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dwyl / workshop

⚡ Learn how to create things in the workshop using hand tools, CAD CAM/CNC & lasers!
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FreeCAD | Laser Cut Interlocking workbench #38

Open iteles opened 4 years ago

iteles commented 4 years ago

https://github.com/execuc/LCInterlocking

Step 2 (after the basics #37) is the Laser Cut Interlocking workbench. There hasn't been any development on it in 10 months as of the time of writing.

NOTE This module looks super cool but there's a huge disclaimer around it being still experimental and not reliable. The release for FreeCAD 0.19 is also still in progress so we should run 0.18 (which is currently the latest stable version anyway).

Definitely trying this out.

This is a cool little video on it in use as a good example. Uses the laser cut interlocking workbench, adds tabs and then goes into the part design workbench to adjust them and create holes where needed with pockets too: https://wayofwood.com/laser-cutting-cad-design-with-freecad/

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iteles commented 4 years ago

Another cute little intro video which is useful in terms of understanding how the tab workflow. This one starts in Sketcher and then moves to LCInterlocking to add tabs and export.

He notes that LCInterlocking doesn't always play well with parts that have had a lot of work done to them so recommends you create a simple copy to work with when changing to the LCInterlocking workbench.

The interesting note here is that he notes he 'Can't get the dxf export to work' but exports as svg and then uses that in Inkscape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffn1w9xbYp4 image

iteles commented 4 years ago

Again, as I mentioned in the readme, these don't make much sense as written instructions. But keeping quick tabs here of the little trials so that they are easy to refer back to - videos should be created of these as the main reference.

Useful things to know

Step 0: Open FreeCAD and select Create New for a new project

freecad-start-create-new

Basic Box

  1. Select the Laser Cut Interlocking workbench from the workbench drop-down select-LCI-workbench

  2. Select Make box without tabs from the workbench tools freecad-lci-create-box-without-tabs

  3. It appears to be a 2D shape but down be fooled! As soon as you start moving it around, you realise that the LCI workbench has created a full box for you, you're just looking at the top. Update the dimensions as you'd like and press OK freecad-lci-change-new-box-dimensions

Now we want to create the connection tabs

I fell like this might actually be a separate issue!

iteles commented 4 years ago

Realised I'd never made a basic box with finger joints so quick detour to look through this video. Interesting section on kerfs and testing what the kerf is on your laser cutter for your material (right at the beginning).

I'll try to make one box without accounting for kerfs first and then try accounting for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBSQGHBpBWg

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nkamc commented 4 years ago

ParamDemo.zip

nelsonic commented 4 years ago

Today we managed to get Laser Cut Interlocking workbench working on Windows machine (manual install) and create, export and cut my first pice using FreeCAD. We're off to the races! 🐎

iteles commented 4 years ago

Note: the youtube video above (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBSQGHBpBWg) discusses how the creator takes into account laser kerfs.

iteles commented 3 years ago

Just noting this down as I'm closing tabs, but this intro to parametric modelling is worth writing notes on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXoRAYv1wHQ

I've watched it through, just need to write the notes.

I feel a freecad series coming on... something to storyboard this weekend @nelsonic? 😉