Paper Deer

Hello everyone

Today small post explaining a project that I had the opportunity to make with my sister.

This is the paper deer!

In order to make the paper deer, I worked with a CNC laser cutter and engraver.
Before using it for cutting, I managed to find the head plans on the internet. Unfortunately the images could not be used by the laser machine software.

It was at this moment that a very long drawing work began. Indeed in order to obtain plans usable by the machine, I then had to redraw all the features present on the 30 images.

After finishing these vectorized traits, I then managed to generate a G code that allows to give the actions and displacements to be carried out by the laser cutter.

The second problem I encountered was that all the features present on the images were not just to cut. There were also some to show the location of the folds.

So before I started cutting, I did a search for laser parameters in order to have a power and a speed to cut and another power and speed to burn a little the paper and therefore have perfect bends.

After 50 tests I finally found the bests parameters.

I then reprogrammed the software that created automaticaly the program for the laser in order to have these two parameters in the same G code.

Then I load all my programs into my laser cutter and start cutting.
This is where I start a work of about 5 hours, the bonding…
Finally after several hours of perseverance, I finally managed to get my pretty deer head!

For information, it is possible to take a 3D object and repeat the same manufacturing principle. For made it, create or open a 3d file that interests you on a design software such as SolidWorks or Autocad.

We will then take this form and put it in the form of a polygon with the level of precision we want. Be carreful with the level, if this one is important, the number of pieces and then the work time will be high!

After using this method you must empty the inside of the part using the shell function. We can put as dimension 0.2mm for example.

The object being now empty, we will be able to indicate to him that this part is made with folds. The software will then be able to propose us to make a exploded view of our object.

Since our 3D object is now flat, we will then select a set of pieces that could fit inside an A4 sheet.

We will then create on all the outer edges small tabs that will allow us to glue the different parts together.

It will of course be necessary to make new vectorized lines, cutting and then bonding!

Hope this little post has taught you things!

See you soon!