Software Training

W o o d r u f f S c h o o l o f M e c h a n i c a l E n g i n e e r i n gG e o r g i a I n s t i t u t e o f T e c h n o l o g yA t l a n t a , G e o r g i a U S A

• Gain familiarity with software packages for computer aided manufacturing (CAM) and mechatronics programming prior to in-person training in Week 3 and Week 4

• Understand process workflow for laser cutting and 3D printing• Understand how to generate CAM files for fabrication (see

fabrication task sheet)• Understand installation details of the various software

packages

Learning objectives

3

Solidworks – .dxf (laser cutting), .stl (3DP) generation (PC/Vlab)

Inkscape – file preparation for laser cutting (mac/PC)

Trotec Job Control – laser cutting machine control (PC)

Cura – file preparation for 3D printing (mac/PC)

Arduino IDE – programming environment for Arduino (mac/PC)

Github – online repository for Arduino library code (web-accessed)

Software packages

*Install software packages on your local machines, consult studio description for install details*

4

File formats.dxf files .stl files

Other file formats to appear - .svg (Inkscape), .3mf (Cura), .pjx (Job Control)

5

Laser cutting• Laser-based material removal

• Cutting vs. engraving

• 2D manufacturing process

• Computer aided manufacturing (CAM)

• Limited (in this class) to MDF (0.25” thick)

Solidworks or other CAD Inkscape Trotec Job

ControlMachine control

Print

.svg file .pjx file

.dxffile

Process Workflow

6

Laser cutting parameters/limitsLaser parameters

• Speed – travel speed of laser

• Power – laser power setting

• Passes – # of times laser repeats line

Performance

• Quality (breakthrough, surface quality)

• Time

7

3D printing• Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

• 2.5D manufacturing process

• Computer aided manufacturing (CAM)

• Geometry constraints

• Limited (in this class) to PLA/PHA materials

Solidworks or other CAD Cura SD Card Ultimaker

2+

G-code

.3mf file

.stlfile

Process Workflow

8

3D printing parameters/limitsFDM parameters• Infill %• Layer thickness• Support structures• Bed adhesion• Bed temp. / nozzle temp.

Performance• Quality (geometry)• Material usage (weight or volume), time

9

Solidworks • Solidworks workflow• View manipulation• .dxf generation• .stl generation

10

Inkscape

• Inkscape workflow• Color palette• Screen zoom settings

11

Inkscape

• Loading .dxf files• Page resizing / verify page sizes• Annotation deletion• Fill and stroke operation

Ctrl+Shift+R

12

Inkscape

• Export to .svg (save)• Print to Job Control (make)• Modify print settings - Jobsize

***Importance of file naming convention***

13

Trotec Job Control

• Job Control workflow• Laser system connection • Job queue

14

Trotec Job Control• Job layout operations• Job preview control• Power and cut settings• Path optimization• Job time estimation

15

Cura

• Cura workflow• Setting machine

configurations• Opening .stl files

16

Cura

• Layout and manipulation of .stl files (move, scale, rotate, mirror, multiply, arrange)

• Adjusting print parameters• Saving .3mf project files• Exporting G-code

17

Cura

• Print/build preview• Material and time estimate• Saving .3mf project files• Exporting G-code

18

Arduino IDE and Arduino Uno• Arduino workflow• Arduino physical

connections• IDE workspace

19

Arduino IDE• Arduino code libraries• Github download• Mechatronics manual