDF you see in the photo is a standard plate of 4 mm thick, but if you measure it you can see that it's actually 4,13 mm.  
 
Measuring really matters!
 
  
  
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'''4.''' If the smaller box is behind the bigger box you can let them swith places by selecting the shape you want to move to the front, and go to Object > Raise to Top
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'''4.''' If the smaller box is behind the bigger box you can let them switch places by selecting the shape you want to move to the front, and go to Object > Raise to Top
  
 
[[File:2_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:2_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
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'''5.''' To get the smaller box nicely centered. Go to Object > Align and Distribute.  
 
'''5.''' To get the smaller box nicely centered. Go to Object > Align and Distribute.  
  
First select both shapes, then choose in the Align and Distribute menu 'biggest object' and click on 'center on vertical axis' button.
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Select both shapes, then choose in the Align and Distribute menu 'biggest object' and click on 'center on vertical axis' button.
  
 
[[File:3_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:3_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''6.''' Now let's subtract the blue box from the red one to finish the design.
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'''6.''' To subtract the blue box from the red one, select both shapes. Go to Path > Difference.  
Select both shapes. Go to Path > Difference.  
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[[File:4_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:4_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
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=== Offsetting the line ===
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== inkscape ː how to offset trick ==
  
'''7.''' Select your design and  and go to Object > Fill and stroke
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'''7.''' Select your design and go to menu > Object > Fill and Stroke.
  
 
[[File:5_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:5_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''8.''' Go to the stroke paint tab and set a color. (click on the box)
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'''8.''' Go to the stroke style tab and change the line width to 0.2 mm.
 
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'''9.''' Then go to the stroke style tab and change the line width to 0.2 mm
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[[File:6_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:6_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''10.''' (While your object is still selected) in the menu choose Path > Stroke to path
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'''9.''' (While your object is still selected) in the menu choose Path > Stroke to path.
  
  
'''11.''' (While your object is still selected) next select Path > break apart.
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'''10.''' (While your object is still selected) next in the menu select Path > break apart.
  
Your object should now have adopted the color from your stroked line (in my case blue), and (if you zoom in) you should see 2 dotted lines around your object.  
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Your object should now have adopted the color from your stroke (in my case blue).  
  
 
[[File:7_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:7_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''12.''' (While your object is still selected) go to the fill tab of the fill and stroke menu.
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'''11.''' (While your object is still selected) In the Fill and Stroke menu, turn off the fill by clicking on the X in the Fill tab.  
And turn off the fill by clicking on the X.  
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[[File:8_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:8_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''13.''' Then set the stroke again in the stroke paint tab. (click on the box).
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'''12.''' (While your object is still selected) Then back to the stroke style tab and set the line width to the normal 0.02 mm
 
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'''14.''' Back to the stroke style tab and set the line width to 0.01 mm
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[[File:9_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:9_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
'''15.''' Deselect everything by clicking outside your shape (no more dotted lines)
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'''13.''' Deselect everything by clicking outside your shape (no more dotted lines)
  
  
'''16.''' Now select the innermost line of you object and delete that line (right mouse button).
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'''14.''' Now select the innermost line of you object and delete that line (right mouse button > delete).
  
 
[[File:10_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
 
[[File:10_inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg|400px]]
  
  
Your object is now offset by 0.1 mm to the outside.
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''Beware. If you design has a hole in it, then you delete the outside line then instead.''
 
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Beware. If you design has a hole in it, then you should offset that line to the inside. Steps are the same but delete the outside line then instead.  
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'''17.''' Now if you would cut out this shape twice with the laser cutter, they should fit together nicely.
 
  
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'''15.''' All done, now save file as PDF, and you are ready for laser cutting.
  
 
== Example of press fit project ==
 
== Example of press fit project ==

Latest revision as of 16:40, 13 June 2016


Example of a press fit design: instructables


Understanding the laser cutter

The lasercutter cuts by burning away a little bit of the material. The laser follows the center of your vector line (drawing) and will burn away 0.1 mm of material on each side of the vector. Beware! Different materials and different heat settings can influence how much material exactly is lost. It is recommended to first test joinery designs before cutting the whole sheet.

Laser-cutting-example.jpg


The burning away 0.2 mm of material is a guideline, not a golden rule.



Inkscape example: sizes

Here you see a box drawn with the size of 50 mm by 50 mm.

Laser-cutting-example 2.jpg

But after cutting out this cube with the laser cutter, the actual size would be 49.8 mm by 49.8 mm as the laser will remove 0.1 mm from all sides.


Stroke vs. Fill

Open up the menu by going to object > fill and stroke.

In this menu you can change the fill (color) and the line thickness of your object. If you want to design something where scale matters (like with press fit) it is recommended to draw with a "fill" only. Because the line thickness is added to the size of your object.


Example stroke vs. fill

Draw a box of 50 by 50 mm, but also set a line width to 2 mm. (object > fill and stroke)

Now if you look at the object with the box tool, it still seems to look ok, because that tool measures from vector to vector.

Laser-cutting-example 3.jpg


But if you use the black mouse tool to select your object, you can see that the line width is actually gets included in the size of your box. The line width of 2 mm get's added from the center of your vector. Hence actual size of you box is 52 x 52 mm.

Laser-cutting-example 4.jpg



inkscape ː how to make a test shape for lasercut pressfit

Let's say we want to make something like in this image, having 2 pieces with a slot, that (press) fit together.

Cardbord-pressfit-test.jpg


1. Create a large box (50 x 50 mm)

Laser-cutting-example 2.jpg


2. Measure you plate of material.

Measure your material.JPG

The MDF you see in the photo is a standard plate of 4 mm thick, but if you measure it you can see that it's actually 4,13 mm.


3. Create a smaller box that overlaps the first, and give it a width of your measured plate.

1 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


4. If the smaller box is behind the bigger box you can let them switch places by selecting the shape you want to move to the front, and go to Object > Raise to Top

2 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


5. To get the smaller box nicely centered. Go to Object > Align and Distribute.

Select both shapes, then choose in the Align and Distribute menu 'biggest object' and click on 'center on vertical axis' button.

3 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


6. To subtract the blue box from the red one, select both shapes. Go to Path > Difference.

4 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


Now you design is ready, final step is to prepare it for the laser cutter.


inkscape ː how to offset trick

7. Select your design and go to menu > Object > Fill and Stroke.

5 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


8. Go to the stroke style tab and change the line width to 0.2 mm.

6 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


9. (While your object is still selected) in the menu choose Path > Stroke to path.


10. (While your object is still selected) next in the menu select Path > break apart.

Your object should now have adopted the color from your stroke (in my case blue).

7 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


11. (While your object is still selected) In the Fill and Stroke menu, turn off the fill by clicking on the X in the Fill tab.

8 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


12. (While your object is still selected) Then back to the stroke style tab and set the line width to the normal 0.02 mm

9 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


13. Deselect everything by clicking outside your shape (no more dotted lines)


14. Now select the innermost line of you object and delete that line (right mouse button > delete).

10 inkscape-how-to-make-press-fit.jpg


Beware. If you design has a hole in it, then you delete the outside line then instead.


15. All done, now save file as PDF, and you are ready for laser cutting.

Example of press fit project